The Power of Mentorship in Commercial Real Estate

In real estate, no one builds success alone – it’s a team effort, and mentorship plays a huge role, especially in Divaris’ Virginia Beach office. Whether you’re just starting out, mid-level, or decades into the industry, the right team and the right tools can make all the difference in shaping a successful career.

At Divaris, mentorship and training for new associates isn’t “one size fits all”- it’s personal. Just ask our Virginia Beach retail trio: Levi Thomson, Kris Fuller, and Foster Dodd.

With over 23 years in commercial real estate, Levi leads with humor, integrity, and hard-earned wisdom. He also believes deeply in the value of teamwork: “It’s never a one-man show,” Levi says, “a strong team approach is more efficient and meets more needs than one person can alone.”

Kris, who has been with Divaris for over seven years, brings a more technical and lease savvy edge to the team. With a background in lease administration, Kris is known for his insightful knowledge of leases, retail expertise, and strong work ethic. Together, Kris and Levi have built the foundation of a great team, one that now includes Foster.

New to the industry, Foster is smart, curious, and hands-on. He’s not just shadowing deals; he’s contributing to them. With strong digital and tech skills, he’s already brought immediate value to the team. “You need patience, a mentor, and a team that builds you up so you can contribute while you learn,” Foster says.

Foster also points out something critical to the success of their team: “Levi and Kris make a point to include me in client conversations in a way that builds trust and positions me to contribute down the road.“

This team is a great example of how mentorship isn’t a one-way street.

It’s mutual.

It’s a culture.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this Mentorship in CRE series, as we spotlight the dynamic mentorship culture in our D.C. office.