Leading with Compassion: Words from Our Women of Influence

With Michelle Wogan, Blake Peterson, Leah Gallagher and Sara Maffey

Women comprise a growing proportion of the commercial real estate industry and often face unique challenges in advancing their careers. In May, GlobeSt.com and Real Estate Forum (REF) selected four Transwestern leaders as recipients of the annual Women of Influence Award. Each was asked to share thoughts about how the commercial real estate industry can continue to evolve to be more inclusive. Because their comments are valuable for everyone, we are sharing their responses here.

REF: What has been your biggest challenge as a woman, and how do you overcome those obstacles?

Michelle Wogan: After over 30 years in commercial real estate, there have been many challenges in my career that I have had to overcome. Doing your best work, focusing on doing the right thing and caring for others has helped me throughout life and my career. This is certainly a relationship and people-oriented business, which makes it personal to me in most circumstances. Positive results may be a measure of success, but we don’t always win. And that is just life. Focusing on the positive results has helped me overcome any challenge I have faced during my career. I am very fortunate to have an empowering network around me, and I strive to surround myself with affirmative and intelligent people.

REF: How can the commercial real estate industry be more inclusive?

Blake Peterson: Some unfortunate stereotypes give young women the impression that they must build emotional barriers and downplay feminine instincts in order to advance their career. The mentality that people can’t have a successful career and a rewarding family and personal life can be discouraging, especially to young women. It is my experience that the pursuit of multiple goals simultaneously can be incredibly fulfilling. In fact, the most successful people are those who simply do not shy away from extremely hard work – whether that be on their career, family, health or anything else. What can help stabilize that life balance is flexibility in the workplace to support varying responsibilities and schedules. Perhaps one of the unintended benefits of the COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders will be a shift away from traditional office hours in favor of schedules that accommodate different lifestyle needs.

REF: How can women – or any professional – position themselves for success?

Leah Gallagher: My role today leading a leasing, sales and property management team is quite different from the transactional role I had for most of my career, but it suits my style of collaboration. I always sought to collaborate with others outside my discipline. I welcomed impromptu brainstorming sessions and enjoyed understanding the dynamics and challenges across the commercial real estate industry. I encourage everyone to be well rounded in their knowledge and understanding of commercial real estate. Also, acting as a “sounding board” for a colleague with a challenging transactional issue will pay back in knowledge gained and relationships strengthened.

REF: What advice do you have for the next generation?

Sara Maffey: Build a network of mentors – both men and women, and in a variety of roles and disciplines. When I was starting my career, I sought out women in leadership positions to become my mentors or to emulate their careers. I couldn’t find many, but I am lucky to have found male mentors who have helped me tremendously over the course of my career. The challenges women face in our industry cannot be solved by women alone. We need mentors and allies in all our colleagues.