M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal — Women in Business — October 22 - November 18, 2021 — 3D
www.marej.com
Women in Business
Sadie McKeown, Community Preservation Corporation “In a world of capitalists, we are capital workers, bringing the power of investment to our social agenda”
ell us how and when you began your ca- reer in the profes- sion you are in: I began my career in afford- able housing as a volunteer, working in homeless shel- ters and feeding people in soup kitchens. It was then I decided to find a way to use my business skills to provide safe, decent housing to the homeless and others locked out of affordability. I earned a Masters in Housing Ad- ministration at Cornell and interned at HUD where I researched organizations that were driving investment into low-income communities. CPC was at the top of the list. The following summer I interned at CPC, and became a loan officer after I graduated. I’ve been here for 30 years and love growing professionally with CPC, supporting the com- pany’s mission, and building its brand and platform. What is your current position? I’m currently EVP for Con - struction Lending and Initia - tives. I oversee our field offices across the state, our Sustain- ability Initiative, our Impact Investing and ACCESS, our program to support BIPOC developers in real estate. Why did you choose the field/profession you are in today? Access to capital is funda- mental to strong communities, and capitalism doesn’t always support the needs of low- and moderate-income communi- ties. CPC uses private capital to drive investment regardless of profitability. We’re motivated by the opportunity to create an impact and to lift up people and the neighborhoods where they live. CPC is unique. In a world of capitalists, we are capital workers, bringing the power of investment to our social agenda. How do you manage the work/life balance? Being completely present in every situation, and following through on the commitments you’ve made is essential. If you’re honest about your com- mitments, you can manage ex- pectations and prepare people for the very best outcome. When my two daughters were growing up, I couldn’t go to every school or athletic func- tion. When I promised I would be at an event, I showed up and made the very most of it. Then I talked to them about T
had to step up quickly into a leadership role. Our Board of Directors was all male as was the restructuring consultancy brought in to guide us. I had been at my company for 20 years and was very emotional about the process and our fu- ture prospects. Managing my emotions and driving the focus on all of the positive things that CPC had done and would do in the future was paramount. I came through it smarter, stronger and more capable than I imagined, and was able to persevere on behalf of CPC’s mission. MAREJ
the experience and made sure they understood that I cared about them and the things they needed me for. When I couldn’t be there, I communicated that and explained why. I always tried to talk about it and let my kids know that even if I wasn’t there physically I was there in spirit with all my support. What was the most de- fining moment for you in the profession you are currently in? CPC went through a dif- ficult restructure in 2011. The majority of our executive management was let go and I
Sadie McKeown Executive Vice President, Construction Lending & Initiatives Years with company/firm: 30 Years in field: 30 Years in real estate industry: 30 CRE organizations/affiliations: New York State Housing Finance Agency board of directors, New York State Energy Research
and Development Authority (NYSERDA) board of directors, New York City Energy Efficiency Corporation board of directors, New York State Climate Action Council’s Energy Efficiency and Housing Advisory Panel, NYSERDA Technical Advisory Group for the Electrification Roadmap
UNCOMMON EXPERTISE. UNMATCHED IMPACT.
The CPC Team Congratulates
Executive Vice President and Head of Construction Lending and Initiatives
Sadie McKeown
and all of the women featured in the Mid Atlantic Real Estate Journal’s Executive Women in Business
communityp.com
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