2016 Women in Real Estate: Melissa Checo

Name: Melissa Checo

Title: Project Financial Manager

Company Name: Eastman, Cooke & Associates, LLC

Email: [email protected]

Years in real estate: Seven

Telephone: 305-283-6401

How did you get your start in real estate?

When I moved to NY almost eight years ago, my first internship was at the Museum of American Finance. One of the museum members happened to be the CFO of a construction company. My resume landed on his desk, he called me in for an interview and the rest is history.

What real estate associations or organizations are you a member of?

I will be joining the CFMA this summer.

What recent honor, achievement or recognition has meant the most to you and why?

Finally starting grad school. It has been quite a ride working full time and taking graduate level courses. Since I can remember this has been one of my lifetime goals.

What have been some of the benefits of being a mentor or having a mentor?

It gives me the opportunity to give back to my peers. It gives you a sense of personal satisfaction to share my experiences and knowledge with others. It deepens the relationship with the mentee.

What time management strategies do you find to be the most effective for you?

Review my calendar and to do lists with my morning coffee every day. Divide tasks to what needs immediate attention. Tasks that involve less than two minutes worth of work, I complete right away. Projects that involve more, I tackle it in organized fashion, beginning from an initial draft to the final product. If I am given a project that requires more time and/or a second opinion I am never scared to ask for help. I seek colleagues to assist me in arriving at a solution faster while at the same time I can learn something new.

What is the best advice you have received and who was it from?

A mentor and former colleague once told me to seize the moment, take what you can get. Be an opportunist, but don’t forget to thank and help the people that provided that opportunity along the way.