Preparing for the Future of Real Estate
As the CFO of Inversiones Centenario, a residential and industrial development and office-leasing company based in Peru, Georgette Montalvan Mosquera oversees the finances of the company as well as its group of subsidiaries. She attended the Real Estate Management Program at Harvard Business School (HBS) Executive Education to broaden and deepen her knowledge of the real estate industry, and shared her thoughts about the program's benefits.
Why did you choose to attend this program?
I considered other real estate programs, but I chose this one at HBS for a couple of reasons: Several of my colleagues recommended it highly, and it offered the rich content I was looking for to advance my knowledge and skills.
How did this program influence your approach to real estate?
The program has given me a more in-depth perspective on the real estate industry. I came away with the ability to evaluate this business across geographies and asset classes, and across roles like developer, investor, and broker. My understanding of the industry now goes far beyond finance to include sustainability, ethics, social responsibility, technology, and other elements.
How would you describe the program's value to someone who's considering it?
Everything about this program is first rate. The comprehensive content, the knowledge and preparedness of the faculty, the diverse backgrounds and vast experience of the participants–all of these factors enable high-level discussions in class and in living groups. The program is not limited to theory; it also brings real-life experiences into the classroom. And all aspects of the infrastructure that supports the classroom experience–the course materials, living arrangements, and food–are top level, too.
What impact has the program had on you since you attended?
This learning experience has provided me with the tools to navigate the real estate world and the opportunity to move beyond my current role. The program actually surpassed the goals and expectations I had when I applied.