Binnie envisions an MBA club that promotes inclusivity and belonging

The 2024 MBA Real Estate Club Executive Board began their term at the beginning of March. (From top left) Krishna Movva, John Wickham, Erik Throndson, Gregory Eason, and Will Peatross (From bottom left) Jacob Davies, Caroline Spurzem, Alex Binnie, Hailey Innocent, and Shivangi Goel

Selected by a committee of her peers, first-year MBA student Alex Binnie is the 2024 president of the MBA Real Estate Club. Binnie, who has a passion for design, was most recently employed as an Associate Project Manager at JLL for JP Morgan Chase in the New York office before applying to the MBA program at UNC Kenan-Flagler. We spoke with the UVA graduate to learn more about her vision for the MBA Real Estate Club during her reign.

Why are you passionate about Real Estate? ​

My passion for real estate stems from my love for design that I’ve had since I was in high school. This initial interest has shifted into a passion for not just the beauty of buildings, but also for the imperative role they play in our daily lives. From housing to office space to industrial, the world as we know it requires well-built structures and systems. Building a better world is something that I want to be a part of.

What in your career led to you committing to the concentration?  

As an undergraduate at the University of Virginia, I hoped to become an architect. As I dove deeper into my architectural courses, I became less excited about this path but was still intrigued by the design and construction of buildings. I chose to go into construction project management after college to get more experience and see if I’d enjoy a slightly different route, and I did! The more I learned about construction, the more I wanted to learn about the rest of the real estate process from acquisition to completion. This drive led me to pursue the real estate concentration here at Kenan-Flagler.

Why are you a part of the MBA Real Estate Club? How do you believe it is of benefit to UNC Real Estate students? 

Upon arriving at Kenan-Flagler, I was amazed by the student involvement in clubs and other activities. I loved meeting all the 2Y’s in the Real Estate Club when they arrived on campus, and immediately wanted to be a part of this group. It seemed like such a great opportunity to be involved with the Wood Center, student programming, and the overall real estate concentration experience. I joined as a liaison in September, and this only solidified my excitement about the club. I believe that the Real Estate Club provides unparalleled support for 1Y’s who are starting their MBA journey and are likely overwhelmed (I certainly was!) as well as 2Y’s on their career journey.

Why did you decide to apply for the President position of the MBA Real Estate Club? What is your vision for the club during your term?  

I decided to apply for the President position because I consider the role to be the absolute best way to be involved with the club. Not only do I get to work with a board of my amazing peers, but I also have the opportunity to implement new ideas for student engagement while holding our traditions constant. I envision a club that puts inclusivity first and ensures that all students feel welcome at social activities, career events, or general club meetings. I have several ideas that I’m excited to put in place that specifically support 1Y’s, such as 2Y lunch “office hours” and organized 2Y/1Y mentorship events. I also hope to add more social events to the calendar that are free and non-alcohol based. There are so many fun things to do in the greater Chapel Hill community that we can take advantage of. My ideas are not meant to change the club, but rather to enhance the amazing programming that already exists. I can’t wait to get started!

How do you believe you can positively impact the UNC Real Estate Community? 

I believe I can positively impact the UNC Real Estate Community through my passion for bringing more women into real estate. I want to make sure that we get 1Y’s excited about the real estate concentration from the get-go, specifically the incoming female students. I hope to integrate more education about real estate opportunities during orientation to get as much information to new students as possible. On a similar note, I am focused on improving the 1Y experience next year and providing as much support to them as possible. I was in their shoes not too long ago and know how stressful it is.

Where do you see yourself in five years? 

In five years, I see myself working for a commercial developer in the Carolinas. I am so excited to dive into the world of development, and I know that our classwork will set me up for success. Even though I’m from Connecticut, I grew up coming to eastern North Carolina every summer to visit my extended family (my mom is originally from High Point, NC). These summer trips to the beach were my favorite part of each year, and I was so excited to move to a state that holds such a special place in my heart. My partner Trevor and our English Springer Spaniel Luka both love it here too, so we hope to stay! 

If someone is interested in joining the club, how can they get involved?

If anyone is interested in joining, please reach out to me or any of our wonderful board members. We’d be happy to add you to all communications, update you on our future programming, and get you involved!

President: Alex Binnie

Executive Vice-President: William Peatross

VP of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Shivangi Goel

VP of Finance: Krishna Movva

VP of Learning & Development: Gregory Eason and John Wickham

VP of Corporate Relations: Hailey Innocent and Jacob Davies

VP of Communications: Carolina Spurzem

VP of Social: Erik Throndson