Name: Carrie Villani

Title: Director of Marketing

Company Name: LERA Consulting Structural Engineers

Association/Organization Affiliations (REAL ESTATE ONLY): CREW, CTBUH, SMPS

What is your favorite motivational quote?
“I’ll take you to the highest mountain, To the depths of the deepest sea, We won’t need a map, believe me.” ~ Martin Gore

What books, blogs, podcasts, resources or influencers would you recommend to women?
“Madame Architect” by Julia Gamolina features interview of women in architecture and other parts of the industry. Each story is unique and inspirational and features a wide diversity of women at small and large firms, brokers, public relations and tells the challenges and victories of their careers and personal interests.

Who inspired you to join the CRE Industry?
My high school art teacher Bill Koostra made me believe in the possibilities of art school where I studied architectural photography and found my way into the industry. 

What was one of your biggest accomplishments in the last 12 months?
I have reconnected to one of my first industry contacts and it has lead to multiple new parks projects at LERA. In addition, while pursuing a large infrastructure upgrade project I realized one of the team members and I went to summer camp together. I love network connections that can pay off even decades later. In this very competitive industry, it is wonderful to remember being a decent, helpful, memorable person and encouraging the best from yourself and others pays off.