E3: Tokenism and Historical Setbacks, with Robert "Bob" Weiler Sr.

03/22/24 • 36 min

On this episode of Just Between Us Girls, we're honored to have Robert J. "Bob" Weiler, Sr., Chairman of the Board at the Robert Weiler Company, joining us. In our introduction, Bob shares his background and role at The Robert Weiler Company, highlighting why we've invited him onto the show. We also touch on Bob's journey into real estate.

Delving into his history, we explore pivotal moments like Bob's father's presidency at the Columbus Board of Realtors, where he advocated for women's inclusion—a significant shift considering the historical exclusion of women from holding chair positions. We discuss how this unequal playing field necessitated a shift in mentality towards discrimination, emphasizing the importance of uplifting everyone. A special touch of Columbus HERstory in this episode, when Bob shared Myrna Kobre was the first woman to be inducted on the Board of Realtors.

Moving on to residential vs. commercial real estate, we examine why more women have entered residential rather than commercial sectors. We delve into factors such as the technical nature of commercial real estate and the prevalence of women-to-women transactions. We also discuss the role of tokenism and its limitations in fostering true diversity, highlighting the "Lone Wolf" syndrome.

In our final phase, we ask Bob what he hopes the audience takes away for a more progressive future in the industry.

Join us on "Just Between Us Girls" as we navigate through setbacks, tokenism, and the path towards a more inclusive and progressive real estate landscape.

In our final phase, we ask Bob what he hopes the audience takes away for a more progressive future in the industry.

Join us on "Just Between Us Girls" as we navigate through setbacks, tokenism, and the path towards a more inclusive and progressive real estate landscape.

Previous Episode

E2: You Get Out What You Put In, with Laurie Rushevics

In the latest episode of "Just Between Us Girls." Host Arianny Damian is joined by Columbus' Institute of Real Estate Executive Director, Laurie Rushevics.

Laurie opens up about her role at IREM and how she became deeply involved with the association. We explore the notion that career opportunities don't come from sitting behind a computer, diving into Laurie's own "daytimer" story and her experience re-entering the industry after a decade as a stay-at-home mom. Laurie also sheds light on hiring without industry experience and emphasizes that DEI goes beyond race.

We discuss the importance of staying aggressive in one's career and the evolution that follows. We explore the concept of financial independence and economic freedom, highlighting that it's not about being excessively rich. Laurie explains why building personal wealth, even when comfortable, is crucial, and how to find balance as a working mom.

In the final phase, we delve into the principle that you get out what you put in, applying it to association life and specifically IREM. Laurie shares her insights on the importance of this mindset. As we wrap up, Laurie leaves us with her final thoughts and answers a bonus question: Who would she like to see as a guest on the show?

Join us on "Just Between Us Girls" for an empowering conversation with Laurie, unraveling career stories and insights that transcend industries. Want to see some snippets? Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram: Thompson Restoration Associates!

Next Episode

E4: Put Action In Your Allyship, with Lindsay Romaniw

Welcome to another episode of Just Between Us Girls, where host Arianny Damian, Director of Business Development at Thompson Restoration Associates, is privileged to have Lindsay Romaniw, Senior Property Manager at Colliers, as her guest.

In our introduction, Lindsay shares insights into her role at Colliers and why her journey into advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion is so crucial.

We delve into history and context, exploring the impact of small yet impactful initiatives like removing names from applications to combat biases in hiring processes. Addressing cultural norms and latent benefits in the workplace becomes paramount to attract and retain diverse talent. We also stress the importance of recognizing when advocacy isn't our forte and empowering those who champion the cause.

Lindsay opens up about her personal journey of checking privilege and feeling compelled to advocate for the DEI Committee. We discuss the weight of advocacy and the necessity of collective action, including the often unnoticed invisible labor shouldered by women in the workplace. From organizing birthday cards to cleaning communal spaces, these tasks often fall on women disproportionately.

Transitioning to allyship and activism, we tackle feelings of inadequacy and the shift from performative to meaningful action. Celebrating wins, like diversifying leadership roles through Spring cleaning competitions, underscores the significance of integrating DEI principles into daily practices.

We address challenges within corporate culture, including the lack of diversity in leadership and biases embedded in organizational structures. Overcoming barriers involves recognizing and redistributing invisible labor, as well as purposefully integrating DEI efforts into everyday actions.

In conclusion, we urge listeners to embrace allyship and advocacy in their workplaces, emphasizing the need for continuous, meaningful contributions beyond symbolic gestures.

Keep up with us on IG: @thompsonrestores