Executive Speaker Series Introduces Business Students to Real Estate Wunderkind, Sarah Jones-Maturo
The School of Business (SBUS) kicked off its Fall 2023 Executive Speaker Series with a presentation by Sarah Jones-Maturo, president of RM Friedland LLC, the largest privately held commercial real estate brokerage firm in Westchester County. An audience of more than 80 students, faculty and guests came to hear Jones-Maturo’s presentation, “National and Local Commercial Real Estate Trends,” which was held in the Mercy Rotunda and via Zoom on September 27.
Lloyd Gibson, D.Sc., dean of the SBUS, gave opening remarks that highlighted Jones-Maturo’s steady rise from internship to vice presidency at her first company, CBRE, as well as her many business and real estate awards. “At age 33, she became president of RM Friedland, which has sold more than $3 billion in commercial properties,” Gibson said. “We’re thrilled that she’s agreed to lead off the Fall semester of our Executive Speaker Series.”
Jones-Maturo’s interactive presentation highlighted the challenges and rewards of a career in commercial real estate. She tested her audience’s real estate knowledge and fielded questions about job shadowing, salary versus commission, and the pros and cons of working in a male-dominated industry. “It can be challenging,” she said. “When I first started at CBRE, there were only four women out of 125 brokers.” Her advice: “Don’t be intimidated and don’t underestimate yourself. Be respectful of your colleagues’ experience, but don’t think you’re a lesser person because you’re young or female or a person of color. Rise to the challenge and prove your value.”
Jones-Maturo also offered crucial advice about mentoring and internships. “It’s important to get a head start on figuring out where you fit best,” she said. “The more information you can gather before graduation, the better your decision. Once you’re on the job, find a business mentor who knows what they’re doing, is ethical, and has the time to devote to you during those first months.”