Speakers - Blueprint Vegas

2025 Speakers

Joe Aamidor

Managing Director

Aamidor Consulting

Managing Director, Aamidor Consulting
Keats Ali

CTO

Lincoln Property Company

CTO, Lincoln Property Company
Tripty Arya

CEO & Founder

Travtus

CEO & Founder, Travtus
Eric Augustyn

Managing Partner

August Hill

Managing Partner, August Hill
Sharon Ayalon

CEO & Co-Founder

UrbanMix

CEO & Co-Founder, UrbanMix
Natalia Bakaeva

CEO & Co-Founder

ARKI

CEO & Co-Founder, ARKI
Meg Baldini

VP Corporate Development

Procore

VP Corporate Development, Procore
Alikiah Barclay

CEO & Founder

Reeku

CEO & Founder, Reeku
Mike Barker

Managing Director

Shea & Co.

Managing Director, Shea & Co.
Amy Barricelli

Senior Vice President

RR Living

Senior Vice President, RR Living
Blake Berg

Chief Development Officer

DC Partners

Chief Development Officer, DC Partners
Jeffrey Berman

General Partner

Camber Creek

General Partner, Camber Creek
Dom Beveridge

Founder

20for20

Founder, 20for20
Rich Boyle

General Partner

Canaan Partners

General Partner, Canaan Partners
Gabriella Brignardello

Principal

Fika VC

Principal, Fika VC
Eric Brody

Managing Partner & Founder

ANAX Real Estate Partners

Managing Partner & Founder, ANAX Real Estate Partners
Kenya Burrell-VanWormer

Managing Partner & Founder

Equity Angels

Managing Partner & Founder, Equity Angels
Spencer Burton

CEO & Co-Founder

CRE Agents

CEO & Co-Founder, CRE Agents
Jay Byce

President & Co-Founder

Resibuilt Homes

President & Co-Founder, Resibuilt Homes
Thomas Byrne

Venture Advisor

Crow Holdings

Venture Advisor, Crow Holdings
Jeanne Casey

Global Head Of Proptech & Innovation

Nuveen

Global Head Of Proptech & Innovation, Nuveen
Sam Charney

Principal & Founder

Charney Companies

Principal & Founder, Charney Companies
Kenon Chen

EVP, Strategy & Growth

Clear Capital

EVP, Strategy & Growth, Clear Capital
Hue Chen

President

Saglo Companies

President, Saglo Companies
Wil Chockley

Partner

75 & Sunny Ventures

Partner, 75 & Sunny Ventures
Mollie Claypool

CEO & Founder

AUAR

CEO & Founder, AUAR
Gabriela Constantinescu

Co-Founder

Chambr

Co-Founder, Chambr
Adam Demuyakor

Managing Partner

Wilshire Lane

Managing Partner, Wilshire Lane
Carrie Denning Jackson

Director Of Tech & Innovation

Jamestown

Director Of Tech & Innovation, Jamestown
Mark Domino

Director Of Digital

The Durst Organization

Director Of Digital, The Durst Organization
John Doukas

Managing Partner & Co-Founder

PropellerBD

Managing Partner & Co-Founder, PropellerBD
Dave Eisenberg

Founding Partner

Zigg Capital

Founding Partner, Zigg Capital
Mollie Eisler

Vice President

Neuberger Berman

Vice President, Neuberger Berman
Josh Ernst

CEO & Co-Founder

Backflip

CEO & Co-Founder, Backflip
Sandhya Espitia

Chief Operating Officer

REBNY

Chief Operating Officer, REBNY
Ty Findley

General Partner & Co-Founder

Ironspring Ventures

General Partner & Co-Founder, Ironspring Ventures
Peter Frank

Managing Director

I80 Group

Managing Director, I80 Group
Melanie French

CEO

RR Living

CEO, RR Living
Nate Fuller

Director & Founder

Placer Solutions

Director & Founder, Placer Solutions
Josh Gampp

CTO

UDR

CTO, UDR
Raja Ghawi

Partner

Era Ventures

Partner, Era Ventures
Alon Gorbonos

General Partner & Founder

RE Angels

General Partner & Founder, RE Angels
Laurent Grill

Partner

JLL Spark

Partner, JLL Spark
Brad Hargreaves

Founder

Thesis Driven

Founder, Thesis Driven
Nate Helbach

CEO & Founder

Neutral

CEO & Founder, Neutral
Jamie Hodari

CEO & Co-Founder

Industrious

CEO & Co-Founder, Industrious
Matt Hoffman

Managing Partner

Housing Tech

Managing Partner, Housing Tech
Anne Hollander

Advisor

The Strategic Edge

Advisor, The Strategic Edge
Sandy Jacolow

CTO

Empire State Realty Trust

CTO, Empire State Realty Trust
Ryan Johnson

CEO & Co-Founder

Culdesac

CEO & Co-Founder, Culdesac
Tony Julianelle

CEO

Atlas Real Estate

CEO, Atlas Real Estate
Amber Kahr

COO & Co-Founder

Billions

COO & Co-Founder, Billions
Prabhakar Karri

Founding Partner

Nymbl Ventures

Founding Partner, Nymbl Ventures
Atul Khanzode

CTO

DPR Construction

CTO, DPR Construction
Whitney Kidd

SVP, Innovation & Tech

The Preiss Company

SVP, Innovation & Tech, The Preiss Company
Kevin Kincaid

Group Transformation Director

Grosvenor

Group Transformation Director, Grosvenor
Howard Ko

Partner

Morpheus Ventures

Partner, Morpheus Ventures
Eric Koehler

VP, Innovation & Quality

Titan America

VP, Innovation & Quality, Titan America
Ken Kurz

CIO & VP, Information Technology

Copt Defense

CIO & VP, Information Technology, Copt Defense
Lance Lambert

Editor-in-Chief & Co-Founder

ResiClub

Editor-in-Chief & Co-Founder, ResiClub
Phil Levin

Founder

Live Near Friends

Founder, Live Near Friends
Caroline Liikala

SVP, Corporate Strategy & Innovation

Caruso

SVP, Corporate Strategy & Innovation, Caruso
Jenna Louie

Chief Innovation & Strategy Officer

Ivory Innovations

Chief Innovation & Strategy Officer, Ivory Innovations
Dennis Marnick

Head Of Real Estate

1-800-FLOWERS

Head Of Real Estate, 1-800-FLOWERS
Joseph Martino

VP, Technology

Primaris REIT

VP, Technology, Primaris REIT
Richard Matricaria

EVP & COO, Western Division

Marcus & Millichap

EVP & COO, Western Division, Marcus & Millichap
Nikki Merkerson

CEO & Founder

PairGap

CEO & Founder, PairGap
Robin Meserow

Global Innovation

PGIM RE

Global Innovation, PGIM RE
Cem Mimaroglu

Founding General Partner

ComposeVC

Founding General Partner, ComposeVC
Pei Pei Mirabella

Senior Vice President

Bozzuto

Senior Vice President, Bozzuto
Frank Monterisi

Executive Vice President

Related Companies

Executive Vice President, Related Companies
Julieta Moradei

Managing Partner & Founder

Overlay Capital Build

Managing Partner & Founder, Overlay Capital Build
Shashwat Murarka

CEO & Co-Founder

Doorstep

CEO & Co-Founder, Doorstep
Terrence Nickelson

CEO & Founder

Goby Homes

CEO & Founder, Goby Homes
Carlos Olea

CFO

Howard Hughes Holdings

CFO, Howard Hughes Holdings
Amanda Orson

CEO & Founder

Galleon

CEO & Founder, Galleon
Clelia Peters

Partner & Founder

Era Ventures

Partner & Founder, Era Ventures
Luis Poggi

CEO & Co-Founder

HouseWhisper.ai

CEO & Co-Founder, HouseWhisper.ai
Amy Polvado

CEO & Founder

Facilimax

CEO & Founder, Facilimax
Jeremy Poteet

EVP, Technology

JBG Smith

EVP, Technology, JBG Smith
Margaret Potter

Principal Advisor & Founder

Portfolio Pro Advisors

Principal Advisor & Founder, Portfolio Pro Advisors
Amr Rafaat

Chief Innovation Officer

Windover

Chief Innovation Officer, Windover
Sunil Rajaraman

CEO & Founder

Hamlet

CEO & Founder, Hamlet
Sudha Reddy

Managing Principal & Founder

Haven Realty Capital

Managing Principal & Founder, Haven Realty Capital
Scott Rednor

Managing Partner

Red Bear Capital

Managing Partner, Red Bear Capital
Kyle Reiling

Executive Director

Greenview Industrial Gateway

Executive Director, Greenview Industrial Gateway
Tom Rockford

Director

Barclays

Director, Barclays
Andrea Rodriguez Valdez

Founder

Proptech Latam

Founder, Proptech Latam
Casey Roloff

CEO & Town Founder

Seabrook, WA

CEO & Town Founder, Seabrook, WA
Nick Romito

CEO & Founder

VTS

CEO & Founder, VTS
Richard Ross

CEO

Quinn Residences

CEO, Quinn Residences
Kanishk Roy

VP, Transactions & Residential

Hyatt Hotels

VP, Transactions & Residential, Hyatt Hotels
Libby Schaaf

Treasurer Candidate, 2026

California

Treasurer Candidate, 2026, California
Mike Scott

Managing Partner & Co-Founder

