Celebrating the women of Common
Women’s History Month is a month to celebrate women and their contribution to history, society, and culture. While women play a key role on every team at Common, there are still strides to be made in the larger real estate industry, where only 31% of developers are women.
From becoming leaders and paving the way for others, to continuing their education, the women of Common spoke about their experiences working in a male-dominated industry. Read their responses below and learn more about the challenges they sometimes face, why they love working at Common, advice for women entering their field, and who inspires them.
Seon Riesland
Director of Real Estate
What’s the biggest challenge of being a woman at a real estate company?
I love that more women are taking on leadership roles in real estate, but when it comes to executive positions, men still outnumber women. Certain behaviors are translated or perceived differently when women exercise their authority similarly to men. On a separate note, there is still this unspoken expectation to know how to play golf, and most assume women don’t play. I don’t play, but that’s beside the point.
What do you love most about working at Common?
I love how people appreciate feedback at Common and acknowledge the need for change if something is broken. I work with very smart people, which is a testament to Common’s approach to hiring and nurturing different caliber of skills.
What advice do you have for women entering real estate/your field?
Don’t feel intimidated if you happen to be the only woman in the room. Be confident, do your research, and know your worth. And learn to play golf if you have time – just kidding.
Who is one woman in your industry that inspires you?
I have deep respect for women who are in senior executive positions in general. They had to work hard to get to where they are today.
Cassi Hoye
Member Support Director
What’s the biggest challenge of being a woman at a real estate company?
I’m very lucky to work on a team that has so many amazing women in leadership positions throughout the company! I think this is rare at most real estate companies, which could be challenging for women trying to step into the industry. I’ve been very fortunate to be surrounded and led by the team that we have.
What do you love most about working at Common?
At Common, everyone has a true go-getter attitude and there is space for everyone’s ideas to be heard. Common has created a culture where employees are developed to think critically and everyone’s input is valued.
What advice do you have for women entering real estate/your field?
I would encourage women in our field to be confident in the skills they bring to the table and recognize the value they inherently bring.
Who is one woman in your industry that inspires you?
I’m truly inspired by the women I work with every day who have encouraged me to be a more confident, thoughtful leader. Specifically, Karlene Holloman and Jodi Farbish at Common have really been incredible thought partners and leaders for me — I genuinely look up to them both.
Kristen Bartz
Property Transitions Manager
What’s the biggest challenge of being a woman at a real estate company?
I haven’t run into any challenges, personally. It’s greatly recognized that females make up a large part of the multi-family industry, with many in leadership and executive roles.
What do you love most about working at Common?
The work and life balance Common has presented me. Also the ability to invoke change and upwards movement leveraged by a decade of multi-familyasset management.
What advice do you have for women entering real estate/your field?
Continue your education by networking, online and in-person training, and joining industry-related groups because this field is ever-changing. Dress for the job you want — confidence naturally follows. Have the backs of your team members and be transparent.
Who is one woman in your industry that inspires you?
A previous manager of mine who is the Vice President at a rapidly growing multi-familymanagement company and masters her role and duties with a smile and grace. She strives to gain more knowledge in the field, pushes the limits, and shares with those around her.
Erica Claustro
Senior Designer, Architecture
What’s the biggest challenge of being a woman at a real estate company?
The big challenge is that I am often one of the few women at the table during client meetings. Speaking up can be intimidating, but I have come to feel that the challenge is in fact an opportunity.
What do you love most about working at Common?
I left the traditional world of architecture and joined Common because of the exposure and collaboration our Studio team has with teams such as Real Estate, Marketing, Procurement, and Property Management.
What advice do you have for women entering real estate/your field?
I would advise women entering the architecture industry to never hold back in pursuing leadership roles due to personal circumstances or professional obstacles. Before I got my graduate degree and even before becoming a mother of two, I was forewarned that a career in architecture would be too demanding to uphold a career and a family. Be proactive and communicative with your manager about your realities and aspirations. Our industry has driven women out for decades, but with a bit of persistence and openness, women can start to pave the way for other women.
Who is one woman in your industry that inspires you?
My answer is actually not one woman, but the many women colleagues and mentors who have inspired me in the past and continue to inspire and push me toward my full potential and beyond. I feel very lucky to be in the company of the women of Common Studio who lead by example and take the initiative to set standards apart from the cultural norms of our industry. I truly am inspired by women who advocate the growth and equality for each other.
Sierra Bangari
Project Manager
What’s the biggest challenge of being a woman at a real estate company?
In my opinion, the biggest challenge of being a woman at a real estate company (or any company) is advocating for yourself and other women when everyone else in the room is a man. It’s the easier choice to not ruffle feathers but we owe it to our past selves and future women who will work in the industry to be the voices we wished for. At the end of the day, it’s important to feel like you haven’t shortchanged yourself or those with the same challenges so when you reflect, there’s at least one less person who doesn’t think they were passed up for a promotion because they’re a woman.
What do you love most about working at Common?
The thing I love most about working at Common is the opportunity to gain valuable insight and experience from adjacent teams. In just the past few months, I’ve been able to experience parts of deals that someone on my team or at my level at the company would usually never be able to listen in on or contribute to at other companies; exposure to management agreement negotiations, underwriting models, preleasing timelines, etc.
What advice do you have for women entering real estate/your field?
My advice to women entering the real estate or construction industry is to stay true to themselves, as cliche as that sounds. Try not to be surprised when you’re the only woman in a meeting. In situations like these, it’s easier to want to blend in than it is to want to stand out so push yourself to challenge an idea and stray from the pack if it makes sense to do so. Do whatever it takes to make yourself proud of the work you produce and trust your gut because there’s a reason you were in the meeting in the first place.
Who is one woman in your industry that inspires you?
A woman in my industry who inspires me is someone I was lucky enough to meet at my first job. It was already unlikely that I would have a female manager in construction project management but to also have someone who supported other women and didn’t see them as competition for a seat at the table was motivating. She was the person who showed me that while being a woman in the industry wasn’t going to be easy — my confidence, trust in my skillset, and the desire to keep learning could get me far.
Anna Sandro
Los Angeles Leasing Manager
What’s the biggest challenge of being a woman at a real estate company?
I wouldn’t call it a challenge, however, I do feel empowered to work hard, show up 110% daily, and brand myself as a representative for all women — not only in real estate but as a leader and role model as well.
What do you love most about working at Common?
The people, continuous support, and growth opportunities for not only my career but also individual growth.
What advice do you have for women entering real estate/your field?
Be unapologetically you. Genuinity speaks multitudes.
Who is one woman in your industry that inspires you?
Hard to focus down on one as there are many women who inspire me daily from Oprah to Gabby Bernstein as well as the women in my family and in leadership at Common. All very strong, confident, and admirable women who push me to not only be the best I can be but also encouraging to keep learning and continue growing always.
Looking to work on an incredible team? We’re looking for personable people to join our Sales, Member Experience, Property Services, and other teams across the country. Head to our Careers page to learn more and apply!