The real estate business has changed dramatically over the years; from the countless ways we communicate today to how and where we do business and with whom. Women are changing the game and rewriting the rules for the real estate industry. We are now the chairmen of national companies, heads of our divisions, master developers and much more. But one thing remains the same: those with determination and passion still rise to the top.
As chairman of Prudential Douglas Elliman's Retail Group, I am responsible for the highest earning retail office in the Prudential Real Estate Affiliates network. Additionally, I oversee the retail divisions of Prudential commercial offices across the country. But when I started out in the 1980s, the majority of the women in our industry worked in administrative positions, regardless of their education and experience. I was usually the only woman in the room negotiating a deal. And like many of my successful female peers at that time, I worked twice as hard and for twice as many hours in order to be taken seriously by my male counterparts.
Among my biggest breakthroughs was in 1987, when Charlie Aug, founder and president of Garrick-Aug, encouraged me to open an office in Paris for the firm - a dream come true. Going global was unheard of in those days, but Charlie trusted my vision and gave me a chance. When he saw how successful the office was, I was named vice chairman of Garrick-Aug Worldwide, another milestone for women in the industry. Many of the relationships I developed abroad are still part of my professional and personal life to this day.
Closer to home, I began working with Times Square Redevelopment in the early 1990s, which heightened my focus on preserving our great city-an ongoing commitment. The experience also provided me with many of the tools I needed when it was time to help Cartier keep its Fifth Ave. mansion 10 years later-a good fight on behalf of a signature client.
But the pinnacle of my career has been working with Prudential Douglas Elliman, which I joined in 2005. With the support of Prudential's vast network, we have been better able to strategically service our landlords, shopping center owners and REITs across the country. We have an important global advantage, as well, thanks to "the rock," one of the most recognized icons in the world. Locally, our efforts have reshaped, re-positioned and/or reinvigorated significant retail corridors along the Upper East Side, Soho, Meatpacking and Nolita, across the outer boroughs and uptown to Harlem, East and West.

Follow Your Instincts
Throughout the downturn we continued to complete transactions and in the process introduced new and exciting brands to the city from India, Russia, Brazil and Asia. We helped long-established European designers, fashion icons, horologists and gourmet specialty shops expand to our shores. By being creative, we were able to extend our reach in ways that benefited both landlords and tenants.
Shortly after bringing a master pastry chef from Lisbon to Nolita-his first ever U.S. location-we brought haute teas from Paris into Bloomies Country. Next thing we knew, tea had become the new chocolate.
The Road Back
The New Year is already a breath of fresh air, with retail earnings surpassing the forecasts. And the good news continues on according to the latest Beige Book because retail sales have rebounded not only in New York, but in Cleveland, Richmond and Kansas City. There is improvement in both primary and secondary markets, bolstered by tourism pick-up.

Passing on the Passion
With changes occurring at all times, in every economy, it is critically important to nurture following generations in our industries, as well as maintain broad professional networks. I stay active in many industry associations, both in real estate and retail, such as CREW, AREW, NYCREW, YM/WREA and ICSC.
Recently, I was appointed to the RECon 2010 Intellectual Task Force, a tremendous honor. In Las Vegas later this month, I will be a key contributor to ICSC's innovative Special Interest Group (SIG) sessions; responsible for five Women in Retail Real Estate roundtable panels. My particular presentation will center on Retailers and Globalization. These roundtables are the first in a series that we are, literally, taking on the road to ICSC conferences in Boston, San Diego, Chicago and Dallas, from July through December. We're planning for even more in the states and from there...Europe!
The Las Vegas event, which is the world's largest retail real estate conference, will be both an opportunity to provide information to colleagues, as well as learn from old and new friends. It's going to be a banner year at RECon and registration, which is required, may be completed and paid for online at www.icsc.org/2010SC/SIG.php.

Keep Your Eyes Wide Open
Interacting with industry leaders is how relationships are built that, invariably, lead to success. And if it's in a convivial environment, that's all the better because having fun with what you do is just as important as making money. It is often more productive to be creative, than competitive. When you can combine passion with a positive attitude, along with a willingness to learn and persevere, no one can stop you! Tags: