Name: Dolunay Dogahan
Job title: Project manager at CO—RE
What I do: I am a project manager at CO-RE; a Central London prime commercial real estate developer specialising in large-scale, complex assets. Working closely with design teams and consultants, I oversee the design, planning, construction and leasing process of projects such as 130 Fenchurch Street and Lansdowne House. My job is similar to that of a translator in some ways in that much of what I do relies on understanding and ‘translating’ different stakeholder drivers and goals to enable successful partnerships.
Why I got into the property industry: I have always wanted to be in a profession where I could create something tangible. Growing up, I was interested in art, design, people, physics and economics, which is a rather wide net. I decided to study architecture because it brought most of these interests together. And I guess I caught the bug for construction and design early on, having been raised by an architect and an engineer.
How I did it: I studied architecture for five years (Part 1 + Part 2) in Cardiff and worked as an architectural assistant in London for a couple of years after that. That’s when I realised that even though I loved architecture, working as an architect wasn’t what I wanted to do. In the end I took the plunge and made the change to development management because I wanted to see how the ‘puzzle’ was put together, and to work in a more communicative role.
My first proper job: My first proper job was as a radio DJ and a TV presenter on a national media channel in Cyprus during high school. I was a teenager, but I ended up presenting a weekly radio show for five years and a TV show over the summer breaks for three years. It taught me a lot about communication and crisis management.
My first big break: It wasn’t TV fame; it was getting my first project manager job! I think that first opportunity when someone puts faith in you is always a significant moment. I have now been at CO—RE for three years.
My inspiration(s): I don’t really have a one big source of inspiration. I like to collect ‘little inspirations’ from travelling, from art, film, books, buildings and people I speak to. I think there is inspiration in everything if we look closely enough.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: I graduated from my masters into the pandemic. Those years of trying to ‘start out’ a career and trying to decide which route to take whilst I – and the rest of the world – were dealing with a lot of unknowns was challenging. While studying for my masters, researching and reflecting on how I could shape my career, I also realised how few resources were out there for people who were at the same stage of their career in the industry. So, I set up a magazine and a platform called ‘Involved’ for young people to publish articles reflecting on their experiences, critical thoughts on current events and profession, and their interests. The reception was incredible.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: Successfully crowdfunding the first issue of Involved Magazine and building a 40-people team. It was so rewarding to see the team gain confidence and experience in writing, layout design and various other skills which encouraged some of them to go on to pursue writing as a career afterwards.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: That there are a limited number of roles in the industry. In reality, there are countless paths you can take and the property industry exists in collaboration with many other industries.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: Diversity.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: Because we all go through life collecting numerous unique combinations of experiences, which – when given the right opportunity – flourish into numerous unique ideas, skills and considerations that we would not be able to think of alone. A diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace benefits everyone involved and I believe we all have a responsibility to uphold that.
Why I’m so passionate about ESG: Because when we design places and cities, we build them for generations to come. You can’t build a future without having sustainability in its DNA.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: I would like to have delivered the exciting projects I am working on right now and to see them being occupied and enjoyed.
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: Anthony Bourdain, Albert Camus, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Serena Williams.
What I do in my downtime: I like to play tennis, read, paint, research new recipes and cook… or sometimes just walk in the city and pop into few galleries.
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: I’d probably be a journalist or work in filmmaking. I was always interested in geopolitics and anthropology; so I would have wanted to explore those fields through written and visual media.
My advice for someone just starting out: There is a tendency to want to ‘nail things’ we do in the first try; to get the “ideal” job, to find the “ideal” career, “ideal” city… I would say, when you are starting out, take any opportunity that comes up. Every experience counts; you will not only learn a new skill but also learn more about yourself through it.
My motto/mantra: My mantra is a quote from Alice in Wonderland, which relates quite well to my advice earlier:
“Alice: Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?
The Cheshire Cat: That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.
Alice: I don’t much care where.
The Cheshire Cat: Then it doesn’t much matter which way you go.
Alice: …So long as I get somewhere.
The Cheshire Cat: Oh, you’re sure to do that, if only you walk long enough.”
