CoreNet Global Member Profile -- Joan Price

Joan Price: "CoreNet Global provides a platform for change."

To Joan Price, "a good business developer is a trusted adviser." Recently selected as Gensler's Director of Business Development for its Bay Area offices, Joan adheres to this principle in her everyday work. Gensler is a world leader in the architectural and design arena. "We help clients align real estate and facilities with their business plans," says Joan, which is also a major objective of CoreNet Global on behalf of its 7,000 members.

Prior to the merger of IDRC and NACORE, Joan was active with IDRC for five years and was also a co-chair of the Northern California Chapter. Once the merger took place the Northern California Chapter was excited about the change because there had only been two people running the show. For the Bay Area Chapter, this integration was essential to its vitality because it broadened its range of support by adding to its roster the Silicon Valley NACORE Chapters and the San Francisco/Silicon Valley Chapter of IDRC.

Although the industry faces challenging times presently and in the future, the benefit of such trying times means people search for more innovative ways to maximize their potential and drive their businesses. Joan notes that now, the distinct boundary that once existed between end users and service providers is blurred, and each is trying to learn more from one another and work together to achieve the desired results. CoreNet Global plays an essential role in the process of the education and empowerment of the corporate real estate industry as a whole.

"Primary benefits of the organization include the community it creates; it's very easy to get connected," says Joan. "If you have an affiliation with CoreNet, you can easily call a member anywhere and get whatever information or help you need. The Summits are also great for the networking and education," says Joan. "The programs are excellent, and once the Web site is finished, it will be a very powerful tool for members across the globe."

According to Joan, outsourcing is a big issue inside her Chapter, which makes the Summits all the more important for hearing success stories from other members. "There is a lot of room for improvement in this area, and there is a lack of consistency right now. Hearing other peoples' ideas at the Summits that have worked for them encourages everyone else that there are solutions to the problem."

Besides from being quite active in CoreNet Global as a Chapter Chair, Joan also is involved with IFMA and the Avon 60-mile Walk for Breast Cancer. She has participated in the Avon Mini-Triathlon and is active in several sports, including running and biking. While living in New York City, she was a member of the Central Park Track Club.

"Ed Friedrichs, Gensler's CEO, has said the following of CoreNet Global: 'Some of the greatest lessons and learnings come from rethinking, revisioning and readapting. CoreNet Global helps members and organizations reach their full potential by providing a platform for change.'"