TOP Women in Real Estate 2017

A Special Edition from Sokol Media

FALL 2017

2017

TOP WOMEN IN REAL ESTATE AMY BECKMAN HOK

ERICA F. BUCKLEY Nixon Peabody

SUSAN ERDELYI HAMOS WSP USA

SANDRA GAURIN WCD Group, LLC

ANJANA S. KADAKIA Thornton Tomasetti

ELIZABETH MAJKOWSKI SL Green

CARRIE MOORE

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

LOIS PALGUTA Howard Wechsler Photography

G3 Architecture

LAURA PATEL

DIRTT Environmental Solutions

ROBYN SORID

G4 Capital Partners

Annette Wilkus SiteWorks

TOP ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR

The High Line

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www.ThorntonTomasetti.com Anjana Kadakia, P.E., LEED AP BD+C Senior Principal & Mumbai Office Director

Publisher’s Page

Build It, and They Will Come Taking a line from the from the 1989 film, Field of Dreams, the women being honored as ‘TOP Women in Real Estate for 2017’ have done just that, whether through architecture, engineering, development, finance or the law. Take Annette Wilkus, Principal of Siteworks, for example. She saw the need to create a specialty landscaping firm unlike any other in the real estate industry. Her firm’s first project turned out to be the outstandingly successful High Line.

Our 2017 TOP Organization of the Year, Pace Advertising’s Common Ground, was recently launched to work toward creating gender equality in the commercial and residential real estate industries. Already, a number of leading women in these industries have signed on to help Common Ground reach its goal of providing women with equality in the workplace, including equal pay and equal opportunities for career growth.

It all starts with an idea, and then the confidence to build it. Hopefully, many other women, as well as men, will learn from these women that anything is possible when you are passionate about an idea, and a goal.

Sokol Media FOUNDER & PUBLISHER Lori M. Sokol ART DIRECTOR Kerstin Vogdes Diehn PUBLISHING CONSULTANT James Janson COPYWRITER/ RESEARCH ASSISTANT Jason H. Greenberg WEB DESIGN Design Disegno ACCOUNTING Citrin Cooperman PRINTING AmericasPrinter Sokol Media, Inc. 210 West 70th St., #314 New York, NY 10023 Ph: 973-769-7012 www.sokolmediaonline.com

Enjoy the issue!

Sincerely, Lori Sokol, Ph.D. Founder & Publisher

Contents

4

TOP Woman in Real Estate Annette Wilkus, SiteWorks It all started with their very first project, The High Line, and the rest, as they say, is history.

11

Top Women in Real Estate 2017 Amy Beckman Erica F. Buckley Susan Erdelyi Hamos Sandra Gaurin Anjana S. Kadakia

8A

Carrie Moore Lois Palguta Laura Patel Robyn Sorid

TOP Organization for Women 2017 Pace Advertising’s ‘Common Ground’ Launched to help create gender equality in the male-dominated real estate marketplace.

2A

TOP Woman in Real Estate Elizabeth Majkowski, SL Green One Vanderbilt is the latest and one of the most notable projects under the direction of SL Green’s VP and Director of Sustainability. www.sokolmediaonline.com • 3

TAT E

2017

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O TOP W

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1

H ANNUA T 7

EN

A IN RE

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Annette Wilkus SiteWorks

Annette Wilkus founded SiteWorks in 2005, in response to the increasing divergence in the building industry between the focus of design, construction and facility professionals.

The revitalization and densification of outdoor urbanized spaces, for example, had become more costly, complex and environmentally challenging. Over the past 12 years Annette has purposefully assembled an office team of like-minded professionals with diverse experiences as licensed landscape architects, certified arborists, LEED certified professionals, ecologists, construction managers and operations strategists to help identify and act upon critical design, construction and long-term operational strategies.

The High Line’s “Peal up Lawn at 22nd Street”

THE HIGH LINE SECTION I Services Provided

Constructability Reviews Resident Landscape Architect Project Budget: $118.3 Million Project Duration: 2005 - 2008 Project Landscape Architect: James Corner Field Operations Piet Oudolf: Planting Design Resident Engineer: LiRo Client: New York City Economic Development Corporation

THE HIGH LINE - SECTION II Services Provided

Constructability Reviews Resident Landscape Architect Project Budget: $34 Million Project Duration: 2007 - 2012 Resident Engineer: LiRo

THE HIGH LINE - SECTION III Services Provided

Constructability Reviews Resident Landscape Architect Project Budget: $35 Million Project Duration: 2013 - 2014 Construction Manager: Sciame

THE HIGH LINE

SiteWorks’ success in doing so is perhaps best expressed through one of its most notable projects, The High Line.

