Women in Real Estate: Katia Potapov
Vice President of Operations, Walnut Street Finance
katia@walnutstreetfinance.com | O: 703.273.3500 | M: 202.320.3343
I have always been fascinated with how things work. As a child, I imagined my career path would follow my passion for science. So, my journey to real estate investment has been rather unexpected, albeit very interesting.
Perhaps the seed was planted in my hometown. I grew up in Nyack, New York, a village on the Hudson River filled with houses from the 1800s (my own included), which helped me develop a keen appreciation for good bones and classic aesthetic.
My professional entrée into real estate began in the early 2000s, shortly after my husband and I moved into a quaint town in southern New Jersey, not far from Atlantic City. I was hired as a project manager for an interior commercial design firm contracted by major casinos, including the Borgata.
Although I was new to the industry, my passion for detail and design—partnered with a sense of bold creativity carried over from my youth—proved to be a good asset. It was exciting to collaborate on high-impact projects, bringing customers’ visions from renderings and paper napkin explanations to life in a dynamic business district that draws millions of visitors from around the world. It was both electrifying and daunting. I learned so much about the multiple steps of a commercial design project—from permitting and code requirements to crowd flow and interior design.
Like my hometown, the village we lived in was ripe with beautiful old homes craving a refresh. We spotted some attractive real estate investment opportunities and jumped in. Being newlyweds and just starting out in life translated into these being “sweat equity” ventures. We lived in our property investments as we fixed them.
While working on commercial casino design by day, I tapped by night into my go-getter DIYer nature to bring our homes from studs to cozy abodes. These projects laid the groundwork for understanding the true value of hands-on renovation, as well as realistic project timelines, scope of work and what is needed to produce quality construction that pours value into a property. Arguably, the best outcome during these years of hard work was the birth of our twin daughters.
These building blocks helped pave the way to my current role as vice president of operations with Walnut Street Finance, a private lending firm in the Washington, D.C. area. I came on board in 2016, when the company was transitioning from building and development to the private lending space, triggered by an astute understanding of a shifting local real estate market. I was hired to help complete a few final home construction commitments, while assisting in a smooth transition to Walnut Street’s new business model: private lending.
Although I am a woman in a more male-dominated industry, I don’t view this as a challenge. We are all in this business for success. Walnut Street Finance is a small, tight-knit and diverse group with a mutual goal of helping clients realize their projects. We rely on loyalty and referrals, so reputation is everything. Because of this, there is no room for unequal ground. I am proud to collaborate with our team to efficiently ensure that the process is streamlined and cost-effective for all parties, every step of the way.
It’s exciting to see that women are becoming more involved in real estate investment. A few years ago, I’d attend a conference with just a handful of women present. Today that number is much larger.
In the long run, real estate is a human business with a goal to breathe new life into neighborhoods by maximizing assets and mitigating risk. I hope to make a bigger impact as Walnut Street Finance scales beyond the Washington, D.C. area. I want to continue to learn from my colleagues and bring more to the table for our stakeholders—from investors to borrowers to capital providers—who trust us to ensure that their capital is utilized smartly and effectively.
Although my path to real estate investment has been a little unexpected, I feel that in many ways, it is still just beginning.
What advice would you give to other women beginning a career in the predominantly male real estate investment industry?
Focus on being a problem solver and team player. Do your best and leverage your talents, whether they are in marketing, operations or client management. The truth will shine through when you rely on your capabilities and intelligence. And remember that all members are in it together to ensure success for your clients.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing women in the real estate investment industry?
That being a female is almost a stigma at times. We need to stand on equal ground, moving forward together.
What is the best thing about being a woman in the REI space?
I’ve spoken to a lot of women in our industry, and we love the energy, the fast-paced environment and that we are all go-getters and no-nonsense individuals who strive for an optimal end result.
