8CIOReview | | JULY 2022IN MY OPINIONSIGNIFICANCE OF FLEXIBLE LEADERSHIP IN REAL ESTATE BUSINESSBy Ebony Landon, Vice President of Commercial Operations, JBG SMITHEbony studied at James Madison University and the University of Maryland, College Park. In addition, she holds designations as a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), Certified Property Manager (CPM), Real Property Administrator (RPA), Facility Management Administrator (FMA), FitWel Ambassador, and a LEED Green Associate. She currently serves as the 2022 President of the Northern Virginia Chapter of the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM).As Vice President of Commercial operations, Ebony Landon is primarily responsible for planning, directing, and contributing to all aspects of the real estate activities for the JBG SMITH REIT and FUND managed portfolio. She is the critical link between the commercial business strategy and day-to-day onsite operations.In addition to her work commitments, Ebony's is a passionate philanthropist. She serves as Youth Pastor in her church, is on the board of a community-focused non-profit, PEP, and has launched a t-shirt line to help support other non-profit groups that provide for the poor and help heal the wounded and those who feed clothe children.In an interview with Prop Tech Outlook magazine, Ebony sheds light on her working style, experience, and the significance of leadership and management in the real estate business.As the Vice President of Commercial Operations, how do you link the overall commercial business strategy to day-to-day field operations? Please give some examplesAt JBG SMITH, my role involves constant collaboration with Asset Management, Accounting and Lease Administration, Marketing, Leasing, and other departments to carry out company goals.The most recent example of the significance of linking overall commercial business strategy to day-to-day onsite operations was pivoting during the pandemic when our organization and operations shifted to remote working culture. To serve our customers and operate our buildings, we were required to navigate many different aspects that were critical to building operations. We needed to implement technologies, communication channels, and relief that could best serve our tenants. We needed the support of our IT, Marketing, Accounting, Legal, and onsite Management teams. Our team developed a Healthy Workplace Blueprint which outlined how we were maintaining healthy and safe work environments due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. I also implemented access control technologies, participated in tenant relief packages and planning, rolled out signage across the portfolio for modified building entry, and worked with consultants on disinfecting scopes and guidelines for spaces within our buildings. I used Ebony Landon
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