Profile

For over a year now, Ben Merker has been making his mark as an associate project manager at Way Finders. Starting in the Business Intelligence Department, he lent his expertise to property and asset management, real estate development, legal, and HR. However, it wasn't long before his true passion led him to the real estate development field. With a deep enthusiasm for this field, Ben's transition was a natural progression, the MKI mentoring program provided Ben with invaluable guidance and support as he embarked on his journey in community building. Mentoring played a crucial role in shaping Ben's skills and knowledge in the real estate development field.  

During his time at Brandeis University, Ben graduated with double majors in politics and economics and a minor in business. It was during his internship at a company focused on community development and economic development that he gained his first hands-on experience. The company specialized in creating both commercial and residential developments that aimed to benefit communities beyond just profit. 

Part of his journey in community development was joining the MKI mentoring program. "I got partnered with David Koven. He's helped me both technically in terms of learning how to do this type of work and showed me how to approach different situations". He also spoke about how the mentorship helped him learn to navigate different situations and how to approach them confidently. "I guess we started out, and it just sort of felt like a great partnership, like a very good match. We had a similar type of affect or personality that overlapped in many ways." Ben shared. 

When asked about his interest for housing development and real estate, Ben shared what motivated him to pursue his career in this field. "I've always had an urge to help people," he explained. This desire to make a difference was instilled in him by his parents, both of whom have backgrounds in the medical field, and his family, who have always emphasized the importance of volunteering. Equipped with his business and economics knowledge since college, Ben constantly questioned himself about finding the most efficient solutions to problems. With this unique blend of empathy and expertise, he has embraced the world of affordable housing development to make a positive impact in communities. 

Even after the conclusion of his mentorship, Ben still relies on his mentor, who is still available to assist him not only with his daily inquiries but also to offer support. "Even though the program has formally ended, he continues to reach out, and I just reached out to him as well. This is beneficial because there is a lot of work involved in knowing how to do things the right way, but there is also a need to learn. It is advantageous to have someone whom you can rely on a bit while still being able to submit your work or accomplish whatever task is at hand."  Ben is also grateful for his colleagues at Way Finders who have also been a great resource along his journey, just as with David.  This has culminated in Ben’s recent promotion to Project Manager.