Women in Real Estate 2024:
transforming feminity into power
The fifth edition of Women In Real Estate took place on International Women Day, Friday, 8th of March at the top floor of Grand Hotel Bucharest, gathering leaders from developers, investors, lawyers, consultants, banking and partner associations.
The debate wasn’t about facts and figures, but on how women can develop their career path in the real estate industry, and how they can overcome the inherent challenges. In a relaxed atmosphere we have tackled numerous subjects related to both professional and personal development, but also on how we can support moms in the office.
Beatrice Dumitrascu, CEO, Residential Division, One United Properties; Andreea Cotiga, Head of Office Leasing, CPI Property Group Romania; Luciana Giurea, Head of Residential AFI Europe Romania; Iulia Iana, Head of Marketing, HILS Development and Atena Boca, Founder La Primul Bebe, an NGO advocating for mothers’ rights joined the debate. Alex Teleanu, Head of Training, Teilor had an interesting presentation related to less known aspects about diamonds and jewels.
INDUSTRY CHALLENGES
Luciana Giurea, Head of Residential, AFI Europe Romania
Femininity is our super-power!
“We can use preconceived ideas in our advantage. My ten-year experience in the industry is with AFI Europe team, where women are encouraged to develop their careers in each department. I don’t feel a competition with men. We must appreciate the unicity and qualities of each person.”
Iulia Iana, Head of Marketing, HILS Development
Everyday you must become better!
“Real estate is more competitive and dynamic than the automotive industry. What I would improve in this industry is related to the transparency towards the final client.”
GROWING LEADERS
Andreea Cotiga, Head of Office Leasing, CPI Property Group Romania
One is leading by example!
“Honesty and grit are the main qualities I appreciate when recruiting new colleagues. I am looking for positive people, always in search of solutions. Soft skills prevail upon technical abilities. One is leading by example, through shared experience and modesty. These imply kindness, empathy, and grace.”
Beatrice Dumitrascu, CEO, Residential Division, One United Properties
Leaders are born within the team!
“It is difficult to identify leaders reading a resume. The leaders are born within the team, among people who stood by, those are the ones deserving the first chance.”
PARENTING & CAREER GROWTH
ATENA Boca, Founder, La Primul Bebe
Moms should come back at the office when they are ready!
“We have 11 years of experience in supporting over 250,000 mothers nationwide. The most important aspect is for moms to come back at the office when they are ready, not under the pressure of management or under their own pressure, because it doesn’t bring any benefit, on the contrary it only brings frustration and guilt. It is important for mothers to know their rights when returning to their jobs. Another important aspect is that the attachment relation with the child is formed in the first two years.”
Iulia Iana, Head of Marketing, HILS Development
Parenting helps to develop leadership skills!
“Parenting means stress resilience, meeting deadlines and super-efficient communication. Leading by example, being involved near the people makes one a better leader.”
FAILURE
Andreea Cotiga, Head of Office Leasing, CPI Property Group Romania
Failure is important for progress!
“There isn’t any person not to go through a failure process. Failure is important for progress: it takes you out of the comfort zone, it motivates you and makes you tests your limits. Before big successes I had an important failure.”
Atena Boca, Founder, La Primul Bebe
Vulnerability is the instrument for learning parenting!
“Vulnerability is the best connecting way with the others, it humanizes us. We must not look for excuses for living such a moment, which makes us special. Women in real estate are kind and smart because they own this benefit. Vulnerability is the instrument for learning parenting. There are no recipes, each one must start the construction site of their own emotional healing.”
THE BALANCE BETWEEN WORK & PRIVATE LIFE
Beatrice Dumitrascu, CEO Residential Division One United Properties
No day resembles with the next one!
“When you do what you love is easier to cater for all three roles: businesswoman, wife, and mother. There is no recipe and no coherence, no day resembles with the next. When the balance between work and private life loses equilibrium, one must make a change.”
TIME FOR US
Andreea Cotiga, Head of Office Leasing, CPI Property Group Romania
“I love spending time with my little daughter: going to the beauty salon or shopping together relaxes me.”
Luciana Giurea, Head of Residential, AFI Europe Romania
“I really love to eat. After this event I will go with my colleagues at Obor Terrace and meat Romanian mititei. I also love to go hiking outdoors with my friends.”
Beatrice Dumitrascu, CEO, Residential Division, One United Properties
“Sometimes I feel the need to just sit alone on my couch and watch some random movie on Netflix. I also like to knit and garden. Traveling with my family also relaxes me.”
Atena Boca, Founder, La Primul Bebe
“The guilt prevented me for some while to do things for me. When you do something for yourself is the biggest self-love sign but also for the dear ones”
Iulia Iana, Head of Marketing, HILS Development
“I think we must prioritize ourselves and take time to do what we love and relaxes us. If we don’t draw a line between our job and family responsibilities, there is no disconnection.”
IN CONCLUSION
Despina Ponomarenco, President, BREC
“It was an event like no other organized by us until know, when each intervention was sincerely applauded. I want to thank each of our lovely speakers for their courage to show themselves vulnerable and honest. My gratitude goes towards each participant at this event for their vibrant, feminine energy!”
WOMEN IN REAL ESTATE 2024 was brought to you in association with:
