Her Story
About Briana
I've been in real estate development for 5 years, and I currently work as a project manager for Housing Alexandria, a nonprofit affordable housing developer that's not associated with any state or local government. I've been in this role for about two and a half years. My main project right now is a construction development of 416 affordable housing units at 100% of AMI or lower. I'm responsible for the day-to-day operations of our construction site, getting all the invoices paid, managing our general contractor payments, and coordinating with my team on any programs, projects, or equipment that needs to go inside the building. I just finished my master's degree about 2 weeks ago from George Mason University's MRED program. My path to this career was unexpected. I originally moved to the Alexandria area wanting to be a lawyer and had taken the LSAT, but I graduated during COVID which changed my plans. Before that, I had worked at a Boys and Girls Club in the city of Petersburg as a program instructor, where I was able to see how stable housing helped kids flourish and how unstable housing could really impact kids who might have already been succeeding. I was going to go to law school to be a land use attorney, but I ended up getting a job in resident services at Housing Alexandria. I loved the mission and the fact that they did development, so I just stayed and learned. I came to my job with zero knowledge about development and zero project management skills, but I've been able to grow here significantly.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Briana
01What do you attribute your success to?
Honestly, I attribute my success to my organization, Housing Alexandria. I came to my job with zero knowledge about development and zero project management skills, but I've been able to grow here significantly. It's not just one person at this organization, but a lot of the people here have just been wonderful and really seem to be invested in my success and care about my success. Housing Alexandria as a whole has really been my gateway and opportunity to get my feet wet in this industry. I don't know how I would have gotten in here otherwise. I've met so many people through this organization. I would also say George Mason University and their MRED program was super significant in my development and growth. The amount of people I met and relationships I built there was great. And then I have to, of course, say my parents. They kept me encouraged the entire time.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received was to find safe males that you can reach out to, as well as your established group of female counterparts. I know a lot of times we hear the feedback to find the woman that you can look up to, which I totally agree with and think is super important, but advice I got that was different than I'd heard before was also to find safe males to help you. Because, I mean, they just give them more respect honestly, that's just how it happens sometimes in this male-dominated field. So finding some who understand that dynamic and are willing to advocate and help uplift you, I think, is also beneficial.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Ask a lot of questions. Ask any question you can think of, and always ask them. Ask it again if you don't understand. It's really good and important to be clear on what's happening. I would also say, connect with people. I know it's difficult because sometimes we're women in such a male-dominated field, specifically in real estate. But there are often some males who are willing to help, and find safe males that you can reach out to, as well as your established group of female counterparts. Just establishing that good group of people, and not being scared to reach out. If you can find safe males to help, because they just give them more respect honestly, that's just how it happens sometimes, finding some who understand that dynamic and are willing to advocate and help uplift you is also beneficial.
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