Rising ICON #19: Ra’eesa Motala
What name do you prefer to be called?
Ra’eesa Motala
What are your pronouns?
She/Her
Where did you grow up?
Born in South Africa, raised in Minnesota
What city are you currently based in?
Minneapolis
How do you typically introduce yourself to new people?
My name is Ra’eesa, you can call me Rae.
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about you?
I am funny, not like haha funny but on the floor gasping for breath funny.
Who do you help?
People and companies that make a big impact in the built world and our environment.
What are you building now?
A more sustainable, equitable and innovative future. I’m working on making tomorrow a little better than yesterday.
What were you building ten years ago today?
Myself
What do you predict of yourself 10 years from now?
Semi-retired, having a shorter to do list than I have today, teaching, speaking and mentoring
What’s a fact or statistic you wish everyone knew about your industry?
Energy and real estate go hand in hand
Why do you believe the work you do matters?
The long term efficiencies or inefficiencies have a meaningful effect on our world and having an advisor with the expertise to help navigate it produced immense beneficial value.
Who is your mentor and what is the best advice they’ve given you?
Geoffrey Kasselman – Smooth it out, find a balance
What piece of content about you or your company are you most proud of?
probably one of the fireside chats I did last year with Megan Rogers (https://www.larkinhoffman.com/news/celebrating-the-women-leading-commercial-real-estate-megan-rogers-fireside-chat-with-raeesa-motala)
What publication do you hope to appear in next?
Forbes or Inc
Who would you love to be interviewed by?
Alex Cooper
If you had to give a TEDTalk tomorrow, what would the title be?
How Do We Stop F*cking Up
What award would mean the most to win?
Best Godmother – I think I am well on my way there
What makes zero sense to you?
Our geopolitical world and how leaders lack common and moral sense
What’s a word in your industry you hope gets re-evaluated?
Broker
What game are you changing?
Commercial real estate, energy and technology
What’s the next thing you’re a part of that you want to invite more people to participate in?
My podcast that is launching in 2024.
Where can we follow you online?
Insta:@ raeesam (personal) or @disruptivefutureproofer (professional)
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raeesamotala/
What’s one thing that makes every leader better?
Putting words into actions
Additional places to find Evoke Partners online:
www.evokepartners.ai
www.op2mizeenergy.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/96603254/admin/feed/posts/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/1028186/admin/feed/posts/
Insta:
@evokepartners
@op2mizeenergy
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We’re grateful to each Rising ICON for their transformative work. Thank you, Ra’eesa, for sharing your story!
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“Energy and real estate go hand in hand. ”
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