Shannon Healy is a partner at Parker Benjamin, a real estate development firm specializing in the adaptive reuse and restoration of historic buildings.
With a background in private equity and finance, Healy transitioned into real estate development in 2021. She oversees projects from acquisition through budgeting and capital raising, construction and leasing.
To date, Healy has worked on 17 development projects totaling $164.4 million, all of which have been successfully listed on both the state and national historic registers, helping activate underutilized properties and deliver new housing across Connecticut.
What have been your biggest professional accomplishments so far?
My biggest accomplishments include helping source and lead 17 adaptive reuse development projects, securing state and national historic registry listings, raising capital for complex deals, and managing projects through entitlement, financing, construction management and leasing/stabilization. My work has helped breathe new life into underutilized buildings while delivering housing and economic opportunities across Connecticut.
What’s the next big goal you want to accomplish professionally?
My next professional goal is to continue to grow Parker Benjamin’s real estate portfolio by expanding our relationships with both capital partners and local communities, to help drive sustainable growth and historical preservation across more of Connecticut. Through this work, I aim to create projects that are both economically sound and genuinely beneficial to the neighborhoods they’re part of.
What’s one of the biggest professional challenges you’ve overcome?
One of my biggest challenges was transitioning from private equity into hands-on real estate development. I quickly had to master regulatory processes, construction and public-sector coordination while staying on track with schedules and budgets, ultimately building a new skill set needed to manage these complex historical restoration projects from acquisition through completion.
How are you involved in the community?
I collaborate closely with town and state officials, community members and historic preservation officials to identify development opportunities that align with each community’s needs. Together, we determine the type of projects that are the best fit and work with municipalities to ensure the development reflects their vision, preserving historic character while delivering housing and economic value.