Phillips Pathway for Inclusive Leadership

The broad goal of PPIL is to develop more inclusive leaders by introducing robust programming for students to explore and reflect on a combination of five inclusive leadership skills:

• Understanding Identity and Perspective Taking
• Mitigating Bias and Prejudice
• Managing Intercultural Dialogue
• Addressing Systemic Inequity
• Creating an Inclusive Environment

Community members interested in viewing a PPIL event can watch the "Organizational Leadership Series with Rhonda Morris" hosted by the Sanford C. Bernstein Center for Leadership and Ethics at Columbia Business School. In this virtual event, Rhonda Morris, vice president and chief human resources officer of Chevron, and Adam Bryant, CBS’ Senior Advisor to the Reuben Mark Initiative, discuss Rhonda's key leadership lessons and her thirty-year career with Chevron.

Deirdre Steel ‘23 hosted Mr. Kalsi’s for a candid discussion about his career trajectory, entrepreneurial journey, and BentallGreekOak’s impressive real estate platform. The discussion also transitioned to leadership, what it means to lead and set measurable goals for an equitable and inclusive organization, and to how he advocates across the industry, for diverse talent to find their way into careers in commercial real estate.

Sonny Kalsi

• Co-Chief Executive Officer
• BentalGreenOak

Deirdre Steel '23

• REA Executive Member
• Moderator

In recognition of April being National Fair Housing Month, the Center hosted a discussion as part of the Phillips Pathway to Inclusive Leadership (PPIL) initiative, on the topics of homeownership, evictions, fair housing practices and appraisal biases. Led by Professor Chris Mayer, Co-director of the Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate, the panel of speakers each offered specific expertise in policy, advocacy, research, business leadership, in addition to real estate investment and development. The discussion amplified the complexities of several of the laws and policies around fair housing and homeownership, as well as highlighted opportunities in real estate for investors and developers, and for policy changes. The panel was comprised of all Columbia affiliates.

Boaz Abramson

• Assistant Professor of Business at Columbia Business School

Thomas Cambell ’09

• ‘09 BUS, Founder & Managing Member at Thorobird Companies

Chris Mayer

• Professor & Co-Director of the Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate at Columbia Business School

Jillian White ’02

• CEO, Appraisal Insights

The first discussion brought together Columbia alumni from the MBA RE Program at the Business School and the MS in Real Estate Development Program at GSAPP to discuss the advancement of their real estate careers post-graduate school, and how lessons learned in the classroom (and beyond) have translated to success in their careers. Panelists shared their experiences building and leveraging their Columbia networks, offered advice and context on how to advocate for yourself and for others, and shared specifics about the impact mentorship has had on their careers thus far.

Panelists:

Cecily King '15 MSRED

• Founder, Kipling Development, Panelist

Joycerine Lee '19

• Associate Portfolio Manager, Invesco Real Estate, Panelist

Deirdre Steel '13

• REA Executive Member, Moderator

Hillary Widlitz ‘17

• Senior Director, Investments, Greystar Real Estate Partners, Panelist

The second discussion brought together industry leaders in real estate to discuss their career paths, triumphs, and opportunities, as well has the challenges they faced as women at different times in their careers in the real estate industry. The speakers candidly shared about personal experiences navigating an industry which has traditionally been male dominated, from entry-level positions to leadership roles, and provided insights on how to build a successful career.

Panelists:

Christina Bicks ‘23 MSRED

• MSRED, WIRED Executive Member, Moderator

Mary Hogan Preusse

• Senior Advisor, Fifth Wall & Independent Board Member, Kimco RealtyCorporation, Digital Realty, Host Hotels & Resorts, and Realty Income, Panelist

Sara Queen

• Managing Director and Head of Real Estate Equity, MetLife Investment Management, Panelist

Susan Swanezy

• Partner, Hodes Weill & Associates, Panelist

Beth Wolfowitz ‘09

Director, Head of Commercial Asset Management and Development, The Olayan Group, Panelist