Latest news with #WLI
Business Journals
21-07-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
C-Suite Awards: Brooke Butler, Turton Commercial Real Estate
How long have you worked in your field? 13 years What's the most rewarding part of your job? I enjoy contributing to the behind-the-scenes work that helps spark momentum for a building, a corridor, or an entire district — ultimately elevating Sacramento as a destination city. Identifying a property's unique value proposition and using storytelling to bring it to life is at the core of our campaigns. These efforts connect landlords and tenants, buyers and sellers, and often result in new businesses, new developments, and renewed energy in spaces where people live, work and play. What boards do you serve on, or what type of volunteer or philanthropic work do you do? I've been involved with Urban Land Institute's Women's Leadership Initiative since 2021, first as a committee member and now as the 2025 Chair. WLI supports the advancement of women in real estate through initiatives like the Dinner Series, which features candid conversations with prominent women leaders, and the Women's Golf Academy, which helps participants build confidence in a traditionally male-dominated networking space. I also participate annually in Habitat for Humanity's Women Build Day to support affordable housing. What would be your dream job, if it's not what you're already doing? I earned my master's in marketing in Budapest, Hungary, where tourism was naturally part of the coursework, as the city is a major tourist destination. If commercial real estate ceased to exist tomorrow, I'd pursue a path in tourism marketing. There's so much overlap — both rely on destination promotion and strategic messaging to drive economic activity. Tourism marketing attracts travelers, while commercial real estate marketing attracts businesses and developers. In both cases, the goal is to elevate the destination and deliver meaningful impact. Who has been the most inspiring or influential leader in your career? I found the GE Honors Program at Sacramento State (2009 to 2013), led by Dr. Roberto Pomo, incredibly inspiring and influential. The program challenged me to think critically, engage globally, and take an active role in shaping the world around me. With their support, I earned a scholarship to study and volunteer in Budapest, Hungary. It also led to career-shaping opportunities, including an internship with the Sacramento Kings and my role at Turton. I met my husband and some of my closest friends through the program. It laid the foundation for the life and career I have today. How do you unwind after work? Unwinding looks very different these days — I have a two-year-old son named Oslo, so evenings are usually full of toddler energy. Once he goes to bed, I head out for a walk around the neighborhood with an audiobook. It's helped me get back into reading and get my steps in after a day at the desk. I prefer not to extend my workday with self-help or professional development books — I stick to fantasy and enjoy a much-needed escape into a different world. Tell us more about your hobbies: With the hustle and bustle of work and family life, regular hobbies can be hard to keep — but my husband and I try to escape once a year and travel. We've visited 35 countries across four continents. Highlights include riding a camel to the pyramids in Egypt, exploring Chernobyl in Ukraine, shopping at the Grand Bazaar in Turkey, and taking a cooking class in Thailand. Travel keeps me curious, grounded and inspired in both life and work. Do you have children/pets? My husband Kyle and I have been married for almost 11 years and have a 2-year-old son named Oslo — named after the capital of Norway. We also have two cats, Mario and Luigi, named after the Super Mario Bros because of their mustache-like markings. They have very different opinions about living with a toddler: one hides, one supervises.
Sharjah 24
18-02-2025
- General
- Sharjah 24
EPAA announces inclusion of Khor Kalba Mangrove Centre in WLI
Active Environmental and Awareness Efforts The Khor Kalba Mangrove Centre was granted this prestigious membership in recognition of its vital environmental role and continuous commitment to raising awareness about the importance of wetlands. Through diverse initiatives, educational programs, and outreach activities—especially in conjunction with World Wetlands Day, observed annually on February 2—the center has played a key role in promoting wetland conservation. Additionally, the center has actively supported the identity and objectives of the WLI network in its promotional and educational materials while fostering collaboration with other member centers worldwide. This exchange of expertise has been instrumental in developing innovative educational programs that contribute to a long-term environmental awareness strategy. A Milestone in Sharjah's Environmental Leadership Her Excellency Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), emphasized that this inclusion represents a strategic step in reinforcing Sharjah's position as a global hub for environmental research, sustainable education, and biodiversity conservation. She highlighted that the EPAA continues to be a leader in developing effective educational centers dedicated to environmental awareness in alignment with the directives and vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. His Highness's commitment to sustainability and biodiversity preservation has been the driving force behind Sharjah's extensive environmental initiatives. Successful Policies and Strategic Partnerships Her Excellency further noted that the EPAA had previously succeeded in securing WLI membership for the Wasit Wetland Centre in February 2024. She expressed great pride in the Khor Kalba Mangrove Centre's recent inclusion, viewing it as a testament to the effectiveness of the EPAA's policies and its successful collaborations with international environmental organizations and committees. The new membership will play a significant role in fostering international cooperation in environmental education, developing programs that enhance awareness of wetlands as critical ecosystems that provide essential habitats for various marine and terrestrial species. Through this membership, the center will continue offering advanced educational and awareness programs, focusing on the role of wetlands in mitigating climate change and supporting biodiversity. Khor Kalba's Environmental Significance Her Excellency Hana Saif Al Suwaidi also highlighted a major milestone achieved in 2013, when the Khor Kalba Mangrove and Al Hefaiyah Protected Area was designated under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. This recognition was due to its status as one of the largest and oldest mangrove forests on the UAE's east coast, featuring nutrient-rich soils that provide a critical natural habitat for a diverse range of fish, birds, plants, and invertebrates. The Khor Kalba Mangrove Centre encompasses a variety of marine wetland ecosystems, including sandy shores, mudflats, and saline plains, along with freshwater inflows connected to an algae-rich artificial lake. This ecosystem serves as an essential food source and oxygen supplier, making it a thriving breeding ground for numerous aquatic species. Unique Facilities and Educational Sections Designed with an eco-friendly architectural concept inspired by the sea urchin shell, the Khor Kalba Mangrove Center stands out for its diverse educational offerings. One of its key sections, The Mangrove Station, provides visitors with in-depth knowledge about mangrove ecosystems and their essential role in coastal protection. Meanwhile, The Intertidal Zone highlights the rich biodiversity above the water's surface, featuring over 100 fish species and 90 types of crustaceans. For a more immersive experience, The Subtidal Zone houses an interactive aquarium that showcases a variety of local marine species, allowing visitors to explore the underwater world up close. Beyond its educational exhibits, the center plays an active role in conservation through mangrove tree planting initiatives, implementing strategies to protect marine life, and supporting the growth of fish populations in the area. About the World Wetlands Link International (WLI) Network The WLI network is a global association of over 350 wetland education centers across six continents. Recognized by the Ramsar Convention, it operates under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), serving as a key mechanism for supporting wetland education centers and Ramsar contracting parties. The network provides training, educational resources, and knowledge exchange platforms, facilitating the global dissemination of conservation practices through Communication, Education, Participation, and Awareness (CEPA) strategies for wetlands. With this achievement, Sharjah's environmental leadership continues to shine, reaffirming its commitment to conservation, sustainability, and environmental education on a global scale.
