Boston Power Women: 5 Question With Erin Harvey

This limited series profiles Power Women who have helped shape Greater Boston’s cities, neighborhoods, businesses and lifestyles. These women will be honored at Bisnow's Boston Power Women event on Dec. 4.

Boston Landing has become Boston’s de facto western gateway, and NB Development Group Senior Leasing and Marketing Manager Erin Harvey has played a vital role in landing some of the development’s biggest tenants. She has leased over 30K SF of retail in the project’s first phase and was involved in more than 725K SF of office and lab transactions, including a nearly 100K SF deal with Bose to open an office at 80 Guest St. 

Prior to joining NB Development in 2011, Harvey worked at Columbia Group Realty Advisors, The Chiofaro Co. and Paradigm Properties. A Wellesley College graduate, she is a member of the Urban Land Institute and ULI Development Council, CREW Boston, the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties and the Real Estate Finance Association. 

Bisnow: How do you describe your job to people who are not in the industry?

Harvey: I tell people that my job entails providing space for office tenants and retailers to start, move or expand their business into a thriving new development. Part of my job entails the marketing of the property, touring groups, negotiating leases and then working with them during their move-in. Once they are on-site, I continue to work with them to help incorporate their company/store into Boston Landing and the surrounding neighborhood. 

Bisnow: What is the biggest business problem you have faced and how did you solve it? 

Harvey: A challenge we had at Boston Landing was educating people on how to get here. The site is very visible from the Mass. Pike, but people didn’t know how to get there when we first started working on the development in 2011. To be successful with leasing, we had to change people’s perception that it was difficult to drive to the site. We created strategic marketing materials, interactive maps and stuck to our talking points of describing different modes of transportation to access the site. When we built our Boston Landing commuter rail station and opened it in May 2017, it was a game-changer for the site and for our leasing efforts.

Bisnow: What is one thing you think companies can do to address wage and gender inequality?

Harvey: I believe that, to address wage and gender inequality, we need to work on getting women into positions of power within individual organizations. Once we have women in decision-making positions, we can create a workplace that supports a more equal playing field for all associates. The first step, however, is to recognize that this is an issue, and it needs to be addressed.

Bisnow: What piece of advice do you give others entering the industry?

Harvey: For people entering the industry, I believe it is important to form relationships that will help you navigate your career choices. There are several valuable local and national organizations that have young leader groups to help introduce you to real estate executives and allow you to continue your industry education. It is also vital to find a mentor and sponsor to help guide you.

Bisnow: What do you do to unwind when you’re not working? 

Harvey: I enjoy spending time with my husband, 2-year-old daughter and Golden Retriever when I am not working. In the summer, I enjoy spending time at the beach and out on the boat, and, in the winter, I love skiing and being outside in the snow.

Meet NB Development Group Senior Leasing and Marketing Manager Erin Harvey at Bisnow’s Boston Power Women event Dec. 4 at the Westin Copley Place.