During her third year with Bank of America, she transferred to their New York office. At first, it seemed daunting to leave Charlotte behind, especially with her connections to so many Davidson alums in the area, but Okel quickly began to find her niche. At the end of 2022, she began a new position working in investor relations at Axonic Properties.
“I loved covering real estate clients, so working for a real estate investment firm felt like a great next step,” she said. “I thrive in an environment where I feel like I can make a difference. Being part of a smaller team allows me to learn more about the business and contribute in different ways.”
Her new role requires more than a knowledge of finance. She drafts quarterly letters and performance updates, communicates with property managers, keeps track of acquisitions and always winds up learning something new.
“Having a liberal arts background has set me apart,” she said. “Writing and communicating well is a huge part of my job.”
Okel’s father and aunt both attended Davidson and, like many legacy students, she was determined to end up anywhere else until a visit to campus changed her mind. As a student, she dove headfirst into her economics classes, forming close relationships with professors who helped shape her career.