Women’s History Month highlights the vital role of women in American history and contemporary society. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories,” begs the question, “what is history other than our collective stories?” With this prompt in mind, we sat down with a few of the many women within our Brandywine community to hear a little bit about their stories.
Lori Wise, Director, Applications & Data Management
Office Location: Philadelphia, PA
Tenure: Almost 13 years
What is your favorite thing about your job?
When our projects have an immediate positive impact on end users’ day-to-day work. Whether it is streamlining a task that had previously been more cumbersome and difficult, or making something more accessible – sometimes it’s little things that can make the most difference and alleviate some stress. It’s always rewarding when we get meaningful feedback about the work we’ve done.
Who is an influential woman in your life and what have you learned from her?
I was greatly influenced by my mother, who passed away in 2012. Although I didn't fully grasp this lesson until later in life, she taught me when I was young not to lose sight of all the good things in life just because some things are hard or difficult. Despite all the bad, there's always some good or something to be grateful for. Despite many hard days during her 15-year battle with cancer, she always focused on the good.
What excites you most about working in commercial real estate right now?
Commercial real estate has so many exciting new solutions now. We used to find ourselves having to shop solutions outside of our industry and trying to find one that could translate into our business model. But now, as an example, when we wanted a Power BI solution, we were able to go with NavigatorCRE, a Power BI solution for specifically for commercial real estate companies. Navigator's knowledge of commercial real estate made the roll-out process so streamlined and efficient.
Lynn Ferry, Employee Relations Manager
Office: Wilmington, DE
Tenure: 10 years in May
What are you inspired by, either personally or professionally?
Authenticity, humility, and compassion for others. These ideals inspire me both personally and professionally.
What is your favorite thing about your job?
The people. Over what is almost a decade that I have been at BDN, I am in awe of the BDN family/employees. Such an exceptional group of amazing people, driven towards a common goal.
Who is an influential woman in your life and what have you learned from her?
Maya Angelou- Her resilience and determination in overcoming adversity, her powerful and eloquent writing, her advocacy for social justice and equality, and her unwavering commitment to uplifting marginalized communities.
Natalie Shieh, Vice President of Development
Office Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Tenure: 1.5 years
What are you inspired by, either personally or professionally?
I am inspired by great places. Whenever I’m out and about, whether it’s a simple errand or I’m traveling abroad, I always take note of places that make me pause and smile. What are the ingredients of that place that created a memory point for me? Answering that question is the art of what we do.
Who is an influential woman in your life and what have you learned from her?
I have had the great fortune of having several influential female role models in my life and the common thread is their ability to face tough challenges with grit and grace. They are firm and compassionate, decisive, and inclusive.
What advice do you have for women in the commercial real estate/AEC industry?
Be yourself. Lead by example and lift up the next generation alongside you.
Denise A. Ross, Leasing Representative
Office Location: Wilmington, Delaware
Tenure: 10 years
What is your favorite thing about your job?
My favorite thing about my job at Brandywine is the pride I feel when people talk about the company. Our brand is very strong with tenants, brokers, vendors, and the communities in which our properties are located. Many professionals and tenants have given high compliments to our customer service.
Who is an influential woman in your life and what have you learned from her?
The most influential woman in my life is my mother. I have yet to meet anyone with the drive and determination my mother had in living her life. Despite being an excellent dental hygienist and being offered a full ride to dental school, she chose her true love—classical ballet and dance—and opened a school for classical ballet. Sadly, my father passed away at just 36 and my mother found herself with three daughters to support and a business to run. I learned from my mother that you can find a way to fulfill your dreams no matter what the odds; she saw to it that her daughters were cared for, her business was successful through hard work, and despite having that on her plate, she still found time to plant an abundant garden every summer, paint the exterior of our house, and teach us how to change a spark plug. I never felt like anything was missing in my life so long as my mother was there with her encouragement throughout my career. She said many prayers that my real estate deals would close, and knowing I had that support, it was easy to work hard to make it happen.
What advice do you have for women in the commercial real estate/AEC industry?
