Spotlights
2023 Women in CRE: Jacqueline Elezaj, Black Mountain Capital
Who inspires you most? What qualities do they possess that inspire you? My mother is always my biggest inspiration. She has always instilled in myself & my brothers that hard work pays off, we’ve applied to all aspects of our lives.2023 Women in CRE: Kristi Nootens, CP Capital US
What recent project, transaction, or accomplishment are you most proud of? While I’ve worked in the real estate industry since I graduated from college, I made a big career switch from property management to investment management after2023 Women in CRE: Lelina Chang, Gamco Corp.
What recent project, transaction, or accomplishment are you most proud of? Gamco recently fabricated over 12,000 s/f of aluminum fenestration products for Richmond University Medical Center’s multi-level expansion, housing the hospital’s emergency2023 Women in CRE: Cara Cronin, Cronin & Cronin Law Firm PLLC
What recent project, transaction, or accomplishment are you most proud of? The market has changed dramatically for office space in the years since 2020. Tenants are taking less square feet and in some instances, vacating entirely. I was able to move quickly and negotiate property tax reductions for several clients with office locations that have been greatly impacted by this changing market and obtain significant tax relief that they desperately needed.
2023 Women in CRE: Shallini Mehra, Meridian Investment Sales
What recent project, transaction, or accomplishment are you most proud of? Earlier this year, we sold a commercial building on Church Ave. in Brooklyn, NY, which had a Burger King as a tenant. This was a challenging deal with rising interest rates leading to more expensive financing. Additionally, the tenants were also still recovering from COVID effects and were behind on rent.
2023 Women in CRE: Jennifer Appel, Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP
What recent project, transaction , or accomplishment are you most proud of? I worked on an attainable housing project which was memorable because the project contained both rental and homeownership elements and required the cooperation and creativity of several layers of government, a primary and a subordinate lender, the developer, the not-for-profit and the seller in order to close.
2023 Women in CRE: Courtney Janto, Cook Properties
What recent project, transaction, or accomplishment are you most proud of? When I joined Cook Properties in 2021, the company was on the brink of a massive acquisition – including 55 manufactured housing communities, commercial real estate, equipment, and most importantly – 75 employees.2023 Women in CRE: Judy Simoncic, Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP
What recent project, transaction, or accomplishment are you most proud of? I was recently honored to be included in Long Island Business News’ (LIBN) List of Most Dynamic Women Leaders of 2023. The list of 44 industry leaders is hand selected by LIBN and recognizes women that have demonstrated integrity, persistence and most importantly, leadership skills in their respective fields.
2023 Women in CRE: Kathleen Deegan Dickson, Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP
What recent project, transaction, or accomplishment are you most proud of? I recently represented a family that wanted to build a small apartment building for seniors who wanted to remain living in their community once they sold their empty nests. It was located in a vibrant, but tight-knit community that tends to resist change and especially new residences.
2023 Women in CRE: Lindsay Mesh Lotito, Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP
What recent project, transaction, or accomplishment are you most proud of? The accomplishment that I am most proud of was being promoted to partner in January 2023. A goal of most lawyers, I was ecstatic to achieve this title early on in my career.