This 1.5 mile elevated railroad, abandoned in the 1980’s, has been transformed into an intensive green roof park that has energized its West-side Manhattan neighborhood. As a sole practitioner at the time, Annette became involved early in the design process of Section I in 2005, assisting with landscape constructability reviews before the project was publicly bid. She worked closely with the client and the project’s design team to coordinate the construction of the imported soils, infrastructure, the water feature, lighting and paving systems as well as the planting sequencing. Annette also advised NYC EDC to contract grow the herbaceous plants in order to obtain the large quantities and unusual varieties that are the core of the design, which proved vital to the project’s schedule and overall success of the project. Further, Annette’s expertise in park construction was crucial in sorting out the complexities of building a park 19 feet above the level of the surrounding streets. www.sokolmediaonline.com • 5

We transfer what designers and owners envison, and turn it into reality. Still, there is no such thing as perfect design documents. Designed landscapes are surprisingly complex. That’s why we are on-site on a daily basis, and this is crucial to our success.”

Annette Wilkus, FASLA, RLA, LEED AP Partner GOVERNORS ISLAND PARK AND PUBLIC OPEN SPACE Services Provided

Constructability Reviews Project Budget: $60 Million Phase 1 Project Duration: 2011-2016 Project Landscape Architect: West 8 Landscape Architecture, Matthews Nielsen Landscape Architecture Resident Landscape Architect: SiteWorks Landscape Architecture Resident Engineers: LiRo/STV Client: The Trust for Governors Island, New York, NY

6 • www.sokolmediaonline.com

Governors Island-Park Phase I

GOVERNORS ISLAND PARK AND PUBLIC OPEN SPACE

Governors Island Park, one of New York’s newest world class parks consists of a 87-acre waterfront site featuring park amenities spanning the lower half of the island. Soon to include a 2.2 mile Great Promenade path around the island’s perimeter and the rejuvenation of existing historic landscapes, it will provide multipurpose open spaces with play and lawn based programs, two ballfields, bicycle paths, and historic and residential areas with public art and parks and future water and boat access.

SiteWorks’ involvement included design constructability reviews and resident landscape architecture services for all phases of the Park. During the Design Phases, in particular, SiteWorks provided in-depth reviews of the construction documents from both professional standards and constructability perspective. Additionally, Annette’s expertise in diverse and sustainable planting initiatives, manufactured soil specifications, and site logistics planning, led to the successful soil blending and installation of thousands of cubic yards of manufactured soils for the project.

SiteWorks’ expertise also facilitated the successful detailing and fabrication of more than four miles of pre-cast curbing and seat walls, as well as the complex procurement and installation of thousands of plans, including including establishing an on-site holding nursery to allow the job to be successfully completed within challenging seasonal constraints.

QUEENS PLAZA BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

For Queens Plaza, one of the city’s busiest transit hubs, SiteWorks was the resident landscape architect. The central challenge of this project was to convert acres of traffic-clogged pavement into a pedestrian-friendly oasis complete with a wetland to collect rain water from the surrounding design and filter it prior to entering the storm system. Custom pavers and furnishings, central to the landscape were designed by WRT in collaboration with artists Michael Singer and Leni Schwendinger. The design also included hundreds of trees and thousands of perennials,creating a rich, layered vegetative corridor that mitigates noise while connecting the Plaza with the East River.

The city had an aggressive completion schedule for the project. In order to meet the City’s accelerated timeline, SiteWorks coordinated with the design team and contractors to address changes and challenges as quickly as possible. As the project progressed, several scope changes were incorporated.

The SiteWorks’ design team endeavored to find creative solutions to these changing circumstances, while assisting to manage an efficient construction schedule.

Scheduling efficiencies where achieved by working directly with the NYC Parks staff to obtain permits and coordinate tree preservation and removals.

SiteWorks also coordinated with the NYC DDC, NYC DOT and utility companies, provided field inspection, assisted with plant sourcing, coordinated soils testing, assisted with hardscape layout and installation, and reviewed pay–requisitions to ensure that this complex project was keep on track across its multi-year schedule.

