As a company founded by Hispanic entrepreneurs, Cambio is proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by spotlighting leaders who are transforming real estate through innovation, sustainability, and inclusive leadership.
Today, we're honored to feature Marlene Farias, National VP of Sustainability & Technical Services at Cambio partner, BGO. Marlene's unique combination of technical expertise and sustainability leadership has positioned her as a driving force in the Canadian real estate industry. Her commitment to mentorship and representation for women, particularly Hispanic women, in real estate leadership makes her an inspiring voice for the next generation of industry professionals.
We sat down with Marlene to discuss her career journey, her passion for sustainability, and her vision for the future of real estate.
What achievement or project in your career are you most proud of, and what made it meaningful to you?
Mentoring young professionals to accelerate career progression, enhancing leadership skills, with a strong focus on female Real Estate leadership. It is rewarding to see that the mentorship has created positive impact on many female professionals, with many reaching senior leadership positions in this industry.
You've recently stepped into a new role overseeing sustainability and technical services at BGO. What personally drives your passion for sustainability in real estate?
Due to my technical background in Real Estate, and a broader understanding of our environmental responsibility and the opportunities to reduce environmental impact, my sustainability passion is at the intersection of environmental stewardship and a desire to be part of a section in transformation toward a more resilient, environmental responsible environment. My technical lens bridges the gap with investment management by providing critical insights on property conditions, risks, and value drivers.
What advice would you give to emerging professionals from underrepresented backgrounds who are entering real estate?
Seek real estate related mentorship programs (BOMA Toronto), and join an Emerging Leadership committee. Networking and seeking mentors in the industry helps identify skill gaps and development requirements. Note: I am an introvert, and it took me a long time to network and build relationships in the industry.
Looking ahead, what impact are you most proud of driving in real estate?
Representation of Hispanic women (women in general) in the Canadian Real Estate ecosystem. I sit on the BOMA Toronto Board and collaborate on several real estate panels, not only representing the company that I work for, but also representing women in leadership.
How do you see technology transforming the real estate industry, and what role will it play in achieving sustainability goals?
Technology is significantly transforming the real estate industry (AI, IoT, Blockchain, Smart Technology, etc.) and we need to embrace the transformation. As we embark on the NetZero pathway, decarbonizing an asset will be challenging without smart technology, which enables systems optimization, emission reduction, predictive maintenance and control.
Thank you, Marlene, for your leadership, mentorship, and commitment to building a more equitable and sustainable future in real estate!
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