Recognizing Women’s History Month: Featuring Anne Cummins

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Chamber recognizes the vital work that woman leaders from our member companies have contributed to the strength, vitality, and growth of the Greater Philadelphia region. This year, we are excited to recognize Anne Cummins, Chief Operating Officer, Gattuso Development Partners, LLC. We interviewed Anne to learn more about her journey, accomplishments, and advice for the next generation of woman leaders.

How has your identity helped shape you into the leader you are today?

Anne Cummins, Chief Operating Officer, Gattuso Development Partners, LLC

Growing up, my parents were entrepreneurs and small business owners, so from a very young age I was exposed to the drivers that shape a successful business as well as a strong sense of responsibility for the people who depend upon you. As I started working for our family businesses, I learned a great deal about how connecting with the people around you can propel communities forward, especially through our work revitalizing downtown Phoenixville. While at Liberty Property Trust, I learned a great deal about professionalism and building sustainable relationships through transparent communication and the credibility that comes from doing what you say you are going to do.

Now that I’m in a position of leadership, I have been able to apply the skills and traits I learned throughout every stage of my career, most notably by building a successful, sustainable business that can benefit the employees, customers, and communities in which we serve.

What do you consider to be the biggest contribution you have made to your community as a leader?

I believe that improving the built environment has an outsized impact on creating tangible, positive change in communities and the beliefs that they hold about themselves. Projects that focus on creating places where people want to be, where people feel inspired to be alive, and motivated to be their best selves, can improve the lives of all who are connected to the project – people who design and construct the building, users of the building, neighbors, and the greater community.

On a personal level, it was very important to me, having forged a successful career in a predominately male-dominated field, to create opportunities for women to feel powerful, safe, and comfortable to think big and deliver big. As a result, we employ over 50% women at Gattuso Development Partners, a majority of which are in high-ranking leadership roles.

Who were/are some of the woman role models in your life that helped you grow in your personal life and professional career?

In my personal life, my mom, Betsy DeMutis, and sister, Dodi Strunk, have been incredible inspirations of powerful women and constant sources of support and encouragement. Professionally, I will always have gratitude and admiration for Andrea Alling, who provided me with an opportunity and strong mentorship during one of my first professional experiences as a college intern. She provided me with an opportunity to serve as Executive Assistant to an entrepreneurial CEO. She modeled excellence, grace under pressure, and dedication in a rare and admirable way. I felt so inspired to see a woman working in a role completely integral to the success of the entire company. Finally, the women that I work with in our company inspire me every day with their expertise, creativity, and ability to achieve our desired results.

How can our business community ensure that we are creating a working culture that encourages, protects, and uplifts women?

Women are capable of incredible things, and to foster a working culture that encourages, protects, and uplifts women, we must be judged on the substance of our ideas, contributions, and knowledge, rather than on superficial elements. We need to allow women the opportunity to fail, knowing that failure is not something that should be feared. The greatest successes are born out of failure. There is also a systemic issue across workplace culture in which women are often placated, rather than being given feedback that is clear, direct, and consistent. When direct, constructive feedback is delivered, we can help foster growth, development, and learning while building a sense of confidence.