Bay Area Power Women: 5 Questions With Westlake Urban Senior Vice President Jessica Smith

This limited series profiles Bay Area Power Women who have helped shape Bay Area cities, neighborhoods, businesses and lifestyles. These women will be honored at Bisnow's Bay Area Power Women event in San Francisco on May 30.

Westlake Urban Senior Vice President, Portfolio and Asset Management Jessica Smith has nearly two decades of experience in real estate, including 14 years in various positions at RMR Group. At RMR, she held positions in property management, real estate leasing and portfolio operations. She also served two years in property management at Westcore Properties and joined the Westlake Realty Group in 2017.

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

Smith: My focus is on maximizing the performance and value of the company’s portfolio of real estate assets. This involves leasing/marketing, operations, acquisitions, dispositions and financial reporting.

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

Smith: The biggest business issue that I face is the challenge of recruiting talent. Real estate is a people and relationship business.

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

Smith: Companies need to make a commitment to institute policies and programs to recruit, retain and promote women, including addressing unpaid care needs and enabling managers to combat unconscious biases.

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

Smith: Make it a point to prioritize finding mentors. I have turned to my mentor network throughout my career and it has been so valuable to have access to different perspectives.

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

Smith: Spending time with family is [a] top priority. I enjoy yoga, cycling and hiking in Marin. 

Meet Westlake Urban Senior Vice President, Portfolio and Asset Management Jessica Smith at Bisnow’s Power Women event in San Francisco May 30.