Kathy Valentine develops and implements RREG’s on-boarding, wellness, and employee recognition and engagement programs. Her response to COVID has been centered on communications. A recent accomplishment includes opening RREG’s new Irvine HQ in the middle of the pandemic and constantly adjusting as to who and when people would be returning to the office. The new space was designed to accommodate hybrid in-office and WFH schedules. To facilitate the new work plan, the team created small group tours to acclimate employees to the new space, layout, and its open seating plan. Another important initiative at RREG is DEI. Kathy implements employee diversity training to increase employee understanding and education. Her work is critical to the overall mission of the DEI committee, which encourages inclusion where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. Kathy was also integral to RREG being named one of the first commercial real estate firms in the nation to certify its policies and procedures using the Fitwel Viral Response Module, a rigorous third-party healthy building certification system operated by the Center for Active Design. Some of Kathy’s employee wellness initiatives include a monthly mindfulness coach and an employee-run onsite herb and vegetable garden!