CREW Charlotte December 2025 Impact Awards Luncheon: “Work Smarter, Not Harder” with Dawn Chanland
Submitted by Keiko Pace, Stephens Office
The luncheon presentation, “Working Smarter, Not Harder,” delivered by Dr. Dawn Chanland, focused on redefining productivity through intentional choices that maximize value, energy, and personal well-being. Rather than equating hard work with long hours or constant activity, the session encouraged attendees to reflect on how effectively their efforts aligned with organizational priorities and personal goals. The core message emphasized that smart work was not merely about efficiency—it was about strategic impact and life balance.
During the session, Dr. Chanland introduced the Five A’s of Working Smarter:
- Attuned to Impact and Priorities,
- Focused Energy,
- Awareness (Self and Team),
- Allies (Intentional Collaboration), and
- Alive (Choosing You).
Each “A” represented a dimension of professional effectiveness, highlighting the need to understand where one added the most value, use time and energy intentionally, engage in continuous improvement, collaborate deliberately, and protect personal well-being as part of sustainable workplace success.
CREW attendees were asked to self-score across these dimensions, which prompted reflection on strengths and opportunities for growth. The presentation offered strategies such as identifying high-impact responsibilities, managing attention more strategically, building supportive networks, and avoiding collaboration overload. Dr. Chanland also emphasized “loop learning,” encouraging participants to break larger skills into daily micro-behaviors, test new approaches, seek feedback, and refine their methods for continuous improvement.
Another key theme centered on the value of intentional relationships. Participants were encouraged to seek out energizers and diverse collaborators who enhanced creativity and problem-solving, while also staying mindful of over-collaboration that could drain time and energy. The importance of communicating expectations, and healthy task-related disagreement was also highlighted as a way to spark creativity and improve workflow.
The luncheon concluded by underscoring that working smarter extended beyond work itself. Choosing oneself—one’s health, priorities, and overall life design—was presented as essential for long-term effectiveness. Attendees were invited to identify a meaningful life priority for the coming year and commit to a concrete step to elevate it. Dr. Chanland closed by reinforcing that when individuals intentionally design both their work and their life, they not only improve personal fulfillment but also deliver greater impact for their organizations.
Working Smarter Not Harder CREW presentation
Impact Award Winners
Stephanie Jenson with JLL was selected for the Emerging Leader Award. The Emerging Leader Award honors a CREW Charlotte member that embodies excellence, spirit and energy in the field of Commercial Real Estate and the CREW Charlotte Chapter. In addition to being a rising start in their field of CRE, this honoree distinguishes themselves through their involvement in the CREW Charlotte Chapter committees and programs, showcasing a proactive commitment to our mission.
Liz Etheredge was awarded The Carrie Sharp Power Connector Award. This award honors a CREW Charlotte member who goes beyond traditional networking to forge impactful, intentional connections among members and sponsors—driving business development and referral opportunities. In doing so, they also embody CREW Charlotte’s mission to elevate women in commercial real estate by actively supporting the advancement of others. This individual has significantly influenced one or more women by providing connections, referrals, mentoring, or opportunities needed to pursue and thrive in the commercial real estate industry.
Sallie Jarosz won the Leadership in Action Award. This award recognizes a CREW Charlotte member or sponsor who consistently delivers excellence and whose efforts advance the commercial real estate industry and support our mission. The award winner is trusted and respected by others, and is seen as a thought leader, change agent, and champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion. This individual sets and achieves the highest standards of performance, accomplishing superior execution and results.
