Her Story
About Gina
My career in nonprofit work really started as an outgrowth of doing volunteer work myself, actually, and wanting to volunteer with young people. I work with Urban Land Institute on our district councils team, and it's really a significant convergence of all the work I've done over probably the past 15 or so years, bringing together program management and project management. I work with several of our constituency groups, including our Young Leaders Group (our under 35 members) and our Next Group (which is really around 35 to roughly 50). I work for ULI's headquarters, and we provide programming nationally at the Americas level. I am their strategic liaison in terms of standing up programming for their audiences nationally, which is a convergent collection of virtual events, webinars, individual specialty events such as smaller city exchanges. We try to take those smaller mini-conferences to cities that aren't getting as much shine, where there are not necessarily some of the bigger events coming there. My job and my goal with working with the member networks groups is to support their strategic vision for wanting to place their members in the path of being able to really grow within their volunteer service for the organization and also grow into leadership roles in the organization. It really is run by the members and staff supported. The newest component in my role is working with different programs that really grew out of the DEI umbrella, and we are really trying to focus on building out some alumni programming very specifically for our programs that have fallen under inclusive excellence. A big portion of that is really bringing in and connecting with our members where they are and bringing them together. I host a quarterly call with multiple groups that really want to ensure that we are doing things equitably, that really are inclusive, and really highlighting the belonging of those who have historically been marginalized groups outside of the commercial real estate and the land use space.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Gina
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Thinking about what I would tell young women and what I would tell myself as a younger woman in my career field, you are always growing and developing, but know that you do have something that you're going to always impart on other people who are also growing and developing, especially those who are a little younger than you. Recognize the importance and the value of your own voice to be able to help people step into the shoes that they really are trying to grow into, and I think that that's really, really very important. The other thing I'd add to that, too, that I would always say to people who reported directly to me is ensure that you are always growing as you are helping other people to grow. Make sure you're not neglecting yourself. This is a tough one for me still, too, but ensure that you are always still growing, because if you want to be able to, if you want your voice to continue to have that impact, your personal growth is still very important and still very vital.
02What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
There are a few things that I say, and I have used this at every jump I've had, is that I go to work every day with my common sense. I've learned lots of talents and skills, but every day I take my common sense to work, and I think this is quite important. But there are some things that I feel like I've mastered, the ability to listen and actively listen, and I think that that has, in some ways, been very successful for me, because it's just helped with my career growth and to be able to meet the needs of the people that I am working with and working in support of, and on their behalf.
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