QUEENS PLAZA QUEENS, NY Services Provided: Constructability Reviews Resident Landscape Architect: SiteWorks Landscape Architecture Project Cost: $36 Million Project Duration: 2009 - 2012 Project Landscape Architect: Wallace Roberts Todd Resident Engineer: LiRo Client: New York City Economic Development Corporation

Queens Plaza- “Dutch Kills Green”

www.sokolmediaonline.com • 7

Brooklyn Botanic Garden “The Boardwalk at the Lowlands Pond”

BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN NATIVE FLORA GARDEN EXTENSION This one acre garden expanded the original 3 acres of the BBG’s Native Flora Garden, which opened in 1911. It created a new, educational garden experience of distinct yet rapidly disappearing native New Jersey Region Pine Barren plant communities. SiteWorks was contacted by the Botanic Garden to provide probable costs based on a conceptual design prepared by noted Ecological Designer Darrel Morrison, setting the budget for the implementation of the new garden. SiteWorks was then engaged as the project’s landscape architect to prepare design development and final construction documentsand bid packages for the project. The design included sweeping paths through a seamless meadow area that included 5 different native plant communities each with their own soil type to display distinct plant communities of the regionally native pinelands. The Garden Extension is populated by more than 150 plant species totaling 150,000 plants that were locally sourced and wild seed harvested over a period of 5 years. The project is a major achievement for the regional conservation community and exemplifies how careful ecological recreation of native soil profiles, hydrology and vegetative systems can be successfully interwoven to create

a highly accessible learning environment.

There were, however, a number of challenges that the design and construction team needed to overcome. First was the plant sourcing and documentation, which required smaller plants than originally specified to achieve provenance documentation. Second, ecologically specific soil types had to be created to support the plantings. Knowing the components would be sourced from the Pine Barrens, each blend of the soil profile were tweaked off site and then produced in the required quantities on-site during closely supervised blending procedures. Further, since the site is an extension of the existing native flora garden, it had steeper slopes than those naturally occurring in the Pine Barrens. Careful grading had to be incorporated to assure the sandy soil slopes would not slump during heavy rains.

In keeping with the Botanic Garden’s sustainable goals for the project, SiteWorks graded the site to create a lined pond fed by surface run-off. Based on our extensive construction management knowledge, the Botanic Garden also engaged SiteWorks to be the construction manager for the project ensuring its timely completion for the Garden’s 100 year anniversary celebration.

BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN NATIVE FLORA GARDEN Services Provided

Prime Consultant Cost Estimates Landscape Architecture Construction Management Project Budget: 1.5 Million Project Duration: 2011-2013 Ecological Designer: Darrel Morrison Project Landscape Architect: SiteWorks Landscape Architecture Client: Brooklyn Botanic Garden

www.sokolmediaonline.com • 8

THE HIGH LINE

PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPES AT every LEVEL

For further information, examples, and details on the versatile abilities of Kelco contact us or visit:

http://www.kelcoland.com

--

New York, NY 10011

PLANTING SOILS IRRIGATION MAINTENANCE EARTHWORK CONSTRUCTION STONE WORK 40 Austin Blvd., 2nd Floor Commack, NY 11725 Office 631.462.2952 Fax 631.462.3524

Formerly

WSP | PARSONS BRINCKERHOFF

Question today Imagine tomorrow Create for the future Congratulations to Susan Hamos for being named a Top Woman in Real Estate and her many contributions to the field of structural engineering.

wsp.com

We’re hiring!

Visit our website for job vacancies.

17th Annual Top Women in Real Estate 2017

Amy Beckman

Carrie Moore

HOK

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Erica F. Buckley

Lois Palguta

Susan Erdelyi Hamos

Laura Patel

Nixon Peabody

G3 Architects

WSP Buildings USA

DIRTT Environmental Solutions

Sandra Gaurin

Robyn Sorid

WCD Group, LLC

G4 Capital Partners

Anjana Kadakia

Annette Wilkus

Thornton Tomasetti

SiteWorks (cover story)

Elizabeth Majkowski SL Green (cover story)

www.sokolmediaonline.com • 11

2017

17th Annual Top Women in Real Estate

A

Amy Beckman HOK

s a Principal and Senior Project Manager for the New York City office of global design firm HOK, Amy Beckman, AIA, LEED AP, oversees large teams on the design, documentation and construction phases of high-profile, technically complex projects.

Amy currently serves as Project Manager for NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital’s new 734,000-sq.-ft. David H. Koch Center, which will open in 2018 as one of the institution’s significant capital investments in new building construction. Located in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, the 17-story facility includes a new ambulatory care center, women and newborn’s hospital, and integrative health and wellbeing center. As a Project Manager, Amy works with a variety of stakeholders within the institution and with senior leadership of the hospital and orchestrates the design efforts of three architectural firms and numerous consultants to ensure that the design is consistent with the needs, uses and mission of NewYork-Presbyterian.

Amy’s work at HOK spans commercial, governmental and healthcare projects within and outside New York City. Other projects she has managed in recent years include the design of a new building for the Permanent Mission of Singapore to the United Nations on Manhattan’s East Side, which featured an innovative facade design and stringent security requirements, and a repositioning of a Brookfield Properties office building in Washington D.C.’s East End neighborhood.

