Meet MRED+D student leaders

Every year, the Abbey MRED+D program holds officer elections for the program’s Real Estate Development Student Association (REDSA) — our student government. REDSA officers pursue the goals of their student peers and communicate those goals to program staff, alums, partner real estate associations, and career development leaders to actualize the cohort’s unique learning and networking needs.

This year, the cohort has elected Sara Wineman and Nick Hanoian as co-presidents, Sehrish Fatima as VP of alumni, Eli Townsend as VP of BREC (Berkeley Real Estate Club), Mithila Jagtap as VP of careers, and Brent Van Brocklin as VP of social. To hear from Sara, Eli, Mithila, and Brent about their positions and why they ran, keep reading!

Clockwise from top left: Sara Wineman, Eli Townsend, Brent Von Brocklin, Mithila Jagtap.

Why did you choose to run for your position?
I was excited for the opportunity to lead the MRED+D cohort and ensure everyone gets the experience they were looking for when they applied. We all took a lot of time out of our careers to develop new skill sets, which is brave. I wanted to be a cheerleader for everyone's brave decision.
 
What are you most looking forward to doing in your role?
I am most excited about advocating for my peers as they start their career search journey, and building relationships with faculty.
 
What have you learned so far in your work with REDSA?
It is hard work! It has challenged me to be diplomatic with leadership to represent the cohort's best interests.

Why did you choose to run for your position?
One of the things that interests me most about real estate is that it touches so many different industries, lives, and professions. My decision to pursue the vice president position at BREC was fueled by my desire to foster a robust exchange of ideas among UC Berkeley's array of graduate programs focused on the built environment. [BREC welcomes any graduate student interested in real estate across UC Berkeley:  MRED+Ds alongside others from the College of Environmental Design, Haas School of Business, Berkeley Law, and other Berkeley graduate schools.] I hold this endeavor in high regard because I believe that the most successful and meaningful real estate projects emerge when viewed through the lenses of multiple perspectives.
 
What are you most looking forward to doing in your role?
I look forward to meeting other graduate students in adjacent industries, to engage with a diverse set of perspectives on topics that pertain to the built environment.
 
What have you learned so far in your work with REDSA?
Teamwork, diplomacy, and advocacy.

Why did you choose to run for your position?
I choose to run for the VP of careers position at REDSA because of my genuine enthusiasm for assisting my fellow classmates along their career paths. With eight years of network-building in the Bay Area architecture and engineering (A&E) industry, I aim to make a meaningful impact on our cohort’s professional journeys. My past experiences as VP of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) and academic chair for Bay Area Young Architects (BAYA) underline my dedication to fostering networking opportunities and career growth, further fueling my commitment to this role.
 
What are you most looking forward to doing in your role?
I'm most excited to organize career-related workshops, networking events, and mentorship opportunities that empower MRED+D students to connect with industry professionals and diversify their career paths. My goal is to keep curating career sessions that align best with our cohort’s interests, aiding us in transitioning into our individual career paths smoothly.
 
What have you learned so far in your work with REDSA?
Through my work with REDSA, I've learned the invaluable lesson of collaboration. This leadership experience has reinforced in me effective communication, teamwork with fellow REDSA leaders, and the ability to leverage strengths to collectively achieve goals.

Why did you choose to run for your position?
I am definitely a social person and see the value of building relationships with people from all backgrounds[6] . I decided to run because I saw the benefit of fostering these cohort bonds, especially as we move on from the program and plug into various markets and sectors in the industry. Why wait until then to create a good relationship with one another when I could help do that now?
 
What are you most looking forward to doing in your role?
I am enthusiastic about various plans — for example, big trips like a ski trip to Lake Tahoe or even something like introducing the international students to college football through a tailgate! I have been able to become close to many in the cohort, but there is still so much to learn about everyone. I am excited most about the fact that every day, I feel like I am learning about a classmate’s new interest, a funny story from their childhood, or what they are passionate about.
 
What have you learned so far in your work with REDSA?
I have learned through my time in REDSA and working alongside my fellow officers just how passionate everyone is. Being able to observe up-close the care for the voices of all in the cohort is truly inspiring daily. As this is the first official REDSA group in MRED+D, there is a lot to learn, relationships to establish and traditions to create; however, our current group is beyond intelligent, inspired, and passionate. Even though we have a lot to learn, I believe we can set the precedent.
 
To hear more from the Abbey MRED+D program and students like Sara, Eli, Mithila, and Brent, connect with us on LinkedIn and subscribe to our mailing list!

Interviews lightly edited for length and clarity.