Vera Magdeeva

Amy McCracken of High Five RVA and Vera Magdeeva. High Five, Vera!

This week we caught up with Vera Magdeeva, a Public Relations and Communications Specialist at CBRE. Vera was nominated for a High Five by her friend and co-worker, Christine Harbrook, who had this to say about Vera: "Vera coordinates our volunteer efforts for our company under our CBRE Cares umbrella. This is in addition to her primary job duties. She makes sure that we have a volunteer or charity-based event every month, coordinating the volunteers and participates. She is very creative and passionate about giving back to the community, and very involved in RVA both professionally and personally."

Vera helps introduce CBRE employees to areas of need in Richmond.

H5RVA: What is CBRE Cares? How did you get involved?
Vera: CBRE Cares is our company’s corporate giving and volunteerism organization. I became involved after starting with CBRE Richmond at the end of August 2015 by arranging monthly initiatives in our office.

H5RVA: How has coordinating the volunteer opportunities brought to light some of the challenges Richmond faces?
Vera: Coordinating volunteer opportunities has exposed me to just how many organizations need help. It’s easy to give or a donation to a more “popular” organization, but there are many organizations that don’t receive as much attention and fall to the wayward. They need our help too.

H5RVA: What do you see as some of Richmond's greatest assets?
Vera: One of my favorite things about Richmond is its inconspicuousness. It’s a hidden gem. Most people don’t realize how much there is to do here – art, outdoors, sports, music, food.  People that love it, love it immensely. People that don’t know too much about it, love it immensely after getting to know it.

H5RVA: If an alien family came from Mars where would you take them to eat in Richmond? To play? To watch the sunset?
Vera: Food is always so hard to decide on! Saison Market for brunch, Proper Pie for a little afternoon snack, Metzger for dinner, and Dutch & Co. for some drinks. To play – James River or VMFA. Sunset – Libbie Hill Park.

H5RVA: What are you going to do with your High Five?
Vera: Going to give High Fives to people in the office for their good deeds! Big and small!

Christine Harbrook shakes hands with High Five Honoree Vera Magdeeva.