Derive Ventures

Managing Partner & Co-Founder, Derive Ventures
James Scott

Director

MIT's Real Estate Tech Initiaitive

Director, MIT's Real Estate Tech Initiaitive
Frank Scott, Jr.

Mayor

Little Rock, AR

Mayor, Little Rock, AR
Luciane Serifovic

CEO & Founder

Convierge

CEO & Founder, Convierge
Stefan Shircel

Head Of Client Engagement

August Hill

Head Of Client Engagement, August Hill
Neda Sohrabi

Corporate Partnerships Manager

Plug & Play

Corporate Partnerships Manager, Plug & Play
Krishna Srinivasan

Founding Partner

LiveOak Ventures

Founding Partner, LiveOak Ventures
Parker Stanberry

Founding Partner

S19 Capital

Founding Partner, S19 Capital
Naqash Tahir

Executive Director

PGIM RE

Executive Director, PGIM RE
Jen Tindle

Director Of Strategic Insights

Grace Hill

Director Of Strategic Insights, Grace Hill
David Weiden

Founding Partner & Managing Director

Khosla Ventures

Founding Partner & Managing Director, Khosla Ventures
Steve Weikal

Industry Chair, Real Estate Transformation Lab

MIT Center For Real Estate

Industry Chair, Real Estate Transformation Lab, MIT Center For Real Estate
James Whalen

SVP & CTO

BXP

SVP & CTO, BXP
Kat Winston

Managing Partner & Co-Founder

Equity Angels

Managing Partner & Co-Founder, Equity Angels
Alex Wolkomir

Partner

McKinsey & Company

Partner, McKinsey & Company
Nykia Wright

CEO

National Association Of Realtors

CEO, National Association Of Realtors
Ashkan Zandieh

Managing Director

CRETI

Managing Director, CRETI
Wan Li Zhu

Managing Director & Co-Founder

Suffolk Technologies

Managing Director & Co-Founder, Suffolk Technologies

Joe Aamidor

Managing Director

Aamidor Consulting

Joseph Aamidor is an experienced product leader and expert in smart buildings, real estate technology and facility operations. He provides product and market strategy guidance to building owners/operators, established building management firms, technology providers, investors, and early-stage innovators. Previously, he served as Director of Product at Lucid Design Group and was a product manager at Johnson Controls. He is an internationally recognized speaker and a frequent contributor to leading industry publications such as Propmodo, Greentech Media, Built Worlds and CRE Tech. Joseph Aamidor graduated from Indiana University’s top-ranked School of Public and Environment Affairs.

Keats Ali

CTO

Lincoln Property Company

Keats Ali is a seasoned technology expert with over 20 years of experience across various industries. As the Chief Technology Officer at Lincoln Property Company, Keats will oversee all aspects of information technology (IT), including infrastructure, security, enterprise applications, data architecture, and property technology. With his extensive knowledge and skills in developing and scaling technology solutions, he plays a crucial role in driving digital transformation and enhancing the client experience at Lincoln. In his previous role as Vice President at Hines, Keats was responsible for leading the emerging technologies program and improving the digital client experience. He successfully integrated existing and emerging technologies to digitally transform the company’s commercial real estate and investment management sectors. Keats also worked closely with external venture funds to identify and invest in technology firms tackling important issues such as climate change and aging infrastructure. Prior to joining Hines, Keats spent nearly a decade at Chevron Corporation where he led the company’s large-scale digital finance transformation using advanced technologies like AI, ML, and Data Analytics. He also made significant contributions to digital HR, IT infrastructure, and operations transformation at Chevron. Keats’ career also includes influential positions at BMC Software and HSBC Holdings where he streamlined operations through digital transformations.

Tripty Arya

CEO & Founder

Travtus

Tripty Arya is the Founder & CEO of Travtus, an everyday AI platform that helps real estate operators automate workflows, improve efficiency, and make smarter decisions. An entrepreneur since the age of 24, Tripty has built expertise in real estate investment, development, and technology across multiple countries. As a trained architect, she applies design thinking to problem-solving, ensuring innovation is both practical and impactful. She believes in small, high-impact teams and values clarity over corporate complexity. Outside of work, she enjoys writing, continuous learning, and being a mom, always looking for new ways to blend creativity with strategy.

Sharon Ayalon

CEO & Co-Founder

UrbanMix

Architect Ph.D. Sharon Ayalon is the co-founder and CEO of UrbanMix, where she spearheads the development of digital twin software, driving the real estate industry into the smart city era. With a focus on urban research, Sharon specializes in affordable housing and social impact, continuously striving to innovate new urban tech solutions. During her tenure as a postdoctoral associate at Cornell Tech, she conducted groundbreaking research on city-scale digital twins and introduced a unique eXtended Reality (XR) experience for city management. Sharon earned her Ph.D. from the Technion, Israel, and currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at GSAPP, Columbia University, where she continues to make significant contributions to the field of urban and real estate innovation.

Natalia Bakaeva

CEO & Co-Founder

ARKI

Natalia Bakaeva is a registered architect OAA, International Associate AIA, artist, and placemaker passionate about creating physical forms that reflect diverse cultural influences. She has worked on residential, commercial, healthcare, educational, and public space art projects. Born and raised in the Far East of Russia, her global journey includes Japan, Spain, Moscow, London, and Toronto, where she resides. Natalia's dedication to the sustainability of architectural practice and diverse background led her to co-found ARKI with Mehdi Karamnejad, focusing on incorporating AI agents to eliminate tedious work in design workflows. ARKI is an AI-powered system of record that utilizes internal data to accelerate future construction projects. Her approach empowers architects to focus on creativity and efficiency, enhancing economic and sustainability outcomes in the built environment.

Meg Baldini

VP Corporate Development

Procore

Meg Baldini is the VP of Corporate Development for Procore Technologies, where she is responsible for managing strategic investments, M&A, and integrations. Meg joined Procore from Human Ventures Partners, a startup studio in NYC, and Dataminr, where she focused on corporate strategy and finance. Prior to working in tech, she worked in consulting at Cornerstone Research.

Alikiah Barclay

CEO & Founder

Reeku

Alikiah Barclay is transforming the short-term rentals (STR) landscape with Reeku. Recognizing the untapped potential within underutilized apartment spaces while constantly traveling as a consultant for Accenture and The Boston Consulting Group, Barclay developed Reeku to create a mutually beneficial ecosystem for both property owners and residents. Reeku empowers renters to effortlessly recoup rent by monetizing nights they are away, transforming an often-wasted lease into a valuable asset. And by partnering directly with institutional landlords, Reeku ensures seamless integration, building compliance, and comprehensive management—making it a worry-free solution for everyone involved.

