Charlotte Abadir, Development Director

How long have you worked for Dakota?
Almost 4 months now. It’s flown by!

What is your favorite part about working here?
The people and the entrepreneurial spirit they bring.

What are you most proud of in your career so far?
The volume and breadth of the projects I’ve worked on. I’ve been fortunate to contribute to the development and preservation of affordable housing in multiple states, often with complex financing structures, serving a variety of communities and populations, and working with stakeholders from all walks of life.

What’s one thing people don’t know about you that they would be surprised to find out?
I was born and raised in California. I moved to New York City at 18 and it’s where I consider “home.”

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to lean into her curiosity and intuition. Building a resume and skills is important and trusting oneself is equally so.

How did you get started in the industry?
In high school, I volunteered for a homeless shelter answering phones and scheduling shifts for volunteer groups in the soup kitchen while I was living in Downtown Los Angeles. There, I worked alongside community members who were living in transitional housing a few blocks away. The experience was enlightening and humbling. In college, I interned atseveral supportive and affordable housing organizations, and I was hooked.

Tell us about your family.
Most of my family, including my parents, still live in California or the West. I have one older brother, and we get along great, even though we’re opposites. He got the right-brained genes and has encouraged me to embrace more creative pursuits as I’ve gotten older.

What do you do for fun? Hobbies/passions outside of work
I really enjoy hot yoga, and most people are perplexed by this because it’s hot, sweaty, and highly uncomfortable. But there is something so invigorating about stretching my mind and body to its limits. I also enjoy taking my dog for hikes. It’s magical watching him happily bound through the woods. Does belly laughing from scrolling through comedy videos on TikTok count as a hobby?

What’s one thing on your bucket list?
Going to space. I am betting on commercial flights being more affordable in 30 years.