In addition to her project responsibilities, Amy serves on one of HOK’s firmwide Diversity Councils and leads resource planning and staff development in the New York office. Her strong client relationships and project portfolio help bring new clients to the firm. She focuses on understanding her clients and their priorities, the factors that drive their decision making, and how they will measure the success of the project. This approach has sustained long term relationships with clients and the successful completion of multiple projects on their behalf.

Before joining HOK in 2011, Amy was a Principal at Guggenheimer Architects, where she managed teams in the technical delivery and coordination of projects designed by world-renowned architects including Tadao Ando, SANAA and John Pawson. Amy earned her Master’s of Architecture and certificate in American Urbanism from the University of Virginia. After graduating with honors from UVA, Amy was awarded a coveted post-graduate fellowship to continue her studies in Rome.

Construction of a building is often one of the largest investments many of our clients will make. It is key to the success of each project that we truly listen and understand the client and the factors driving their decisions.”

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17th Annual Top Women in Real Estate

2017

E Erica F. Buckley Nixon Peabody

rica F. Buckley brings extensive experience in market-rate and affordable housing condominiums and cooperatives, housing development fund corporations (HDFCs) and tax incentive programs, such as the Affordable Housing New York Program (421-a). She represents a wide range of clients, including for-profit and not-for-profit developers of for-sale and rental projects, tenant associations, community lenders and other businesses involved in the creation, preservation and support of homeownership opportunities.

As the former chief of the Real Estate Finance Bureau in the New York Attorney General’s Office, she has a deep and comprehensive understanding of the laws and regulations that govern market-rate and affordable housing in New York City, with a particular emphasis on the Martin Act. The Martin Act is New York’s blue-sky law that governs real estate securities, including cooperative interests in realty (cooperatives, condominiums, homeowner associations and senior communities) and syndications (investments in real estate). Drawing on this experience, she is well-positioned to advise her clients on how to effectively meet regulatory requirements while minimizing risks in connection with their properties.

Erica advises the firm’s developer clients on issues involving the formation of condominiums, cooperatives, community land trusts, HDFCs and other investments such as syndications. She also provides strategic guidance on how to navigate the various city and state agencies that are key to the formation of for-sale projects.

Part of her work also involves providing dispute resolution services to clients under investigation for alleged violations of city and state housing laws, including but not limited to the New York City Zoning Resolution for inclusionary housing, 421-a, and rent stabilization laws.

Being able to work with my clients directly to help resolve their challenges provides me with creative and unique opportunities.”

www.sokolmediaonline.com • 13

2017

17th Annual Top Women in Real Estate

S Susan Erdelyi Hamos WSP Buildings USA

usan Erdelyi Hamos is a Senior Vice President at WSP Buildings USA, one of the largest professional services firms in the world, which she joined over 23 years ago. Her professional career as structural engineer commenced in the eighties by designing industrial facilities in Israel and, by the end of the decade, she had moved to New York City to join Wayman C. Wing Consulting Engineers where she focused on the design of structures for the educational and hospitality sectors. In 1994, Susan became part of Cantor Seinuk, one of the most reputable structural engineering firms in the tristate area at the time, which was later integrated to WSP. During her tenure at WSP, Susan has continuously progressed through the ranks to become an essential leader in the firm and a constant actor in the local structural engineering sphere. Susan’s responsibilities at WSP encompass not only structural analysis and design, but also coordination, project management and supervision of the WSP Special Inspection Agency. Her expansive area of expertise now comprises new construction of high-rise, commercial, residential, hospitality, retail, entertainment, and industrial buildings, as well as alteration and rehabilitation of existing structures.

It is not an exaggeration to state that Susan’s attention to detail and dedication to her clients has had notable impact in reshaping the skyline of New York City during the past two decades. Susan’s portfolio includes some of the most iconic and structurally unique buildings in the city. A small sample of her recently completed and ongoing projects include The American Copper Buildings, Columbia Manhatanville, Essex Crossing (Site 2), 9 Dekalb Avenue, 8 Spruce Street, 23 Park Row and 45 Park Place.

I see my role as providing support and technical advice to our clients in such a manner that their ideas are materialized into economical and efficient structures that are compatible with the aesthetics and the architectural intent of the project.”

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17th Annual Top Women in Real Estate

2017

M Sandra Gaurin WCD Group, LLC

s. Gaurin has 20 years of experience assisting real estate, development and institutional clients in managing their environmental risk with a focus on risk management and liability transfer, loss control services, and environmental claims support. Ms. Gaurin currently serves as the Director of Client Services, Insurance & Risk Management.

