Following a one-year stay at the Marriott Marquis Washington, D.C., this year’s edition of the ICSC Mid-Atlantic Deal Making Session landed at The Westin Downtown DC, and those making the early morning trek during a snowy day were treated to a genuine, heartfelt, and inspirational discussion from four powerhouse retail real estate executives. The 8 a.m. session, entitled “Trailblazers in CRE: Women driving influence in retail real estate,” was moderated by Emily Whalen, Retail Analyst, Rappaport.
“You need to advocate for yourself, because no one out there is going to identify you and proactively suggest they provide career advice or mentorship,” explained Bethany Kazaba, CEO, Managing Principal, Neighborhood Retail Group. “You need to initiate the process and that begins by figuring out three people that are highly-respected in the industry and three people that intimidate you. Next, ask them for an informational meeting, or better yet, ask to observe them while they perform their job. You will be surprised to hear that most will accept your offer. That is how successful people think–they truly want to help others. Once you have established yourself in your career, understand that your reputation compounds over time, and if you always prove yourself to be reliable and demonstrate integrity, opportunities will naturally follow.”