Mike Barker

Managing Director

Shea & Co.

Michael S. Barker is a Managing Director at Shea & Company which he joined in 2012 when he opened up the San Francisco Office. He has worked in B2B Enterprise Software Mergers and Acquisitions and Private Capital Fundraising for 31 years across Firms including Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank, Credit Suisse First Boston, Revolution Partners, Morgan Keegan and Raymond James. Mr. Barker leads Shea & Company’s PropTech Team and has led Transactions for Angus Systems, Beck Technology, CallMax, Cartegraph, Cloudpermit, CML, Cougar, Dude Solutions, EagleView, Inhabit, ListReports, Lucity, MBS Highway, MRI, Penta, Qube Global, ResidentCheck, STRUXI, Tango Analytics, Thesaurus and Visual Lease.

Amy Barricelli

Senior Vice President

RR Living

Amy Barricelli oversees national branding, marketing, and sales efforts for RR Living, leading Strategic Acceleration, Marketing, and Business Generation. With 25+ years in real estate, hospitality, and branding, she specializes in revenue growth, operational efficiency, and enhancing the resident experience. Based in Florida with weekly national travel, Amy has led 40+ successful lease-ups, guiding BTR and multifamily communities to stabilize at or ahead of proforma. She partners closely with investment & development teams, as well as operations, to maximize asset value from pre-construction through disposition. A frequent speaker and panelist, Amy emphasizes experience-driven strategies to boost retention and performance. She is a certified Sandler Sales Trainer, a member of the Multifamily Innovation® Council and Chief®, and holds degrees from Saint Joseph’s and Villanova, with post-grad studies at Oxford.

Blake Berg

Chief Development Officer

DC Partners

As the Chief Development Officer at DC Partners, Blake Berg is a seasoned professional with an extensive background in the real estate and construction industry. With a proven track record, he serves as a dynamic leader overseeing all facets of development, design, and construction within the organization. Before joining DC Partners, Blake co-founded DB Partners, a highly successful commercial real estate development and construction management firm boasting a national portfolio of commercial development projects. His experience at DB Partners showcases his strategic prowess and ability to navigate complex projects within the industry. Prior to his entrepreneurial venture at DB Partners, Blake held the position of Director of Construction at WeWork in New York City. This role allowed him to contribute to the dynamic and fast-paced environment of a prominent company in the real estate sector. Earlier in his career, Blake refined his skills in construction management during his tenure at Turner Construction.

Jeffrey Berman

General Partner

Camber Creek

Jeffrey Berman has more than two decades of experience and deeply rooted relationships in the start-up, real estate and venture capital ecosystems. Jeffrey is a General Partner at the world’s first proptech venture capital firm, Camber Creek, where he sources deal flow, leads due diligence, makes investment decisions and serves on the boards of numerous portfolio companies. Prior to Camber Creek, Jeffrey was a Principal at one of the Washington DC area’s largest privately held real estate development and management firms where he was involved with a number of large - scale repositioning projects such as University Town Center & Downtown at the Gardens. Jeffrey is also an active early stage investor backing more than a dozen startups including Side, Flex, Oxygen, Jackpocket, Kindbody and Rappi. He is a graduate of the Stern School of Business at New York University.

Dom Beveridge

Founder

20for20

Dom Beveridge is a multifamily industry consultant, writer and publisher specializing in technology and its impact on operations. He is a regular industry conference speaker, blogger, podcaster and a frequent contributor to trade publications. In 2018, Dom created 20for20 – the multifamily industry’s leading survey of operations and technology, in its seventh annual edition in 2025. 20for20 now serves a growing client base of rental housing technology suppliers. Prior to founding 20for20, Dom held leadership roles in consulting, technology and B2B technology marketing for more than 25 years, spending the last 12 years in multifamily.

Rich Boyle

General Partner

Canaan Partners

Rich is a longtime startup operator turned venture capitalist who invests in real estate tech, artificial intelligence and robotics. He has invested in companies such as Roofstock, Apartmentlist, VTS, Dusty Robotics, Tomorrow.io, Archipelago, Lev and Withco. Rich was the President, Chairman and CEO of LoopNet, the leading online marketplace for the Commercial Real Estate industry. He led LoopNet through a successful IPO in 2006 and an eventual $900 million sale to CoStar Group. Earlier, Rich was SVP of Products & Technology at Risk Management Solutions and, immediately prior to joining Canaan, an Operating Partner with Khosla Ventures. He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University.

Gabriella Brignardello

Principal

Fika VC

Gabriella Brignardello is a Principal at Fika Ventures, an early-stage fund based in Los Angeles that invests across B2B software, fintech, marketplaces, and digital health. Her primary focus areas include fintech, proptech, construction tech, and vertical SaaS. Gabriella began her career as a consultant at Parthenon in the industrials private equity practice before transitioning to a venture role at WndrCo, a consumer tech multi-stage fund. Outside of Fika, Gabriella is very involved in fundraising and operational initiatives for Mi Casa de Angeles, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit she founded in 2009 that is dedicated to improving the quality of education in underserved areas of Peru, her father’s home country. Gabriella holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Symbolic Systems with a focus on Human-Computer Interaction from Stanford University.

Eric Brody

Managing Partner & Founder

ANAX Real Estate Partners

Eric Brody is an accomplished developer and investor in New York City with nearly two decades of experience in the mid-market multifamily sector. The son of an architect, Eric has developed approximately 800 units across NYC, totaling nearly $1 billion worth of real estate. Understanding developers’ limited access to capital given the shifting real estate market, Eric founded ANAX Real Estate Partners, a real estate capital advisory firm. At ANAX, Eric leverages his deep understanding of the costs associated with commercial real estate projects to structure creative solutions across the capital stack. In addition, Eric also founded ANAX Ventures, an early-stage PropTech investment fund. Born from an unwavering belief in the transformative power of technology within the construction and development industries, ANAX Ventures identifies, tests, and invests in solutions that redefine urban landscapes. Complementing his experience, Eric is the host of the Real Tech Talk podcast where he interviews leading technologists, CEOs, and creators in the PropTech space about how their technology can affect change within the industry.

Kenya Burrell-VanWormer

Managing Partner & Founder

Equity Angels

With over two decades of experience, Kenya Burrell-VanWormer is an accomplished and insightful leader in the real estate industry. Her varied career path has equipped her with broad expertise across mortgage lending, people management, real estate, industry association engagement, and executive operations. In her pioneering role as Chief Growth Officer at PropTech startup New Estate Only (NEO), Kenya leverages her extensive knowledge to drive innovation. She has built a reputation as a collaborative, people-centric leader focused on empowering teams and organizations. She serves as Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Equity Angels, a social impact organization dedicated to fostering fair access to innovation and opportunity with the aim of advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the technology startup ecosystem. At Equity Angels, she’s focused on growth strategy and industry relations, to drive positive change, supporting the underrepresented and underestimated - connecting opportunities and resources to the community. In 2018, she assumed the role of Chair of the Board for the Houston Association of Realtors, the second-largest real estate association in the United States.

Spencer Burton

CEO & Co-Founder

CRE Agents

Spencer Burton is the Co-Founder and CEO of CRE Agents, a Vertical AI Agentic Platform transforming how work gets done in commercial real estate. A recognized expert in AI-driven underwriting, he previously served as President of an institutionally backed real estate private equity firm, where he helped pioneer AI-enabled digital coworkers that underwrite over 10,000 investments per year. With 20+ years of experience as a fiduciary, principal, and founder, his mission is to free CRE professionals from repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on high-impact work.

