Raffaela “Molly” Ferro

Licensed Real Estate Agent

What do you love most about being a real estate agent?

Every day I have the pleasure of meeting and interacting with new people. I love that no two days are alike and there are always opportunities around every corner. Getting to know my clients and listening to their stories allows me to understand their needs and better serve them. How do you think your prior experience working in the home improvement industry benefits your clients?

Due to my past experience in home improvement, I can advise and help clients envision the possibilities that may exist in the homes they are considering. Creating budgets for the dreams my clients have is vital and having access to many people in the trade allows me to fast track

“Molly” Ferro is a licensed real estate agent with Compass, servicing Long Island, New York and Southwest Florida. Raffaela provides the highest level of service to maximize a homeowner’s greatest asset or to help them find that special place they will call home. She attended Nassau Community College and received a degree in Business Administration from Katherine Gibbs College. After spending over a decade working as a flight attendant for Continental Airlines and as a human resource manager at Ernst & Young, Raffaela knows what it truly takes to connect with her clients. Meeting new people and helping clients find the right house to call their own is her passion.

Raffaela this process, so my clients are in the best position to make a decision. I can also help them find reliable and reputable tradesman as needed. Is it true that spring and summer are the best time to list a house?

Utilizing her exceptional knowledge of today’s market, Raffaela uses innovative marketing strategies combined with today’s cutting edge technology to fulfill her client’s needs. She is actively involved in the Long Island community and is on the board of directors for the LI Museum, co-chair for the Family Service League Walk for Wellness, and is a committee member for The Clark Gillies Foundation. When she is not previewing homes or helping her clients find their next dream home, Raffaela enjoys spending time with her family, playing tennis, and traveling.

The rule of thumb is that the spring and summer are the best time to list your home. Spring marks the beginning of the busiest buying and selling season. The warm weather, more daylight and the need to get a new home before the next school year still tends to bring out the most buyers. What are a few tips to make a home more marketable?

Make sure your home looks inviting by mowing your lawn, planting flowers, and trimming the bushes. Neutral and light colors help buyers imagine themselves in your house. Make any necessary repairs that may come up. Organize and declutter to give your home a spacious and clean feel. Open up all curtains and blinds, and let all natural light in. Add a fruit bowl or flowers on your kitchen counter as a simple way to bring color and add character to the space. Little things can potentially make a huge difference to your homes marketable and final value. What does the word power mean to you?

Power is about being in control of your own happiness, your inner feelings, and your drive. Your power is driven by your mindset. Power gives you the ability to change or evolve into the best version of yourself. When you have power within yourself you are able to make anything possible.

Lisa Warren is the president and owner of LW Financial Services. She is an award-winning mortgage loan professional with over 20 years’ experience in the real estate lending industry. Her extensive background in all areas of the lending field makes her uniquely qualified to offer valuable insight into the home buying process to her clients. She prides herself on having a 90% customer referral rate. Lisa is a banking specialist responsible for all types of real estate lending. She serves as a liaison between lenders and buyers to ensure maximum efficiency that benefits both parties and negotiates the most favorable terms and rates for her customers. the National Association of Mortgage Professionals, Texas Association of Mortgage Professionals, and the Association of Accredited Fraud Examiners. She enjoys painting, astrology, her family, her animals, her friends, and her customers. How did you get started in your field/ industry? www.dfwrealestateloans.com

I started as an assistant in a local branch and was asked to move to the main processing center as an in-house processor for a special division in the Norwest Mortgage Subprime Division. Shortly after I was asked to be an inside sales loan officer in the Subprime Division. Within six months I was awarded Rookie of the Year.

