Name: Kristen Ambrosino

Title: Manager/Controller

Company Name: ACC Real Estate Services, Inc.

Real estate associations or organizations that you are currently a member of:

• CIBS,
• Ellevate LI Chapter

What led you to your current profession?

I grew up in the construction world since my father runs his own commercial construction company. Ever since I was little, I was visiting construction sites and buildouts or helping around the office. ACC Real Estate Services, Inc. was formed while I was in college and the opportunity to work at their office during the summer arose. I started part-time and soon realized I enjoyed the physical property management world, and each day was a new challenge. Upon graduation I started a full-time position and have been growing with the company ever since!

What books or social media influencers would you recommend to other women?

I do not have a specific influencer that I would recommend, but I would suggest to just follow positive accounts that spread good messages. Social media can be very toxic especially towards women, so following a page that is uplifting and real makes all the difference. Social media is great because we are connected to others like never before and have access to a wealth of information, but we need to remember that social is just that, media.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was younger, I always wanted to open my own bakery. I watched Food Network diligently and would love to recreate my own pastries and cakes, or at least try to. I learned how to make my own fondant and would make cakes for all the parties I could. As an adult, I still love to bake as a hobby and try to bake whenever I can.

In the past year, what project, transaction or accomplishment are you most proud of?

This past year has been filled with new learning experiences and challenges that called for a lot of adaptation and growth, not only in my professional life, but personal as well. My one accomplishment that I am most proud is becoming a homeowner and completing a major home renovation to make it into an investment property. My professional background helped with this accomplishment, and it was very exciting seeing my renovation vision come to life. Owning a home comes with a lot learning, but with my family’s support I was able to make the dream a reality.

Who was/is your mentor and how did s/he influence/help you in your career?

My father is my mentor when it comes to the business world. I grew up with him creating his construction company and seeing how his business mind works was always amazing to me. He is my mentor not only because he was able to create a successful company, but because he showed me how valuable it was to create relationships with your clients and to always keep your integrity. As a younger woman in this field, it can be intimidating, but my dad taught me by making me act and not taking over when I was nervous or unsure about something. This gave me the confidence to show people my knowledge and work ethic, allowing me to really enjoy and flourish in my current field.

What trends will dominate your industry in the coming months?

As our country begins to return to the “norm” I think we are going to see a lot more people wanting to get back out into an office setting, at least a few days a week. The pandemic did show that it is very plausible for employees to work remotely and still get their jobs done, and I think a lot of large companies will stick to that since they are enjoying their rental savings, but we are starting to see smaller companies call for office space because they want to get back into the world and do not want to be home any longer.

How do you contribute to your community or profession?

As a member of my community and profession I am involved in philanthropic organizations that donate to communities, which is very important, but aside from that I try to a kind and polite person to everyone I come across. I think especially with all the technology that we have and all the social media platforms we watch people often are very disconnected in real life, so every interaction I have I try to make it pleasant for the person on the other end. A “Hi, how are you?” really does go a long way and if you can make even one person’s day a little better, I think that’s important. Positivity and change can start with simple actions.