Her Story
About Lauren
Lauren Portegies serves as an executive assistant for the real estate company she owns with her husband in The Hudson Valley, in upstate New York. In this role, she creates listings, sets up viewings, screens candidates through background and credit checks, and finalizes leases with tenants. She brings skills honed during seven years of administrative experience in investment banking in Manhattan, NYC, where she advanced from receptionist to manager of the administrative department at a firm founded by a woman in 1987. Lauren holds a bachelor's degree from Hofstra University in psychology and exercise science. After college, she spent nearly four years traveling through Australia, Asia, and South America before entering fashion in New York City followed by pivoting into finance. She attributes her success to her bright spirit and authenticity, noting that she brings a unique life spark to her work.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lauren
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my joyful spirit. I'm a colorful, bright, and passionate person. I've remained authentic and have evolved into who I am today. Women are so needed in business because we bring unique energy that not only balance professional environments, but elevate them.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
There's a lot of room at the top.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Wholeheartedly believe in yourself. I always say to the younger girls that I meet, "you have to find that inner fire in your belly and figure out what lights you up, what makes you feel alive? You have to dig deep and draw from your inner strength. Just believe in yourself." If I could go from backpacking around the world to working in Midtown East Manhattan in a finance firm, you can dream and you can work hard to accomplish anything.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge I face in my field today is due diligence and understanding an entire picture. Not just what I'm presented with at face value. Sometimes people will say all the right things but once you start digging in a little deeper to their background, their renting history, their character, you find out that what their portraying, is not always accurate.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Loyalty, sincerity, intuition.
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