Julie Leonhardt
LaTorre has traversed from U.S. coast to coast,
building up a dynamic resum for nearly twenty-five years. Shes
taught history, English and math to high-school aged girls living
in a group home in the Greater Los Angeles area. Shes been a high
powered real estate finance attorney on Wall Street. Shes a master
of real estates affiliate-based business model, having led
Christies luxury arm in that arena for four years. Shes also fluent
in Spanish. And now, with 15 years of industry experience under her
belt, LaTorre is the Chief Operating Officer of Sothebys International
Realty.
Colleen
Barry, CEO of Gibson
Sothebys International Realty, sat down with LaTorre
to discuss stories, insights
and advice for future female leaders. . .
Colleen Barry: Tell me
about a role model who positively influenced your life.
Julie Leonhardt LaTorre:
My 5th grade teacher, Ms. Tripani. She was single, played tennis on
the weekends, and lived life very differently. I was a creative and
curious girl, always with an independent streak, and Ms. Tripani
always encouraged me to follow my inner bliss. She allowed me the
permission to ask questions and explore opportunities outside the
mold of a traditional upbringing. She was a bigger role model for
me than I realized at the time.
CB: Growing up in the
suburbs certainly comes with expectations.
JLL: Unfortunately so. The
prevailing sensibility is often that life as a suburban housewife
is supposed to bring ultimate happiness. True for some, but not
all.
CB: Youve had a
fascinating career pathfrom school teacher to Wall Street lawyer,
to the COO of a global real estate brand. Tell me about how youve
found your way and made those transitions.
JLL: After graduating
college, I began teaching in an inner-city group home and high
school California. I loved my students, but was itching for some
adventure. I visited New York City and fell in love with its
wonderful energy. Everyone was hungry to do something great. Three
months later, I packed up my car and moved across the country. I
didnt have a job or an apartment; I just showed up. I served as a
fashion photographer, and a teacher to children on Broadway. After
getting married and having my son, I was drawn to a non-profit for
healthcare where I worked with at-risk women and families from
Latin America. My experience coordinating with Legal Aid and other
community organizations inspired me to go to Law School. I became a
Commercial Real Estate Finance Attorney at the peak of the global
financial crisis. After surviving the layoffs, I agreed to play in
a golf tournament with the law partners at my firm, and thats how
they learned my name. One asked me to be his junior attorney, and
eventually, the market bounced back. Soon after, I assumed the
Senior Vice President role at Christies.
CB: Launching a
high-caliber career requires taking risks, stepping out on the
right limb at the right time. When you take a risk, you give up
some comfort in the short term for a potential long-term gain. How
did you keep calm and steady in chaos?
JLL: The thought, I think
Ill just stay put, never was part of my mindset. From driving
cross-country to New York City, to picking up my family and moving
us to London for my career with Christies, and then returning to
New York for my current position with Sothebys International
Realty, I certainly felt scared at times. But reminding myself that
it was okay not to know everything eased my fears. I think a lot of
young women today believe they need to be perfect at what they do
once they start. My advice for them is to remember that you were
not hired into your first jobs because of their skill. You were
hired because of your potential. Your organizations saw something
that made them think you’re a good investment, and they only expect
your commitment.
CB: Life truly is a
never-ending learning process. We need to live to acquire skills,
and what matters is finding mentors to help with that skill
acquisition.
JLL: Yes. Your career is a
huge part of your life. But, how quickly youre climbing the ladder?
Its not the only definition of a successful existence. Do you enjoy
your work? Do you have a loving family or supportive group of
friends? Are you healthy? Are you happy? If you answered yes to
allor even oneof these questions, then Id say youre doing pretty
well for yourself.
CB: Ive heard the line
that Empowered women empower women! Do you think mentorships are
critical?
JLL: Absolutely. On a
recent flight to visiting our affiliates in India, I watched a
documentary about Ruth Bader Ginsburg, possibly the worlds best
known and most powerful advocate for gender parity and the rights
of women in the workplace. She served as a mentor and champion for
young women. Throughout my career, I’ve tried to use that same
power of collaboration, and be a mentor and friend to females in my
own industry and across other industries.
CB: Its
interestingtraditionally
feminine strengths, like nurture, empathy, and passion, are what
helped me be successful, allowing me to lead our agents like they
are family. I believe that emotion belongs in the workplace,
especially in the real estate industry, where the emotions of
homebuyers and sellers guide our decisions everyday.
JLL: We can boost
organizational culture and success by focusing on the people around
us. In the past year alone, Ive found such inspiring connections
with so many women within the Sothebys International Realty
network, and I hope to return the favor for years to
come.
