Celebrating Avison Young Women Today and Everyday

In celebration of International Women's Day and Women's History Month U.S., Avison Young recognizes the success and achievements of the amazing women in our company. Through their stories, we hope they inspire you the way they inspire us every day.

Claire Paraskeva

Principal and Regional Managing Director of the Leeds Office, UK

It's okay to feel out of your depth once in a while; the trick is to not try and be Wonder Woman, because she is fictional!

Melissa Dinslage

Global Director of Internal Communications, Chicago, IL

Family comes first, nothing in this world is owed to you and when you have your health, you have everything.

Joan Skelton

Director of Emerging Talent Diversity and Inclusion Group Lead Atlanta, GA

Once you have kids you never make a decision without considering how everything you do impacts their lives.

Ali Fieder

Senior Associate, Retail Leasing Toronto, Canada

Brokerage is a long term game - don't get ahead of yourself and take it day by day

Nicole White

Principal and Legal Counsel Chicago, IL

Do not be afraid to seek opportunities outside of your comfort zone. If you are comfortable, you are not growing.

Nadira Akbari

Vice President, Tenant Representation, Oakland, CA

Find beauty in the small things in life. You don't have to accomplish a lot to feel life's blessings. You can find it in the everyday small stuff.

Angela Fagnani

Project Manager, Construction Conshohocken, PA

A former boss taught me to take any "problem" that came along and tell myself "It's a good problem to have". Then go through the exercise of understanding why.

Marcy Moneypenny

Principal and Managing Director Denver, CO

This quote says it all, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

Char Fortune

Global Director, Learning and Development, Atlanta, GA

We were taught to finish whatever we started and not stop until it was the very best we could do.

Sophie Probert-Hughes

Senior Rights of Light & Daylight/Sunlight Surveyor, UK

Always do your best as that’s all someone can ever ask from you.

Carmen Goldschmitt

Head of Office Leasing Munich, Germany

Be honest and friendly to everybody, be yourself and act responsibly. It is more difficult to achieve a good reputation than to lose it.

Brittany Ott

Marketing Coordinator, Project Management, Philadelphia, PA

Avison Young has supported me through the transition of being a person all about her job to a person who now juggles being a mother too.

Brennan Forster

Director of Research Nashville, TN

My mom always has the best advice. She taught me to always be kind, strong, and to be someone people can count on.

Nicola Rigby

Principal and North-West Development & Regeneration Lead Manchester, UK

Whatever else I am, I will always be my Mum's youngest child and I strive to make her proud in everything I do. That shapes me entirely...

Shannon Dupler

Manager Financial Reporting Northern California

Things aren't always black and white; learn to accept the "grays". My DNA is black and white, so this was something I truly had to learn to accept and embrace.

Kisha Lyles

Associate, Office and Investment Services, Charleston, SC

Stand in your truth, forgive yourself and others, and learn to be fearless. “In diversity there is beauty and there is strength” ~Maya Angelou

Erin Scully

Senior Graphic Designer Chicago, IL

I'm in an industry where I want learn something new every day and see what impact design and marketing can play.

Kerry Maguire

Associate Director, Valuations Glasgow, UK

I have an interesting family history, with a lion tamer and a famous 19th century French magician in my family tree!

Ros Goode

Principal and Managing Director London, UK

Make sure you work for people who will sponsor you.

Positivity, persistence and be philosophical!

Carrie Robinson

Vice President of Business Development, Nashville, TN

Actions speak louder than words. Things aren’t always what they seem. I pause and think about both of these statements a good bit.

Ralsey Miller

Administrative Coordinator Denver, CO

The best advice I have ever received is to kill them with kindness, I truly believe being kind will you get you much farther in life than being rude.

Lisa Maki

Senior Vice President, Capital Markets, Nashville, TN

Connect with at least five industry experts to learn from them on how to become a "Best in Class" professional.

Vitre Stephens

Senior Vice President, Retail Charleston, SC

Do what you love and the money will come.

Alex Darlington

Senior Surveyor, Investment Birmingham, UK

Don’t think of yourself as being branded a “woman in the workplace”... Do the best you can every day. Work as hard as you possibly can every day.

Kiana Akina

Operations Manager Denver, CO

Focus on self-love, focus on self-care, focus on your growth. Don't get distracted by opinions of others.

Parveen Sandhi

Global Director, Human Resources Toronto, Canada

Enjoy the process; the hardships you endure may not make sense today but will someday, and the journey will be so much richer because of them.

Tara Thompson

Marketing Director Nashville, TN

There will always be someone ahead of you, but you'll always be ahead of someone else.

Denise Trollope

Principal, Business Rates Team London, UK

“Glass Ceilings” should not exist, if you are good enough you will be able to shatter them.

Jessica Dove

Marketing Manager, Atlanta, GA

I feel like everyday with Avison Young I am developing my talents and continually learning from the most talented group of marketing professionals in our company.

Erika Kim

Vice President, Marketing San Francisco, CA

It’s important to stay positive no matter the situation everything happens for a reason.

Bethany Marinacci

Human Resources Manager, U.S.

