Career Spotlight: Kellie Falk
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Name: Kellie Falk
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Tell us about your career:
I started working for Drucker + Falk at age 16, spending summers and holidays as a part-time onsite property employee while attending school. After graduating from college, I joined our commercial division, where I helped manage several shopping centers and an office building before returning to school to earn my MBA.
Following graduation, I returned to Drucker + Falk for a short time, but as I like to say, my stars didn’t quite align with my father’s moon. I decided to pursue my entrepreneurial spirit and founded Housewares for Rent, a company that provided furnishings and other soft goods to apartment communities for their corporate housing programs. I owned and operated the business for nearly 10 years before returning to Drucker + Falk in 1996 as Vice President.
In 2005, the third generation of the Falk family purchased ownership shares from the second generation, continuing the company’s family legacy. Since returning in 1996, I have served in leadership roles that have allowed me to help guide the company’s growth, culture, and long-term vision.
What advice do you have for someone just starting in your field:
Understand that you are preparing to manage a real estate investment that may be valued at $80 million or more. Property management is a dynamic industry that requires strong communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills. If you enjoy multitasking and no two days being the same, this is a rewarding field with tremendous opportunities for growth.
Anything else you would like to share:
Our industry is constantly evolving. Staying informed, embracing change, and continuing to learn will create opportunities for career advancement and long-term success. The more you understand the changes taking place within the industry, the better prepared you will be to grow both personally and professionally.