In Southern California, ethnic diversity is a pre-requisite, given the mix that exists within the local population. Cody Plott, president and CEO of Colliers Seeley, tells West Coast South bureau chief Patricia Kirk that both language and culture are issues in working with multicultural clients. He notes that his firm's ethnic balance is reflective of the population in general at about 70/30 (whites to minorities), but not of its clientele, which is about 60/40. "This certainly is not ideal," he states. "So we must continue to push to reach our goal."

For the full story from Los Angeles, click on:Ethnic and Gender Balance is a Top Priority for SoCal Industry Leaders

Greg Collins of Julien J. Studley sees his Manhattan-based firm as progressive in its hiring and promotion of minorities. "We've enjoyed a certain degree of success with blacks, females and Asians in our ranks," he tells Northeast bureau chief Amy Vaughn. "We're probably no less representative than the rest of the industry. Of our almost 500 people, I'd say 40% empirically fall into the category of minority. That can't be a bad number."

In the Southwest, those numbers sag, as bureau chief Connie Gore reports. Despite high-risk, high-reward opportunities, the industry there is not seeing an influx of African-Americans and Hispanics to its fold. Cushman & Wakefield of Texas Inc. is one of the few in the region that has a minority broker on board.

"I am confident that my company and other firms within the industry have recognized the need for a racially diverse workforce," says broker Lawrence Gardner. "I realize the best way for me to be an instrument for change is by being successful and letting my accomplishments speak for themselves."

For the full story from Dallas, click on:Commercial Real Estate: Diversified Workforce Slow in Coming, But It's Coming

Turning from race to the issue of gender, that's a lesson most women who have carved a niche in the industry have learned, and stars are rising on the regional level, as Realvest Partners founder and chairman George D. Livingston tell Southeast bureau chief Alex Finkelstein. "The top office broker in Orlando is Nan McCormick with CB Richard Ellis Inc. and one of the top industrial brokers is Susan Ruby with Cushman & Wakefield," he reports.

But Livingston senses that this is more the exception than the rule. "Orlando is more progressive in hiring women than any other city I regularly visit," he states, adding that the leasing end of the commercial real estate business attracts numerous women in metro Orlando, particularly for the career growth opportunities.

Diana Yurek of Sumitomo Real Estate Sales of New York Inc. sees it differently and told Amy Vaughn so: "There are quite a few women in residential, but not commercial. I'd say only 5% to 10% of the people in brokerage are women, but in residential it's about 22%." She says that for her, commercial was more exciting, and as an alumnus of all-women's Mt. Holyoke, she had been encouraged to pursue her goals and not be stopped by apparent obstacles such as the number of her fellow women in the field.

But, she adds, "Because the industry is 95% male, there is a considerable amount of male networking and male bonding that goes on over golf and lunch. A lot of women have been able to make a living with smaller firms, but it's very tough to break in to the big time as a woman. There really aren't too many owners and executives who are women, nor women who have stayed in the industry for more than 10 years. It's a combination of both a glass ceiling and simply women not pursuing it."

For the full story from New York, click on:Standards Create Level Playing Field in Real Estate, for the Most Part

Jan Bottcher, first VP, office buildings, for CB Richard Ellis in Portland, agrees. "I think it's a surprisingly open environment for women," she tells Northwest bureau chief Brian Miller, "and it has always startled me that there are not more women in the business."

"Women are really well-suited for this business," she continues. "Generally, I find they are a little more patient, very multitask-oriented and excellent listeners. With those kinds of characteristics, anybody can do well."

Joyce M. Slone never stopped to count how many women were in the business. The recently-elected president of the Chicago chapter of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors started working for a local real estate firm in high school and has spent the past 15 years in sales.

However, Slone knows that of the 2,000 SIOR members worldwide, fewer than 100 are women. What's more, Slone specializes in industrial sales, an area she concedes has few other women practitioners. "There have always been more office brokers than industrial brokers," says Slone, a director in the Rosemont office of C&W. "I'm in industrial and I'm one of 12 women in Chicago."

However, those numbers will grow, Slone tells Midwest bureau chief Mark Ruda. "Several senior brokers have assistants, and their assistants are women."

Stereotypes haven't disappeared, though. "I still go through this--a lot of people wouldn't think I'd know about things like power in the building," Slone said. "It's kind of a non-feminine thing. Once women get past that, though, we'll be at the top, because we've had to work harder."

For the full story from Chicago, click on:Top Women Brokers Say Bias Is No Barrier in Office, Industrial Sectors

Instant Insights /

BIG PICTURE--Stereotypes Still Exist in Real Estate, Though Race and Gender Barriers Are Crumbling

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