About CD
CHRISTINE DEFILIPPIS
Also known as 'CD', has worked in the commercial real estate industry for over 30 years. Christine was born into the industry, her father built his wealth developing commercial retail strip centers. Traffic counts, Ingress and egress discussions were as prominent as teeth brushing (which he did check to make sure toothbrushes were wet). Originally from Atco, New Jersey along with 5 other siblings (she was the middle child), her father worked tirelessly to provide for the family, successfully building a retail strip center portfolio. That business brought the family to Florida in 1983, where Christine grew up in the "village by the sea", Delray Beach.
During high school breaks, Christine could be found at her dad's office, Dictaphone running, transcribing hours of retail canvassing on a dos-based, monochromatic microcomputer. Eventually, as time permitted her involvement became more formal and she became VP of Operations. During this time, she attended both national and regional ICSC conferences making connections in the retail CRE industry. In the office she assisted with all aspects of the company including closings, leases, financings and strategy.
After her University graduation, Christine ventured on her own to gain exposure and deeper understanding within different CRE disciplines.
Christine is currently living in Hobe Sound, Florida with her husband of 22 years, a retired firefighter. With help from Auburn University and University of Tennessee Knoxville, she is frequently on speed dial cultivating two ambitious hospitality and finance professionals.
CD's Education
High School Education
Christine attended Miss Hall's School, an all girls boarding school in Pittsfield, Mass. There she was able to lock into her education and discover her propensity for math. The teachers and guidance counselors at MHS contributed to her math and science prowess building confidence to move forward in what she later learned was an industry with few women. She credits this all girls education for her ability to make strides in a male dominated industry.
While she attended school for 4 years in the Berkshires, she took advantage of the natural environment and culture. She was exposed to and surrounded by tremendous amounts of local literature and art. Although she was from Florida, she delighted in typical New England and winter sports, learning how to alpine ski, winter hiking,becoming the captain of the field hockey team and playing lacrosse.
Christine was admitted to and took the bold step of moving to San Diego attending the University of San Diego with a marine biology major. That decision proved untimely and, after one year, Christine moved back to Florida. She immediately enrolled in Florida Atlantic University majoring in finance and real estate realizing the best way to make money was to understand money and investments. While working various jobs to fund her degree credits, she earned her undergraduate finance and real estate double major. Two years later, she earned her Masters Degree in Financial Planning also from FAU.
"Accept challenges, so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory." ~George S. Patton
Christine perceived her return to Florida as defeat; in hind sight, the jobs worked to pay for FAU were professionally accretive and gave her an early advantage building her career. She saw this as overcoming defeat, a personal victory.
University Education
Efficiency is doing things right,
Effectiveness is doing the right things. Collaboration is how we discover the difference.