Jay Byce

President & Co-Founder

Resibuilt Homes

Mr. Byce is co-founder of ResiBuilt Homes, an Atlanta based homebuilder which internally develops, builds and manages single family residential communities for rent and for sale. ResiBuilt is a large-scale real estate owner/fund manager and one of the largest homebuilders in the southeast, developing and building more than 1,400 homes per year as a general contractor. ResiBuilt is active in Atlanta, Orlando, Tampa, Charlotte and Greenville. In addition to its own portfolio, ResiBuilt offers fee building services for other investors wanting to participate in the Build to Rent space, using its product and expertise to maximize rents and returns for their investments. His previous experience includes serving as Senior Vice President of Investments handling national strategic planning and execution for the start-up and growth phases of three single family REITs including Colony American Homes (NYE: SFR), American Residential Properties (NYSE: ARPI; AMH) and Altisource Solutions (NASDAQ: ASPS), which now have a combined value of over $7B in single family real estate assets across the country. In addition to aggressively growing each company, Mr. Byce pioneered some of the first institutional build-to-rent homes and successfully launched investments including a fix-and-flip housing fund, a hard money lending fund and managed over $1.5B in commercial distressed debt portfolios. Prior to joining these companies, Mr. Byce owned an Atlanta based firm specializing in the entitlement, development and construction of large residential subdivisions. He also has experience as one of Atlanta’s highest volume construction lenders focusing on A&D and residential construction loans to large and mid-sized residential builders. Mr. Byce has been an active real estate broker in Georgia since 2001 and graduated with a B.A. in International Business Finance from the University of Georgia.

Thomas Byrne

Venture Advisor

Crow Holdings

Thomas Byrne is an active real estate investor and technology evangelist, thought leading, investor and business leader within the PropTech sector for 20+ years. Byrne is currently a Venture Advisor for Crow Holdings and an Executive Director for Dealpath, the leading deal management SAAS platform. Most recently, Byrne was General Manager of Marketplaces and Market solutions at VTS. Byrne joined VTS thru its acquisition of Property Capsule, where Byrne was the CEO. Prior to those positions, Byrne served as President and Chief Operating Officer of LoopNet for 10 years, one of the fastest-growing and the most profitable companies on the Nasdaq, before its strategic acquisition by CoStar Group in 2012 for $900M. Byrne helped steward the company thru numerous key milestones including revenue growth of 25x over 10 years, early profitability, achieving EBITDA margins of 50%, successful IPO, acquiring and successfully integrating 8 acquisitions, raising $50 million PIPE investment, and the eventual sale to Costar.

Jeanne Casey

Global Head Of Proptech & Innovation

Nuveen

Jeanne Casey is the Global Head of Proptech and Innovation at Nuveen, leading investments and insights in Proptech for the firm. Previously, Jeanne was a Principal at MetaProp, a New York-based venture capital firm. Prior to joining MetaProp, Jeanne was a founding team member and Vice President at Digital Alpha where she worked on the launch, fundraising, and deployment of a $300 million growth equity fund focused on digital infrastructure. She has previous experience with Cisco and Morgan Stanley, and holds a MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA with honors from Johns Hopkins University. Jeanne Casey leads investments and insights in Proptech for Nuveen Real Estate. Jeanne has a background in venture capital, private equity and technology, with prior roles at MetaProp, Cisco and Morgan Stanley. She is a graduate of Harvard Business School and Johns Hopkins University.

Sam Charney

Principal & Founder

Charney Companies

Sam Charney is a real estate professional whose project planning, design skills, construction management, and development experience make him one of New York City’s most respected and dynamic young developers. From 2004 to 2012 he developed over 1 million square feet of commercial office space and residential apartments for Two Trees Management Co. LLC serving in the role of lead project executive and co-head of acquisitions. Additionally, he was a co-founder of Two Trees’ construction company GreenStar Builders LLC and self-performed all of their Brooklyn-based projects from acquisition through lease-up. Sam is currently developing over two million mixed-use square feet in Long Island City, Williamsburg, and Gowanus for his own company Charney Companies. He has been featured and interviewed by several of the industry’s leading publications and is a guest lecturer at the Schack Institute of Real Estate at New York University. Sam sits on the boards of both The Brooklyn Public Library and Pursuit, a 501C3 based in Long Island City focused on adult education and job training. In 2006, he won Brooklyn Building Awards for his work on the West Elm Corporate Offices and Waterfront Media Headquarters at 45 Main Street and took home an additional award for his national historic registry gut renovation of 164 Atlantic Avenue in 2008. In 2012 Sam was awarded the prestigious NYU Bart Lawson Award for Humanitarianism for his work with blind athletes and in 2017 his first solo Development “The Jackson” at 11-51 47th Avenue won the Queen’s Chamber of Commerce Award for Best New Multifamily Building.

Kenon Chen

EVP, Strategy & Growth

Clear Capital

With 25+ years of product development and technology experience under his belt, Kenon Chen is an industry-recognized leader in real estate and fintech. As EVP of Strategy and Growth, having joined Clear Capital in 2003, Kenon sits at the intersection of Clear Capital’s executive, product, marketing, and sales teams. He’s been instrumental to the company’s product strategy and vision, having developed and brought to market some of the company’s most forward-looking solutions. At the end of the day, his goal is simple: make real estate better for homeowners, homebuyers, and industry professionals alike.

Hue Chen

President

Saglo Companies

Hue Chen leads Saglo Companies which owns and operates shopping centers across the Southeast United States. Founded in 1976 and based in Miami, FL, we have experienced 30% average annual growth between 2013 and 2023. We are privately-owned and well capitalized, allowing for continued growth for many years to come.

Wil Chockley

Partner

75 & Sunny Ventures

Wil is a Partner at 75 & Sunny Ventures, where he has led investments into companies including Permitflow, Crexi, and HostGPO. Before joining 75 & Sunny, Wil was an early stage investor at Bain Capital Ventures. Wil spent the first four years of his career in the technology practice at Bain & Company. He also worked at Thumbtack, a marketplace connecting customers with home service professionals, where he managed 400+ of the 1,000 categories on the Thumbtack platform. Wil graduated cum laude from Dartmouth College.

Mollie Claypool

CEO & Founder

AUAR

Mollie Claypool is CEO and Co-Founder of AUAR, an early stage UK-based construction tech startup transforming housing through automation and robotics, working in Europe and the US. With a background in architecture and a focus on equitable, scalable housing, Mollie is a thought leader at the intersection of technology, design, and social impact.

Gabriela Constantinescu

Co-Founder

Chambr

Chambr Co-Founders Gabriela Constantinescu and Alex Poe met as students in the Alternative University, a student-created university that had self-directed learning at its core. That experience profoundly impacted how they thought about learning and was the catalyst for their first startup, Playlearn. With Playlearn, they gamified corporate training for companies like KPMG and T-Mobile. After several years of running Playlearn the team realized that sales reps were burning through millions of dollars’ worth lost prospects as they were learning on the job. With that insight, they set out to build Chambr. Now, brokerage firms and teams can leverage their proven technology to accelerate their growth by up to 12% with their AI-powered sales training system.

Carrie Denning Jackson

Director Of Tech & Innovation

Jamestown

Carrie Denning Jackson is Director of Tech & Innovation at Jamestown. She is responsible for pilots and rollouts across the global portfolio, internal digital transformation, data and analytics, and climate tech efforts. Prior to joining Jamestown, Ms. Denning Jackson was a Director on the Development team at Sidewalk Labs, Google’s urban innovation company. She is a board member of Governors Island Foundation, the New York Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, PlanA Health, trubel&co, and an advisor to Georgia Tech’s Master of Science in Urban Analytics. Ms. Denning Jackson has a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Master of Business Administration from Stanford University.

