I first joined LaSalle as an Analyst in 2006 after graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and have been a member of the same team ever since. It was a great time to join the firm – the market was buoyant, and I got a lot of invaluable early exposure to our business. At the end of 2008, that shifted dramatically as we entered the Global Financial Crisis, and I was immediately introduced to the throes of finding ways to add value during a down market.
After leaving LaSalle for a few years to pursue an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management, I rejoined LaSalle in the summer of 2012. Before business school, the LaSalle Analyst program had provided key building blocks and I learned how to add value as part of a larger team. I returned after business school as an Asset Manager and was given new autonomy to make investment decisions. I considered myself extremely lucky to return to a team and culture consistent with my skillset, personality and passion.
Despite being a large multinational company with over 700 employees, on multiple occasions LaSalle has proven to be nimble and incredibly supportive of me not only in terms of my career but on a very human, personal level. A culture that empowers leaders to provide that kind of support is what creates the commitment to building a career verses doing a job, which brings me to the next part of my story.
In 2015, at the age of 31, I was unexpectedly diagnosed with breast cancer. The entire organization from our Global CEO at the time down to my immediate team could not have been more supportive. Although I was undergoing multiple rounds of chemotherapy and two significant surgeries (an experience I never want to relive), I still wanted the intellectual stimulation of working. From day one, LaSalle made it clear that they would support me – and gave me tremendous latitude with flexible working hours that accommodated my treatment schedule. There were weeks when I couldn’t get out of bed and other weeks that approached close to normal. I wanted to keep working to maintain continuity and to keep my mind engaged. Having a routine and a post-treatment end goal were crucial motivators for me. My team was amazing – they were supportive at every turn and picked up more than their fair share when I couldn’t fully pull my weight. You don’t expect that from a large company and, to this day, I’m incredibly grateful for the unwavering support.
Another time that LaSalle supported me to an amazing degree was in 2017, when my husband was transferred to San Francisco with his job, which required a move to the West Coast. My role and team were based in Chicago and I remember timidly asking if there was a potential solution for me to relocate and remain with the firm. After having just gone through a year of cancer treatment, I really didn’t know what to expect. LaSalle was incredibly accommodating and provided a remote work solution that allowed me to stay a part of my team, contributing to the business I had been building and ultimately expanding to West Coast properties based on my new location. On a personal level, I was able to move cross country without the worry of having to leave a team I loved.
Over those few years, I was fortunate enough to have great bosses that were very supportive and were always willing to let me bounce ideas off of them or discuss the best way to handle something, whether it was personal or professional. I have come to realize that support is a two-way street. I take a lot of pride in my dedication to the business and the potential impact of my role. And while LaSalle has been supportive beyond words, I never take that support for granted. At LaSalle there are so many people who are ready to support you, and I’ve learned that it’s okay to seek out that guidance and be honest about what you need to succeed. You get out what you put in, and there is no limit to the opportunities available at LaSalle for those who show up with that mentality.
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