Molly Jans
Paradigm General Contracts
Operations Director
Reflecting on CREW 2020, is there a standout moment?
March through December 2020 will standout to me for the rest of my life. I vividly remember our March board meeting. Samantha Low was hosting at Cushman and Wakefield’s office and we were all pondering not being able to have in-person meetings of more than 10 people, per San Francisco ordinance, after that meeting. Our board is 11 directors, so we started talking about having meetings virtually. Little did we know, it would be Zoom for the rest of the year. CREW Network’s roll out of our Zoom account and our pivot to all online program offerings were a challenge that our directors and committee leaders took on with enthusiasm to keep our chapter connected. By late spring, our board and committee leaders had several conversations about what leadership means and our responsibility to our community of CRE professionals. These discussions have led to our ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) platform and DEI (Diversity Equity and Inclusion) leadership training seminars for 2021. From these efforts, we’ve also added our commitment to the revised chapter mission statement updated on our website.
What CREW relationships are you grateful for and why?
I’ve been a CREW SF member since 2004 and am grateful and heartened by all the relationships and friendships I’ve made. The board of directors and all the committee leaders and members of 2020 have been so supportive. The connections I’ve created through membership and committee work deepen when serving on the board, whether as a director or president.
What CREW event or interaction makes you smile and why?
CREWMates and Membership Madness Bingo & Wine events were bright spots for me in 2020. CREWMates makes me smile because of the one-on-one leadership growth work done within a mentee/mentor partnership. Membership Madness is a lighthearted and very fun networking event with large and small groups.
How has CREW helped you grow as a leader?
I joined a few professional organizations early in my career to network and build business opportunities. CREWSF is the one that really fueled my passion for leadership development and personal growth. My education and background in psychology and organizational development - which in 2004, working as a woman in construction seemed like a little bit of a misfit. Having CREWSF as a space to express my passion and find ways to bring it back into the built environment really helped develop my voice and leadership style.
What advice would you give another CREW member, or what's the best advice another CREW member gave you?
Raise your hand, get involved! Join a committee; If you’re in a committee, become a chair or vice chair; if you’re a chair, run for the board or president. CREW exists to promote and advance women in CRE, it is a mandate as much as a statement when you’re a CREW member.
What are your hopes for the New Year with CREW?
2021 has so much opportunity for growth and I look forward to further the work started with our ESG platform, to partner with the East Bay and Silicon Valley Chapters on our TRI-Chapter DEI initiatives and to lead the community outreach efforts with Girls Inc. of Alameda County and The Girl Scouts.