Beyond the Resume

Co-hosted by industry veterans, Chris Papa and Lisa Flicker, the weekly Beyond the Resume Podcast features interviews with some of the best known real estate experts in the U.S. By exploring how they built their successful careers and the impact they have made to the communities around them we hope to educate and inspire anyone building or thinking of building a career in real estate. Join us as we go Beyond the Resume.

Beyond the Resume is a business podcast hosted by Chris Papa and Lisa Flicker, with 136 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Chris Papa and Lisa Flicker hosts Beyond the Resume, a business show with 136 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #32

  Beyond the Resume podcast with Dara McQuillan (A Career You Couldn’t Plan)

  Aug 17, 202647 minS1

  In this episode of Beyond the Resume, Lisa Flicker sits down with Dara McQuillan to discuss an unconventional career shaped by storytelling, real estate marketing, placemaking, and the rebuilding of the World Trade Center. McQuillan traces his path from growing up in Ireland and Belgium to UCLA, an internship at Variety, work in film and public relations, and eventually a career in commercial real estate. McQuillan explains how his ability to tell stories led him to Larry Silverstein and Silverstein Properties, where he was tasked with helping communicate the vision for rebuilding the World Trade Center. He reflects on the challenge of marketing Lower Manhattan after September 11 and how architecture, art, public relations, events, and creative storytelling helped reshape perceptions of the neighborhood. The conversation also explores the increasingly strategic role of marketing in real estate. McQuillan describes how marketers often have to sell a vision before a building exists, using everything from renderings and film to art, events, digital media, and emerging AI tools. He also shares how unexpected ideas—including inviting artists into World Trade Center buildings during construction—became powerful tools for documenting and telling the story of the redevelopment. For students and young professionals, McQuillan emphasizes that there is no single path into commercial real estate. Careers can span marketing, technology, hospitality, architecture, finance, art, sustainability, and countless other disciplines. His advice: understand what you are good at, stay open to unexpected opportunities, learn from the people around you, and develop the ability to tell your own story. CHAPTERS (01:15) An unconventional path into storytelling and real estate (05:08) Larry Silverstein and rebuilding the World Trade Center (10:32) Reimagining Lower Manhattan after September 11 (17:17) Why marketing matters in real estate (22:10) Art, creativity, and unconventional storytelling (27:21) Career opportunities across commercial real estate (32:23) Technology, AI, and the evolution of communications (34:47) Career advice for young professionals (37:19) The Hot Seat: books, routines, and life outside work (44:14) Mentors, leadership, and learning from your team LINKS YouTube: https://youtu.be/_taQWccIBLU Spotify: https://bit.ly/beyondtheresume-spotify Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3I3nkG9

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  Episode #31

  Beyond the Resume podcast with Dr. Reginald Parker aka Dr. Green Power (Underwriting the overlooked)

  Aug 10, 202628 minS3

  Dr. Reginald Parker aka “Dr. Green Power”joins Beyond the Resume for a conversation about clean energy, affordable housing, climate finance, leadership, and creating economic opportunity for communities too often overlooked. Parker explains how his work with Freedmen Green Bank and Trust approaches housing through total cost of ownership. For a home to be truly affordable, he argues, families must also be able to afford the energy required to live there. Investments in solar, storage, HVAC systems, energy efficiency, and resilient infrastructure can lower monthly expenses while potentially increasing long-term home value. That mission is captured in one of Parker’s defining phrases: helping the underserved and overlooked become underwritten. He discusses using both financing and technical assistance to support homeowners, contractors, nonprofits, and emerging developers who may not fit traditional lending models. Parker also shares the personal story behind his work. Growing up poor in Savannah, Georgia, he relied on free school lunches and remembers eating less at home so his mother would have enough food. His strengths in math and science eventually took him to MIT, where studying chemical engineering led him to question how he could use his skills to reduce pollution rather than contribute to it. That question launched a career spanning clean-energy technology, solar development, project development, and financing. Parker also challenges assumptions about who belongs in climate finance. Through a Climate Finance 101 course at Morehouse College, students from disciplines ranging from kinesiology to political science learned how to analyze real energy projects. His message: you do not need to be an engineer or finance major—you need curiosity and a willingness to learn. The conversation closes with Parker’s approach to leadership, mentorship, parenting, and hiring people who expand his abilities rather than simply mirror them. His philosophy: “H.I. over A.I.—Human intelligence over artificial intelligence.” CHAPTERS (00:00) Housing, Energy & Green Financing (06:53) Net-Zero Workforce Housing (08:50) Growing Up Poor to MIT (11:41) Engineering Meets Clean Energy (13:40) Breaking Into Climate Finance (17:34) The Future of Clean Energy (20:25) Underwriting the Overlooked (22:13) The Human Cost of Energy Burden (23:41) Leadership, Family & Mentorship LINKS YouTube: https://youtu.be/GVpWdUT7lY8 Spotify: https://bit.ly/beyondtheresume-spotify Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3I3nkG9