No matter where you are in life, inspire and empower the women around you. Success is never reached alone and wisdom and wealth are sweeter shared.

Lyndsay Hopps

Principal & Sales Representative Toronto West

Regarding cold calling - you can’t hit a home run if you aren’t at the plate swinging.

Latisha Dhir

Senior Consultant, Public Sector Advisory, London, UK

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and make mistakes – they are some of the most powerful things you can do to make you strong as a professional.

Caroline Pooley

Principal, Property Management Marketing Lead Birmingham, UK

Play your own game; craft your own authentic “brand” and then deliver it day after day.

Terri Gumula

Director, Capital Markets New York, NY

Never complaing, Never explain.

Ruth Leighton

Director, Industrial Services Manchester, UK

One of the secrets that successful women rely on all the time is playing to their strengths while minimizing their weaknesses.

Molly Kelly

Global Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

Always think of the other person first.

Anne Pappas

Director of Property Management Phoenix, AZ

I oversee four property managers and three building engineers while managing a portfolio of properties myself.

Tammie Brace-Turnipseed

Vice President, Finance Nashville, TN

Always have a good work ethic, and love what you do.

Jaimee Keene

Vice President, Investment Sales Denver, CO

Invest in yourself. No one can ever take your education away from you.

Chelsey Henderson

Senior Surveyor, Lease Advisory Birmingham, UK

Don’t be afraid to ask questions even once you’re qualified, you will always be learning throughout your career.

Maddison Ackiss

Marketing Coordinator Minneapolis, MN

Character is how you treat those that can do nothing for you.

Lucy Hancock

Senior Surveyor Birmingham, UK

I’m my toughest critic and remembering to be kind to yourself as well as others works wonders.

Sara Barnes

Research Manager Atlanta, GA

[Char] told me that you don't have to "play the game" that so many women feel pressured to play in order to compete with men in the industry.

Katie Woodside

Global Director, Brand Identity Washington, D.C.

You should always be honest in your opinion, but respectful in communicating it. Words matter.

Jennifer Vaux

Vice President, Research, NorCal San Jose, CA

Listen more, talk less. It is amazing what you can learn from the people around you when you really listen to what they have to say.

Angie Reyes

General Manager, Team Leader Maitland, FL

Self-confidence is the most important characteristic of successful people.

Simone Knopf

Director, Invesment Management Frankfurt, Germany

Take a deep breath, keep your head high and take your first step.

Alison Hansen-Carlson

Associate, Retail Leasing and Sales Edmonton, Canada

Commercial Real Estate is a hard industry, and you have to work hard every day. Don’t expect anyone to give you a break but take the leads that are given to you.

Samanatha Saunders

Affinity Group Coordinator Atlanta, GA

Avison Young has supported me as woman in business by believing in me and giving me a chance.

Ilona Doerfler

Controller Rockville, MD

Accept people the way they are.

Rosanne Kuder

Director of Operations Southern California

Work hard and be open to learning all you can. Corrective criticisms are the best advice and will help you grow professionally.

Caroline Brennan

Office Coordinator/Administrative Assistant, Nashville, TN

“No one has the power to shatter your dreams unless you give it to them.” - Maeve Greyson

Anne-Marie Ayers

Principal, Consulting & Advisory Tampa, FL

While my experience is limited, the interactions that I have had prior and since joining AY have been incredibly refreshing which invigorates me!

Mary Tamaki

U.S. Director of Marketing

Avison Young has supported me by bringing me together with some of the smartest, most amazing women I’ve ever worked with.

Sara Anderson

Senior Project Manager West Conshohocken, PA

Know that it's less important to have more friends and more important to have real ones.

Amber Merrigan

Vice President, Brokerage Oakland, CA

Embrace the challenge, speak your truth, dress for the job that you want – and proactively do the work that you want to be doing.

Amy Erixon

Principal, Managing Director Investments Toronto, Canada

I’m often heard saying, “don’t worry about your shoes, they are hiring you for your brains”.

Cara Stamp

Research Analyst Denver, CO

To be a warrior is to learn to be genuine every moment of your life.

Gail Crowder

Principal, Office Tenant Representation Specialist Atlanta, GA

Shine your light. Even on days when it feels dim, it still provides a beacon in the darkness.

Susan Fiesta

Global Tax Director Chicago, IL

“You never regret doing the right thing.”

Elissa Port

Principal and Legal Counsel New York, New York

Seize opportunities and take on new challenges, even if it is uncomfortable.

Karina Rico

Vice President, Marketing, SoCal Los Angeles, CA

Perseverance pays off, and that, when the will was strong enough, there was always a way that could be found.

Lisa Amidon

Client Services Coordinator, Capital Markets Group Denver, CO

Seeking new experiences and points of view as well as keeping your skill set sharp will open doors to opportunities and the potential for greater economic well-being.

Dawn McCombs

Principal, Industrial Practice Group Denver, CO

Recognize your unique capabilities and skills that you bring to the organization and don’t be intimidated by the usual rhetoric that women need special treatment.

Yansy Naranjo

Senior Associate Los Angeles, CA

Learn as much as possible and ask all the questions no matter how small.

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