Emily Eick has joined econcept’s management team at the end of 2025. With a background in psychology, she brings extensive experience as a goal‑oriented project manager in the real estate sector and has known econcept for many years. In this interview, she introduces herself …
Although you only recently joined the management team, you’re not exactly new to econcept, Ms. Eick — or are you?
No, I’m certainly not new in the sense of being unfamiliar. I’ve been working with the company for almost six years now. I know how econcept operates, I know its values, and I know the people involved. I’m grateful to have been invited to help further develop and structurally safeguard the established quality that econcept stands for.
But you actually studied psychology. How did you end up in the real estate business?
Through my family. I did study psychology, but I grew up in the real estate world — both my grandfather and my father earned their living in this field. At econcept, I don’t work as a psychologist; instead, I apply the mindset that comes with that degree. Especially in projects involving hundreds of people — from public authorities, planning offices and skilled trades to investor groups and tenants — communication quality is crucial. I help ensure that these people and organizations understand each other better, without acting as a therapist.
What are your main responsibilities in day‑to‑day work?
Primarily contract management, communication management, investor communication, and developing internal structures and processes. My colleagues sometimes say that I enjoy complexity — and that’s true. Simplifying complicated processes and enabling constructive dialogue between different parties is at the heart of what I do.
One example is technical building equipment — or TGA — which has become an extremely complex field. One of my responsibilities is facilitating conversations at eye level between architects and TGA planners.
You’re also involved with the Cornelius Foundation for Children of Parents Suffering from Addiction …
Yes, it’s a family foundation founded by my father and grandfather. At its core is a residential building in Cologne with six apartments where mothers struggling with addiction can live with their children. They also receive intensive support from the Sozialdienst katholischer Frauen and the local youth welfare office. I worked in the house on a voluntary basis for a while and today serve on the foundation’s board of trustees.
