A steady anchor through all seasons

ELIZABETH Ventura, fondly known by her colleagues as Beth, has been expertly navigating the unpredictable highs and lows of the real estate world.

She began her journey with high-end real estate developer Anchor Land Holdings Inc. (ALHI) as a manager of the sales group in 2006.

Ventura rose through the ranks and became the vice president for Sales and Marketing at Anchor Land Holdings Inc. (ALHI) in 2009 before ultimately assuming the presidency in 2011.

With strong advocacy for personal development and hands-on leadership, it didn't take too long for this sales professional to reach the peak of her career.

"Beyond just teaching effective sales strategies, I made sure to impart to my team the importance of investing in personal development, working with integrity and going the extra mile to cater to our clients' needs," Ventura told The Manila Times.

These values have shaped the work culture ALHI embraced ever since — one that has always exceeded expectations and built lasting relationships with valued clients, Ventura said.

As a homegrown talent of Anchor Land, Ventura played an integral role in the company's transition from a niche-builder, catering to the predominantly Filipino Chinese market in Manila Chinatown, into a full-line and fully integrated developer with presence within and beyond Metro Manila.

Ventura largely credited this success to a client-centric approach, which allowed ALHI "to foster a positive customer relationship and gain foresight into what clients truly need."

Knowing that attunement to market needs has been enabling ALHI to thrive for two decades and counting. Ventura stressed, "Any developer can build a property, but not all developments can truly meet what their market needs."

"I listen because I recognize the value of getting your voice heard," she added, underlining how crucial clients' feedback would be in refining and improving their projects.

Greatest milestone

Throughout her tenure at ALHI, Ventura admitted that she's most proud of pioneering the rentvestment (rent + investment) business model at Anchor Land.

Rentvesting referred to the practice of renting a place to live in while leasing out owned properties to someone else.

With the rentvestment model, Ventura explained that ALHI addressed two critical needs: offering clients with lucrative rental investment opportunities and meeting the diverse housing demands of various market segments.

"By thoughtfully curating properties that balance both profitability and livability, rentvestment has not only fueled our positive growth trajectory but also reinforced our commitment to delivering value and impact," said the ALHI executive.

Ventura added that the ALHI rentvestment product line sets itself apart through strategically located, carefully curated and sustainably engineered properties.

Under her guidance, ALHI has also achieved notable accomplishments, including winning at the Philippine Property Awards 2022 for Copeton Baysuites and being recognized as one of BCI Asia's Top 10 Developers for 2023.

Response to consumer needs

Ventura mentioned that the Philippines has been one of the world's leading markets in the luxury property segment.

Given Anchor Land's position as a developer of upscale properties, Ventura revealed that the key to advancement lay in adapting to and meeting the evolving preferences of affluent buyers.

"We recognize that affluent property seekers are increasingly prioritizing wellness in their investment choices. In response to this growing demand, we continue to place our clients' physical, personal and financial well-being at the forefront," she said.

For instance, ALHI integrated advanced digital tools and solutions across its projects such as smart home features to ensure safety and security, a virtual guest services platform for added convenience and an online property management app to increase the efficiency of lease operations.

The real estate giant would also introduce its Condotel Collection in tourist destinations such as Boracay, Coron and San Vicente, Palawan, to "offer exceptional hospitality, world-class amenities for leisure and wellness, and promising revenue opportunities to support their holistic well-being."

Steering the ship forward

As the captain of the ship, Ventura set her sights on further cementing Anchor Land's position as a leader in luxury developments by expanding the company's reach sectorally and geographically all while staying true to its values and core competencies to meet the evolving needs of the new generation of investors.

"At the same time, we aim to identify and pioneer developments in untapped markets with significant growth potential, ensuring our projects align with both lifestyle trends and economic opportunities," Ventura added.

On leadership

Embracing a supportive and hands-on leadership style, Ventura's main goal would be to continuously create an empowering and inclusive workplace culture where individuals could thrive both professionally and personally.

"I prioritize clear career pathways and invest in training and upskilling opportunities such as mentorship programs, access to industry certifications and regular skill-building workshops," stated Ventura, further adding that regular feedback through one-on-one check-ins and performance reviews also helped align organizational goals with employee's aspirations.

Ventura has also been a strong believer in leading by example, explaining that when employees see that their leaders work hard and deliver superb results, they would be motivated to do the same.

Drawing from three decades of real estate experience, Ventura offered a valuable piece of advice for aspiring real estate professionals: Invest in yourself. She explained that doing so would be essential to professional growth.

In her case, she shared, "Investing in my career and immersing myself deeply in all facets of the real estate business has helped me develop the skills to anticipate and understand market trends, which have allowed me to form sound marketing and sales strategies."

She noted that self-improvement goes hand in hand with investing in and building one's character.

Ventura expressed that while education, experience and physical presentation have always been important, life principles, values and integrity would also play silent yet impactful roles in defining and achieving your own success — just as they have kept her at the top of her game.

As she continued to build castles with her towering achievements and contributions to ALHI, Ventura and her team were prepared to explore new territories with the unchanged goal of delivering one-of-a-kind concepts that would not only exceed industry expectations but also meet the market's evolving needs.

* * * QUICK QUESTIONS

WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES, FAVORITES OR OTHER INTERESTS?

In my spare time, I love traveling, reading and cooking. I also like discovering new shows and documentaries on Netflix. Enjoying activities that allow me to learn something new while also helping me recharge is my way of continuously investing in myself and staying ready to take on each day.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO WORK HARD?

I have always been a naturally driven person, but what keeps me motivated is seeing the impact of our work on the communities we serve. Being part of transforming communities and elevating people's lives gives me a profound sense of fulfillment. That sense of purpose and the countless opportunities to create lasting value fuel my passion for success every day.

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH THE MOST?

My daughter is one of the best sources of laughter for me. The time we spend together is always filled with laughs, and it is such a joy to watch her grow into an incredibly smart and lovely girl.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS?

In 10 years, I see myself continuing to lead Anchor Land as one of the country's top real estate developers, driving innovation and redefining luxury living. I envision us breaking ground on game-changing developments that not only set new industry benchmarks but also create lasting value for the communities we serve. Beyond that, I hope to mentor the next generation of leaders within the company, ensuring that our legacy of excellence continues.