1. In your opinion, what sets the Chamber apart from other organizations?
The founder and president is the reason the GHWCC is different and better than other similar types of organizations. I’ve been a member of many others, but none have a leader with the passion for helping women and the drive that never stops. It shows in everything she does for the Chamber.
2. Can you provide a brief overview of your career journey and the path that led you to your current position?
I am a medical property specialist in commercial real estate, and it was not planned. But when I look back at my path to this end, the critical steps that contributed to this career appear obvious. As young as 14 or 15 years old, I worked for doctors during the summer months when I was not in school. I continued that in college, and became very comfortable in the medical field and with medical professionals. I studied sciences with an intent to do something with an emphasis on research and analysis. Life threw some big curves at me before this career really began, but eventually I was hired to represent tenants and buyers of commercial real estate. When I represented physicians, I often was referred to their colleagues. After several years, I realized I could risk specializing in medical properties for owners and users, and my constant desire to analyze a situation to get the best result for my clients paid off as a medical property investment specialist. There is nothing better than a happy client and referrals.
3. Looking back on your career, what are some of the most valuable lessons you have learned?
(a) Require everything to be documented in a business transaction.
(b) Make every presentation or report as professional and as good as possible because it’s a reflection on you.
(c) Make it clear up front that you want to have an honest and open business relationship with anyone you’re working with so everyone can deal with the actual circumstances rather than their imagination.
4. Who has been a source of inspiration for you, both personally and professionally?
It’s actually two people: Suzan Deison and Mary Ann Wilkins. I watch how they both are women who clearly enjoy being a woman, which I do too, but their work ethic blows me away. No matter what the event, they never forget to sell their company/organization and the services they can provide. They are the most polished, professional women I have ever known and are a constant source of inspiration.
5. Lastly, can you share a memorable success story of a woman who has been positively impacted by the Chamber’s programs and services, or how the Chamber has personally impacted you?
When I worked on my first event for the Chamber, I was on stage and introduced to the audience. My job was mentioned, and someone in the audience paid attention and called me that afternoon. It turned into a memorable job assignment and a friendship with the woman from the audience. In addition, I recently was referred two female professionals who had called the Chamber and needed some professional advice. I invited them to my office and gave them plenty of free verifiable information and advice that kept them from making a costly mistake. I didn’t expect to ever see them again; but eight months later, they contacted me to represent them on a transaction. I couldn’t have felt more respected or enjoyed working with anyone more. The icing on the cake was that they said they were “ecstatic” with the results.