Her responsibilities include the coordination of teams of experts to provide technical support for the identification and quantification of complex environmental issues affecting development. Ms. Gaurin also coordinates and performs risk management and due diligence support to nationwide real estate companies, including local office staff coordination, budget and deadline management as well as interface with the client. Ms. Gaurin has also managed projects for commercial/industrial as well as municipal/state clients involving site investigation and remediation activities such as underground storage tank removal, impacted soil excavation and disposal, ground water and soil vapor investigation and remediation, and in-situ bioremediation treatment. Her duties also consist of maintaining reporting compliance for industrial/warehousing facilities, including Hazardous Waste reporting, Homeland Security Assessment, SPCC, and SWPP. Ms. Gaurin has been involved in vapor intrusion assessment and mitigation projects as part of property redevelopment or insurance claims/litigation projects. She was an active member of the Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC) Vapor Intrusion Team (2005-2008) and Petroleum Vapor Intrusion Team (2012-2014). She is a co-author of the ITRC Vapor Intrusion guidance documents released in 2007 and 2014.

Following technical risk quantification, Ms. Gaurin facilitates the implementation of state of the art and unique environmental risk transfer mechanisms, using insurance and GMP contracting to mitigate or eliminate the developers, Owners or lenders environmental risk.

Trained as a biochemist, I think out-of-the-box, and enjoy trying to find solutions to our client’s challenges and mitigate their risk in a comprehensive yet cost effective way.�

www.sokolmediaonline.com • 15

2017

17th Annual Top Women in Real Estate

A Anjana Kadakia Thornton Tomasetti

njana Kadakia directs the firm’s operations in Mumbai, India. She has more than 35 years of experience in the structural analysis, design and review of a variety of projects in the U.S. and around the globe. Her expertise encompasses commercial, residential, healthcare, long-span and sports facilities and includes the design and management of large, fast-track projects from schematic design through construction administration.

Anjana’s structural design credits include some of the most recognizable venues in professional sports, such as MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the second-largest NFL stadium in the U.S.; PETCO Park, home of the San Diego Padres baseball team in California; and Florida’s American Airlines Arena, where the NBA’s Miami Heat plays. She also has several tall towers to her credit, including Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir, the tallest religious structure in India, and the nearly 1,000-foot Comcast Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Anjana received a 2013 Leaders of Industry Award from the New York chapter of the Concrete Industry Board. The honor recognizes individuals who display an exemplary attitude toward their work and their professional relationships.

Recipients must have an esteemed reputation among co-workers and be cognizant of the significance of their work and impact on the future of the profession

Technology has changed the way we work. We have shorter schedules, tighter budgets and complex designs, but we also need to be more precise.”

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17th Annual Top Women in Real Estate

2017

A Carrie Moore

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Director at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Carrie Moore is a recognized expert at implementing innovative and sustainable designs for complex projects in New York City, particularly for institutional clients. Since joining SOM in 2004, Carrie has been a part of design teams for the new Cornell Tech Campus on Roosevelt Island, the Milstein Teaching and Learning Center for Barnard College, and the master plan for Columbia University’s Manhattanville campus, to name a few. She worked as a Technical Coordinator for SOM’s High School of Art and Design and P.S. 59, a mixed-use building incorporating a residential tower with two schools in Manhattan.

Throughout her career, Carrie has impressively demonstrated the ability to manage large, technically complex projects with critical construction, phasing, and operational requirements while encouraging a high level of teamwork.

Carrie has been involved in some of SOM’s most dynamic and transformative projects. She served as the Senior Technical Coordinator for the Kathleen Grimm School for Leadership and Sustainability at Sandy Ground on Staten Island, a living laboratory for innovation in sustainability, and the first net-zero energy school in New York City.

An active member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and Professional Women in Construction (PWC), Carrie brings to her work significant experience and knowledge in New York City building codes, regulatory approvals, construction issues, and working with construction managers.

Carrie holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Cincinnati, College of Design, Architecture and Planning.

Our role as Architects demand that we give clarity to increasingly complex typological and technical requirements in our work. We need to be innovative and visionary in order to deliver projects that are going to be successful in the long run.”

www.sokolmediaonline.com • 17

2017

17th Annual Top Women in Real Estate

W

Lois Palguta G3 Architects

ith over 25 years of experience in interior architectural design, Lois Palguta has become one of the New York area’s highest regarded architectural professionals, both in and out of the office.

A Darien, CT resident, Lois currently serves the Managing Director of G3 Architects’ Connecticut Office.

Beginning her career as a Project Architect in Washington, D.C., she initially returned to her home state of New York assisting on project at Morgan Stanley’s headquarters. From there, Lois joined Gensler New York where she supported in several major interior design and planning projects for several banking and finance corporations, including Morgan Stanley, Lehman Brothers, McKinsey & Co. and Pricewaterhouse Coopers.

