spot l ig h t > Q&A
executive insight with:
Karen J. Whitt
U.S. President & Chief Operating Officer | Real Estate Management Services Colliers International Karen Whitt oversees Colliers International’s property management
team. Whitt ensures consistent service across the organization and collaborates with brokerage and investment sales professionals nationwide to provide integrated real estate solutions. During her more than 20 years’ experience in the industry, she has been a national leader in property management, handling office, retail and mixed-use for institutional clients, including TIAA, ING UBS, and Principal Financial. She is based in Washington D.C.
If you could have dinner with any business leader, who would it be and why? I’m on the road several days a week, so if I had an open dinner slot I’d choose to be home with my husband and thirteen-month-old baby, and invite Oprah Winfrey. She’s smart, she’s not afraid to take risks, and she’s genuine. I just wouldn’t tell her I didn’t watch her show.
Words to live by? Just do it...but do it right.
Who were your mentors? My first boss after college, Barb Kocmur of Janez Properties in San Diego, who showed me how to handle challenges with grace; Marc DeLuca of Clarion Partners, who taught me how to deliver value to clients (as he does every day); and Dylan Taylor, who exemplifies trust and integrity, and shows us that you can lead only if people follow you.
Favorite business book? Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson. The value in this book for me is the reminder that everything is always changing, and you have to be innovative and stay ahead of the crowd.
What do you see as new industry trends to note? Property management organizations will become true partners with their clients, rather than just providing service. This may result in performance-based management fees to truly align the interests of clients and management firms.
What did you want to be when you were young? A teacher. Both my parents were teachers… and of course, I wanted summers off!
What was your first job? I was a lifeguard at the local pool. (Saved two kids in three summers.)
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knowledge leader fall 2011
Biggest accomplishment so far in your career? Really, my biggest accomplishment is handling the day-to-day challenges, and making sure to enjoy the small victories.
Who is your role model? My mom. She taught me to think outside the box, never accept status quo and, most importantly, to put others first. Knowing there are many solutions has made solving problems much easier throughout my life.
How are you involved with your community? My husband and I have provided a foster home for more than 200 locally rescued dogs in addition to the four special-needs dogs that are part of our household. The animal rescue organization we work with, Lucky Dog (www. luckydoganimalrescue.org), provides adoption matchmaking and foster care in the Metro D.C. area. Last year alone, Lucky Dog kept 1,400 dogs out of high-kill shelters in the South. K L
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