At Berkadia, our success is built upon the talent and hard work of a broad, diversely skilled team. From analysts to loan closing specialists to managing directors each of our people brings a unique background, perspective and expertise. Their work allows Berkadia to remain a leader in the commercial real estate industry.
Today, we’re shining the spotlight on Innovation Senior Product Manager, Steven Goodwill, to learn more about his role at Berkadia, what advice he would give his younger self, and how Berkadia has helped him grow both personally and professionally.
Describe your role at Berkadia.
I am the product manager for our Berkie and ML team. My role is to work with users and stakeholders to uncover problems throughout the organization and help determine how AI can be used as a potential solution. Additionally, I work closely with Berkie users to ensure that the experience we are providing them is best it can be. Moreover, it’s my role to think strategically about how AI could be leveraged successfully here at Berkadia, in close coordination with our AI Council, engineering groups, and business stakeholders.
What part of your role are you most passionate about?
The best part of my job is meeting with the incredible people working throughout Berkadia. The best part of my day is when we are able to solve a problem a user is facing and position them to be more successful in their role.
What excites you most about commercial real estate?
There is SO much room to innovate in the commercial real estate industry! As our AI development efforts continue to mature and accelerate, we are going to see some wild opportunities start to take shape.
What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself coming into the commercial real estate industry and what is the best piece of advice you have received?
When I first started as a development and acquisitions analyst, my boss at the time (who had worked at Blackstone) told me the advice he got when he first started in the industry from the CEO of Blackstone: “know the details.”
While most people will assume that others are checking peoples’ work, the really successful professionals will proactively work to understand every part of the problem they are facing so they can lead with confidence. I’m certainly not perfect in this regard, but it’s something I think about almost every single day.
When you’re not helping Berkadia move the industry forward, how do you spend your time?
When I’m not spending time with my wife and fur babies (two dogs and two cats), I play guitar and oil paint every chance I get!
How has your time at Berkadia helped to accelerate your personal and professional development?
Berkadia has helped me grow immensely over the last 6 or so years that I’ve been working here. More than anything, I attribute that growth to Berkadia Way. Here at Berkadia, we have cultivated an incredible culture of collaboration. It has made it easy to reach out to fellow Berkadians for advice, direction, feedback, and more. As a result, I’ve forged some incredible relationships here, which has helped me to grow significantly, both professionally and personally.
Is there anything else our audience should know about you or your time at Berkadia?
Nothing I do would be possible without the incredible group of team members supporting Berkie. Shout outs to Team Pandora, Design Pod 3, our architects, horizontal teams, and users that make this all possible!