"3 Questions With" highlights the diverse and talented individuals who contribute to Savills success.  Through three questions, get to know professionals from various business functions, including recently hired or promoted executives, rising stars, and members of Savills Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). The series provides a glimpse into the unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of these individuals, while also showcasing the value they bring to our company. Through "3 Questions With," we celebrate the diversity and excellence that defines Savills and our people.

The Julien J. Studley Award, named after the founder of our legacy firm, focuses on key areas of corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, advancing diversity and inclusion, volunteering or acts of service, and sustainable environmental efforts. This year’s recipient, Orange County Vice Chairman and Branch Manager Royce Sharf, not only embodies Savills’ values of integrity and professionalism, he has made community service and “giving back” a core aspect of his and his team’s culture.

In this month’s “Three Questions” spotlight, we learn from Royce how it feels to receive the 2023 Studley Award, what the culture of volunteerism looks like in the Savills Orange County office, and where his support for organizations and causes has grown over the years.

What was your initial thought or feeling when you were told you were the 2023 recipient of the Julien J. Studley Award?

I’ll always remember Julien for being a mentor and icon. When I joined the firm as an intern in 1987 (yes, I’m a lifer!), Julien frequently shared a wealth of knowledge and experience that I still refer to today. Those enlightening conversations are part of his deep and profound legacy, for me and so many others in this great company. To receive an award named after Julien Studley is not only a surprise but an honor. I’m truly humbled by the recognition from our leadership, my colleagues and friends.

As a leader in the Orange County office, what has been your approach to cultivating a culture of volunteerism and philanthropy within your team?

When the Cresa OC and Savills-Studley offices merged and integrated five years ago, we worked hard to inculcate a shared culture where family and community would be central pillars of our team. An integral part of that culture, as you said, is volunteering and philanthropic activities. Today, in an office of 40 professionals, we have a floor filled with youth coaches, charity board members, and dedicated community leaders. It’s amazing to see how active people are and the individual causes and opportunities they support in the community. Over the years, we’ve committed some of our talents, energy, and resources to making a difference as a group, participating in beach clean-ups, donation drives, and much more. I am very proud, and glad to be a part, of this culture.

In what ways has your affiliation or support for organizations such as Patrick’s Purpose grown over the years? Are there other organizations deserving special mention?

John and Kim Turner are very close personal and professional friends of my wife and me (as well as several other partners in this office). The way they have stepped up to honor Patrick’s memory is simply extraordinary, and we have been supporters of their vision from Day 1—and we always will be. Both Savills, and my family, are committed to their mission to promote mental wellness in schools and to create a student-driven culture of kindness. It is that spirit of inclusivity and a responsibility to be good to others that are foremost in our support. I could not be more grateful to Savills for making a generous donation to Patrick’s Purpose, as well as for their continuous support of the organizations that make a difference in our community and to our people.