Gabriela Stephenson
Senior VP | Corporate Solutions, United States
This International Women’s Day and every day, we are proud to recognize our inspiring women leaders and allies at JLL.
Who is a female inspiration/role model to you and why?
Growing up, my role model and inspiration was Margaret Thatcher. Why? Who could not be inspired by the “Iron Lady” — a successful strong woman leading and opening trenches for women in a highly male dominated world! I looked up to her like someone out of this world! In my recent years I find inspiration in Ellen DeGeneres. Ellen is a very successful business leader who through adversity, has remained true to herself, her values and continues to be authentic. She is not the type who victimizes, on the contrary, she takes control of what she can do, and she makes it happen. She is passionate about her job, her career, giving back to her community and humanitarian initiatives.
Why does inclusion matter to you?
Because I am a firm believer in human dignity. We are all human, we are all equal and when we include others, not only professionally but in our day-to-day interactions we simply become better humans. Inclusion helps us become our better selves. And I believe that this is one of our goals while on Earth, to be a better version of ourselves each day.
How are you inspiring women to achieve their ambitions at JLL?
I would like to believe my personal experience, ambition and leadership story can help and inspire other ladies to accept that our ambitions can be achieved! Back when I was 12 growing up in Mexico City I told to myself, "when I grow up I will be living and working for a large and leading multinational company in the United States" and... here I am today! I encourage women in junior or entry roles to live up to their expectations and ambitions, take control of their career and know there are no others like you. You are unique, you are empowered and therefore you can do whatever you wish. The doors at JLL are always open, all we have to do is just take the one step to get us through it. It is important that you know and believe in your ambition.