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.
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.
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.
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.