INTERVIEW WITH ABBY VOLLMER

What makes someone a great leader? 
A great leader is defined by a willingness to take on challenges others may avoid for the betterment of the team, coupled with the ability to communicate and delegate to ensure the task at hand is properly completed. 

Of equal importance, a strong leader is someone who actively listens to their peers, isn’t afraid of criticism and continuously tries to reinvent. 

Do you consider yourself a leader, why or why not? 
Whether they are positive or negative, a leader is influenced by many components of his or her life experiences. Growing up with three brothers, to ensure your voice was heard it was required that you exude a strong work ethic, a confident demeanor and to never let your drive towards your goals waiver. The leader I have developed into today is a result of a solid family foundation that constantly challenged me to better myself. 

Though my journey as a leader is far from over, the level of support from my mentors at Colliers International as well as the Denver community is unparalleled and something I am eager to pay forward in the future. 

Tell me about a time you took the lead? 
Working in the commercial real estate industry, it did not take long to realize young female brokers are few and far between. This is particularly true in the office tenant representation sector. Upon graduation, I was originally hired as a research analyst with a two year timeline before entering into brokerage services. However, eager to jumpstart my career, I challenged myself to get licensed and ultimately became an active broker within my first few months at Colliers. 

Since becoming licensed, my efforts have been directed at utilizing my differentiator (gender and age) to my advantage. I have been an active participant in Denver’s female networking scene, most recently being appointed to the Advisory Board for Women in Business at the South Metro Denver Chamber. 

It takes a leader to recognize these voids and though I have a long path ahead of me, I feel as though I’ve found my niche. One thing I’ve learned is that it’s never too early to take on these leadership roles, and once you put yourself out there, the ability to expedite success is remarkable. 

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