Mark Domino

Director Of Digital

The Durst Organization

Mark Domino is a digital innovator with experience in cutting-edge projects at the intersection of tech and real estate. He is the founder of Spireworks, an app-based platform illuminating iconic buildings in New York City for philanthropic causes, brands, and civic engagement including One World Trade Center, One Bryant Park, One Five One West 42nd Street, and Sven in Long Island City, Queens. Currently the Director of Digital at The Durst Organization, Mark advises on strategic innovation and investment strategies. His teaching background at institutions including Rhode Island School of Design and Brown University complements his understanding of complex systems within constantly changing environments.

John Doukas

Managing Partner & Co-Founder

PropellerBD

John has over 20 years of experience across banking, capital markets, fundraising and technology. He is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of PropellerBD, a firm that works with commercial real estate and real estate tech organizations - whether emerging startups or established players - to accelerate growth, drive business development, refine product-market fit, and support effective go-to-market strategies. Previously John founded Navigate Capital, a firm that works with startups and founders on growth strategy and fundraising. Before that John was a Managing Director of LEX Markets, the Commercial Real Estate Securities Marketplace, and a founding member of Cornerstone Analytics, an energy strategy research firm. John began his career at JPMorgan and graduated from NYU. John lives in Brooklyn with his wife and 2 children.

Dave Eisenberg

Founding Partner

Zigg Capital

David Eisenberg is the Founder and Managing Director of Zigg Capital, a venture capital fund focused on the real estate, construction and retail industries. Representative early stage investments include Procore (NYSE: PCOR), Juniper Square, VTS, Matterport (NASDAQ: MTTR) and Snapdocs. Prior to founding Zigg, he served as the Global SVP of Technology of CBRE. He joined CBRE as a result of its acquisition of Floored, a commercial real estate software company founded by Mr. Eisenberg and led by him as its Chief Executive Officer from 2012-2017. Earlier in Mr. Eisenberg's career, he was a founding team member of two other retail technology businesses, TellApart (later acquired by Twitter) and Bonobos (later acquired by Walmart). Mr. Eisenberg started his career at Bain & Company and graduated from Harvard.

Mollie Eisler

Vice President

Neuberger Berman

Mollie is the Vice President of Technology and Innovation at Almanac Realty Investors, the private real estate investment platform at Neuberger Berman. She spearheads efforts within the Almanac portfolio to adopt and implement new technologies, improve internal processes, and drive innovation. Mollie also leads the firm’s portfolio-wide data initiative, chairs the AlmanacAI Committee, and hosts the biennial Almanac Real Estate Technology Summit. She has been involved in the PropTech scene since 2017, and prior to joining Almanac in 2022, Mollie was the Vice President of Ventures at WAM Equity Partners where she made investments in early stage PropTech companies. Before that, she worked as an internal consultant and strategist at IBM. Mollie graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and a minor in Marketing.

Josh Ernst

CEO & Co-Founder

Backflip

Josh Ernst is the CEO and co-founder of Backflip, a real estate financial technology company that supports entrepreneurs to acquire and renovate single family homes, thereby reinvigorating the housing supply and their local communities. The start-up, which has funded over 900 homes to date, offers purpose-built technology and capital products to source, analyze, and finance residential real estate investments. Prior to Backflip, Josh served as the Chief Operating Officer at DeShong Companies (dba "Trelly") and Myers the HomeBuyers. Before that, he was a Principal VC Investor at Revel Partners in New York, as well as the CEO and Founder of New York-based urBin Storage where he successfully completed the company's acquisition by Dumbo Storage & Moving. Josh lives in Dallas and is a graduate of the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin.

Sandhya Espitia

Chief Operating Officer

REBNY

Sandhya leads REBNY’s organization-wide strategy and operations for programs, products and services. She works across departments to help ensure that REBNY is delivering the best possible results for its members across New York City. Prior to REBNY, Sandhya was Global Vice President at ICSC where she managed learning and innovation initiatives in retail real estate. She also previously worked at Harvard University as Senior Program Officer for the Americas.

Ty Findley

General Partner & Co-Founder

Ironspring Ventures

With engineering roots, Ty has spent his entire personal and professional life around industrial innovation. From growing up under two generations of manufacturers to operating and investing across Boeing, GE Ventures, G51 Capital, and Pritzker Group Venture Capital, he brings over a decade of digital industrial investment experience to Ironspring Ventures.

Peter Frank

Managing Director

i80 Group

Peter is a Managing Director on the investments team at i80 Group, an investment firm designed to propel the innovation economy forward by empowering growth through bespoke credit solutions. Prior to i80 Group, Peter worked as an investor with a focus on the fintech and proptech sectors with Partners Group, CKC Partners and MicroVest Capital Management. Peter holds an MIB from The Fletcher School.

Nate Fuller

Director & Founder

Placer Solutions

Nate Fuller is a passionate and accomplished construction technology leader with a diverse background in corporate innovation, construction technology, and entrepreneurship. He contributed to engineering design and project management for global construction projects before helping to create Bechtel's Office of Innovation in 2016. He then ventured into entrepreneurship and later founded Placer Solutions, a management consultancy firm in 2020. Nate’s proven track record defining strategy and directing change management in construction has led to successful consulting engagements with North America’s largest construction contractors.

Josh Gampp

CTO

UDR

Josh Gampp is a seasoned technology executive and is currently the Chief Technology Officer at UDR, Inc., a leading real estate investment trust specializing in multifamily housing. In his role at UDR, Josh is responsible for overseeing the company's Centralized, Marketing, and IT operations. In addition, he helps lead innovation efforts for the company and has been key in expanding UDR’s reputation as an innovation leader during his tenure. He brings a wealth of expertise to the position, having worked in various technology focused roles for over 20 years.

Raja Ghawi

Partner

Era Ventures

Raja Ghawi is a Partner at Era Ventures, a new Proptech-focused venture capital firm that invests in ideas that leverage technology and innovation to reimagine the built environment. Born and raised in Homs, Syria, he is a graduate of Harvard University where he studied bioengineering. Raja started his career as a Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company and also spent time with QuantumBlack, McKinsey’s AI/ML arm. Most recently, he was the Investment Director at Suffolk Technologies, the corporate venture arm of Suffolk Construction, where he invested in Contech and Proptech startups and helped them scale through the firm’s network and resources.

Alon Gorbonos

General Partner & Founder

RE Angels

Alon is the Founder and General Manager of RE Angels, a real estate technology angel fund solely composed of real estate experts with deep and diverse industry expertise focused on early stage startups. In addition, Alon owns and manages several multifamily portfolios throughout the southeast (FL, NC & VA). Alon was the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of DTI Holdings, a vertically-integrated private equity real estate fund, which was established in early 2017. DTI Holdings acquired and managed both residential multifamily (Class B & C) and commercial properties. Previously, as a Senior Investment Manager at MIO Partners, McKinsey & Company’s Investment Office, Alon established a new multi-year private equity investment fund of approximately $200 million p.a., building a diverse investments portfolio with consistent strong returns.

Laurent Grill

Partner

JLL Spark

Laurent is an entrepreneur turned venture capitalist. He works with start-up founders to successfully build scalable teams, strong company cultures, and disruptive products. He has founded, expanded, and managed multiple start-ups prior to his venture career. Previous to JLL Spark, he led Luma Launch’s early-stage venture fund, investing in over 30 companies across a variety of sectors in the software space. As a Partner at JLL Spark he hopes to drive the technology revolution forward in the real estate space. He is looking to identify and back the companies leading the way during this shift.

Brad Hargreaves

Founder

Thesis Driven

Brad is the editor of Thesis Driven, a publication covering innovation in the built world. Over the past decade he has co-founded General Assembly, a pioneer in education and career transformation specializing in today's most on-demand skills, as well as Common, a multifamily operating company focused on innovative housing typologies like coliving. In addition, Brad sits on the boards of Playcrafting and StageGlass and is an advisor to a number of companies including Breef, Stacklist, and Arrange.

