From Entry-Level to Executive: How Desiree Russo's Dedication and People-first Leadership Fuel a Legacy

Every founder knows the feeling of looking back and realizing the “plan” you thought you had was really just a rough outline for a story still being written. That’s exactly how Desiree Russo, SVP Portfolio Ops at MasonMade Ventures, describes her nearly 20-year career in facilities and construction.

In short, it was a journey she calls “a rollercoaster,” one filled with unexpected opportunity, bold leaps, and the kind of leadership growth that can only happen with a solid team, outstanding mentors, and a dose of good old-fashioned grit.

Her story begins in 2005 at a small architecture and engineering firm on Long Island. Nothing flashy. No grand vision yet - just a young professional getting her footing. But two years later, everything shifted when she met Moses Carrasco, who would become both a mentor and long-term business partner.

Desiree joined Empire Facilities as a Coordinator and from that moment, she says, “the path that would define the next two decades of my life began to take shape.”

Climbing Up, Branching Out, Staying Curious

Desiree rose through the ranks quickly and became a manager by 2009. This was followed by a role as Director of Operations after Empire’s acquisition and eventually overseeing a $20 million portfolio of repair and preventative maintenance business.

In 2017, that path took another turn when she was invited to become a partner in the newly formed organization, CS Hudson. As Vice President of Operations, she felt that she could “spread her wings,” leading Operations and HR while diving headfirst into system implementations and cross-functional initiatives that stretched her in all the right ways.

After CS Hudson’s sale to private equity in 2023, she exited amicably and stepped into a new chapter, partnering once again with Moses and Joseph Scaretta at MasonMade Ventures, where she now serves as Senior Vice President of Portfolio Operations.

Desiree’s experience is a clear example of the importance of building trusted relationships with team members as well as managers. You never know where your next opportunity will come from, so never burn bridges.

Entrepreneurship as Leadership, Not Labels

When asked what “entrepreneurship” means to her, Desiree doesn’t mention startups, investors, or pitch decks. She talks about people.

“Entrepreneurship is all about leadership and surrounding yourself with a strong team of people who infill your ‘weaknesses,’” she says. “When you are not the smartest person in the room, you have truly created the best team.” For founders, this might be the most freeing definition you’ll ever hear.

Desiree feels strongly that the best way to lead a team is to be the leader you say you are. That is, your words must align with your actions. Humility, not bravado is what sustains the team. Additionally, having a clear vision, active and empathetic listening skills, and an open mind lend to everyone feeling vested in the task at hand.

Redefining Success for Herself and Her Teams

Desiree credits her leadership approach to the eclectic mix of leaders she’s worked with, most notably Moses and Joe. It was Moses, she recalls, who “saw something in me that I didn’t yet see in myself” during a 2007 interview that jumpstarted her career path.

That kind of early belief and support can alter the course of a career. Desiree is living proof. Many leaders talk about success as growth, scale, sales, or revenue. Desiree goes in a completely different direction: “Success isn’t measured by money, titles, or status. It’s measured by the impact we have on people.”

She believes that leaders at all levels should be motivated to help their teams grow, celebrate  wins, and create a space for goals to come to fruition.

“The future leaders of your company may already be in the room and they’re just waiting for someone to see what they haven’t yet realized in themselves,” Desiree said.

Leading in a Male-Dominated Space with Grace, Grit, and Zero Ego

With nearly two decades in construction and field services, Desiree has an unfiltered perspective on being a woman in an industry still playing catch-up. She leads with what she describes as a “leadership energy grounded in humility, collaboration, and a focus on progress over perfection.”

This leadership style is essential for balanced decision-making and healthier teams.  Her advice to women entering operational or technical fields is simple: “Don’t let anyone take the wind from your sails.”

Additionally, it’s important to lead with empathy, know your strengths, own your growth areas, and stay vigilant. Your voice and perspective are needed.

A Legacy Bigger Than Titles

Professionally, Desiree hopes to leave a legacy of “meaningful disruption,” clearing a path for the next generation of leaders. But her true legacy, she says, lies outside the office. Desiree wants her pre-teen daughter to see what’s possible when you pursue your goals “with grace, dignity, and determination.”

While careers are important and can be a meaningful part of our lives, no job should take the place of people and relationships. Know your priorities.

Desiree’s journey is more than a career timeline. It’s a reminder that leadership is built in the everyday moments including the risks taken, the mentors who appear at the right time, the projects and people who stretch you beyond your comfort zone, and the opportunities around every bend.