Meet Katie Woodside

What is your role at Avison Young?

Global Director, Brand Identity

How did you get into commercial real estate?

I got into CRE directly out of college. A sorority sister gave me a lead on a receptionist job at Grubb & Ellis, where I first met and started working with Keith Lipton, Margaret Donkerbrook and Sarah Peyton. I consider myself incredibly lucky (and probably a bit spoiled) to have had them as my bosses and role models for the majority of my professional life.

Who has been the biggest influence in your life and why?

My parents, but especially my mother. She raised me as a single mom, while still somehow managing to have a successful and fulfilling career. She always allowed me to explore my endless curiosities, fostered an environment that was filled with creativity, and showed me that an incredible work ethic can lead to incredible opportunities.

For 20+ years my mom worked as the Director of Exhibits for the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum. I spent countless summers wandering the back offices of the museum and hanging around the exhibits studio off the garage. Her time at Air & Space led her to film work with IMAX. She eventually became an Executive Producer on several IMAX documentaries, including Comic Voyage which was nominated for an Academy Award in 1997. (Btw, I highly recommend it. A quick 35-minutes will help you better comprehend the scale of the universe - plus it's narrated by Morgan Freeman. Pretty sure you can find it on YouTube.) She also owned a Victorian tea room and bakery for several years and currently works in MarComs for Boeing. She's my hero and my biggest cheerleader. Her love and encouragement continue to influence me daily. Thanks, Mom.

What is the best advice you've ever received?

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

How has Avison Young supported you as a woman in business?

I can't express enough how much I feel supported and appreciated by Avison Young. Over the past 10 years here I've had exposure and opportunities that never would have been within my reach at other CRE firms. Those experiences are priceless to me. I love working for a company that always wants to improve because the same philosophy drives me both personally and professionally. What would people be surprised to learn about you?

l will give you a run for your money in darts. I put a board up in the basement as a gift for my husband a few years ago and fell in love with it. I throw a lot while brainstorming and even created an elaborate scoring system for when I'm forced to play alone. I keep hinting that we need one in the office. Let's consider this my first "official request" in writing.... ha :)