Nate Helbach

CEO & Founder

Neutral

Nate Helbach is Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer at Neutral, leading financing, product development, and construction of the company's low, mid, and high rise developments. While studying Finance and Sustainability at Harvard Extension School, Nate developed a thesis to redefine conventional development strategies and mitigate the harmful effects of the built environment in our ecosystem. Nate founded The Neutral Project based on this thesis in 2020 and continuously seeks to evolve and innovate new sustainable development methods to rejuvenate our built environment. Nate’s experience working for a Midwest developer with over 2,000 units under management and an average of 400 units under development per year allows him to apply his expertise in financial modeling, capital raising, investor relations, deal structuring, Midwest market analysis, insurance management, development project management, and innovative building design to The Neutral Project’s continued success.

Jamie Hodari

CEO & Co-Founder

Industrious

Jamie Hodari is the CEO and Co-Founder of Industrious, a premium coworking platform redefining standards of hospitality and community in the workplace. Prior to Industrious, Mr. Hodari was Co-Founder of Kepler and served as its Chief Executive Officer, a rapidly growing experimental university that Scientific American called a “daring global experiment” to “top-tier instruction to the neediest parts of the planet.” He previously ran the education non-profit Generation Rwanda, analyzed investments at the hedge fund Birch Run Capital, and was a project finance lawyer at the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell. He started his career as a journalist at the Times of India.

Matt Hoffman

Managing Partner

Housing Tech

Matt Hoffman has spent his career applying his strategy, business development, and innovation skills to solving problems that create growth and opportunity in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Matt founded HousingTech in 2017 to help accelerate innovation in the housing market in order to increase supply, affordability, availability, and attainability. He advises early-stage companies with innovative, tech-enabled solutions, as well as other housing market players such as developers, portfolio owners, capital providers, policy makers, and trade associations.

Anne Hollander

Advisor

The Strategic Edge

Anne is a strategic advisor for real estate organizations with over twenty years of experience leading strategy and technology development across real estate, technology, and financial services companies. Prior to The Strategic Edge, Anne founded, developed, and sold two technology companies, steered strategic planning and development for an $18 billion affordable housing & commercial real estate portfolio, and established impactful partnerships with Fortune 100 companies and real estate industry associations.

Sandy Jacolow

CTO

Empire State Realty Trust

Sandy Jacolow is the Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer at Empire State Realty Trust. He oversees technology innovation in support of Property Management, Leasing, Development, the Empire State Building Observatory, ESG, and PropTech activities. He will work closely with the Information Technology and Compliance teams to monitor and mitigate risk associated with today’s cyber threats.

Ryan Johnson

CEO & Co-Founder

Culdesac

Ryan was on the founding team of Opendoor. Ryan has worked with Bain Capital, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and with the government in Chile on its urban planning initiatives. Ryan has been a real estate investor and operator for 18 years.

Tony Julianelle

CEO

Atlas Real Estate

Tony has over 25 years of executive leadership experience in the finance and real estate industry. Before joining Atlas Real Estate, he was a senior leader at a top-four bank, overseeing cross-functional teams in the US and overseas. He leads the overall strategy and direction of Atlas Real Estate while maintaining a relentless commitment to the firm’s values and culture. In 2024, under Tony’s leadership, Atlas Real Estate was named Best of Colorado Property Management for the seventh consecutive year by ColoradoBiz Magazine. In addition, Tony was awarded Most Admired CEO by the Denver Business Journal and he is a finalist for CEO of the Year in the 3rd Annual SFR Industry Awards.

Amber Kahr

COO & Co-Founder

Billions

Amber Kahr is a seasoned enterprise technology leader who co-founded BILLIONS with veteran real estate broker Andrew Becker. Overwhelmed by the proliferation of lead generation, transaction, and CRM solutions, they teamed up to build a simplified real estate operating system focused on streamlining revenue for high-performing teams and maximizing productivity and margin. Amber Milks began her career in the nonprofit and government sectors before venturing into the real estate industry with Keller Williams. She then made a strategic move to enterprise technology, where she managed Customer Success operations and built Salesforce applications and partnerships for Veeva. Building on her expertise, Amber took on operational and go-to-market strategy roles at leading software companies such as Okta and DocuSign.   She has also served as a Board Member for both Girls on the Run and Oasis for Girls, which supports teenage girls from under-resourced communities and helps them cultivate skills to build stronger futures.

Prabhakar Karri

Founding Partner

Nymbl Ventures

With nearly two decades of experience in venture capital, startups, and investment banking, Prabhakar "KP" Karri is a seasoned professional with a rich background in the built world, technology, and healthcare sectors. KP's entrepreneurial journey includes founding and leading a fitness analytics startup as CEO, serving as CFO for an industrial manufacturing software company, and working as an R&D engineer at a Fortune 100 company where he broke the world record in data storage density. Before founding Nymbl Ventures, he founded and led Andersen Ventures, the corporate venturing arm of Andersen Corporation. His investment banking experience at Lazard further honed his expertise, contributing to an impressive investment record with multiple companies achieving exits over one billion dollars. KP has extensive board experience, including tech startups, financial institutions, and non-profits.

Whitney Kidd

SVP, Innovation & Tech

The Preiss Company

Whitney Kidd, Senior Vice President of Innovation and Technology at The Preiss Company, curates revenue-generating technology strategies for real estate owners and operators. With a proven track record, she blends innovative technology with operational excellence to optimize asset performance. Whitney co-founded ROVR Score, a connectivity scoring platform, expanding it to 50,000 student beds and 16,000 multifamily units in its first year. Previously at RealPage, she drove 30% YOY growth, amassing $20 million in recurring revenue. She has 15+ years of real estate technology experience and is a founding member of the W. Collective, a leadership network for the student housing industry.

Howard Ko

Partner

Morpheus Ventures

Howard is a Partner with Morpheus Ventures, a venture capital firm based in Los Angeles that focuses on early stage technology investments. He currently serves as a Board Director of Ingenious.Build, RIZE, and Tagnos as well as a Board Observer at Morpheus Space, Rugged Robotics and RapidDeploy. Howard was previously with Mission Ventures, a leading Southern California early stage venture capital firm. While at Mission he focused on investments in software, wireless technologies and semiconductors. Prior to Mission, he was with Salomon Smith Barney in their Technology Investment Banking Group where he was involved in over $3 billion of public and private financings and M&A. Howard has served as co-chair of the San Diego Telecom Council Wireless Infrastructure Group. He was a member of the Board of Reviewers for the San Diego based Center for Commercialization of Advanced Technology, an organization funded by the Department of Defense. Howard holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from UCLA and an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

Eric Koehler

VP, Innovation & Quality

Titan America

Eric Koehler is Vice President of Innovation & Quality for Titan America, a role he has held since 2023. Previously, he was Director of Quality for Titan America from 2014 to 2023. Prior to Titan America, he led global product development teams working on specialty construction chemicals, data science, and digital technologies at W.R. Grace & Co. He holds 16 patents, is a Fellow of the American Concrete Institute, and was named one of the “Most Influential People in Concrete Production” by Concrete Producer magazine. Dr. Koehler holds a Ph.D. in civil engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Florida and Virginia.

Ken Kurz

CIO & VP, Information Technology

Copt Defense

Ken brings over 20 years of leadership and operational experience in cybersecurity and network technologies as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for COPT Defense Properties (CDP). Supporting CDP as CIO since 2016, he has prior experience as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the University of Delaware, CISO for the University of Oklahoma, and CIO for the US Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation. He also held various leadership positions within the Department of Defense, his final position prior to departing government service was as the head of the National Cryptographic Solutions Management Office responsible for overseeing the development of national cryptographic strategy, algorithm management, and capability roadmaps.

Lance Lambert

Editor-in-Chief & Co-Founder

ResiClub

Lance Lambert is the Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder of ResiClub. He writes and reports on topics ranging from the future of work to the housing market. He previously worked at Fortune Magazine, and as a data journalist at Bloomberg Businessweek, Realtor.com, and the Chronicle of Higher Education. He has a degree in economics from the University of Cincinnati.

