Industry Insiders: Ivanka Trump, Executive Heiress

The Donald’s little darling talks industry jargon, raises cash for the fuzz, gives props to Rupert Murdoch, plays a few rounds, then slings gold to those Trump-loving Russians. All in a day’s work.

Point of Origin: I'm a native New Yorker, born and raised -- and from the looks of it, likely to remain here in perpetuity.

Occupations: Modeling, for me, was purely a pit stop, fun, in the moment. I worked for a year for the [Bruce] Ratner organization in Brooklyn, cutting my teeth on the business, away from prying eyes. I believed I could be effective in this field through real life training and experience outside of the fishbowl that would be the Trump Organization, where people would have been observing and watching a 22-year-old commence her first few weeks of work. I joined the Trump Organization a year-and-a-half later, and am now the vice president for real estate acquisitions and development for the organization and for Trump Entertainment Resorts and Gaming.

With my older brother, Don, and young brother, Eric, we’ve initiated the Trump Hotel Collection, and we have 13 new hotel constructions underway, using the Trump International here in New York as our springboard. We opened in January in Chicago. Conde Nast Traveler added us to their 2008 Hot List for North America—it really is phenomenal. Las Vegas opened a few months ago, at the end of March, and it’s been receiving great reviews. Trump Ft. Lauderdale, then the Soho property. The Trump Taj Mahal has been open for the past two weeks, and occupancy has been terrific. We opened a new hotel tower with an additional 800 units, and the official opening ceremony is October 2. I have the jewelry company that I opened a year ago in a very challenging market, but we’re doing a terrific business. And we just signed a lease in Las Vegas for our second store. The third is in Russia—the Russian market is very strong and they really respond to the brand, the aesthetic, which is really luxurious. The fourth store is in Los Angeles, and Tokyo comes next. As you can imagine, gold is going crazy.

Any non-industry projects in the works? I am athletic—my mother [Ivana] was a professional skier—but in terms of recreation, I love skiing, tennis, golf. That’s now sort of starting to blur the line between work and play, as I’m always playing on one of our courses. I call it “market research.” Then on a charitable side, I’m very involved with Eric Trump’s foundation that he stated two years ago. And then there are several other charities in which I am involved.

Favorite Hangs: I love Central Park, an all time favorite hang-out and, of course the Czech Republic where I often visit my maternal grandmother. I really love Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach.

Industry Icons: I’m incredibly impressed with international initiatives, particularly in the Middle East. That’s a fascinating place to look, and I really look up to the great Rupert Murdoch.

Who are some people you’re likely to be seen with? Normally, when I’m not in the office, I’m with my closest group of girlfriends who I brunch with, regularly.

Projections: More acquisitions in real estate, of course, and the Ivanka Trump Collection, but as you can imagine with the price of gold going up, I’ve got to get back to work!

What are you doing tonight? It doesn’t look as if your evening includes eating. I’m hosting a party with Vanity Fair in my jewelry store.