Cartwright Rixey Reilly
35, Attorney at Williams Mullen, Virginia Beach
Contributions to the business community:
CREW (“Commercial Real Estate Women”) Hampton Roads, Sponsorship Chair; Norfolk and Portsmouth Bar Association, Bench Bar Committee Member and Secretary of the NPBA Foundation Board of Directors; Risk Management Association Hampton Roads, Board Member; Virginia State Bar Real Property Section, Area Representative; City of Norfolk Board of Zoning Appeals, Board Member
Civic contributions:
Virginia Zoological Society, Board of Directors; Festevents, Board of Directors; Hampton Roads Community Foundation, Professional Advisors Committee Member and Community Leadership Partners Steering Committee
How do you define success?
My version of success is a solid combination of a happy family life, consistent contributions to community, good relationships and achievement of professional and personal goals.
What person or experience has made the biggest impact on your life?
My parents because they instilled in us a good work ethic, encouraged us to find something we enjoy doing and demonstrated to us by example the importance of solid relationships.
What is your biggest accomplishment?
My two sons (ages 2 and 3). They’re rambunctious but hands down my most meaningful accomplishment to date.
What’s the best compliment you’ve received from a colleague or manager?
A colleague recently told me that he was impressed by my commitment to my career, family and community endeavors. That meant a lot to me!
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A doctor or a librarian.
Name a book that has inspired you professionally.
Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg.
What is your best time management hack?
A combination of learning my limits, prioritizing and saying no when necessary.
What’s your favorite restaurant for a lunch meeting in Coastal Virginia, and what do you order when you go there?
Kyushu Japanese Restaurant on Newtown Road. Their chirashi bowl is the best—always fresh and delicious.
Is there anything that you would change about your generation as a whole? If so, what?
Our reliance on technology has made our lives easier in some ways, but I think a greater ability to disconnect and enjoy our surroundings would certainly benefit my generation (and our population as a whole!).
What do you think is Coastal Virginia’s biggest challenge?
I see the lack of general cohesiveness among the cities as our area’s biggest challenge. Imagine the work we could accomplish if we all worked together toward common goals!
How can Coastal Virginia better retain its younger population?
I believe a better transportation system would allow our area to draw more attractions, businesses and top-tier talent, all of which would help us to retain our younger population.
What’s something that gives you hope for the future?
The many examples we see locally and globally of people helping their neighbors amidst tragedy.
From her nomination:
“Since joining Williams Mullen, Cart has established herself as both a talented commercial real estate attorney and a dedicated, active and sincere member of the Hampton Roads community. From working on numerous real estate deals that have spurred development and activity in the region to her constant and meaningful activity on behalf of several community organizations, Cart has proven to be an up-and-coming leader in the region.”
—Doug Bowman, colleague