Sponsor Spotlight: Norton Rose Fulbright
Monday, Nov 25, 2024
We're running a series to highlight and learn more about our CREW Vancouver Sponsors. We asked them a few questions so we can get to know them better.
We'd like to thank one of our Gold Sponsors, Norton Rose Fulbright.
Could you share with us a recent project or initiative your company is particularly proud of?
Our Vancouver office has been involved for several years in the re-zoning, development and construction of a first-of-its-kind centre in Canada for children and youth living with health complexity, including a 74-space new daycare facility, located in the Renfrew–Collingwood area in the City of Vancouver. The BC Children’s Hospital centre for health complexity will be for young people living with complex, chronic conditions who have difficulty performing routine daily activities without assistance, have significant caregiving requirements, and frequently use the provincial health care and social systems.
What core values does your company prioritize, and how do these values align with the mission and goals of our women's network?
Norton Rose Fulbright is dedicated to achieving gender balance, exemplified by the establishment of the Women in Norton Rose Fulbright (WiN) network. This initiative creates opportunities for forging new professional connections, engaging with diverse contacts, and interacting with role models at all levels. WiN serves as a forum for openly discussing issues affecting women and functions as a platform for learning, development, and networking, promoting our business to clients and potential staff while underscoring our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Our goal is to foster and sustain an inclusive, accessible gender balance network that offers opportunities for networking, meaningful connections, conversations, and access to support at every organizational level. Notably, 71% of our managers and over 50% of our executive team are women as of 2023.
In what ways does your company support the advancement and empowerment of women in the commercial real estate industry?
Our firm is committed to supporting employees who are starting or expanding their families, offering a parental leave policy that provides 26 weeks of top-up benefits above Employment Insurance. We believe it's essential that our people have the support they need to pursue both their career and family goals. Additionally, we have proudly served as the title sponsor of the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) since its launch in 2019, supporting the program for three consecutive years, and have been a sponsor of CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) since 2005.
If there's one thing you'd like others to know about your company, what would it be?
Our firm is committed to promoting mental health and well-being through dedicated initiatives like the Breathe Network, an inclusive, employee-driven resource group. Breathe provides a supportive environment for open conversations on mental health and offers regular expert-led sessions to enhance awareness and well-being. A recent panel discussion held nationally in our firm, inspired by The Right Not to Remain Silent: The Truth About Mental Health in the Legal Profession, highlighted personal stories from legal professionals, helping to break the stigma surrounding mental health in the legal field.
Could you share a story or example of a woman in your company who has benefited from her involvement with CREW Vancouver, and how has this experience contributed to her professional growth and development within the commercial real estate industry?
One of our senior partners, Janet Derbawka, has been actively involved with CREW Vancouver for many years, both as a member and now as a mentor in the CREW Vancouver Mentorship Program. Throughout her career, Janet has consistently supported CREW, recognizing the invaluable networking opportunities it offers and the platform it provides to highlight the significant contributions of women in Vancouver's commercial real estate industry. Her involvement has not only expanded her professional network but also enabled her to mentor and uplift the next generation of women leaders in the field.
What has been your favourite CREW event that you’ve attended as a sponsor, and why?
Our favorite CREW event is the CREW Leadership Awards and Gala, as it celebrates individuals in the commercial real estate community who exemplify exceptional leadership and a commitment to empowering women to excel and lead in their careers. The event has become a highlight for the industry, selling out for the past two years, and serves as a wonderful opportunity to connect with colleagues, both new and old, while honoring the achievements of women and the people who have supported their success. It’s a truly inspiring evening that brings the community together to celebrate progress and leadership.