Caroline Liikala

SVP, Corporate Strategy & Innovation

Caruso

Carolyn Liikala is a seasoned leader in corporate strategy, innovation, and venture capital. She is the SVP of Corporate Strategy and Innovation at Caruso, an industry-renowned, privately held company that that blends best-in-class real estate with five-star hospitality to create timeless luxury destinations, including retail centers, high-end residential, spacious offices, and a world-class resort. Carolyn oversees strategic projects, innovation initiatives, and digital transformation efforts. Her role is pivotal in driving Caruso towards long-term goals, embracing digital advancements, and uncovering new growth opportunities.

Joseph Martino

VP, Technology

Primaris REIT

Joseph Martino drives Primaris’ overall IT strategy with 20+ years of experience in Information Technology, Digital Transformation and Technology Operations. He was previously consulting on ERP and major digital transformation projects and, prior to that, was Global VP of Information Technology at a market leader in connected vehicle and sensor technology.

Richard Matricaria

EVP & COO, Western Division

Marcus & Millichap

Richard Matricaria is executive vice president and chief operating officer, Western Division for Marcus & Millichap. Richard joined the Fort Lauderdale office in November 2000 under the sales intern program and became an agent in January 2002. He was inducted as a vice president investments/SIA in 2008 and earned multiple National Achievement Awards as an agent. Richard joined the management team in 2010 and oversaw several offices in Central Florida from 2010–2016. He then moved to Chicago to take on new responsibilities as the Division Manager of the Midwest and Texas from 2016–2019. He is now responsible for North American Brokerage Operations in Texas and the Western United States and Western Canada. During his tenure in senior management, he led several acquisitions on behalf of the firm. He received a B.B.A. in management from the University of Alabama, where he played on the golf team and earned an M.B.A. from St. Thomas University. Richard is actively involved in ICSC, NAIOP, ULI and enjoys supporting the charities Feeding America and Best Buddies.

Nikki Merkerson

CEO & Founder

PairGap

Nikki Merkerson, Founder and CEO of PairGap, is unlocking homeownership for the next generation of homebuyers through innovative shared ownership models, data-driven matching, and structured legal agreements. With over two decades of experience in financial services and housing, Nikki brings a wealth of expertise to her mission of creating accessible pathways to homeownership. Her commitment as a real estate matchmaker and shared housing specialist extends to her work at Urban Leisure, a Brooklyn-based co-living company, where she developed and tested sustainable shared housing solutions. Her extensive 23-year career in financial services includes serving as a Community Reinvestment Officer at JP Morgan Chase, where she spearheaded initiatives to expand financial education and develop sustainable housing across major cities. She is also the Author of "Pair'D: A Dating Guide to Real Estate Partnerships," which provides insights on structuring successful co-ownership ventures.

Robin Meserow

Global Innovation

PGIM RE

Robin is a member of the Global Innovation Team at PGIM Real Estate. She is responsible for leading innovation initiatives to enhance operations both internally and at the property level through the use of technology. Robin was involved in establishing an AI strategy for the company which laid the groundwork for expansion of AI applications across the firm. Robin holds a MBA from Columbia Business School and a BA from the University of Michigan.

Cem Mimaroglu

Founding General Partner

ComposeVC

Cem Mimaroglu is the founding GP of ComposeVC, which invests at the intersection of real estate, construction, and infrastructure. Based in NYC and backed by strategic multinationals, ComposeVC invests in early-stage founders who demonstrate unique insights and commercial acumen. Drawing on Cem's background as a global Corporate VC portfolio allocator and startup operator, the fund's investment process combines entrepreneurial thinking with strategic value creation. The fund is supported by a global network of industry experts serving as investors and advisors.

Pei Pei Mirabella

Senior Vice President

Bozzuto

As Senior Vice President of Operations, Pei Pei Mirabella oversees operations for Bozzuto in California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Washington, and Wisconsin – an apartment portfolio of over 13,000 units and more than 280,000 square feet of retail. She is an expert in urban and suburban takeovers, lease-ups, mixed-use asset management, and pre-development planning. Pei Pei’s leadership has been instrumental in establishing Bozzuto’s reputation as best-in-class operator in expansion markets. Prior to Bozzuto, Pei Pei was an award-winning professional having worked for both Lincoln Property Company and Riverstone Residential Group (Greystar). She graduated from Trinity College with a B.A. in Economics. She is a member of Urban Land Institute, NMHC, and serves on the board of Chicagoland Apartment Association. She has held several designations and memberships such as Executive Sponsor of the Asian American/Pacific Islander employee resource group and Executive Sponsor for Young Professionals at Bozzuto. Pei Pei is inspired daily by her husband and their two children. In her free time, Pei Pei loves to run, travel, and explore new restaurants, coast to coast.

Frank Monterisi

Executive Vice President

Related Companies

Frank J. Monterisi, Jr. is Executive Vice President at Related. Since joining Related in 2007, Mr. Monterisi has been involved in the development of over 5,000 residential units, $5 Billion of project cost and 7 Million square feet of space in New York and Chicago. He has been involved in the development of projects such as Willet’s Point, Harborside 4, Hunter’s Point South, MiMA, Lantern House and Riverwalk in New York and The Row, 400 Lake Shore Drive, 500 Lake Shore Drive, 111 West Wacker Drive in Chicago. He is a board member of the YMCA of Greater New York, Holy Cross High School in Flushing, NY and the Long Island City Partnership. Prior to Related, he served as an Officer in the Marine Corps for six years. Mr. Monterisi resigned his commission as a Captain after serving in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2004. He is a graduate with Honor and Distinction with a Bachelor of Science in History from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and he received his Masters of Business Administration from the Harvard Business School in Boston, Massachusetts."

Terrence Nickelson

CEO & Founder

Goby Homes

Terrence Nickelson is a results-driven entrepreneur with a deep passion for technology, real estate, and business innovation. He brings a unique blend of expertise to both industries, drawing on over a decade of experience in real estate and several years as a software developer. In his software engineering career, Nickelson has successfully developed numerous applications for clients and personal projects, showcasing his technical prowess. In real estate, he has collaborated with high-performing teams, earned multiple industry awards, and sold millions of dollars in property. He is also a proud alumnus of the Techstars Equitech 2024 accelerator and the CSI Technical Incubator, and Goby Homes is a TEDCO and Equity Angels portfolio company, further solidifying his commitment to innovation and growth.

Carlos Olea

CFO

Howard Hughes Holdings

Carlos Olea is Chief Financial Officer for Howard Hughes, with direct oversight of the company’s accounting, technology and innovation, investor relations and risk management. Carlos joined Howard Hughes in 2017 and was named Chief Accounting Officer in 2019, overseeing the financial accounting strategy for the company's portfolio during a time of outstanding growth. Prior to joining Howard Hughes, Carlos served as Chief Accounting Officer at Carr Properties, a Washington, D.C.-based owner-operator and developer. Previously, he was a Senior Manager with the Advisory Services practice of Ernst and Young and a Director of Technical Accounting and Financial Reporting with AvalonBay Communities in Arlington, Virginia.

Amanda Orson

CEO & Founder

Galleon

Amanda Orson is the Founder and CEO of Galleon, the largest agent-free real estate platform in the U.S. She believes the future of real estate is software-based, agentic, and consumer-led—not broker-led. After selling her first home without a broker in 2015, Amanda later used Galleon’s Navigator product as its first customer, saving $30.5K in commission. Previously, she led U.S. expansion at fintech Curve and launched the world’s first crypto rewards card. Amanda was among the first women to graduate from the Military College of South Carolina and serves on the board of The Citadel Foundation.

Clelia Peters

Partner & Founder

Era Ventures

Clelia Warburg Peters is the Managing Partner of Era Ventures, a venture capital firm she founded in 2022 to invest in innovative business models that reimagine the physical world. Previously, Clelia was a Venture Partner at Bain Capital Ventures, supporting the firm's Proptech practice and investments. Prior to Bain Capital Ventures, she was a co-founding Partner at MetaProp, one of the foundational early-stage Proptech venture funds. Clelia was the President of Warburg Realty until its sale to Coldwell Banker in 2021, where she worked alongside her father, CEO Frederick Warburg Peters. She currently lives in her native city of New York with her husband and two children.

