Roundell of Cresa NY: Women are making tremendous strides

Name: Jane Roundell Title: Principal Company Name: Cresa New York Follow my company on Twitter @CresaCorp What year did you start your career in commercial real estate: 1988 Real Estate Associations/Organizations: Real Estate Board of New York; Plaza Committee - REBNY What recent honor, achievement or recognition has meant the most to you and why? This past year, I had the honor of being named a principal of the New York office of Cresa. This is especially meaningful to me because I am currently the only female principal in the New York office. Not only is this a culmination of my real estate career and my work with Cresa since 2001, but it is also an achievement which I hope inspires other women both at Cresa and in commercial real estate. I believe that women are making tremendous strides in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career and why? When I was in my early thirties, my employer realized that I was intelligent and hardworking. He provided me with a real opportunity to advance, giving me more responsibility in heading all of the company's leasing efforts. I not only learned an incredible amount, but I gained a level of confidence which has stayed with me. What is the first thing you do when you arrive in the office in the morning? I walk to work in the morning which enables me to organize my day and establish daily goals. The first thing I do when I get to the office is change my shoes! What time management strategies do you find to be the most effective for you? I do not procrastinate. I am someone who likes to get things off my plate and move on to the next thing. I find it is helpful to organize what I have to do the next day before I leave the office in the evening. What is the best advice you have received and who was it from? My high school teacher Tracey Cogswell, one of my first mentors, told me to change my first name when I started college (which I did, but I won't say what it used to be!). List 3 women that you would like to have drinks / dinner with and where would you go? 1. Margaret Thatcher, The Anglesea Pub in London 2. Katharine Hepburn, catered at the park on 47th Street where the garden bears her name 3. Gloria Steinem, anywhere other than the Bunny Club! What is your favorite quote? "There are two things you can never get back - your time and your reputation." What did you want to be when you grew up? An opera singer