Brittany Whitley
Founder, Intangible Difference

Co-Founder of RESET CRE | NCIDQ Certified Designer | WWIRE SoCal Founding Member & Chapter Lead

Experience

Brittany's professional journey, working across many business sectors, has afforded her the opportunity to don a variety of hats. Her well-worn agility caps include that of Interior Designer, Workplace Strategist, Account Lead, Business + Talent Development Champion, Change Management Advocate, and BIG PICTURE team lead. She has had the good fortune to work with incredible colleagues, consultants and clients - many of whom still remain within the innermost rings of her relationship orbit.

Client Relationship Sampling:

Goodwin Procter LLP, The Boston Consulting Group, Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, Nixon Peabody LLP, RPX Corporation, Javelin Venture Partners, Coinbase, Confidential Gaming Client, Bilzin Sumberg LLP, Cleary Gottlieb LLP, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Baker Botts LLP, Several Confidential Technology Clients

Intangible Difference IRL

NYC –> SoCal

Brittany is a relationship warrior, connector and creative with nearly thirty years of experience in the commercial real estate, architecture and design industry.  Her human-centric approach is foundational, having fueled her professional/life journey from the deep South to New York City, San Francisco, and Southern California. Brittany’s lens is colored via years of listening, learning and collaborating with incredible organizations - clients - people - of all stripes. She is a designer, strategist, and mother of two highly spirited lads, who embraces opportunities to support others in telling their story.  She leads with gap-awareness, humility and a curious-life-lens, endeavoring to surround herself with people and organizations who fill her gaps and celebrate her strengths – all with intent to elevate their collective impact and experience. 

Brittany believes in the magic of human differences, champions balance, parity, and wellbeing, and endeavors to lead by example. She is forever the student, celebrating growth opportunities borne of lessons learned through failures (forward) big and small. 

Storytelling

Life is a Build

Elevating others selflessly, selfishly, brings me *joy*. Sounds

doe-eyed and a tad cliché, however, ‘tis the case.

After almost 30yrs working as an employee of some really incredible organizations, I took an intentional pause. I swallowed a very humbling self-reflective pill…and I removed my comfortable professional identity cloak… reintroducing myself to ME. EEK!

I read, walked for miles, listened to inspiring podcasts, spoke with known & new (to me) people I admire, and I processed - examining who I am and how I would like to lead my final career phase.

Turns out - I would like to do it ALL No apologies. No promises for perfection.

No reason NOT TO NOT TRY…

Hindsight

Years ago, a brilliant studio director of mine enthusiastically pegged me as a ‘generalist’. My immature self was none too happy to hear this.

Errr, Hello, Hindsight. She was SPOT ON.

I enjoy wearing many professional hats; not all of them fit perfectly. That being said, perfection is a lofty goal.

Being able to effectively don multiple hats fuels my curiosity, ensures personal growth, and positions me as an agile partner - poised to utilize my strengths in a sincere effort to elevate the experiences of others.

While I am not an ‘ace’ in all areas – I am exceptionally gifted at surrounding myself with amazing people who fill my gaps, celebrate my strengths, advise, and challenge* me.

I Get. It. Done!

A Work in Progress

As a lifelong learner and WIP (work in progress), I aim to thoroughly enjoy every moment of my final career phase, doing my best to:

  • Lead by Example

  • Show my boys that their increasingly ‘cringe’ mama is not afraid to try new things

  • Embrace growth born from failing forward, and

  • Connect my passion dots.

I look forward to providing ‘intangible’ services… Services that make a positive INTANGIBLE DIFFERENCE

Time to make the donuts……!

Brittany_Family-8.jpg

What People Are Saying

  • "Brittany has been an integral part of the growth of the WWIRE SoCal Chapter. From the moment we connected I knew her energy and her passion for connecting like minded women together would be the perfect addition to our organization. Over the past three years we have worked together to grow WWIRE SoCal in San Diego, OC and LA. She has not only come up with creative and inviting programming concepts but has also engaged and connected some very prominent women in the industry to the organization. She has helped build out our committee of volunteers which is made up of a diverse group of women in the CRE/AEC industry. She also thoughtfully invites women to the events to ensure that the attendance is diverse from an industry sector standpoint as well. WWIRE SoCal would not be where it is today without her support!"

