Lieutenant Governor of New York State, Kathy Hochul (center), with CREW New York President Theresa Garelli, Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company, and CREW New York President-Elect Michele O’Connor, Langan.

At the CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) annual Members Only Luncheon, Lieutenant Governor of New York Kathy Hochul’s keynote address recounted her personal history and how she entered politics.  But in most of her address, which was heartfelt, she shared her personal philosophies and advice on how to level the commercial real estate playing field where Hochul said 80% of leadership is white males. Among her sage advice: have confidence in your own credentials; know your voice is critically needed; embrace strong women; mentor other women; don’t give into what she calls “the Cinderella syndrome” of waiting for Prince Charming to make your life better; and, most interestingly, learn about sports and know the recent scores so you can better fit into male colleagues’ space. Hochul’s final advice: “Enrich your life by seeking opportunities to pull someone else up. It can make all the difference and is a mark of a life well lived.” She received a standing ovation from the 150 members in attendance at the Annual Luncheon of New York City's largest and oldest organization for women commercial real estate professionals.