June 22, 2008

I recently met with Marilyn Lissner, Super Broker from Cushman and Wakefield and a founding member of CREW Chicago. Over a glass of Pinot Noir, Marilyn graciously shared her reminiscences and insights. The following are excerpts from our conversation:

SHARON: Marilyn, 20 years ago you were one of the founders of CREW Chicago. What compelled you to join with other women to establish this chapter?

MARILYN: We always knew that business is built on relationships. In 1985, Holly Duran and Elayne Adams founded CREO (Chicago Real Estate Organization) as a women’s networking group that soon appealed to both men and women in commercial real estate. A year later I looked around and saw that men still had their basketball games and private clubs - places where they could simply ?hang out? together. They built relationships which led to future business that way. I started thinking about the value of a women’s real estate organization and said to my women colleagues, ?CREO notwithstanding, do you think we still need an organization exclusively for women?? They agreed about that there was a need for a women’s organization and this was one of the first steps that led to establishing CREW.

But the irony is that the main driver for CREW Chicago started with a phone call from a woman in our New York office.

SHARON: I understand that a woman from your company was instrumental in encouraging you to move in this direction. Do you recall how that came about?

MARILYN: Susan Rosen and I had just joined Cushman & Wakefield in the fall of 1986. There were very few women with the company, but one woman from our New York office approached us and asked if we would like to join a newly established women?s networking real estate group called WIRE [Women in Real Estate] .We flew to New York and met with about 35 women from around the country. It was so interesting that while we were becoming involved in WIRE, we noticed that various women?s groups were forming on the West Coast as well as in other states. After a year or two, it made sense to merge the organizations into one group and form a National Network called CREW. We recognized that it made no sense to be part of a National Network without local representation, and that proved to be the final impetus that led to the decision to establish CREW Chicago.

SHARON: How did you get into Commercial Real Estate?

MARILYN: I was raising my three sons and, after volunteering and following many other pursuits, I felt I wanted something more and started selling houses. But the hours [of a Residential Real Estate Broker] did not work for me: When my children were home, I was working.

SHARON: Marilyn, you were the third President of CREW Chicago. Would you share some recollections on your term?

MARILYN: Elayne Adams was a hard act to follow. Jo May, our first President was just with us for a very short time and then retired. I remember it as a very special time [for women] and as an important time of change. We were so much in the minority in the industry that we felt that [by forming CREW Chicago] there might be strength in numbers. We were also very concerned about diverse representation in CREW and proud that 17 different disciplines of real estate were involved in our organization.

I had an awesome and talented board that included Julia Stasch, Pat Crumley, Susan and Allison Dodds, which made my role easy. The camaraderie and friendships that were formed were amazing. We got so much done, developed relationships and had fun. Speaking of fun, if you can find any of the original founders and early members, be sure to ask them if they remember "Coolfont Resort."

In any case, these women were so accomplished in their professional lives and gave a lot to the business of building CREW into a viable organization. Personally, the experience had significant impact on me as well. I began to feel ?if we can do this as a group, I can make changes in my life as well.? It was empowering and confidence building. The highlight of my tenure and contribution occurred the year following my term as President, when we had the first CREW Network Conference at the Westin (which was the Nikko at that time). It was a great success in turnout. But the real benefit to the CREW women who participated was in the planning on the event and working together for a common goal??..making our Chicago convention the greatest of its time.

SHARON: What was important 20 years ago?

MARILYN: Having women become more visible and recognized in our industry, of course making enough money, having a work life balance and continuous self improvement.

We were very focused on having relevant, informative, high quality speakers to attract other senior women into the organization. We were also very focused on giving back to other women, and to the community. We worked very hard on that original ?Mission Statement.?

SHARON: What have you gained from your involvement in CREW?

MARILYN: Important relationships, leadership skills, perspective, wisdom and a sense of humor!?. The irony is that I have not actually gotten much business [directly from CREW], but I have received far more from the relationships I have built over the years. I have always felt that you often get more than you give.

SHARON: Is there a final thought you would like to communicate to the next generation of CREW leaders and members?

MARILYN: I am so happy to see how the organization has evolved. Twenty years ago, we all came together for a common purpose. It is wonderful that there are women who have come up though the organization and have taken on the leadership roles today. It confirms that that organization is still as relevant and important as it was 20 years ago.

It is important to remember that along the way to success in your profession, it is still important to value the qualities that make you a unique woman in a male-dominated industry. You can be successful in achieving your goals without giving up your values. It is important to connect and to be part of something bigger than yourself. It is also very fulfilling to give by mentoring and helping others along the way.