Barbara Koenig-Pfannkuche is retired after 40 years from her position as an electronic engineer. She spent most of her career with the Chicago Board of Education teaching electricity, electronics, and appliance and computer repair. She also taught electronics engineering to college students and inmates in the jail system. Barbara specialized in drafting and design. Born in Chicago, Illinois, she earned an A.S. in Electronics from DeVry University in 1957. She was honored as the first woman to attend and graduate from that university. She was the first female permitted to take electric workshop and shop courses in her high school. Barbara received a scholarship to the Art Institute in Chicago. She obtained a B.S. in Industrial Education Electronics from Chicago State University in 1975. Over the course of her career, Barbara has worked for Pierce Wire Recorder, Chicago Aerial Industries, Hammond Organ, Union Thermal Electric, Victor Adding Machines, C.P. Clare, and E.P.L.

In the 1950’s, Barbara was a model. During her career, she engineered cameras for government planes. She also helped work on the early fax machine before transitioning into education. In her retirement she enjoys travel, farming, gardening, and snow skiing.

Stephanie Strawbridge has over 25 years’ experience in funeral services and grew up in the industry, learning the business from her parents. She is the funeral director at Strawbridge Memorial Chapel, a funeral home in Cleveland, Ohio. She is responsible for offering comfort and compassion to families and oversees all funeral services and the staff. Stephanie earned a B.S. in Business Management from Central State University in 1992 as an honors graduate. She has worked in and around the funeral industry since 1989 and became a licensed funeral director in 2007.

Currently, Stephanie serves as the board vice president of the Mount Pleasant NOW Development Corporation and sits on the Southeast design

Lisa is driven to help her clients achieve the dream of home ownership or to finance property for their business and make the best decision for one of the most important financial investments of their life. She works hard to find the perfect lender for each client and specializes in loans for entrepreneurs. She was voted as one of the Best Mortgage Professionals in DFW, featured in D Magazine (20102013), and was rated a 5 Star Professional, 2013-2022. Lisa is a member of review committee. She is a member of the Greater Cleveland Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., El Hasa Court No. 47 (DOIPHA), where she also serves as the imperial deputy for the Desert of Ohio, Bethel Chapter No. 58 Order of Eastern Star, and still has a lifetime bond with her Kappa sweetheart sisters from Central State University (Delta Zeta Chapter).

In recognition of her accomplish- ments, Stephanie had been honored as the first African American woman to open a funeral home in Cleveland, Ohio. She was selected as Business Woman of the Month by Iota Phi Lambda and recognized by Who’s Who in Black Cleveland. Stephanie is passionate about her work and feels honored to be able to serve the families in her community. She wrote a workbook titled, “You’re Gone; Now What?: Everything “They” Didn’t Tell You About Planning a Funeral.” In the workbook, Stephanie explains how to prepare and plan ahead, and arms the reader with the basic tools needed to be ready for a loved one’s or even your own funeral. www.strawbridgememorialchapel.com www.funeralpreneur.com

Tanikwa S. Matthews is the president of HisNHers Jewels LLC. She has over two years of experience and oversees the operations of the wholesale jewelry company. She is responsible for the sales and distribution of jewelry. Tanikwa also enjoys helping military families. She belongs to Kappa Epsilon Psi. In her spare time, she enjoys being with her family, bowling, reading, and writing.

Susan Ann Galle is a senior account executive with Enhanced Payment Systems. She earned a B.S. in Communications, English, and Management from the University of Illinois- Chicago. Susan is responsible for account analysis, management, and meeting with individuals/companies to help them save money in how they process their revenue. Among her many skills are teaching, client relations, business account management, consulting, business coaching, writing, problem-solving, and training. Susan is also a health coach, writer, and motivational speaker. She belongs to SCCA and LAPS, Inc. Susan enjoys auto racing, reading, and fitness.

Women Of The

How did you get started in your field/ industry?

I’m a free spirit. I’m able to figure things out, a quick learner, stand up for what I believe in, and am very independent.

What are some of the biggest challenges/obstacles you faced in your career?

Never settle – always look for something better, more challenging, and more fulfilling. I took on something male-dominated, but I’ve earned respect from the guys. The standing joke with the guys is that I’ll beat them. That’s on my bucket list and I’m working on that. What do you feel are some of the biggest challenges that women face today?

It’s still a man’s world and we have