Walker & Dunlop Appoints Head of Capital Markets
Susan Mello joins the firm from PGIM Real Estate where she most recently served as managing director and portfolio manager.
BETHESDA, MD – Walker & Dunlop Inc. has hired Susan Mello as group head of capital markets.
In her new role, Mello will oversee all aspects of the firm’s capital markets platform, which structures debt and equity transactions through a range of capital sources. Mello will be based out the firm’s Englewood Cliffs, NJ office.
Mello previously served as managing director and portfolio manager at PGIM Real Estate, where she oversaw a series of US multi-product closed-end equity funds and was directly responsible for capital raising, investment strategy, portfolio construction and investment selection. While at PGIM Real Estate, Mello served in various different roles in transactions and portfolio and asset management. During her tenure, Mello was directly involved in the structuring, negotiation and management of more than $5 billion in value-add investments.
Prior to working at PGIM Real Estate, Mello served as a partner at McCarter & English LLP law firm, where she worked extensively on structuring real estate development investments and joint-ventures.
“We are thrilled to bring Susan to Walker & Dunlop to lead our rapidly expanding capital markets platform and join the ranks of our senior management team,” states Howard Smith, Walker & Dunlop president. “She is the perfect leader to position our platform for continued success over the long term and to accelerate our progress towards our ambitious ‘Drive to ’25’ objectives with a combination of great people, an expanding brand, and industry-leading technology.”
Smith adds, “Her experience, deep relationships and reputation in the industry are unmatched, and we cannot wait to benefit from her strong track record going forward.”
“I am very excited to join Walker & Dunlop to oversee the capital markets group and to play an integral role in the company’s continued growth and success as a member of its senior management team,” states Mello. “I was extremely motivated by W&D’s exceptional growth and ambitious long-term goals, and the role that the capital markets team will play in the company’s future growth. Finally, diversity, equity, and inclusion are extremely important to me, and I am proud to be joining a company that has become a leader in this space.”
Mello serves on various committees as a member of NMHC, ULI, ICSC and Real Estate Roundtable. She is additionally active in diversity and inclusion efforts within the industry and as a member of NMHC’s diversity, equity and inclusion committee.