Despina Ponomarenco, founder of Bucharest Real Estate Club and Romania Property Club, shares her journey in real estate, leadership, and professional education.
Despina Ponomarenco has over 20 years of experience in real estate. She is the founder of the most active associations in the field: Bucharest Real Estate Club and Romania Property Club, which represent the entire real estate industry. The two associations organize more than 10 events and campaigns annually in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, Brașov, Iași, and Constanța. Moreover, Despina founded the first educational program in the field, REAL ESTATE ACADEMY, which will reach its sixth edition in 2025.
C&B: How would you describe yourself in one sentence to intrigue those who don’t know you yet?
Despina Ponomarenco: Passionate about the real estate industry, I organize numerous campaigns, events, and educational programs that bring together people in this field to contribute to raising professional standards and improving the quality of the real estate market in Romania.
C&B: If we were to look at the storyline of your career or business, what were the key defining moments?
Despina Ponomarenco: Choosing to study communication at both undergraduate and graduate levels (FJSC & Master in PR & Communication at SNSPA) and deciding to enter real estate—a very dynamic field full of challenges and opportunities. I’m an optimistic person who consciously chooses to see the glass half full, and I apply the same principle at work: I communicate the importance of the industry and highlight the players who innovate and transform the communities they operate in.
C&B: What has been the most difficult moment so far in your journey, and how did you overcome it?
Despina Ponomarenco: Difficult moments are inevitable in any career. The most important thing is to carefully choose your “battles” and know which ones are truly worth fighting for until the last drop of energy.
C&B: Is there a dream or ambition that has always guided you, regardless of obstacles?
Despina Ponomarenco: It’s essential for me to do something I truly enjoy and to see concrete results from my work. Some of my greatest satisfactions have come from the BREC ACADEMY project: witnessing graduates’ career changes and their achievements brings real purpose and fulfillment.
C&B: What were you like at the beginning of your journey, and how do you feel you’ve changed over time?
Despina Ponomarenco: I like to believe I’ve maintained my optimism and passion while becoming wiser and more patient.
C&B: If we met your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?
Despina Ponomarenco: That I’m passionate about what I do and that I move things, people, and projects forward whenever I believe the stakes are high and the outcomes support our mission.
C&B: What is the most important decision you’ve made that changed your trajectory?
Despina Ponomarenco: Ending a partnership with someone in business with whom I realized I didn’t share the same values. You learn that not all motivational quotes apply in real life, like “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
C&B: How did you build your leadership style or decision-making approach? Was it natural or learned?
Despina Ponomarenco: I believe leadership style stems from a person’s character as well as from the lessons they learn along their career, including those from other leaders who shape their path.
C&B: What do you think differentiates your business or professional approach from the rest of the industry?
Despina Ponomarenco: All our initiatives have a strong educational component, so people always leave our events with new information. Additionally, we develop integrated campaigns—our events benefit from research, PR, and digital promotion components.
C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and which moments bring you the most satisfaction?
Despina Ponomarenco: I try to schedule each week with communication with member companies (emails, calls, meetings), event preparation—coordinating research materials, editing catalogues, invitations, liaising with authorities and partner companies, PR content, and digital campaigns. In the past two years, we’ve grown significantly, with over 10 events organized annually in various cities. However, this growth also comes with a large amount of bureaucratic work that takes up quite a bit of time.
C&B: What values or principles guide your actions, and how do you apply them daily?
Despina Ponomarenco: Work ethics, innovation, and added value for our member companies and partners are extremely important to me. I don’t believe in shortcuts—consistency and the desire to constantly improve always bring results and are the foundation of long-term partnerships.
C&B: How did you come up with the idea to start this business and choose its name?
Despina Ponomarenco: I had worked in the real estate industry for many years, and in 2017 I founded BREC to give a more institutionalized image to the local real estate market. Since there were no educational initiatives, I launched REAL ESTATE ACADEMY, the first private real estate educational program. As we grew, companies with projects outside Bucharest approached us to organize similar events in other cities. That’s how RPC – Romania Property Club, the national extension of BREC, was born.
C&B: If you were to share a message with those who follow your example, what would it be?
Despina Ponomarenco: I don’t like giving unsolicited advice; I believe everyone has their own path and pace. In professional life, I think it’s important to genuinely enjoy what you do and to feel a sense of fulfillment beyond just the financial aspect. If you dread every Sunday because of Monday, it might be time to re-evaluate your career and look for other opportunities.
With over two decades of experience and a clear vision for the real estate sector, Despina Ponomarenco is a benchmark for professional growth in Romania. Through her initiatives, she builds bridges between leaders, young professionals, and communities.
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