In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Rita Tené Ellison, Associate Director at T. Dallas Smith & Company. Rita’s career journey started out in her junior year of college with an internship at T. Dallas Smith & Company. Upon graduation, Rita was offered a full-time position at that same firm but respectfully turned it down to pursue other opportunities at larger firms. As of November of last year, she rejoined T. Dallas Smith & Company. Rita acknowledged the uphill battle African Americans face in the industry and shared how T. Dallas Smith & Company has a mission to involve more women of color in their business. She does believe that hybrid work is here to stay, however, says it is not new. Employees are wanting flexibility now more than ever, and employers are responding by empowering their teams, resulting in improved productivity. Rita is firm in the belief that an office presence is critical to support culture and engagement. Buildings are not just a place to work and are beginning to offer more of a live-work environment. Using the office lobby as an example, she points out that they are now becoming places for people to collaborate, socialize, and more. She explains that access to local amenities is becoming more of a driving factor in real estate decisions, causing smart landlords to become more attentive to tenant needs, and respond with appropriate programming. With a “client-first” mentality, her firm has maintained a consistent approach throughout the pandemic in responding to the evolving needs of its customers.

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