Amanda StrongThroughout her academic journey, visions of jazzy jackets, dazzling dresses and sexy slingbacks danced in Amanda Strong’s head.

As a marketing major, she envisioned a career as an assistant buyer and was well on her way when the economy intervened, resulting in an unexpected – but positive – change in career direction.

Strong now serves as director of asset management for Colony Realty Partners, where she is responsible for overseeing a 5 million-square-foot portfolio of office, industrial and multi-family assets in Atlanta.

The path to her current position began when the frail economic environment derailed her executive track at discount retailer Marshall’s.

As the company re-examined its internal structure, her job shifted from a buyer’s role to a store planning position. “I had to learn all about setting up stores,” she said. “This was my introduction to real estate, and I loved it.”

As Strong immersed herself in this new professional direction, Marshall’s finance department posted an opening. Intrigued with the opportunity, she applied and, although she had limited experience at the time, the manager decided to take a chance and hired her. Always a quick learner, it didn’t take long before Strong was asked to head up the real estate section within the finance department. She gained 12 years of retail real estate experience at Marshall’s before assuming similar positions with Woolworth Corp. and Staples.

Her work in the financial sector prompted Strong to seek more formal education, so she enrolled at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she earned a master’s degree in real estate development. Strong also holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Babson College.

She worked at KeyBank for several years as a relationship manager/portfolio manager. Her most recent position before joining Colony Realty Partners was with New Boston Fund, Inc. where she was development director, from December 2005 to October 2007.

“I built upon this zigzag approach and used all my previous jobs [and education] to get where I am today,” she said.

As successful as she is, Strong points out that managing all aspects of life requires creativity and stamina. “I love my job and love my family. It’s challenging to establish balance and still find time for self and philanthropic activities,” she said.

 

AAREP Involvement

Somehow, Strong has managed to maintain equilibrium, even while juggling family commitments, her high-powered job and leadership roles in several professional organizations.

She serves as president of African American Real Estate Professionals (AAREP) and founded the organization’s local chapter five years ago. By linking the national group with the local chapter, Strong aims to connect established real estate companies with a diverse panel of individuals through programming, fundraising and sharing stories about the career possibilities in commercial real estate.

A member of the asset management committee of the YWCA of Boston, Strong is also active on the Babson College board of overseers. “I serve as liaison for students of color,” she said. “I’m sensitive to helping women, giving them contacts and advice.”

Additionally, Strong is a member of the executive board of Nuestra Comunidad, a nonprofit community development corporation located in Dudley Square, and serves as its treasurer.

While Strong continues her professional journey, she has every intention of remaining actively involved with community organizations and giving back. “The ability to give career advice and help people get jobs is fulfilling,” she said. “I owe it to other people.”

 

‘Don’t Be Afraid’

Strong encourages other women to “be your biggest cheerleader,” noting that examining past accomplishments can bring some pleasantly surprising revelations.

“Don’t be afraid to try new things,” she added. “If you don’t try, you’ll never know what you can do.”

Looking ahead, Strong hopes to continue to advance professionally, but, more important, anticipates a major impact from the work of AAREP. “The timing is right to increase diversity in commercial real estate,” she said. “I’d like to see significant changes in the next 10 years. I want people of color fairly represented.”

Although she has achieved a top-ranking position in her field, Strong considers her career “a work in progress.” She said, “I can’t point to any one activity. I see my professional path as a set of building blocks. In general, I’m happy I’ve been able to get where I am today.”

Amanda Strong

by Phyllis Hanlon time to read: 3 min
0