Cartier Olivia Charles

At PeopleDem property we believe in celebrating our community by spotlighting black excellence in property. Today we are celebrating Cartier Olivia Charles.

Cartier is a Chartered Surveyor working in the public sector, where she focuses on managing and shaping property portfolios that support essential services and long-term community outcomes. Her role spans acquisitions, disposals, and strategic asset decisions. While it can sound technical, at its core it’s about ensuring land and buildings are used in ways that genuinely benefit people. Alongside her professional role, she is building C5 Rising an initiative focused on bridging the gap between education and the working world by giving young people the practical insight, structure, and guidance that is often missing.

Cartier’s interest in property began at a young age. She spent a lot of time in Grenada visiting family, where she watched her grandparents build their home. She was often on-site, asking questions and trying to understand the process, which sparked her curiosity about how buildings come together. That interest was further nurtured by her mum, who made a conscious effort to expose her to the industry early on whether through visiting different sites, attending auctions on weekends, or involving her in aspects of her own property investment work.

As Cartier grew older and began making her own educational choices, she became more intentional. She selected subjects aligned with property and set herself on a clear path toward building a career in the industry. As she puts it, “For me, it wasn’t something I fell into it’s something I’ve grown into over time.”

Despite this clarity of vision, the journey wasn’t easy. Many of the experiences that shaped Cartier came from challenging situations, particularly interactions with people in senior positions where she felt underestimated or overlooked. Rather than discouraging her, these moments pushed her to prove to herself above all that she was capable of more. They built a level of resilience and self-belief she might not have developed otherwise, making her more intentional about what she pursues and less willing to accept limitations imposed by others.

Throughout her journey, one constant has been her mum. She provided a strong foundation from an early age not only in terms of education and opportunity, but also in building confidence, discipline, and self-belief. She was intentional in both how she raised Cartier and the environments she exposed her to, while also preparing her for the realities she might face, particularly as a Black woman navigating the working world. This combination of support at home and challenges externally has shaped how Cartier approaches life and work today, and it fuels her commitment to creating opportunities for others.

Cartier’s achievements reflect that commitment and resilience. At 21, she graduated with a first-class degree in Property Development. At 25, she purchased her first investment property and began building a portfolio in the North. Shortly after, she qualified as a Chartered Surveyor. At 27, she became the youngest person to sit on the RICS Governing Council. More recently, she stepped into a leadership role, managing a team of property professionals within strategic asset and estates management for a large local authority. Individually, each milestone is significant; together, they represent consistency, resilience, and a long-term vision she has remained committed to.

Alongside her professional work, Cartier became an RICS Inspire Ambassador in 2023. Since then, she has delivered outreach sessions across schools, colleges, and universities, promoting surveying as an accessible and rewarding career. Her dedication to engagement led to her nomination for the 2025 RICS Ambassador of the Year Award. She also founded C5 Rising, a mentorship and personal development initiative supporting students and early-career professionals through partnerships with educational institutions.

As a member of the Governing Council, Cartier aims to amplify early-career voices, strengthen outreach and transparency, and open the doors of RICS earlier ensuring the profession becomes visible and relevant well before university. She is also committed to helping the institution embrace technology, sustainability, and diversity so it can continue evolving and inspiring future generations.

Cartier’s progress at a relatively young age is rooted in her persistence and resilience. She doesn’t give up easily especially when something feels difficult or uncomfortable. In fact, those moments often push her further. She has developed a mindset where challenges are not a reason to stop, but a reason to grow. Being underestimated has never discouraged her; instead, it has strengthened her determination to prove, not only to others but to herself, what she is capable of achieving.

What motivates Cartier most is the impact her work has on people’s everyday lives, even when it goes unseen. Much of property work happens behind the scenes the spaces people learn in, work in, and access services from. While often unnoticed, she understands the value these spaces provide and the role they play in shaping communities. Working in the public sector has made this even more tangible. For her, it’s not just about buildings it’s about outcomes.

She also values the variety her career offers. “No two days are the same, and you’re constantly balancing strategic thinking with practical decisions. Being able to connect my work with what I’m building through C5 Rising gives it even more purpose. It’s not just about what I do day-to-day, but how I can help open doors for others coming up next.”

Looking ahead, Cartier wants to continue building on this momentum. One of her key goals is achieving financial flexibility, giving her greater control over her time and the ability to step back when needed to focus on meaningful work particularly volunteering. She is especially passionate about supporting young women across the Caribbean and Africa, helping to broaden their outlook and create opportunities that may not currently feel accessible. Ultimately, her goal is financial freedom not just for personal benefit, but for the impact it allows her to make.

In ten years, Cartier sees herself still connected to property, but operating at a more strategic level contributing to high-level decision-making and place-making that shapes communities with intention. Alongside this, she envisions C5 Rising growing into a well-established and impactful initiative. “By God’s grace, I’d want it to have reached and supported thousands of young people, giving them clearer direction, confidence, and practical tools to navigate their futures. Ideally, both would work hand in hand combining industry experience with real, scalable impact on the next generation.”

To achieve these goals, Cartier is actively seeking opportunities to be in the right rooms and around the right people spaces that allow her to grow, contribute, and expand what she’s building. This includes networking, collaborations, and platforms where she can continue to drive conversations around access, awareness, and opportunity. For her, it’s not just about progression it’s about contribution. Everything she is building is rooted in giving back and helping others navigate their paths with greater clarity and confidence.

When asked what she wishes more people knew about her, Cartier shared:

“I think people see the results, but not always the level of intention behind them. Over the past year, I’ve become more open about my journey, and that’s something I’ll continue to do because I know it can help others. There’s a lot that happens behind the scenes the challenges, the decisions, the growth and I don’t shy away from sharing that. I’m still learning, still evolving, and always open to conversations. If there’s something you want to know, just ask.”

It has been an honour to write about Cartier. Her passion for improving awareness of careers in property and making the industry more accessible is clear. She is also a powerful example of what is possible for young Black women through her achievements as a Chartered Surveyor, team leader, and member of the RICS Governing Council. We look forward to seeing how C5 Rising continues to develop in the future.