Category: Spotlight Content

Garden City, NY Schroder & Strom, LLP is a real property tax litigation firm known for its depth of experience, technical precision, and consistent success representing commercial and residential property owners across New York State. Founded in 2000 by Michael Schroder and Karen Strom

What drives your philosophy on hard work, and how has it evolved over time?  I value hard work above everything. My father was a strong influence in my life and career. He ran a small business in West Chicago, IL, and from a young age I understood the type of investment it takes to run a business and the work ethic it takes to succeed in a cutthroat world.

What recent accomplishment or initiative are you most proud of, and what impact did it have on your firm, clients, or community? Joining the Center for Economic Growth’s leadership board is something I’m proud of. It’s given me a more direct role in helping attract new companies to the Capital Region while supporting the growth of businesses already here.

What recent accomplishment or initiative are you most proud of, and what impact did it have on your firm, clients, or community? We recently began integrating AI into our processes after seeing real value emerge about six months ago. It now supports plan reviews by checking drawings against codes and coordinating across disciplines, improving quality and reducing risk.

What recent accomplishment or initiative are you most proud of, and what impact did it have on your firm, clients, or community? Learning to have confidence in myself is the biggest challenge I faced as I started my career. Out of college, I was scared. Afraid to fail. But when I started at OMARA in 1992, it dawned on me that I was a pretty bright guy, and I had a natural ability to solve problems and to connect with people – clients, architects, engineers, and tradesmen.

How do you inspire, motivate, or mentor others within your organization? I have created a culture where every employee gets to inspire and compliment one another throughout the course of the work week. I personally coach and support every employee, both personally and professionally.

What is one major challenge you’ve overcome as a leader, and what did it teach you? One of the most significant challenges I’ve overcome as a leader was learning how to effectively delegate and trust others with responsibilities that I once felt only I could handle. Early in my career, I equated leadership with control — believing that being deeply involved

What recent accomplishment or initiative are you most proud of, and what impact did it have on your firm, clients, or community? Over the past year, I’ve focused on scaling OakNorth’s US originations platform and supporting a growing cohort of leading lending partners, including Oak Funding, Module Five Capital, DAC Developments and Melrose Ascension Capital. Across a range of transactions — from complex office-to-residential

What recent accomplishment or initiative are you most proud of, and what impact did it have on your firm, clients, or community? Aerie Development is a true reflection of my vision, leadership, and one of my proudest accomplishments — creating a single family community that embodies the pride, quality, and excellence of Argo.

What is one major challenge you’ve overcome as a leader, and what did it teach you? A major challenge I’ve overcome as a leader is learning to move past disappointment and help other agents do the same. Like the song says, “I get knocked down, but I get up again.” In this business, deals will always fall apart, that’s the nature of the game.

How do you inspire, motivate, or mentor others within your organization? Motivation starts with leading by example. If I ask a member of my team to do something, I should also be able to do it myself. I make sure to make people feel heard, letting them share ideas, concerns, and contribute to solutions for our clients.

How do you inspire, motivate, or mentor others within your organization? I believe people do their best work for leaders they respect and relate to. I try to lead with empathy while still maintaining clarity around expectations. Every person responds differently, so I focus on understanding what motivates each team member