Larken Associates' Melissa Nascimento and Jessica Heckman Named GlobeSt. 2026 Women of Influence
Executive Leaders Recognized for Impact Across Residential and Commercial Real Estate Industry
Larken Associates, a leading full-service commercial and residential real estate firm, announces that Executive Vice President of Marketing Melissa Nascimento and Executive Vice President of Multifamily Operations Jessica Heckman, ARM, CPM, have been named to GlobeSt.'s 2026 Women of Influence. The annual recognition honors women across the commercial real estate industry who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, professional achievement and lasting impact on the communities and organizations they serve.
Nascimento, recognized in the Marketing/Communications Professional category, has spent more than two decades at Larken Associates building the firm's marketing capabilities from the ground up. As the architect of a centralized, technology-enabled marketing platform, she has unified strategy, creative, analytics and execution across a portfolio spanning nearly four million square feet of commercial space and approximately 3,000 residential units. Her data-driven approach has consistently delivered occupancy rates well above the industry standard and full lease-ups across the firm’s Larken Luxury Living residential portfolio ahead of construction completion. Key to Nascimento’s ability to streamline leasing objectives is her early and continual adoption of the latest AI tools and implementing them into her team’s processes.
Heckman, recognized in the Corporate Real Estate Executive category, has spent 18 years with Larken Associates, advancing through every level of multifamily operations before being named Executive Vice President of Multifamily Operations. She oversees asset management, property management and leasing strategy across the firm's approximately 3,000-unit residential portfolio. Since 2020, Heckman has helped lead the lease-up of more than 1,100 apartments, most reaching full occupancy before construction completion, and has contributed to approximately 45% portfolio growth. She also holds the Certified Property Manager (CPM) designation from the Institute of Real Estate Management and is a member of the MultiHousing News Executive Council.
Melissa has transformed marketing into a true growth driver for our firm, combining creativity with strategic discipline to deliver measurable impact across our portfolio and brand. Jessica has scaled our residential platform while maintaining the operational excellence and resident experience that define us. Both are exceptional leaders and well deserving of this recognition.
GlobeSt.'s Women of Influence program recognizes female leaders across commercial real estate through a competitive nomination process, honoring honorees across more than a dozen professional categories. The 2026 honorees will be celebrated at an awards event in Denver, Colorado on July 13, 2026.
About Larken Associates
Larken Associates is a leading full-service commercial and residential real estate firm based in Branchburg, New Jersey. Leveraging over 60 years of experience, their long-term ownership strategy and full suite of in-house capabilities brings great spaces to live and work to life. Across a diverse commercial portfolio spanning nearly four million square feet and 1,200 tenants across office, industrial, retail and mixed-use properties, and approximately 3,000 residential units across 20 unique communities with another 1,500 in the development pipeline, Larken Associates is deeply committed to the communities in which they work as well as the tenants and residents who call their buildings home. To learn more about Larken Associates, please visit us at https://www.LarkenAssociates.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram
