Professional Profile: Rose Williams 2024

Rose Williams

Name: Rose Williams

Title: Managing Director, Corporate Interiors, The Americas

Company: Unispace

Location: New York

Birthplace: Nelson, New Zealand

Education: Bachelor of Building Science, Majoring in Project Management and Sustainable Engineering Systems, from Victoria University of Wellington

First job: In high school, I managed a café. Looking back, those skills set me up well for running a team in the corporate world.

First job in real estate or allied field: I worked in project management for a design-build firm.

What do you do now and what are you planning for the future? I’m the managing director, corporate interiors, Americas at Unispace. We design and deliver exceptional workspaces for our clients across a range of verticals, primarily corporate interiors and life sciences. I enjoy strategizing and running teams that can both deliver a unique service offering to a diversified client base, and challenge and disrupt the industry they are operating in. For the future, I see myself continuing to build upon this skill set in a sector outside of the construction industry.

How do you unwind from a busy day? Taking a run through Central Park (which I’m lucky to have nearly in my backyard!) or finding a new restaurant or bar with friends in one of New York’s many neighborhoods.

Favorite book or author: I’m a fan of Anthony Doerr’s books and have enjoyed the limited series “All The Light We Cannot See”, based on his book. I recently finished Isabel Allende’s “The Wind Knows My Name”, which I loved.

Favorite movie: I’m the first to admit I’m not a movie person!

Favorite streaming series: “Succession”

One word to describe your work environment: Collaborative

Rules to live by in business: Lead with purpose, be performance driven. To be a leader who drives results, you must be authentic.

If you could invite one person to dinner (living or dead, but not related to you) who would it be and where would you go? Michelle Obama (and no particular location – somewhere in NYC) – I recently finished her biography and she just seems like such a neat person.

What is your DREAM job? (Something other than your current job): I’d love the challenge of leading the executive team at a major global airport! I travel a lot personally and have come to realize how much I appreciate effective airport operations.