Due Diligence: Getting to Know Alicia Cargo
Our next “Due Diligence: Getting To Know…” employee spotlight is on: Associate Director Alicia Cargo in New York.
Macro: Tell us a bit about yourself.
Alicia: I am originally from the state of Florida and attended the University of Florida, where I followed in my dad’s footsteps and pursued a passion for architecture and design. After four incredible years, I moved to New York to attend the New York School of Interior Design, where I earned a Master of Fine Arts with a focus on interior design.
With a background in interior design, I gained experience working at several large design firms, a well-known coworking company (WeWork) and ultimately found my place at MACRO, A Savills Company, where I’ve been for the past five years. Design is my true passion, and I love applying that creativity through the lens of project management.
Outside of work, my hobbies revolve around my 16-month-old, who keeps me busy. When I’m not chasing him around or playing with trucks, I love spending time outdoors here in Colorado. Whether it’s skiing, hiking or simply getting out and about with our dogs, getting outside is a priority for my family whenever we can.
Macro: What do you love most about your work or working for Macro?
Alicia: The people. Our work culture is truly unlike any I’ve ever experienced. Every team member is committed to supporting one another and will assist in any way they can. The collaborative work we do not only encourages personal growth but also provides plenty of opportunities for career advancement.
Macro: What is your favorite part of the project life cycle, and why?
Alicia: With a background in Interior Design, the most rewarding moments come during the final phase of a project—when finishes, furniture and details come together on-site. There is no better feeling than seeing your client’s face light up when they walk through their new office space and envision their new day-to-day.
Macro: What is the one thing you couldn’t make it through the day without?
Alicia: I prefer to rely on project-specific sticky notes and open item lists to stay organized. This system allows me to efficiently manage tasks as I navigate between projects, meetings and deliverables. When I have a few minutes between meetings, I can quickly glance at my list and see the tasks I can complete in that time, ensuring productivity throughout the day.
Macro: What are your tried and true “work hacks”?
Alicia: If a task takes less than five minutes, I make it a priority to address it immediately—whether it’s an email, Slack request or quick deliverable. Checking smaller tasks off my list right away helps me stay on top of requests and prevents my inbox from becoming overwhelming while I focus on more time-sensitive deliverables.
Macro: What hard and soft skills do you lean on most in your day-to-day work?
Alicia: For hard skills, my time management and organization are always evolving and improving. Just when I feel I’ve mastered them, a new project or account comes onto my plate, requiring me to adapt, refine and stay organized in new ways.
For soft skills, growing as a leader has been a key focus. I’ve taken advantage of great mentors throughout my career, and I’ve enjoyed paying it forward by supporting my mentees as they learn from me.
Macro: What surprises people about your job?
Alicia: The number and variety of “jobs” we tackle throughout the day. No two days are ever the same for me. I may start my day with one plan, only to find myself pivoting as new priorities, deliverables or pressing concerns arise. The ability to adapt and stay agile is key to successfully managing a project.
Macro: If you could give one piece of advice to a young professional, what would it be?
Alicia: Embrace every opportunity to learn from the people and teams you work with—it will shape the kind of employee and colleague you strive to be. Having collaborated with different internal and external teams throughout my career, I’ve seen firsthand how everyone brings something unique to the table. Taking the time to absorb and appreciate the diverse talents and skills of those around you will be invaluable as you grow in your career.
Macro: Describe yourself in 5 words or less.
Alicia: I thrive on social interaction.