After joining Manhattan-based Conant Architects shortly thereafter, she served as a key stakeholder in various projects with an array of Fortune 100 businesses, including Colgate Palmolive, Thomson Reuters, Time Inc. and Citigroup.

Active in various philanthropic activities, Lois’ enthusiasm for assisting those in need has joined her with various charitable organizations. Notably, Lois has worked with Catholic charities including the Sisters of Life and Malta House, career development programs such as Bottomless Closet, and women advancement opportunities like The Bowery Mission women’s shelter in Harlem’s Astor Row. In recognition of her work – both charitable and professional- she’s received the St. Francis Women of Valor Award, BOMA Office Building of the Year Award and has been published in Interior Design Magazine, betabeat and Office Insight.

Lois has also been extensively involved in furthering ALS research and awareness. Most recently, she chaired a golf outing and charity walk to raise funds and support ALS awareness, honoring the memory of her late father, who suffered from the disease.

Lois received her Bachelor of Science in Architecture from The Catholic University of America and completed her Master of Architecture as part of the Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society from the University of Michigan.

What I enjoy most is developing new client relationships, particularly in the state of Connecticut where there is a lot of opportunity for growth.”

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17th Annual Top Women in Real Estate

2017

L

Laura Patel

DIRTT Environmental Solutions

ast year national construction and demolition waste accounted for nearly 532 million tons of entirely avoidable landfill. That’s roughly twice the estimated weight of the island of Manhattan – when it’s populated! By challenging the commonplace acceptance of today’s construction process, Laura J. Patel, an international speaker and industry thought leader, advocates for shifting to a sustainable construction paradigm.

Laura is based out of DIRTT’s New York City Construction Green Learning Center. As a “DIRTTbag”, she brings the message of “Doing It Right This Time” to owners, contractors and architects looking to build interior environments sustainably, quickly, precisely and on budget. While this sounds like a tall, if not impossible order for the construction industry, Laura demonstrates and wins converts to this new, technologically driven approach every day.

Construction is currently the slowest industry to innovate and least productive. It is a model based on 100-year-old technologies without the labor to support it or the will to support its painful and wasteful process. The disruption required to pull it into the 21st century however, is one of symbiosis. Laura uses DIRTT’s proprietary 3D software to demonstrate how owners can stay on top of their budget and schedule, while design teams are free to create unique spaces. Meanwhile, contractors are better able to withstand crippling labor shortages, while taking on fast-tracked projects. The first-of-its-kind approach is known as integrated, multi-trade prefab construction.

Laura and her team are responsible for supporting more than 700 stakeholders, across 9 countries and 105 companies; generating nearly $300M in annual revenue. She helps them deliver this new approach and its powerful message of material waste reduction while creating adaptable spaces.

Recent speaking engagements include The World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of New Champions (Dalian, China), The World In 2030 (Dalian, China), Thin Air Festival (Park City, UT), Smart Buildings, Smart Spaces, Smart Cities (NYC, NY), The Anchin Construction and Development Forum (NYC, NY), The Art, Science and Bottom Line of Innovative Designs & Technologies (NYC, NY), The Office of the Future Summit (NYC, NY) and Are We Future Proof? A Frank Look at Alberta’s Aging Infrastructure (Edmonton, AB).

We don’t have corporate titles so that employees don’t get siloed into specific roles. Instead, we lovingly call ourselves ‘DIRTTbags.’ ”

www.sokolmediaonline.com • 19

2017

17th Annual Top Women in Real Estate

R Robyn Sorid

G4 Capital Partners

obyn Sorid co-founded G4 with partners Louis Silverman and Jason Behfarin. Ms. Sorid has been involved in all aspects of G4’s management and investment activities, including originating, structuring, and managing real estate transactions in excess of $1 billion. Ms. Sorid is currently spearheading the launch of G4’s latest fund vehicle, G4 Capital Partners III, LP. Ms. Sorid was included in Fortune Magazine’s 2014 list of the Most Powerful Women in Real Estate, was recently honored by BisNow as one of the top female leaders in NYC’s commercial real estate market, and is a frequent speaker at industry events. She graduated magna cum laude from Duke University where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She received her law degree from Harvard Law School and continued her post juris doctorate education at New York University’s Institute of Real Estate.

Prior to G4, Ms. Sorid was an associate at the law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP from 1998 until 2005 where she was a member of the commercial litigation group and subsequently the firm’s real estate transactional practice. Ms. Sorid represented Fortune 500 companies, investment banks and real estate developers in complex litigations and has counseled investors on all aspects of commercial real estate investments including acquisitions, joint ventures, financings, and repositioning of fund portfolios.

I love the business building component and deal level dynamics, and our firm has a unique sense of camaraderie. This is at the very fabric of our company.”

