Chris Williams Williams: “It can be hard to develop a relationship with top decision maker when you’re 25 and they’re far more seasoned.”

SAN DIEGO—This is the first year all of the mentors in NAIOP San Diego’s Developing Leaders program are developers, which helps the mentees get a very comprehensive education, the program’s co-leaders tell GlobeSt.com. After the program’s recent installation of Chris Williams of Colliers International and Melissa Scofield of CBRE as co-chairs, we spoke exclusively with them about the program, what makes it compelling and what’s planned for members in the coming year as well as the broader future.

GlobeSt.com: What do you find compelling about NAIOP San Diego’s Developing Leaders program in general?

Scofield: We have received feedback from previous Developing Leaders members stating that getting involved with this group was the best career decision they’ve made. The mentorship program is a large reason why the Developing Leaders program has been so successful over the years. The program provides access to key leaders in our industry, which is a huge competitive advantage for members, personally and professionally.

Williams: It can be hard to develop relationships with top decision makers when you’re 25 and they’re far more seasoned. Through our mentorship program, 10 to 12 Developing Leaders are paired with a developer who is prominent in our market, and those DLs get to spend one-on-one and small group time with that person, get access to project walk-throughs, learn about pro forma underwriting and more.

Scofield: In that same vein, being able to collaborate and network with fellow young professionals in our industry who are in similar points in their careers is hugely beneficial. The subsequent support network that results from this program is priceless.

Melissa Scofield Scofield: “Being able to collaborate and network with fellow young professionals in our industry who are in similar points in their careers is hugely beneficial.”

GlobeSt.com: What interesting things do you have planned for the program in the coming year?

Scofield: This is the first year all of our mentors are developers, which helps the mentees get a very comprehensive education. Also, throughout the year, we’re combining our legacy mixers (e.g. March Madness) and special events (e.g. NAIOPalooza) with some fresh topics for lunch-n-learns, new venues and fantastic mentors.

Williams: We’re also excited about our Rock Star programs, where a semi-celebrity-status developer talks to us about achieving career success. Our Developing Leaders council is already nearly 300 members strong, and we expect our fantastic program lineup to attract even more.

GlobeSt.com:  In what direction is the program heading in the future?

Scofield: We hope we can continue to grow our DL program to be the best it can be. Our job as a DL Council is to work together to do everything in our power to make this program invaluable to our peers, with the ultimate goal being to have each member finish out every year feeling empowered and made better for it.

Williams: Overall, we’re excited to represent the younger generation of our industry, and we plan to continue to help our DL Council and entire chapter learn about new trends and technologies that we can incorporate into our careers and our projects. We are the Millennial generation everyone is targeting, so who better to provide an insider voice within our association?

GlobeSt.com: What else should our readers know about this program?

Williams: From a national perspective, San Diego has one of the strongest chapters and DL Councils. Our DL program has won national recognition; it’s a well-established, well-oiled machine for career growth. The caliber of NAIOP chapters and DL Councils around the country is remarkable, so to be considered a top group is a huge honor, especially considering the size of our market.

Scofield: From personal experience, we can tell you that NAIOP’s Developing Leaders program is well worth the time and financial investment. On that note, it’s not too late to join and apply for the mentorship program. Our Mentorship Kick Off Event happens on Wednesday, Feb. 17, at one of Locale Advisors’ new projects called the Yard. If the name of the project isn’t intriguing enough to get you out of bed, ample coffee and breakfast will be provided, along with a huge group of people (mentors and mentees) excited to kick off this year’s program with you. Feel free to reach out to Courtney Moore ([email protected]) for details.

Williams: Also, people should remember that it’s easy to take success for granted in a strong economic cycle, but you won’t always be able to rely on a good market—it’s not sustainable. Relationships, however, are. Developing Leaders is composed of go-getters—the future leaders of our industry. You want these people in your network.