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  Episode #32

  Beyond the Resume podcast with Jeff Lawrence (Affordable Housing & Building Trust)

  Aug 3, 202640 minS3

  In this episode of Beyond the Resume Podcast, we speak with Jeff Lawrence, Managing Director of Affordable Housing at Berkadia, about affordable housing finance, commercial real estate, servant leadership, mentorship, and career growth. Jeff explains how he helps affordable housing developers and investors secure financing and why technical skills are essential for entering the industry. He also emphasizes that new professionals need time to learn the business before they can confidently advise clients and add meaningful value. The conversation also explores Jeff’s decision to focus on affordable housing, which allows him to “do well while doing good.” He discusses the importance of trust, honesty, and delivering on commitments in high-stakes real estate transactions. Jeff shares his philosophy of servant leadership and his commitment to helping more people of color enter commercial real estate. He also reflects on mentorship, professional relationships, humility, accountability, friendship, and the importance of giving yourself grace when mistakes happen. CHAPTERS (03:33) Skills for Commercial Real Estate Technical knowledge, Excel, financial modeling, and career development. (06:13) Why Affordable Housing Jeff discusses doing well while doing good. (07:40) Detroit and Morehouse College How Upward Bound, Morehouse, and mentorship shaped his path. (11:48) Servant Leadership and Representation Helping more people of color enter commercial real estate. (14:35) Banking and Business School Jeff’s early career and experience at Kellogg. (20:04) Becoming More Entrepreneurial His transition from traditional banking into mortgage banking. (23:05) Trust and High-Stakes Deals Solving complex financing problems and delivering for clients. (25:21) Building Professional Relationships Networking, referrals, and creating a trusted business ecosystem. (29:23) Books, Friendship, and Balance Jeff reflects on personal growth and adult relationships. (35:25) Hiring for Humility Why accountability and self-awareness matter. (37:53) Mentors Who Shaped His Career Jeff recognizes the people who influenced his professional and personal life. YouTube: https://youtu.be/_TX2UkCmcCU Spotify: https://bit.ly/beyondtheresume-spotify Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3I3nkG9

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  Episode #30

  Beyond the Resume podcast with Russell Lang (Holy ground, affordable homes)

