News
At the heart of every community is the organizations that propel it forward. And one of Foundry’s defining tenets is taking ownership of giving back to and making our communities better.
One of the ways Foundry’s Raleigh office has stepped into their community is by partnering with Cristo Rey Research Triangle High School. The Cristo Rey Network is a unique group of 37 schools that strive to bring a career-focused education experience to students with limited economic resources.
“I first became involved with Cristo Rey before I was even at Foundry,” said Jane Doggett, Raleigh Market Leader. “So, being at Foundry as we begin a partnership with Cristo Rey, has been a really full circle moment for me.”
As part of the Cristo Rey program, students are placed in a work study program. After expressing their interests, they are matched with a company that has partnered with the school. From there, instead of being in the classroom every day, students go into the offices of these companies once a week. This year, juniors joined the Foundry team on Wednesdays, and seniors came in on Thursdays.
For Jane, the full circle she experienced this year isn’t just representative of her repeat involvement with Cristo Rey Network; her full circle moment involved one of the senior students who worked at Foundry this year.
“The school in Durham is four years old,” she explained. “So, this is their first graduating class.”
Four years ago, when Jane first became involved with Cristo Rey, she had supervised a freshman named Marianna. And four years later, Marianna was one of the students to walk through the doors of Foundry Commercial – finishing out her high school career the same way it started.
“It just makes the experience all the more special,” remarked Jane.
Students mainly assisted the Foundry marketing and brokerage teams in Raleigh, doing everything from answering emails and voicemails; assisting with CoStar research; providing handwritten notes to clients; and helping with tours and broker events.
“I was impressed by their professionalism,” said Senior Vice President Patrick Blackley, who worked closely with the students on the brokerage side. “Their contributions brought fresh energy to our team.”
For Paula Andrews and Deanna Connolly, who both worked with the students on marketing efforts, the experience was inspiring.
“They were willing to take on any project,” said Paula.
And Deanna agreed. “I watched them transform from quiet newcomers into confident contributors,” she said. “They unknowingly challenged me to stop and think of things from their perspective.”
Each student left their own unique mark, and even though they’ve finished their time within the Foundry office, that doesn’t mean this is the end of the relationships they created.
“Marianna has stayed in touch, and I just recently received a photo of her graduation from the head of school,” said Jane. “We are so proud of her.”
Communities are better when those inside of them work together. And partnerships like this one are important because of the impacts they create.
“It’s an honor to be just a small part of their journeys,” Jane continued.
Whether they pursue a career in commercial real estate or take any other path, all of us here at Foundry are cheering these students on. Wherever they may go next, we are thrilled to see how their impacts will continue.