As part of CoreNet Global NYC’s Community Reinvestment Challenge, a team of Young Leaders recently volunteered their time and painting skills at New York Cares Day.  The group joined more than 8,000 New Yorkers in a day of service to revitalize and improve public schools throughout all five boroughs. The Young Leaders were assigned to I.S 145Q in Queens where they designed and painted a “Student of the Month” mural to recognize students’ academic achievements.

“Our team did an excellent job, not only working together, but creating something that would inspire those middle-school kids,” said Young Leaders co-chair Kenny Rodriguez. “Together we completed one of the most vibrant projects New York Cares had seen in some time.’

Young Leaders’ Roundtable Opens Informal Dialogue on Corporate Real Estate Market and Industry Trend

Young Leaders Committee recently hosted its second informal roundtable discussion of the year that explored the current state of the market and trends in the corporate real estate industry.  An outspoken group of Young Leaders attended the event, which was held at M Moser Associates.  

The casual atmosphere allowed attendees to converse freely about issues they are encountering in their careers and served as a forum for sharing experiences and offering advice to peers. Topics of conversation ranged from business adaptations in a down economy to managing service provider relationships in a new economic environment. Attendees also expressed their views on whether the market has hit bottom and some shared signs that business is picking up. Other issues discussed included lease renegotiations and vendor contracts, and companies’ careful examination of invoices and billing.

Young Leaders host their informal roundtables on a quarterly basis at no cost to both members and prospective members.  Attendees are always encouraged to bring a colleague.

 

Young Leaders Host Informal Roundtable Discussion 

On June 26, the Young Leaders Committee of CoreNet Global’s New York City Chapter hosted its first informal roundtable discussion on the current state of the market. A group of Young Leaders and other Corenet Global NYC Chapter members attended the program, which was held at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP. The goal of the discussion was to learn and share ideas about what Young Leaders are experiencing in the marketplace.

The casual but informative atmosphere allowed for conversation to flow freely as attendees introduced themselves and had the opportunity to suggest corporate real estate or general business-related discussion topics of interest or concern. Kenny Rodriguez, Young Leaders co-chair (Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP), and Lou Nowikas (Hearst Corporation) opened the dialogue with a general overview of the slowing market and other current trends.

This led to a discussion on how companies are looking for creative ways to maximize space needs as cutbacks continue. Others pointed out that maximizing space, or densification, is not only more economical, but it is also a more sustainable practice for corporations to follow.

The subject of green building and sustainability was a hot topic. Some wondered whether being “green” is just a trend, especially if oil prices drop again and corporations grow less concerned with alternate energy sources. Despite these circumstances, the conclusion was that being “green” would not wane anytime soon, in large-part because the best and brightest graduates and young employees are looking to work for companies that are environmentally friendly. Corporation’s commitment to the environment has and will continue to play an increasing role in the war for talent. What’s more, in order to compete in a global marketplace, U.S.-based corporations must continue to raise their environmental standards, since they still lag behind their European counterparts.

Those who attended the roundtable found the discussion to be very useful and said they planned on attending the event if it is held again. The Young Leaders committee plans on holding more informal roundtable discussions based on the success of this event.

CoreNet Global-NYC Introduces Harlem HS Students to Multi-Faceted Real Estate Industry

 

High school juniors and seniors from Harlem gained real-life networking experience and career advice at a recent event hosted by the Young Leaders committee of CoreNet Global’s New York City chapter, a professional organization for corporate real estate and workplace executives. The networking event was held at Gensler, one of the world’s leading architecture and design firms.

The group of students who participated are members of Harlem RBI, a community-based, youth development organization, and they had the opportunity to tour various divisions of Gensler’s North American headquarters. The tour was followed by speed networking with Young Leader committee members who are employed in different areas of corporate real estate ranging from property management, architecture and design, project management, and finance. The students also had the chance to speak individually with each young professional about his or her current work position and career path.

“We were thrilled to work with Harlem RBI and open students’ eyes to the multi-faceted world of real estate,” said Lou Nowikas, CoreNet Global-NYC board member, responsible for the Young Leaders committee. “Many kids don’t know all of the career paths that are available to them and this is just one of many opportunities where we could help them decide where they might want to focus their attention for the next four to six years.”

Harlem RBI is a non-profit, community-based, youth development program for over 700 youth, ages 6-21, in East Harlem, New York. The organization uses baseball and softball, and the power of teams, to provide inner-city youth with the opportunities to play, to learn and to grow, inspiring them to recognize their potential and realize their dreams. Harlem RBI’s DreamWorks program focuses more specifically on college admissions and career planning for high school juniors and seniors.

“Harlem RBI is thrilled that our youth have partnered with CoreNet Global, and saw this as an exciting opportunity for them to learn many invaluable skills that will benefit them professionally and in other areas of their lives,” said Maleka Covington, director of individual and corporate giving for Harlem RBI.

Because members of the Young Leaders are young professionals under 35, they felt teenage students had an easier time relating to them.

“It wasn’t that long ago that all of us were faced with the challenge of choosing a course of study and career path,” added Sarah Currie, a member of the Young Leaders committee and one of the event’s organizers. “Just making connections and exchanging e-mail addresses and phone numbers will help these kids in their own professional development.”

The Young Leaders committee has worked with other New York City community groups, including the New York Cares taxicab decal painting and the beautification of New York City parks, and looks forward to the possibility of hosting a youth networking event annually.

Young Leaders Host Successful Speed-Networking Event 

 

The Young Leaders committee of CoreNet Global’s New York City chapter recently hosted a highly successful speed-networking event at Opia Restaurant on October 2. More than 40 people attended and many of the chapter’s leaders, including Gina Rizzo, chapter chair, and Dale Schlather, chapter vice president, were among the participants who networked with the chapter’s young members.

The format of the night followed a “speed dating” concept and lasted about an hour. Five accomplished real estate executives served as “mentors” for the evening and were assigned to specific tables. They led informal conversations among groups of Young Leaders, sharing personal career stories, lessons learned, experiences, advice and their business outlook. The mentors rotated to new tables every ten minutes and group conversations allowed for less individual pressure in an open forum. Afterwards, a social atmosphere developed where everyone mixed freely.

 

The mentors for the evening were Ellen Albert, executive vice president, CORE Services, Viacom/MTV Networks; Hussain Ali-Khan, senior director, Tishman Speyer; Louise Matthews, vice president, AVON Products, Inc.; Louis Milo, president, Milrose Consultants; and Lou Nowikas, director, Real Estate Operations, Hearst Corporation.

Many of the event’s attendees and mentors alike were very impressed by what they abstracted from the evening and considered it one of the best chapter events they’ve attended all year.

“Speed-networking is an excellent way for Young Leaders to develop new business relationships and get to know their peers in corporate real estate and we’ve received incredibly positive feedback from attendees,” said Ryan Masiello, Young Leaders chair. “We look forward to hosting similar events for the chapter’s young professionals on a regular basis.”