Q&A with Sarah Kyllo, Associate, Investments in London, England

Tell us about your role at Slate. What are your main responsibilities?

In London, I work on Slate’s Investments team, primarily focused on screening new investments and also helping manage our current funds across Europe. On a day-to-day basis, this includes conducting underwriting / financial modeling and due diligence, meeting with advisors, and sourcing new investment opportunities. There are 14 of us that sit in London across verticals, and we collaborate on essentially every major transaction.

Before joining the team in London, I was a part of our credit team in New York supporting the origination and execution of bridge / transitional loans to our CRE clients.

What are some of the skills you need to be successful in your role?

We are a collaborative, hands-on team, and individual tasks are very often a piece of a bigger project many are involved in. With various things on the go at once, it’s important to ensure projects stay on track and that the team has all the information they need to evaluate and manage investment decisions. Keeping to a to-do list helps me visualize and prioritize tasks to efficiently manage my time.

Another integral skill is strong and clear communication. Communicating regularly with my teammates about who is working on what ensures progress, and we avoid missing important deadlines and deliverables. When working with individuals across a number of countries and offices, it becomes ever more important to have that open rapport.

Lastly, I would add being curious and taking initiative. Slate’s flexible mandate and entrepreneurial culture really encourage its employees to think creatively and share thoughts and opinions. Since moving to London, I’ve focused on trying to expand my knowledge of different markets and countries and the unique opportunities they present.

You recently relocated from New York to London with Slate. What influenced your move and how have you dealt with the adjustment?

I’ve always had an itch to live abroad and was particularly fascinated with London from a young age. Living here now, I think it parallels New York in various ways, but with a different cultural context. It’s been an incredible learning experience to work with team members from various different countries, cultures, and experience levels, and it’s pushed me to think bigger and more creatively every day. With a pan-European investment strategy, I’d say the learning curve is a lot greater due to scale alone.

My advice to people adjusting to new cities is to focus on things that keep you grounded – perhaps a professional or personal goal you’re working towards. I hadn’t spent much time in the UK before my move and am away from my support system, so I’ve dialed in on work and expanding my network / relationships in Europe, which feels both familiar and rewarding.

What advice do you have for young professionals interested in a career in real estate?

I would encourage anyone starting a career in real estate to ensure you are surrounded by people who support and also challenge you. This includes finding mentors outside your firm, as well as within. Having the opportunity to take on new challenges and operate outside of your comfort zone is critical to development, while being able to ask for guidance when you need it. This notion is a pillar of Slate’s culture and one of the reasons I chose to continue my career here.

Secondly, focus on building your network. Go outside of your organization, connect with other people in the industry, and see what they are working on. Making these connections rounds out your day-to-day work, facilitates learning, and frames your responsibilities through a wider lens.

Tell us about a career moment you are most proud of.

I do feel proud to have made this transition to London. I left a comfortable environment, friends, and family and took a unique chance to advance my career. This move has come with an incredible amount of personal and professional growth over a short time. It was a big opportunity to get out of my comfort zone, and I believe my career and personal resiliency are stronger for it.