Membership Spotlight: Madeline Clement
Monday, Sep 18, 2023
Madeline Clement, Director, Asset Management at Manulife Investment Management + CREW Vancouver Director of Education & Outreach (EO)
Madeline Clement is the Director of Asset Management for Manulife Investment Management. In her role, Madeline oversees +3 Million sf of commercial real estate assets in British Columbia for Manulife’s general account and third-party funds. She is responsible for maximizing value by developing and executing asset-level strategies and overseeing leasing, property management and development activities. She is also the Director of Education & Outreach CREW Vancouver. In this role, she leads the organization's educational programming initiatives and helps to promote diversity and inclusion in the commercial real estate industry.
Q: Madeline, thank you for being our Member & BOD Spotlight!. Can you tell us how you first became involved with CREW Vancouver and what drove you to join the Education & Outreach Committee and the Board?
Thanks for reaching out!
I moved to Vancouver from Toronto almost 10 years ago and knew one person in this city. At the time, she was a volunteer with CREW and encouraged me to get involved with the organization. Following her advice, I attended numerous CREW events and met amazing people, many who are lifelong friends. Fast forward to 2022 – I formally joined the Education and Outreach Committee and now serve on the Board of Directors.
I believe education is a passport to a brighter future and an impactful way to create diversity in our industry. I’ve always been passionate about education and mentorship, so joining the Education & Outreach Committee was an obvious fit for me. I am incredibly inspired by our team’s dedication and the impact they are making on our industries future leaders.
I was driven to join the Board as I saw it as an opportunity to integrate the Education & Outreach Committee’s mission into the strategic vision of the broader organization. Collaborating with people who are dedicated to strengthening diversity in the industry has been rewarding. Throughout my career I’ve been fortunate to have a strong support system, and now, my involvement with CREW is another opportunity to pay it forward.
Q: As CREW Vancouvers Directors of Education & Outreach, what are your key initiatives and responsibilities?
As Director of Education & Outreach, I oversee the strategic direction of CREW's educational initiatives which promote diversity and inclusion in the commercial real estate industry. Our key initiatives include our:
Professional Mentorship Program: This annual initiative matches CRE professionals with experienced senior leaders. Each year we have an amazing roster of mentors and very engaged mentees which makes this is a staple program of CREW.
UCREW: Through our UCREW program, we organize networking events and educational workshops for students. We also create educational campaigns on social media and support as educational sponsors for various student-led initiatives, including the SFU Beedie Urban Development Program.
Student Mentorship Program: Each year, we facilitate a program that connects post-secondary students with associate-level CRE professionals. We just rolled this out in 2022 and have exciting goals to continue to grow the program.
Scholarships: As part of our commitment, CREW Vancouver is a partner on three scholarships that are designed to foster a pipeline of talented future female professionals in the commercial real estate industry:
CREW Network Foundation Scholarship
CREW Vancouver & Conwest Award for Women in Real Estate (UBC)
Q: What advise do you have for young professionals and students interested in a career in commercial real estate?
Success in your professional journey is a continuous process – some of your most valuable lessons will be taught not only by your accomplishments, but also the hard lessons you learn from challenges. Stay persistent, stay positive and believe in your abilities. Also:
Work Hard: Cultivate a strong work ethic and demonstrate reliability, dedication, and a willingness to go the extra mile.
Build a Strong Network: Relationships are the heartbeat of our industry. Look for mentors who can guide you in your career journey. Get to know your coworkers, peers, clients and competitors – their insights will be invaluable.
Embrace Challenges: View challenges as opportunities to grow and develop new skills – stepping outside your comfort zone often leads to significant opportunities and personal growth. Invest in your personal and professional development.
Be Authentic and Respectful: Lead with respect, honesty and integrity. Determine your values and align with people who share those.
Remain Curious: Ask questions and never stop learning. Stay up to date on the market trends, economic indicators and emerging opportunities in our industry.
Q: Finally, what is the most rewarding part about being a part of CREW Vancouver's Education and Outreach Committee?
There are many rewarding parts of being a part of this team but just to name a few – seeing students get jobs through connections made at our networking events. Hearing about a mentor and mentee in our program forming a bond that translates into valuable business opportunities. Seeing scholarship recipients feel empowered to continue their pursuit to find a career in commercial real estate. And being a part of a team that is so passionate and committed to growing a diverse pipeline of future leaders for our industry.