Her Story
About Shaniya
Shaniya Walton is a facilities management professional specializing in the operational side of real estate. With three years of official licensure in the field, she currently manages facilities for commercial properties, ensuring compliance and operations. Her career path includes earlier professional roles to build skills, followed by obtaining her salesperson's license after studying real estate. She then joined the facilities team at Cushman & Wayfield, where she found her passion for the creative and constructive aspects of the industry. Shaniya is advancing her education by pursuing an Associate of Applied Science in Construction Management at Kennedy King College in Chicago, having started in the fall with completion expected in 2028, after which she plans to continue online toward a bachelor's degree by 2030. She attributes her success to overcoming personal challenges and developing character, realizing her control over her future. Shaniya values independence, autonomy, and leadership opportunities, thriving as a self-starter.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Shaniya
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the personal challenges that I've had that made some serious character development. I had instances of trauma or cases where I thought that I had probably ruined my life or ruined my chances pretty early on, so I was very defeated, and I think coming out of that and realizing that I am in control and I determine what my future would be, and not letting my circumstances or my past decisions affect that. Breaking through that barrier is what I attribute my success to.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say confirm and create your own path to what you want, and even if you don't know what that is yet, learn as much as you can, get as many skills as you can. Any opportunity that is an advancement opportunity or a leadership opportunity to teach you more, take it, because you never know what it may teach you or what you may learn about yourself in those opportunities, and eventually your destination or your path will get revealed.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Seniority is the biggest challenge. If someone didn't believe in me and took a chance, I don't think I would be in this position. It is a highly coveted part of the industry, dealing with facilities, it's very male-dominated as well, and even construction management is even more so. Opening people's minds a little bit that we're here and we're going to continue to arise and that we are capable.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value independence and autonomy to find my own systems and ways to make things work while still working within the scope of what is expected. I appreciate my independence and my ability to be a self-starter. I love when people let me take the lead because that's where I thrive the most in leadership positions.
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