Wilbert From Home

While we’re working from home, it’s easy to disconnect from who we’re working with. So, we’re firing up Slack and catching up with Wilbert team members as they serve their clients remotely. Welcome to Wilbert From Home.

Colleen McNally is an Account Executive here at TWG who works with clients like Bridge, Piedmont Office Realty Trust, RocaPoint Partners, and Halcyon. She loves new foods, romantic comedies, and can’t live without her family, cat, or seltzer water.

Austin Fry

You used to be a food blogger for Atlanta Eats and have a passion for trying restaurants or recipes in your own kitchen. Have you gotten to make/eat anything good lately?

Colleen McNally

I do love to eat in Atlanta! Luckily my fiancé Jared does most of the cooking, but I enjoy grocery shopping and coming up with recipe ideas. Last night, we made one of our easy staples at home — chips and salsa, margaritas, fish tacos and picked up some Southern Custard for dessert.

AF

I absolutely will never say no to a taco. If you could only watch one 90’s rom-com for the rest of your life, which one would you choose?

CM

Ah, there are so many good ones to choose from! I would say it's a tie between "You've Got Mail" and "Sleepless in Seattle." I watch the second one at least once every Christmas season and would totally live on that houseboat!

AF

“Great and perfect”. What has it been like to manage work/life balance while working from home?

CM

Overall, it's been a pretty smooth transition. I like using Slack to stay in touch with team members and seeing everyone's faces on our virtual staff meetings. There are perks from WFH like spending more time with Jared and our cat, making lunch together or getting outside to take a walk at the end of the workday

AF

Have you picked up any hobbies or habits?

CM

Our friend who lives in Athens is a personal trainer, so it’s been fun to push aside the couch to take some of his Zoom workout classes in our living room. I’m also planning my wedding for next summer, so that’s been quite a project. I also enjoy reading books, watching (too much) Netflix and so much cooking! We’re in a tiny apartment, but luckily have family close by so we have held many socially distanced driveway happy hours or dinners in my parents’ backyard.

AF

WOW so exciting!! Sounds like a lot of life going on!

Thinking back on your time here at TWG, how have you seen yourself grow during your time with Wilbert?

CM

Working at TWG can be super challenging but in the best way.

I thought my transition from the journalism side would be pretty straightforward since I had frequently worked with PR pros and love writing, however there is so much more that happens behind the scenes I had to learn. At Wilbert, I’ve gotten to work with many inspiring people who are shaping our city, dive into the world of commercial real estate and design and get creative when using social media or helping a client navigate a crisis.

AF

Thank you for being one of those inspiring people!

As you know, we give out “Gratitude Stickers” to people on our staff we were thankful for each week. Is there a “Gratitude Sticker” which someone gave to you and has stuck out to you? One that you’ve given to someone else?

CM

Good question ... that's a tough one!

Every sticker I give or receive is special to me. The best part is seeing them accumulate together, especially on teams I’ve been working with for a year or more. We’ve really racked them up when working through a large project like a property opening or a video series.

Does that count?

AF

Definitely, I love that! Is there a win that you've been a part of for a client this year that has stuck out to you?

CM

Let's see... it's a tie between two. I loved working alongside the Halcyon, Avalon and Alpharetta City Center teams to create the “Cooking Together(ish)” Cookbook. At the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, we compiled more than 20 recipes from restaurants across the three mixed-use centers to raise more than $3,700 for North Fulton Community Charities and The Place of Forsyth County, while earning really great coverage from local media and influencers along the way. While I only played a small role, I’m proud of my colleagues’ creativity and sincere care to give back to our clients’ local communities. The experience and our team inspire me to keep thinking outside the box when it comes to building relationships and delivering meaningful results for our clients.

Another great win for several of our clients was GlobeSt./Real Estate Forum’s 2020 Women of Influence awards. It’s really cool to see familiar faces from Cooper Carry, Bridge Commercial Real Estate, RocaPoint Partners and more receiving well-deserved recognition in the same feature as a direct result of our nominations. In fact, of the 11 winners in the architecture/design category, four are female leaders I’ve been honored to learn from and collaborate with over the past couple years at Wilbert.

AF

Those are amazing! I know you really love being able to help your clients make a difference.

If you were given a microphone for 30 minutes and had the attention of the whole world, what would you talk about?

CM

That is kind of terrifying, ha!

AF

Haha, you don't have to see them!

CM

Oh good, that helps!

I’ve recently become an aunt and godmother and my niece is the cutest baby in the world, so people should probably know that. My family means everything to me — I could ramble on about them all day!

AF

We need more adorable news like that!

Last question! (which we like to ask everybody) What is your favorite question to ask people?

CM

Hmm ... In a professional interview, like for a feature article, I like asking people what they are most proud of or what is something others would be surprised to learn about them. It can lead to some interesting answers and usually helps me understand their personality and priorities better. But casually, it would probably involve food - like the first question y'all asked me ha!

okay yay! Thanks guys!

AF

Absolutely! Thank you for hoppin on!