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ARCHITECTURE I N T E R I O R S ENGINEERING P L A N N I N G C O N S U LT I N G

hok.com

5 Bryant Park l New York, NY 10018 l 212.741.1200

Congratulations to Annette Wilkus and this year’s Honorees!

WCD Group, LLC Congratulates

Sandra Gaurin and all the 2017 Honorees on being recognized as the

Top Women in Real Estate

www.wcdgroup.com

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Featured women in the Common Ground campaign include (from left) Onay Payne, Clarion Partners; Samantha Sax, Elad Group; and Giovanna Pergola, Meyers Research.

real estate in particular is a sector that has traditionally been male dominated. Fortunately, more and more women are playing significant roles in the field, and Faske is pleased to salute these female pioneers who have shattered so many glass ceilings. “The program may be called Common Ground, but these women are anything but common,” Faske says. “They are true trailblazers – and it’s an honor for us to be able to spotlight their careers and their tremendous achievements.”

The international Common Ground initiative was first developed at the suggestion of former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in 2016 at the Cannes Lions Festival, the global event for those working in the creative communications, advertising and related fields. WPP, the world’s largest communications services group, joined with five other leading advertising and marketing services groups, putting aside competitive differences to launch the international initiative, which supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As part of this initiative, each group is focusing on a specific area of the United Nations’ SDGs. WPP has chosen to focus efforts on Gender Equality, with each of the group’s companies designing unique projects and campaigns to address and direct public attention to this critical issue.

Since Pace works with many clients in the commercial and residential real estate industries, it made sense for them to design a campaign that zeroes in on these fields.

The interviews are featured on the Pace website and are being promoted throughout the industry, with additional features to follow as the year continues. For further details, visit paceadv.com/commonground.

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Common Ground’s online campaign. (Clockwise from top left): Mary Ann Tighe, CBRE; Adrienne Albert, The Marketing Directors; Robyn Reiss, Commercial Observer; Roxanne Donovan, Great Ink Communications.

Pace, a WPP branding and marketing agency

based in New York City, launched a campaign earlier this year to focus on gender equality in the commercial and residential real estate sectors. Part of a larger, international initiative known as Common Ground, Pace joined other leading advertising and marketing firms to address the world’s most pressing problems.

Featuring such industry titans as Mary Ann Tighe view highlights her achievements, how she broke in of CBRE, Adrienne Albert of The Marketing Di- and became successful in the industry, and advice for rectors, Roxanne Donovan of Great Ink Commu- other women starting out or advancing in the field. nications, Ellen Israel of JRT Realty, Onay Payne Cara Faske, president of Pace, says her firm is, of Clarion Partners, Giovanna Pergola of Meyers “Thrilled to be able to create a campaign like this to Research, Robyn Reiss of Commercial Observer, and focus attention on such a crucial issue. Women in the Samantha Sax of Elad Group, Pace is now producing labor market still earn an average of 24% less than a series of “TRAILBLAZERS” features spotlight- men globally, according to the United Nations, so ading these women who have made significant strides vancing gender equality is critical for social progress in commercial and residential real estate. Each inter- in every area.” It is also well-known that commercial

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THE SL GREEN TEAM IS PROUD TO HONOR OUR OWN Elizabeth Majkowski Director of Sustainability, Senior Vice President, Operations

AND ALL OF THE 2017 TOP WOMEN IN REAL ESTATE

Rooftop, 635 Avenue of the Americas

property is also home to a diverse tenant base that Avenue of the Americas is now considered one of the includes financial, accounting, law, and technology most desirable office properties in its sub-market. firms. 1350 recently achieved a LEED Gold certification and an ENERGY STAR label, a testament to    Liz’s leadership and her team’s focus on sustainability.

The real estate industry has recognized the evolution of SL Green’s sustainability program in the past 635/641 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS 635/641 Avenue of the Americas is conveniently lo- two years under Liz’s leadership. 50 percent of SL cated in the heart of Chelsea between 19th and 20th Green’s owned and managed portfolio is certified Streets, which was once home to the Simpson Craw- under LEED and the portfolio’s ENERGY STAR ford Department Store. Recently redeveloped into labels represent 8 percent of all labels achieved a Class “A” office building in 2015, this building fea- across Manhattan. SL Green is an ENERGY STAR tures a LEED Core & Shell certification, new lobby Partner for the third consecutive year, ranked by and elevators, state-of-the-art building systems and a Newsweek as one of the country’s greenest busione-of-a-kind penthouse rooftop that hosts a bocce nesses and named “Most Sustainable REIT” by Real court and event space. SL Green is proud that 635/641 Estate Finance & Investment.

