LA Power Women: 5 Questions With Morley Builders' Jan Karl
This limited series profiles SoCal Power Women who have helped shape cities, neighborhoods, businesses and lifestyles in Southern California. These women will be honored at Bisnow's Los Angeles Power Women event Dec. 12.
Jan Karl knows that when it comes to recruiting and promoting women in the construction industry, a lot of work still needs to be done.
As the vice president of project development at Morley Builders, Karl is responsible for overseeing the company's project development initiatives and strategies. Karl said she also sits on several panels about women in the construction industry.
"One of my goals is to help as many women as possible to move forward in this business," Karl said.
Bisnow: Who are you and what do you do?
Karl: As vice president of Morley Builders, I am responsible for Morley’s project development initiatives and strategies as well as our marketing team. Morley Builders, founded in 1947, has been building the best of Southern California for over 72 years. We are 100% employee-owned and laser-focused on bringing successful projects to fruition for our valued and collaborative clients.
Bisnow: What is the most challenging part of your job? The most rewarding?
Karl: The most challenging aspect of my job is managing my way through change in our constantly evolving business. That said, it’s also what excites me every single day.
Most rewarding? I am always gratified to witness and experience the end result, the completion of another great project for our clients and, ultimately, the users of that building. In addition, it is very rewarding to work with my high-performing team and other accomplished colleagues in my firm as we strive to be the best in the business.
Bisnow: How have you seen companies change the way they address wage and gender inequality in recent years?
Karl: Periodically, I sit on panels about women in our industry. It reminds me that there has been great progress over the years and yet we still have some distance ahead of us. I feel fortunate to work for a firm that is very supportive of women. One of my goals is to help as many women as possible to move forward in this business. At Morley, we are doing that every day. I am grateful for the relationships and friendships of my many business women colleagues who are in various industries. We have all grown together and support one another.
Bisnow: What do you enjoy most about living and doing business in Los Angeles?
Karl: I most enjoy living by the beach. This affords me the opportunity for outdoor activities, which I love. Living in Los Angeles allows us to experience the best of city life; the culture, the diversity, the restaurants, the sports, and yet we enjoy close proximity to the ocean, to hiking trails and to the mountains and forests. We have it all here. There’s no place like LA.
Doing business in Los Angeles is more exciting than it’s ever been. We’re all part of the dramatic changes that are taking place across our city.
Bisnow: What are you most excited about, professionally, as we head into 2020?
Karl: We now have unprecedented momentum in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. In the next decade we’ll host Super Bowl LVI in 2022, the U.S. Open in 2023, the World Cup in 2026 and the Summer Olympics in 2028. We have so much opportunity ahead.
Growth and change also provide challenges. Working through our issues will ultimately make Los Angeles a better community for the people who live here and the millions who visit.
