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Today we meet Prague-native Karolina Sustrova and hear about her career journey – from URW's International Graduate Program to becoming the Director of Westfield Rise for Central Europe.
"I came to URW with quite a complex profile – I like figures and I'm quite analytical, but I also thrive off human interactions, problem solving and teamwork. I wanted a career that would challenge me in all these areas and allow me to experience a complex and rapidly changing industry. This is why I fell in love with URW and with the real estate business.
"From the very start, I was challenged – working in small, dynamic teams and supported with mentorship from the country leadership. I was empowered to take charge and deliver results, which meant I progressed rapidly and got to experience different sides of the business. Many companies talk about mobility but at URW it really happens. It happens across departments and internationally. If you are ready for a new opportunity or want to experience a different aspect of the business, you can make it happen. The mobility opportunities are exceptional."
The chance to learn and then lead
Karolina spent a year between the Czech Republic and France during her time with URW's International Graduate Program. Next, she worked as a Shopping Centre Manager in Prague and Slovakia, then ran a team responsible for value creation at four of our flagship centres. This led to a role as Head of Operations for Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia[mr1] , and last year she was appointed Regional Director for our inhouse retail media agency, Westfield Rise.
"My current role involves leading a team across Germany, Austria, Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia, in a fast-growing part of our business," she says. "It allows me to make a major impact on the business and its growth through the decisions I make with my colleagues and teammates."
Karolina says the energy and enthusiasm of her colleagues have kept her motivated throughout her different roles. "I've always been inspired and pushed by the colleagues around me,” she says. “They come from all over the world, but all have this strong drive. The company is made up of smart people who are able to listen and think critically to bring new ideas to life."
A passionate network making a positive impact
Her experience of the International Graduate Program created a ready-made network that she still relies on. "All the IGPs I know are now senior leaders in different parts of the company. If I look across my region right now, I know all directors because they were once IGPs and many worked in my team at some point. The programme is the best way to experience multiple aspects of our business in a short amount of time and build great relationships."
URW's role as a sustainability leader has also been important. "I'm the sustainability ambassador for the region, which gives me a sense of accomplishment. It’s great to see how we're reshaping the industry for a more responsible future." Ultimately, she says, "URW builds and delivers connected, physical places that bring entertainment to communities and bring people together – and that's something I'm proud of."
Karolina’s key takeaways
Any advice for aspiring IGPs?
Karolina: Stay curious, be humble and ask a lot of questions. You'll always find someone ready to share their advice and the more questions you ask, the more you will build knowledge and opportunities for yourself.
What aspect of your career are you most proud of?
Karolina: I'm proud to have mentored other women in the company, especially around how to take maternity leave and balance raising children with having a career. It's great to empower others to develop the confidence to build the career and the life they want.
What training opportunities have helped you succeed?
Karolina: Earlier in my career I benefitted hugely from in-person soft skills training. Later, as I became a manager, I was able to draw on leadership programmes and leadership coaching. The culture of continuous learning is one of URW's best qualities.
