JoLinda (“Jo”) Ruth Cogen lives and breathes Harlem as a devout homeowner, business woman, wife, mother and community activist who has lived, worked, walked and helped the neighborhood for years. Aptly known as the Harlem Specialist in her real estate career, Jo is certainly the natural choice for anyone looking for the right home in what she calls Harlem Heaven.
More than selling homes, Jo sees herself as a “lifestyle navigator” who assists client not only with locating that perfect residence in the right neighborhood; but with discovering the “image” of that new home whether it’s their first rental or next ownership. “My energy and tenacity will not let me rest until my client is matched seamlessly with their ideal property, or until someone’s prized property is sold to satisfaction. My knowledge of the Harlem area, coupled with the vast Elliman tools at my disposal, ensures that each client is presented with the best options, custom suited to meet their needs, wants and desires.”
Jo has always lived passionately on purpose, driven by the principles of excellence in all her endeavors. Prior to joining Prudential Douglas Elliman, she was manager of an architectural firm specializing in commercial interiors, brownstones and green technology for 14 years, where her love of design and eye for seeing the potential of space truly blossomed. Before that, Jo enjoyed an illustrious career as a top corporate sales representative for such Fortune 500 firms as Xerox, AT&T, Wang Labs and Infonet, where she lead the team that became the world’s first to send international ship-to-shore email communications successfully. After 13 years forging tremendous achievements for major companies, she next honed her business acumen helping smaller companies throughout the Northeast and Midwest grow their potential.
Just as key is Jo’s unique ability to inspire the betterment of her community. She is spot on when it comes to connecting the right people together, and her “can-do” attitude always gets things done. As a result of her outstanding work, Jo has received numerous awards and accolades. She serves as President of the New York Office FBI Citizens’ Academy Alumni Association and on the Advisory Boards of Salvation Army Harlem Temple and Harlem Children Zone. She is President Emeritus and a founding member of both the Harlem Toastmasters Club and Manhattan Community Board 10’s CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), and former President of the NYPD 32nd Precinct Community Council in Central Harlem. She is also an active member of Christian Cultural Center, a non-denominational fellowship in Brooklyn, NY.
Believing knowledge is power, and that the best way to serve her real estate clients is to educate them, Jo has continued her education completing requirements for certificates in Green Building, property management and construction management. She is also a certified Image Consultant and Notary Public that provide added benefits in her real estate business.
Originally from Brooklyn, Jo holds a degree in Political Science from Boston College. She resides in a wonderful Harlem townhouse, still a work in progress, with her husband, an architect.