Biography

Young Alumni Impact Awards

Kaitlin McCarthy, BS 2009

civil engineering

Kaitlin McCarthy is the founder and CEO of Ionic Development Company, a Boston-based, woman-owned real estate development and consulting firm established in 2022. With over 15 years of experience in the real estate development, engineering, and construction industries, she has been instrumental in managing large-scale projects across various sectors, including life sciences, residential, and mixed-use developments.

McCarthy’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Northeastern University and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School. Her professional journey encompasses roles such as vice president at The HYM Investment Group, where she contributed to significant projects like The Sudbury—a 46-story residential tower—and One Congress, a 52-story office tower, both part of the Bulfinch Crossing development in downtown Boston.

Under her leadership, Ionic Development has been involved in notable projects, including the first all-affordable housing development in Boston’s Seaport neighborhood. McCarthy’s commitment to effecting change within the real estate industry and the communities they develop is evident through her focus on representation and inclusivity in large-scale projects.

McCarthy’s dedication to pioneering women’s leadership in real estate development has been recognized through various platforms, including Northeastern University’s Women Who Empower Innovation Awards. Her journey from engineering to founding one of Boston’s first women-owned real estate development firms serves as an inspiration for aspiring female entrepreneurs in the industry.