  Jul 26, 202638 minS1

  In this episode of Beyond the Resume, we sit down with Russell Lang, President and CEO of Catholic Homes New York, for a wide-ranging conversation about affordable housing development, nonprofit leadership, community impact, and building a meaningful career in real estate.Russell shares the history of Catholic Homes New York, from parish-led housing development in the 1970s to its current portfolio of approximately 3,000 affordable housing units. He discusses the organization’s work with seniors, families, and residents who need supportive services, as well as its connection to Catholic Charities and a broader network of mission-aligned social service providers.The conversation also explores Russell’s professional journey through public agencies, nonprofit organizations, affordable housing finance, construction, and real estate development. Russell also offers practical advice for students and professionals interested in affordable housing careers. He explains why financial literacy, legal fluency, intellectual curiosity, adaptability, and a genuine commitment to serving communities are essential for successful developers and nonprofit executives. He also discusses what he looks for when hiring, the importance of building a strong team, and the mentors who helped shape his career.Chapters(00:00) The History and Mission of Catholic Homes New YorkRussell explains how parish-owned land and community needs led to the creation of Catholic Homes and its growing affordable housing portfolio.(03:07) Expanding Grand Street and Serving New York CommunitiesA look at the Grand Street Guild campus, new family and senior housing, and the geographic footprint Catholic Homes serves.(05:02) Leading an Affordable Housing NonprofitRussell discusses improving organizational performance, strengthening the resident experience, and positioning Catholic Homes for continued growth.(07:08) Housing, Social Services, and Catholic CharitiesHow Catholic Homes works with affiliated agencies to connect residents with foster care, mental health, family, and supportive services.(10:08) Russell’s Path into Community DevelopmentRussell reflects on Amherst, working in Bill Clinton’s post-presidency office, studying urban planning at NYU Wagner, and discovering affordable housing.(15:22) Finance, Tax Credits, and Public-Private PartnershipsThe importance of understanding low-income housing tax credits, eligible basis, construction, government programs, and the financial structure of affordable housing.(19:10) New York Housing Policy and Nonprofit DevelopmentRussell discusses limited resources, rising development costs, government partnerships, nonprofit participation, and the long-term value of community-based institutions.(21:27) What Makes a Strong Developer and CEO?Why curiosity, continuous learning, mission alignment, team building, and the willingness to understand every part of a project matter.(26:03) Career Advice for Future Affordable Housing LeadersRussell shares the skills aspiring executives should develop, including finance, legal knowledge, transparency, and comfort working directly with communities.(30:10) Memorable Projects, Mixed-Use Development, and Community ImpactRussell revisits formative projects involving affordable housing, retail spaces, daycare providers, grocery stores, and institutional partners.(34:02) Hiring for Curiosity, Ambition, and Career StoryWhat Russell looks for on a résumé, how he evaluates candidates, and why a coherent professional journey can lead to a strong interview.(35:53) Mentors Who Shaped Russell’s CareerRussell recognizes the colleagues, developers, finance professionals, and construction leaders who gave him opportunities to learn and grow.LINKSYouTube: https://youtu.be/gK8p14c1oH4Spotify: https://bit.ly/beyondtheresume-spotifyApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3I3nkG9

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  Episode #30

  Beyond the Resume podcast with Ada Arevalo (Raise capital, lower barriers)

  Jul 19, 202645 minS3

  Ada Arevalo’s career demonstrates how the right opportunity, mentor or unexpected pivot can completely change a professional trajectory. In this episode of Beyond the Resume, Chris Papa and Lisa Flicker sit down with Ada, interim Chief Operations Officer of the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency, or LACAHSA. Ada explains how the agency is creating a collaborative platform for jurisdictions across Los Angeles County to work together to address homelessness and the lack of affordable housing. She discusses her role in building the operational, technological and investment systems that allow LACAHSA to deploy capital and execute its mission. Ada also explains how sales tax funding, social bonds and future capital allocations can support the development and preservation of affordable housing throughout Los Angeles County. The conversation follows Ada’s journey from being born and raised in Mexico and immigrating to the United States at age 10 to studying finance, beginning her career in public accounting and joining a startup investment management firm. She shares how an unexpected choice between a CFO path and capital raising launched her into capital markets, investor relations and fund management. Ada breaks down what capital raising actually involves, describing it as a relationship-driven and educational role rather than simply a sales function. She explains why financial fluency builds investor trust and why professionals must learn how to communicate value, listen with curiosity and develop meaningful networks. The episode also explores mentorship, Latinx representation in commercial real estate and Ada’s work as the founding chair of the Real Estate Association of Latinx Professionals. She discusses the need to create clearer pathways into real estate investment roles, particularly for Latino and Latina professionals who remain underrepresented in the industry. Ada also shares her leadership philosophy, including setting high expectations, building accountability systems, creating psychological safety and asking her team for feedback. She explains why leaders must be willing to reassess their ideas, let go of the need to be right and focus on helping their teams succeed. This episode is a powerful conversation about affordable housing, impact investing, capital raising, professional networking, mentorship, representation and the people who change careers by recognizing potential and acting on it. CHAPTERS (00:00) Meet Ada Arevalo and LACAHSA (03:36) Building a Startup Government Agency (04:33) A Countywide Affordable Housing Strategy (08:22) From Mexico to Public Accounting (10:20) Choosing Capital Markets Over the CFO Track (18:53) What Capital Raising Actually Involves (23:48) Why Your Network Outlasts Your GPA (27:29) Representation, Leadership and Recognizing Potential LINKS YouTube: https://youtu.be/6euQ3uvki6I Spotify: https://bit.ly/beyondtheresume-spotify Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3I3nkG9 --- KEYWORDS Ada Arevalo, LACAHSA, affordable housing, Los Angeles County housing, capital raising, impact investing, Latinx professionals, commercial real estate, executive leadership, professional networking

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