Career Development

"I always advise younger people to find a mentor early in their career, who will give honest feedback and support," says Marcy Moneypenny, Avison Young principal and managing director.

"My job is not necessarily about the details or even the specific outcomes, but to guide my team at Hill West to do great work," says David West, founding partner of Hill West Architects.

"The best and most surprising lesson that I have learned is that anything can happen. You can't take anything for granted because what can happen, will happen– whether that's in life or in business," says Robert Nelson, president of Nelson Management Group.

"For the next generation, my advice would be to make a list of where you want to be in the next three, five or 10 years, and start backwards with what you will do to get there," says Keyvan Ghaytanchi, COO of BEB Capital.

"Be curious; find a mentor; ask for more work from the folks whom you admire," suggests Robert Byron, chairman, co-CEO and co-founder of Blue Vista Capital Management.

Greystone and Project Destined work with NYC students and HBCU students through learning and mentorships.

"It's really a dream to be able to do what you love, make a great living, and improve the city you live in. Life is short, so spending it doing something meaningful and fun is important," says Meg Epstein, CEO and founder of CA South.

This year's 2022 CREW Network Convention will be held September 21-23 at the Hilton Chicago, where more than 1,200 commercial real estate leaders from all around the globe are expected to come together for business networking and industry education.