President of The Community Preservation Corporation
Years with company/firm: 33
Years in field: 34
Years in real estate industry: 34
Real estate organizations/affiliations: New York State HFA Board
Tell us how and when you began your career in the profession you are in.
I joined CPC in 1991 as an intern while in graduate school studying Human Service Administration with a focus on housing. I became interested in housing when I was volunteering in homeless shelters. I graduated from Fordham in the Bronx in 1986 and was motivated to do my part to support solutions to social problems. CPC was a great organization because it married my deep interest and commitment with my business skills. I have always believed that blending private capital with public subsidy is the best way to scale solutions.
What is your current position?
I am the President of CPC. I oversee our Construction Lending, all of our Initiatives, and our recently created CPC Climate Capital.
Why did you choose the field/profession you are in today?
I wanted to do my part to address the homeless problem in New York City and State.
What was your greatest professional accomplishment in 2024?
CPC is a coalition partner with Climate United, we were awarded a $7 billion grant in the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, $2.42 billion will come to our new subsidiary, CPC Climate Capital to support decarbonization in affordable and multifamily housing.
How do you manage the work/life balance?
I put myself into the moment I am in, so when I am working I am focused and dedicated. The same is true for my family and my friends. When I am with them I am focused on them. I also make sure to stay active and healthy.
Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career?
A formerly homeless volunteer in the shelter I worked in showed me how hard it is to get out of homelessness and how critical having a stable apartment can be to recovery and sanity. A person cannot be successful without a home. He was a Vietnam veteran and he deserved the support he got to recover from his PTSD, addiction, and homelessness. I think about him all the time.
What unique qualities and or personality do you feel makes you most successful in your profession?
I am very driven and competitive, but I am also empathetic. I also have an excess of executive function.
Do you feel being a woman is an advantage, disadvantage, or no advantage in today’s business world? Why? Why not?
I believe that being a successful woman is an advantage in what is largely a business that is mostly men, especially at the executive level. If you can fit in, excel and build your own brand, it’s easy to stand out and get noticed.
Do you feel there are any differences in the way that men and women develop business relationships and if so, what activities or venues do you participate in?
I play golf and basketball with men, I can talk sports, and I am not shy. These are all things that have helped me build and develop relationships in what is still largely a male-dominated industry.
Who do you feel was most influential in your life when choosing this profession?
My father was a very successful businessman and inspired me to work hard and have fun doing what you do. I have had an enormous amount of fun at CPC with an incredible team of dedicated people over the last three-plus decades.
What outside activities do you enjoy during your free time?
Pickleball and golf!
What inspiring words of advice would you give to a young woman about to go into the field of commercial real estate or your allied field?
It is a business about people. Master the people and you will master the work. And always try to put yourself in the shoes of the other person and hear the message you are delivering from their perspective.
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