    STACIE MCBURNEY, DIRECTOR AT WWIRE (WELLNESS FOR WOMEN IN REAL ESTATE)

  • “Brittany is amazing!! She saved me so much time, stress, and anxiety when I was having trouble deciding on exterior finishes for my house. There are thousands of material possibilities and probably 50 shades of every color. I was so stressed about making the wrong decision. Brittany came to my house, quickly narrowed down the options, helped me make a few selections, and offered guidance on all of my questions. I could not thank her enough and I would not only use her again for any other design project but would also highly recommend her to others. She listens, acknowledges what’s needed, and efficiently guides decision-making. Thank you Brittany!”

    ALLEGRA NEWMAN, HOMEOWNER

  • I’ve had the unique opportunity of working alongside Brittany at Gensler and later as a client when she was with ASD SKY. Over the course of our decade-long working relationship, I’ve had the opportunity to witness firsthand her passion for integrating workplace strategy into exceptional interior design. Few design professionals can excel at both design and strategy in a holistic way, and she does this with every project while maintaining a strong client relationship. She looks after her clients by not only envisioning what they need for today, but also for the future of their workplace. “I’ve met few people in my career who treat clients and colleagues with the inspiration, leadership, and empathy that Brittany naturally embodies. When you work with Brittany, you get design intelligence and exceptional design vision, all while enjoying the unique collaboration.”

    NOELLE VIA BORDA, ADOBE

  • "I appreciate that Brittany is both friend and colleague. While I worked with Brittany during our early years as designers, I have known Brittany for many years – before and after our shared employment. “...She is consistent in her approach to career and personal life, bringing curiosity and deep investment… She is a bold and compassionate leader. She is passionate about her work and the relationships built through years of caring practice. …She is welcoming and inclusive…and always listening to the details. For so many reasons, I would want Brittany on my team…” Her intelligence and creativity combined with a spirit of camaraderie will always be a combination worth seeking."

    ELIZABETH KEROS, FORMERY DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AT HOK

  • "Brittany is an incredibly talented design and workplace professional layered on top of a wonderful soul. “Her energy and professionalism is contagious to all those who have collaborated with her on projects. Don't miss the opportunity to work with this amazing human!”

    MARC CHIAPPERINO, VVA

  • “Brittany was instrumental in developing my career as not only a designer but a design thinker. She is the kind of mentor who leads a team with grace, inspiration and an ability to instill a desire for self development by example.” I reference many of her teachings often, fifteen years into my practice. To have Brittany on a team is to ensure both organizational growth and the fostering of cultural connection to a company at scale."

    RAPHAEL PAUL, DESIGNER & VISUAL ARTIST

  • "I enthusiastically recommend Brittany, a dedicated supporter of women and small businesses, who effortlessly brings communities and people together. As a wellness warrior, her positive and uplifting energy is contagious, making her an invaluable asset in any collaborative and uplifting endeavor. I had the pleasure of serving with her at WWIRE (Wellness for Women In Real Estate) and her determination to grow our reach in SoCal, and creativity in planning curated wellness events was truly inspiring!"

    NICOLE HOUGH, MILLIKEN, SPAIN TO CA, WWIRE SOCAL

  • "I have had the pleasure of working with Brittany at two different times/stages in my life. The first was in design and architecture. Brittany was a shining star, a designer with a keen eye for creating beautiful spaces with top notch project management, with humor and wit as a bonus. Brittany is very personable, a true team player and just all around wonderful person! Fast forward to 2023, and we reconnected with her new ventures @intangibledifference and @reset_cre. Brittany has brought our product @FruitBliss into the hands of female professionals at events that are focused on health and well being. Brittany’s energy and spirit are unmatched, she is truly a powerhouse of creative ideas and leadership. I am certain that we will collaborate many more times together in the future."

    SUSAN LEONE, FOUNDER/OWNER, FRUIT BLISS

  • "As a longtime professional in the CRE industry, Brittany has navigated the stresses and complexities that come with the territory – especially the specific challenges of being a woman in Commercial Real Estate. In a world where human connections are the lifeblood of success, Brittany excels at bringing people together and fostering a sense of community. Whether it's forging partnerships, strategizing on opportunities, or sharing her knowledge and support, Brittany's ability to connect with others is unparalleled. Consider yourself blessed if you are part of her community. I highly recommend attending the Intangible Difference & HGC Wellness's, Reset CRE Retreat to dive into her expanding community of connections."

    JUNE BARDWIL, PRINCIPAL & OWNER, PLANNET CONSULTING