2021 Women in CRE: Nicoletta Pagnotta, Meridian Capital Group

Name: Nicoletta Pagnotta

Title: Senior Vice President

Company Name: Meridian Capital Group

In the past year, what project, transaction or accomplishment are you most proud of?
Remarkably, out of the 17 years I have been with Meridian Capital Group, 2020 was my team’s most successful production year on record. We successfully closed nearly $1.2 billion of underlying co-op loan transactions comprised of 140 individual loans ranging from $500,000 to $77 million. We take great pride in what we were able to achieve in 2020, especially with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This success has also carried over into 2021, where, as a team, we have already closed 136 deals so far this year.

How do you advocate for your fellow women in real estate?
Many years ago, I had the pleasure of joining CREW New York, and in the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of representing the organization as the board treasurer. CREW is an incredible resource for women in commercial real estate in various areas of the business, not only for networking, but also to gain leadership skills. Joining the organization on the board-level has been a great, nuanced way to make new connections and to have a better understanding of the benefits made available through the organization.

How do you keep your team motivated despite conflicts and obstacles?
Where possible, I find that it is essential to identify each team member’s individual strengths and ensure they are being used properly and are being built upon. I believe in fostering an environment that encourages open communication between team members, because only as a well-coordinated group can we consistently exceed our clients’ expectations. Whether this means dividing up client coverage, reallocating tasks and duties performed as part of the financing process, or making changes based off the feedback I receive from my team, I find that operating in this capacity works best for everyone and keeps morale high.

Why should women consider a career in commercial real estate and related services?
There is a wide range of different professions for women to consider within the commercial real estate sector and in adjacent industries. More and more companies are becoming participants in the movement to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in commercial real estate in order to change the narrative of this being a male-dominated industry. Additionally, our clients, both men and women, find if refreshing when there is a woman here to represent them. The shift toward promoting women into senior leadership positions is more prevalent than ever before, therefore paving the way for women to have the opportunity for upward momentum in the commercial real estate space.

Tell us a thing or two about you that is NOT on your resume or LinkedIn profile?
Outside of the office, I am met with the full support of my family, which includes my five-year-old and my 17-month-old baby (born during the height of the COVID lockdown), as well as my loving husband, who proudly cooks for us all. My eldest daughter has had the opportunity to visit me at the office several times, after which she said, “Mama, you are a business woman!” My daughters’ perspectives serve as a motivation for me to continue setting a strong example for them as a hardworking and successful woman in business as they grow into young women. I am also a passionate SoulCycler, which helps me maintain a clear headspace as I tackle obstacles throughout my work day.