Women at PECO

Why do you enjoy being a part of PECO NOW?
I am proud to be one of the co-founders of PECO NOW. I enjoy being part of the dynamic group of women who put together educational, networking and scholarship programs to empower and support our associates. It has been exciting to watch our group continue to evolve. I am thrilled with the things that we have been able to accomplish including adding two women to the Phillips Edison board as well as tripling the number of women in management roles. I love bringing people together, helping them form connections that promote community and support personal and professional growth.

What advice would you give to working women?

• Discover your passion and use that drive to exceed the expectations in whatever role you are given.
• Be a good communicator - this is so important in all aspects of being a good leader. You must be able to communicate clearly and know your audience.
• Ask for what you want. You also need to be willing to learn and work hard for whatever you are striving for.
• Find a mentor who will provide career advice and support and also be willing to be honest about things that you need to work on.
• Finally, I am often asked about work life balance. Find a company that has a culture that supports working moms. Be fully present when you’re with your child(ren) – they will remember those special moments more than the times that you have to be away. Use your career to inspire your child(ren) – show how hard work and dedication can lead to success.

Benefits to being a part of PECO NOW:
First, it’s a joy to see the involvement from our young women here at PECO – their drive, excitement and dedication to the company and the initiative. Second, it forces me to think about the gender issues that do still exist as I tried to not think about those previously. As a leader, I realized I can’t look past it as this helps others in their career path and development. Third, it has been a pleasure to serve on the committee since it was first kicked off in 2014, shortly after I started.

What advice would you give to working women?
Be your own person and be proud of that person. Stay true to your beliefs and not those of others. Keep learning and stay engaged. Ask to help others, even if the work is not in your area. Don’t be afraid to speak up, but do so with confidence and professionalism. Finally, remember life is a constant balancing act and work is a piece of that pie, but not the entire piece – you have to figure out how to balance your life (it’s not simply work/life balance).

Why do you enjoy being a part of PECO NOW?
PECO NOW gives me the opportunity to interact with, and get to know, associates across the organization and at all levels while also working to effect positive change within our team and the industry. I truly enjoy seeing the PECO NOW committees bring their programs and ideas to life, and it’s always exciting when those initiatives are impactful for the team. After more than 20 years in CRE, its energizing to see women making progress in the industry - pursuing and achieving their career goals; being recognized for their talents and expertise; and becoming valued members of the leadership team.

What advice would you give to working women?
Always be on the lookout for new opportunities – and pursue them. Remember that often, your ideas, innovative thinking and passion will give you a chance to create those opportunities for yourself (don’t be afraid to do it!). Challenge yourself and continuously seek new skills and knowledge that will keep you growing both personally and professionally. But keep in mind that no one will make you learn new things, take on new roles or stretch for your goals – you must be internally motivated and action-oriented. Know your own priorities and understand that they may change yearly, weekly or even daily - and adjust accordingly. Finally, never lose sight of your own well-being both physically and mentally - if you don’t take care of you, you won’t be any good to yourself or anyone else.

Why do you enjoy being a part of PECO NOW?

It has been exciting to be a part of PECO NOW for the past 7 years, including the past 2 years on the Advisory Board for the organization. I find it to be a unique format among past companies I have worked for to have a community of women to be able to share different perspectives, shared experiences and a place of support for each other and the company. Being a member and a board member has allowed me to form meaningful connections with both senior management and younger associates with whom I wouldn’t normally interact with in my daily role. I feel like those relationships and development guidance has propelled me into leadership positions that I might not have normally had as an opportunity.

What advice would you give to working women?

As a director in the company, my co-workers are often relying on me to be a decision maker for our region, so my advice is that if you are in a place to make decisions or suggestions don’t be afraid to be decisive and make choices. Making a quick gut instinct decision is better in the long run than taking too much time overanalyzing every detail or problem you come across. Showing that you are a swift decision maker and will be able to make a choice when presented one is often an advantage that people will come to respect. You might not make the right decision every time, but people will appreciate your decisiveness instead of having to constantly follow up with you on making a choice.