Membership Spotlight September 2018
Wednesday, Sep 26, 2018
CREW Vancouver, meet Jennifer
Jennifer works as an Assistant Development Manager at Beedie Development Group and has worked in real estate for the past three years.
We are thrilled to have Jennifer as a new member of the CREW Vancouver network this year and wanted to share her story.
After graduating from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology, Jennifer changed direction and began her real estate career at SCDC in Surrey, as a Development Coordinator, where she worked on development projects in the City of Surrey.
Jennifer now works in industrial development and is excited to be a part of the Beedie organization, the largest private industrial land owner, developer and property manager in Metro Vancouver.
In her free time, Jennifer loves to dive. Jennifer and six of her family members learned to dive together. She loves it because each dive is a new adventure and it’s so peaceful under the water.
Q & A with Jennifer
Q: Why did you pick industrial development?
From the first few industrial projects I had the opportunity to work on, I was immediately drawn to the industry. I enjoy the business-to-business component of industrial development and it’s rewarding to watch our clients grow into larger spaces and to be a part of their growth plans.
Q: Can you describe your role and what most excites you about industrial development?
I work in a very positive, fast-paced environment. As part of my role I have the opportunity to collaborate with the architects and other design team consultants, as well as the municipalities to advance our projects through the approval process.
It is a very collaborative and team-based position. I typically work on two different types of industrial projects, speculative lease or strata developments, and built-to-suit projects, which are designed based on the specific end-users requirements.
Q: Are there many women working in industrial development?
We have several women on the industrial team at Beedie, which is great to see. However, there is always the opportunity to see more women in industrial development!
Q: What are some of the key skillsets required for this role?
Being adaptable and having a willingness to learn are crucial for this role. There are key skills that are important, such as communication and organization, but if you’re willing to learn and adapt to new situations, you can continually learn new skills that will help you succeed in the role.
Q: What do you think makes someone successful in this role?
An ability to connect with people – developing community and a real sense of shared ownership is important for success in this role.
Q: What do you think has been the toughest learning curve for you in your role?
Learning to balance and understand the needs of each stakeholder can be one of the most challenging components of the role. Through the incredible network of colleagues and consultants, I’m continually learning on the job. There is a collective wealth of knowledge in the industry to learn from, and in my experience, everyone is willing to share information and take the time to pass on their knowledge and experiences.
Q: What do you love most about the real estate industry?
The dynamic environment of the industry; one moment you’re working on a set of projects and within a few years, you’re working on an entirely new set of projects. With that comes new opportunities and new challenges.
Q: Can you describe Beedie’s culture?
Beedie has a very collaborative, dynamic and creative culture. At Beedie, our team is our strongest asset and is at the center of everything we do. Beedie is constantly looking for ways to enhance the well-being of its employees by creating opportunities to contribute, collaborate and thrive. From a fully-equipped gym with personal trainers, an abundance of development growth and learning opportunities, and numerous charitable and team-building events, Beedie has a work hard, play hard mentality.
A: What made you interested in joining CREW Vancouver?
I love that there’s a network out there for women to connect in the industry and meet people that you would never typically run across in your day-to-day job.
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