Pay It Forward: "Speak Up and Engage." Career Advice from Cheryl Gray of QuadReal Property Group

What has been your biggest challenge or obstacle in your particular role and how have you overcome those obstacles/? My roles have evolved over the years. In some cases, I became the first woman to hold a particular role within an organization, which has its own challenges. And at other times, as a woman in a large group of executives with a male majority, I was not always readily “included”.

In every situation, though, I’ve always found it important to speak up and engage with peers at every level, regardless of gender, because if you wait to be invited to do so, you might find that invitation never comes to you.

Where would you say commercial real estate needs to improve for women? Without question, we need to continue to help women achieve C-suite level roles in CRE. We’ve made progress, but it’s far slower than it should be given the world around us. The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) has been helping build momentum behind advancing women in real estate through education sessions that offer career growth strategies for women, and by partnering with organizations like CREW Network, which advances women in real estate globally. IREM members throughout the world are active in helping women in real estate achieve success.

How can women better position themselves for success? CRE values the transactional activities of the business versus the operational side. However, as a real estate professional, it’s important to have knowledge of both to provide maximum potential for senior-level opportunities. Also, regardless of gender, networking and career-long learning are two important factors to be successful.

Networking and learning are two essential components of IREM’s mission. Over the years, as an IREM member, I’ve built a network of professionals I can call on with any question or challenge I’m facing. There’s no doubt my career has been shaped by my IREM relationships, and I would encourage anyone in this business to draw on these types of connections.

What is the best piece of advice you have received that has helped you succeed in your industry? And do you have any advice for the next generation? I’ve had a variety of coaching moments that helped me in my journey, each one moving me forward. I also have a good instinct for being decisive and finding an employer that matches my values. For any employer/employee, it’s a two-way relationship, and each party has to benefit from that relationship. When you find it isn’t mutual, find a way to fix it or be decisive enough to make a change.

What, in particular, can women bring to the table as the industry continues to grapple with the COVID19 crisis? CRE has faced many challenges before. The industry overcame those challenges, and they’ll find a way to overcome COVID-19. What’s different with this pandemic, though, is the duration and global impact. Most major events in the past 20 to 25 years have been short in duration, and few have been global.

I think what’s important now is to ensure we balance the business-centric perspective with the human one. People, employees, tenants, residents, and other stakeholders in CRE have many varying concerns and views as to how business reopens, and even which businesses will be able to reopen. Empathy, business acumen, and creativity will be important traits for the successful CRE executive of the future. This is the time to stay connected with your colleagues from around the world, share experiences and knowledge, and work to get through this together.

Would you advise your daughter to begin a career in CRE? I have advised my daughter to consider a career in CRE. It’s a great industry with limitless possibilities, especially for women today. As I’ve worked in property management for 40 years, although finding it by chance, not choice, I’ve never worried about job security or stability, in good economic times or bad.

The built environment requires good management, more than ever today with the impact of COVID-19, and it’s a constantly evolving profession in which I’m continually learning. Best career ever!