By JAY LUCAS
Sunshine Initiative
We are delighted this week to highlight one of the most interesting and engaging people that we know — Norri Oberlander. Norri immediately came to mind when thinking about who would best exemplify our topic of someone stepping out of their comfort zone. We’ll get to what she did after she shares her story.
Norri explains, “In 1991, my dad left his corporate engineering life to put his blood, sweat, and tears into creating the legacy of North End Properties, which lives on today through his three daughters and grandchildren. Carrying on her parents’ legacy, today she is the President of North End Properties.
www.northendprops.com I was raised by my New Yorker parents, and my father taught me to be a strong-minded businesswoman, while my mother taught me to be the life of the party. I’m the wife of a businessman, the mother of two amazing kids, and a happy dog owner. I’m an active property owner in downtown Manchester and a proactive landlady for my tenants. I’m passionate about downtown Manchester because Elm Street is the economic engine of Manchester, NH. I was born and raised in New Hampshire, graduating from Manchester West High, and then attended college in New York because my parents raised me with that New York mentality.
In New York, I met my husband and landed my dream job as an event planner, and life was great. But I felt something was missing. I missed the New Hampshire foliage, the friendly New Hampshire atmosphere, and driving without traffic. But most of all, I missed my family and wondered where I would eventually land. I finally realized that neither offers down-to-earth living, the best value in real estate, and a balance of a peaceful country life, along with the option of an urban playground in Manchester. Therefore, I decided to boomerang back to New Hampshire to raise my family, and it’s the best decision I ever made.”
In 2017, she was one of the Union Leader’s ‘40 Under Forty’. She was quoted as saying “I focus the majority of my volunteer efforts in downtown Manchester, because I believe it’s the “spotlight” for all the city!” Over the years, she has volunteered for 20+ organizations to enhance Downtown Manchester and the City of Manchester overall.
Norri continues, “Five fun facts about me: I am real, a positive, straight shooter, and I tell it like it is. As a connector, I’m ready to collaborate with other business leaders for positive change. I still learn from others because reinventing the wheel is inefficient. I want to see everyone succeed. Action – I don’t just talk about it; I do it. As a landlady, AKA Manchester’s concierge, I love the city and want everyone to love every minute of it like I do.”
Last year during Manchester’s mayoral race, she did something that she had never done before and most importantly showed that one person can make a difference! Not happy with the lack of safety in downtown particularly around one of her properties, the Pembroke Building, she helped form a Political Action Committee that supported candidates who believed in the balance of the protection of property rights and the protection of human rights. What it did was to get a number of the downtown businesses together in a way that hadn’t been done for a while. And many say that this effort helped to get some new faces elected. So yes, one person can make a difference and Norri — we’re very glad you’re so passionate about Manchester — we’re lucky to have you! And thank you for ‘breaking out of your comfort zone!’
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