My advice to women in the commercial real estate industry would be to enjoy the process—it’s one of the most exciting industries. When it’s busy, grind through it and work hard. When it’s slow, network with everyone. Support other women in the industry. And, always stay in touch with your smallest and largest tenants because when they need you, they will know who to call.
Susan Ford, Construction Controller
Office: Austin, TX
Tenure: 18 months
What excites you most about working in commercial real estate right now?
I love watching the project being built from the ground up and know I’m a small part of it.
What is your favorite thing about your job?
I’d say the people I work with. We have a great team who respect and support each other.
Who is an influential woman in your life and what have you learned from her?
My mom is someone who inspires me. She was a single mom through teens years with four children who worked a full time job but had dinner on the table every night and did all the “mom things.”
Stacey Mosley, Director of Research
Office: Philadelphia, PA
Tenure: 3.5 Years
What advice do you have for women in the commercial real estate/AEC industry?
Build a multi-disciplinary network of industry contacts (in finance, law, architecture, construction, etc.) and you’ll have people (or at least sound references) available when the time comes to help you navigate risks and unknowns in the field.
What is your favorite thing about your job?
I am fortunate to work with so many talented individuals at Brandywine, and to have the opportunity to witness the outcomes and interplay of their very diverse skills.
What is an achievement (personal or professional) you are proud of?
Taking the risk to raise money and build something from nothing with my first company. I am still unpacking lessons from that experience and will for years to come.
Grace Malinder, Property Manager
Office Location: Radnor, PA
Tenure: 4 years
Who is an influential woman in your life and what have you learned from her?
There are so many women that I am inspired by, first and foremost my mother, who came to an unknown territory, raised two girls in a new era, and allowed us to become strong independent individuals, when she herself was lost in a new language and culture. On a professional platform, my gratitude extends to Missy A. Quinn, who embodies true leadership, seeing her team and empowering each one of one of them to become the best version of themselves by providing the resources, guidance, and growth. She believed in me, before I believed in myself.
What is an achievement (personal or professional) you are proud of?
Personally my biggest accomplishment is the family my husband and I have created with our two children, Connor and Elena. Professionally, attaining not only my Real Estate License, RPA, but being one of the first to receive 2017 BOMA Michael J. Coleman Scholarship Award. This award allotted me the opportunity to attend BOMA International in Nashville, where I was immersed into the CRE industry, allowing me further growth opportunities, which ultimately catapulted my career.
What excites you most about working in commercial real estate right now?
Right now the most exciting happening in CRE is the Life Science sector, being part of focused opportunity within the Brandywine family is a true privilege.
Kelly Xu, Tax Director
Office Location: Philadelphia, PA
Tenure: 5 years
What are you inspired by, either personally or professionally?
I am inspired by loving each moment of my life including my family, my work, and my personal development and growth. It is a wonderful thing to see a better version of myself each day.
What is your favorite thing about your job?
I like the people I am working with. It is my great honor to work with great colleagues each day.
What excites you most about working in commercial real estate right now?
While, we are currently at a very uncertain time, I am a strong believer in the power of workspace and I love working from our office. I am excited to find out where this time will take us.
Sierra Bell, Senior Marketing Manager
Office Location: Tysons, VA
Tenure: 2.5 years
Who is an influential woman in your life and what have you learned from her?
My older sister, Savannah, has always been a role model throughout every stage of my life from when we were in ballet tutus to grad capes and everything in between. Leaving behind a career in finance/business she is now a leader in the Chicago Public School System working to reimagine education for young minds and create a more equitable, high-quality education for all children. A life-long learner and recent graduate from Harvard’s Master’s program, my sister has always inspired me to work harder, be kinder, stand up for myself and others, and to never stop learning.
What is an achievement (personal or professional) you are proud of?
One achievement I am proud of myself for was purchasing my condo and renovating it over the last few years. I have been financially independent since I was 18 including all my undergraduate education and living expenses, so working hard and being able to buy my own condo in Washington DC a few years out of college was a big accomplishment for me. Renovating my condo has also become a hobby of mine and I just finished my bathroom and kitchen!