Audrey Wang AB ’87, JD ’90 is an attorney in Harvard University’s Office of the General Counsel. Originally from Pittsburgh, Wang has an extensive background in real estate development, having served as a partner at her last firm, DLA Piper. Her decision to come to Harvard was an easy one, she says, because it allowed her to put her skills as a real estate lawyer to good use in support of Harvard’s mission.
Why does this type of work appeal to you?
The wide variety of real estate-related projects at Harvard make the work very interesting. And because Harvard—unlike most landowners—will be a permanent presence in the community, we can make thoughtful, long-range planning decisions when it comes to real estate.
How do you work with University colleagues and prospective donors?
I work on potential gifts of real estate. A donor making such a gift is often parting with an asset that has tremendous personal value—because it’s a memory-filled family home, perhaps, or because of the time and effort invested in developing the property. I support my colleagues in the Planned Giving office, working with the donor to ensure that Harvard can be a good steward of the gift and respect its very personal value. Most of the time, the property is sold and the proceeds are used to fund an area of interest of the donor’s at the University.
What does it mean to you to be working in support of Harvard?
It’s very rewarding to use my real estate experience to support Harvard’s educational mission, particularly because the University has played such a significant part in my own life. My undergraduate and law school experiences here were transformative both intellectually and personally. I met my future husband when we were undergraduates here, and my daughter will be in the Class of 2020.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Even today, some of my closest friends are those I met at Harvard. Seven of us have a tradition of traveling abroad together every five years to celebrate our “landmark” birthdays. We’ve been to London, Paris, and Barcelona. As our lives have gotten busier, it has taken real effort to make these trips happen, but we’re determined to keep up the bonds we forged back in Lowell House.
Explore more stories from Gift Strategies and contact University Planned Giving to learn more about making gifts of real estate.