Jillian Haynes is a 2010 graduate of The Goldie Initiative and Roosevelt University. She is a Manager of Corporate Sustainability at HSBC Bank U.S.A and a Board Member for The Goldie Initiative.
1. Why you decided to go into your chosen field?
I chose real estate because it is something I love and am passionate about. It’s something that is necessary to the fabric of the way we live. Commercial real estate builds businesses and anchors communities. I wanted to know what it was about and I wanted to understand what it was about on an intimate level.
Currently I work in banking, specifically in corporate sustainability which includes diversity and inclusion components. I have to say that this particular path chose me. It was an opportunity available within the bank that aligned with what I was passionate about, which is giving and giving back to the community. Corporations have a duty to give back to the communities to which they serve, that’s also part of the reason why I’m on the board for The Goldie Initiative. I feel I have a duty to give back to the community that has been so good to me.
Jillian Haynes (right) with Dafena Russell and Lauren Zangl at the 2018 Goldie Gala.
2. What leadership achievement are you particularly proud of?
I received the ‘CEO Award,’ which is the highest award you can get at HSBC for outstanding performance. I proposed an idea to the Executive Vice President of Finance for a something I thought could be beneficial to the bank as we were going through the foreclosure crisis. We were managing a lot of foreclosures in several states and the idea was something I learned about while I was in graduate school at Roosevelt. I asked them if they would allow me to propose it and I was able to get in the room with a few senior executives that I wouldn’t have been able to meet otherwise. They ended up implementing my idea and honoring me with this award.
3. What speed bumps have you encountered along the way? How did you overcome them?
The only speed bumps that I’ve encountered are ones I’ve created for myself by thinking that I couldn’t do something, or that I didn’t have the skill set or the knowledge. We women feel like we have to know all of it in order to execute, instead of just going for it. I overcame that by having strong people in my corner to talk to, not everyone was a mentor per se, but a good network of people that could help me see past my own limitations.
4. How has The Goldie Initiative helped you?
I was actually winding down my obligations towards the end of last year and I was looking forward to not having any extracurricular activity on my plate. But I thought, I have to go back and I have to give to The Goldie Initiative because they gave so much to me. It’s been so rewarding and fruitful over the years, even after graduation. The network that I’ve been able to sustain, the relationships with my classmates and recent Goldie Scholars as they come through the program is invaluable. I feel great being able to give back and help and grow the Initiative.
Jillian Haynes (middle) with Nicole Pecoulas and Maggie Beckley at the 2017 Goldie Gala.
5. Who is your biggest inspiration?
My biggest inspiration is my family. My parents came to this country from South America with a dream and a prayer and a hope that they could create a better life for their children. I’d have to say that they’ve done pretty well, we’ve all gone to college, we’ve all had a challenging but great life. They are the original risk takers because they could have continued to be comfortable where they were, but they said “No, we want to try something different.” It was just a dream, then they decided to do it and go into the unknown.
6. What are your passions outside of work?
Outside of my work I’m most passionate about real estate. I’m a real estate broker, and that’s a little business that I work on when I’m outside of work. I have all these great friends that constantly just refer people to me who say “You know Jillian’s going to get the job done right.” I’m also passionate about helping others if it’s with their investments or maybe securing a home or selling their home.
Outside of the office I like biking, I’m part of Major Taylor Cycling Club of Chicago, which keeps me busy during the summer time.
Jillian Haynes (right) with fellow panelists at a DePaul University & Goldie Initiative panel on “Finding a Rewarding Career in Commercial Real Estate.”
7. What would you say to something who is thinking of applying to The Goldie Initiative?
I would tell them to do it. That it is a huge benefit, even if you don’t understand how or why in a particular moment. Once you apply and hopefully are accepted as a Goldie scholar, you’ll get that it’s even more than what you would think was ever available to you.
8. What is your prediction for women leaders in the commercial real estate industry for the coming year?
My prediction is that we will continue to see advancements for women in CRE and a few more significant appointments for women in executive ranks. Regardless of what the political climate is right now, which has had a negative tone towards women for the last couple of years, I don’t think that’s the attitude in general. The conversations that I continue to have with people show there’s lots of work to do, but I’m encouraged by the fact that people acknowledge it and are actually trying to change it. I have high hopes and good thoughts and expectations for the coming year for women in CRE and the corporate environment in general.
You can read more about Jillian on her LinkedIn Page.