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Further, not only is the team pursuing the highest levels of LEED, but are also pursuing a WELL certification in parallel. The overall health of One Vanderbilt’s tenants is a top priority that will be realized by implementing real-time outdoor air monitoring and low-VOC materials to enhance indoor air quality; healthy entrance features to reduce pollutants in the building; water treatment systems to ensure exceptional water quality; facade glazing to enhance access to natural daylighting and views; building design systems that minimize exterior noise intrusion; green cleaning policy for healthier work environments, and biophilic design elements incorporated throughout the building.

1350 Avenue of the Americas

11 MADISON AVENUE Acquired by SL Green in 2015, 11 Madison is a 30-story, 2.3-million-square-foot office tower located in Midtown South. With 65% open floor plans and outdoor space to facilitate employee productivity and wellness, additional sustainable features include office carpet composed of 80% recycled content, drywall comprised of 100% recycled facing paper, and paint with all low or no VOC. Further, low-flow fixtures were installed, operating at 30% below the LEED® baseline for washroom fixture efficiency and 5% of the roof is covered by a garden to moderate the City’s temperatures and filter air pollutants. As a result of the investments made towards sustainability at 11 Madison, the building’s ENERGY STAR score is an 80, representing optimal energy performance.

1350 AVENUE OF AMERICAS

Located in the heart of the Plaza district on the southeast corner of 55th Street, 1350 Avenue of the Americas is a stunning 590,000-square-foot boutique office building featuring a new completed lobby including french walnut wood panels, paloma limestone, white metal paneling, and pietra bedonia floors. The

11 Madison Avenue

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Green wall at Viacom, 1515 Broadway

Construction at One Vanderbilt

Believing that the office of the future is not only sustainable and energy efficient but is an environment that facilitates work-life balance and wellness, SL Green’s latest development is SL Living Green, an app that offers tenants a suite of wellness amenities such as yoga, meditation, educational speaking events and health food pop-ups. Through this program, the firm will redefine what can be accomplished in a standard office and leverage spaces to create a culture of community, productivity and health.

ONE VANDERBILT AVENUE

Nowhere is SL Green’s commitment to sustainability more evident that with the initiatives planned for One Vanderbilt, a ground up development that will anchor the East Midtown business district. The cutting-edge project is scheduled to achieve one of the lowest carbon footprints across buildings of its scale and density under Liz’s guidance.

The building design incorporates premiere sustainability elements contributing to LEED including: A 1.2 megawatt cogeneration system

Enhanced commissioning of all major building systems and building envelope

40% water use reduction through ultra high-efficiency water fixtures

One Vanderbilt model

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A 50,000 gallon rainwater collection and treatment system used for irrigation and cooling tower makeup

75% recycling rate during project demolition and construction

One Vanderbilt rendering

As New York’s largest owner and man- lenge, where the company will partner ager of commercial real estate, SL Green with tenants to realize a 30% reduction embodies its role to lead by example and in greenhouse gas emissions. SL Green implement best practices in all operational is also committed to supporting its tenareas, including sustainability. In her syner- ants’ corporate environmental initiatives gistic role as SVP Operations and Direc- by ensuring building performance data is tor of Sustainability, Elizabeth Majkowski transparent and that corporate policies constantly encourages her team of engi- meet green standards.Liz’s team is posineering and management personnel to op- tioned to assist tenants pursue LEED® erate with the utmost efficiency, reducing and WELL® certifications and efficiency expenses while strengthening community projects that qualify for government reresiliency. bate programs. As a result, SL Green’s best SL Green’s sustainability commitment in class sustainability program has estabbegins with the 10-year participation in lished a new precedent for office environthe New York City Mayor’s Carbon Chal- ments and landlord-tenant relationships. www.sokolmediaonline.com • 3A

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Elizabeth Majkowski SL Green

“Collaborative opportunities with our tenants are integral to the success of SL Green’s sustainability program,” says Elizabeth Majkowski, Senior Vice President, Operations and Director of Sustainability. “Our landlordtenant sustainability partnerships are a key differentiator that distinguishes us from our industry peers.”

COVERING WOMEN’S ISSUES– CHANGING WOMEN’S LIVES

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A Special Edition from Sokol Media

FALL 2017

2017

TOP WOMEN IN REAL ESTATE

AMY BECKMAN HOK

ERICA F. BUCKLEY Nixon Peabody

SUSAN ERDELYI HAMOS WSP USA

SANDRA GAURIN

Elizabeth Majkowski

SL Green

WCD Group, LLC

ANJANA S. KADAKIA Thornton Tomasetti

CARRIE MOORE

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

LOIS PALGUTA G3 Architecture

Howard Wechsler Photography

LAURA PATEL

DIRTT Environmental Solutions

ROBYN SORID

G4 Capital Partners

ANNETTE WILKUS SiteWorks

TOP ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR