Priscilla Almodovar: Chasing Beloved Dreams to Triumph
Story By: Kimberly Olguin
Enjoyable for professionals when they can pursue their passion. However, this factor doesn’t always make it easier. Priscilla Almodovar’s career is 30 years in the making and she is still challenging herself to surpass milestones.
“Find something you love to do professionally; otherwise it’s just a job,” she says. Almodovar lives true to her word.
Now, just seven years after joining JPMorgan Chase, she’s an executive team member at one of the world’s biggest financial companies. “Become an expert in what you do, and never stop learning,” she insists. It took decades of career building and dedication for Almodovar to be promoted to Managing Director and Co-Head of the Real Estate Banking Business within the Commercial bank at JPMorgan Chase.
Even the more humble days of Almodovar’s career were a challenge. Several years ago, she was a corporate partner at a global law firm. Later on, she became president and CEO of the New York State Housing Finance Agency. Impressively, Almodovar helped the agency become the largest tax-exempt bond issuer for multi-family housing projects in each of the three years she contributed to the agency.
“Make the most out of every opportunity, even when it seems less than optimal,” she says.
The results of her hard work truly reflect her effort.
The JPMorgan Chase team member joined the company by leading Community Development Banking, as she focused on economic development projects in underserved markets. “Invest time to build and maintain relationships,” she says. This key approach helped her succeed at JPMorgan Chase.
Almodovar manages a team of real estate professionals tasked with providing services and products to clients. Together, they deliver on debt, treasury and investment banking products for top performing real estate developers, investors, real estate operating companies, investment funds and real estate investment trusts. Her advice is to “Treat everyone of all levels with respect.”
Even at the top, Almodovar continues to learn new skills, enhancing her abilities and performance. “At JPMorgan Chase, I’ve learned the importance of putting the client at the center of everything we do, and of always doing the right thing,” she explains. Her persistence to invest in herself and grow in a variety of ways has benefitted her career as a whole. “Your personal brand is all about your character and reputation,” she says, adding that she wishes others might experience her level of success.
Almodovar is ready to see positive changes and is optimistic about the future. “I hope to see more progress around women being assessed for both their past performance and potential,” she says. “In my view, the single biggest factor to propel progress is to have more women in senior P&L roles, not just senior operational roles.”
As Almodovar continues to lead her team at JPMorgan Chase, she succeeds by mentoring and doing what she loves.