Luis Poggi

CEO & Co-Founder

HouseWhisper.ai

Luis Poggi is an experienced entrepreneur at the forefront of bringing AI into the real estate sector. As the Founder and CEO of HouseWhisper.AI, his solutions have already helped thousands of agents across the nation to boost productivity and enhance client relationships with a skilled AI assistant at their side. In his previous role as an executive at Zillow, Luis led a division and managed hundreds of employees across engineering, AI, product, operations, and sales. He was instrumental in building Zillow’s core products and leading key initiatives like Zillow Mortgages, Zillow Offers, and New Construction. Luis’s work was driven by his belief in technology’s ability to drive meaningful societal impact and break down barriers in real estate. For nearly two years, Luis has also authored a widely-read monthly AI newsletter, offering insights to CEOs and industry leaders on the latest trends and applications of AI. Before Zillow, he refined his strategic and leadership skills bringing products to market at Expedia and Procter & Gamble, and he holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Amy Polvado

CEO & Founder

Facilimax

Amy Polvado began her career in the software and semiconductor manufacturing industry before transitioning to commercial real estate in 2003 by founding a construction company serving the retail and multifamily sectors. By 2014, her company was active in 16 states, building various projects. In 2008, she expanded into real estate investing and established a vertically integrated real estate private equity firm, which managed over $1 billion in assets by 2022. In 2019, Amy founded Facilimax, an AI proptech company aimed at addressing inefficiencies in the commercial real estate industry. In addition to her role as Founder and CEO of Facilimax, she holds the position of Chairwoman of the US Proptech Council, the trade association for the proptech industry in the United States. In January 2025, she authored "From Data to Deals: How to Use AI to Up Your Real Estate Game."

Jeremy Poteet

EVP, Technology

JBG Smith

Jeremy Poteet is the EVP of Technology at JBG SMITH where he leads a team of business minded technologists responsible for technology and innovation based transformative initiatives. He has over 20 years in real estate technology across many asset types in the real estate space and is passionate about the adoption of technology and leading others in solving complex process, technology, reporting, and organizational challenges.

Margaret Potter

Principal Advisor & Founder

Portfolio Pro Advisors

Margaret Potter is a dynamic executive with over 20 years of leadership experience in the high- tech sector and more than a decade in residential real estate development. She has held executive roles at Fortune 10 companies, as well as at mid-market firms and startups, bringing a unique blend of innovation and operational expertise to every organization she leads. As the former CEO of Camillo Companies ( SimplyHome, Legend Homes, and Academy Land Development), Margaret oversaw all facets of the residential real estate value chain. A recognized pioneer in the Single-Family Rental (SFR) and Build-to-Rent (BTR) sectors, she spearheaded the transformation of Camillo Properties (now SimplyHome) from a startup in 2012 into one of the nation’s largest BTR portfolios, scaling to approximately 11,000 homes. Today, Margaret is the Founder and Principal Advisor of Portfolio Pro Advisors, a collaborative network of industry leaders and C-suite executives that provide strategic guidance on every aspect of SFR and BTR portfolio management, helping clients navigate and excel in an evolving real estate landscape.

Amr Rafaat

Chief Innovation Officer

Windover

Amr Raafat is the Chief Innovation Officer at Windover Construction, where he leads the VDC team in integrating cutting-edge technology to optimize project delivery. With over 20 years of experience blending architecture, construction, and engineering, he leads Windover’s IDEA™ (Innovations for Design, Engineering, and Automation) platform, providing advanced solutions that streamline the construction process and enhance project outcomes. Recognized as a pioneer in the AEC industry, Amr was awarded the Global Autodesk AEC Innovator of the Year in 2019 and named Autodesk Construction Champion in 2024. He also hosts the popular Autodesk series "On the Road with Amr," where he travels worldwide to engage with industry leaders, exploring innovations that drive efficiency and transform the construction landscape. Amr holds a master’s degree in architecture from Boston Architectural College.

Sunil Rajaraman

CEO & Founder

Hamlet

Sunil Rajaraman is the Founder of Hamlet, a company that uses artificial intelligence to make public information easier to understand. Hamlet's starting point is extracting key data from City Council and Planning Commission meetings to make it easier to understand how cities make decisions on real estate development. Prior to Hamlet, Sunil co-founded Scripted.com, a marketplace for businesses to hire freelance writers. Scripted was acquired in 2017, and raised $20M from Crosslink Capital, Redpoint Ventures and others. Sunil was on the Founding Team of Radiance Labs, which sold to Bloomreach in 2023 - Radiance Labs was backed by NEA and Foundation Capital. Sunil owned and operated The Bold Italic, a local San Francisco publication, which he sold to Medium in 2019. He has held executive roles, including CMO of Metromile, and VP of Marketing at GoodRx. Sunil's writing has appeared in Forbes, Fortune, The Information Techcrunch and others. He once ran one of the top 200 podcasts in the US. Sunil resides in Orinda, CA where he served on a public commission.

Sudha Reddy

Managing Principal & Founder

Haven Realty Capital

Sudha Reddy has over 25 years of real estate and general finance experience, from investment banking to principal-level real estate ownership and management. Sudha oversees all aspects of the firm’s investments and operations. Sudha founded Haven in 2010 and has overseen its growth from a local SFR operator to a national real estate investment firm focused on the US residential sector with investments in the single- family rental, multifamily, and manufactured housing sectors. Sudha has been instrumental in attracting capital to Haven’s platform from a broad array of investor groups including high-net- worth individuals, family offices, and institutions. Notable investors include JP Morgan Asset Management, Apollo Global Management, Carlyle, Walton Street Capital, CenterSquare Investment Management, amongst others. Haven currently has over $1 billion in housing assets in different phases of development, vertical construction, leasing, and long-term ownership. Sudha began his career as an Equity Research Associate at CIBC World Markets and transitioned to a role at Goldman Sachs Private Wealth Management, working on a team that actively managed over $9 billion for high-net-worth families, foundations, and institutions.

Kyle Reiling

Executive Director

Greenview Industrial Gateway

Kyle has been a leader in expanding private and public sector investment for more than 20 years. He has significant experience negotiating and managing multi-million-dollar contracts, having promoted investment opportunities on behalf of the City of Calgary, Strathcona County, Sturgeon County and the MD of Greenview. Focussed on infrastructure planning, utility corridors, servicing capacity, and overall design, this wealth of experience has ideally positioned him for his current role as Executive Director for the Greenview Industrial Gateway (GIG).

Tom Rockford

Director

Barclays

Tom Rockford is a Director within the Real Estate, Gaming and Lodging Group at Barclays where he helps to lead the PropTech Coverage effort. Based in New York, Tom has spent 7 years providing M&A advisory services and raising equity and debt for public and private companies across the various Real Estate sectors. Since the launch of the PropTech coverage effort in 2018, Tom has been integral to the execution of strategic advisory and capital raising initiatives for various companies at the intersection of real estate and technology, including i-buyers/power buyers, real estate marketplaces, home equity solutions, alternative accommodations, construction and management software, etc. Tom earned his MBA from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School.

Andrea Rodriguez Valdez

Founder

Proptech Latam

Andrea Rodriguez Valdez is an Argentinean businesswoman with more than 25 years of professional experience focused on the Real Estate market in Latin America. Her specialty is connect the players in the region through the different products and services that she has created. She founded PropTech Latam platform in 2017, with the goal of promoting the PropTech ecosystem for innovation and technology applied to Real Estate prosper in Latin America. She has a degree in MKT&Communications and a specialization in Digital Strategies for Next Generation Businesses from Columbia Business School.

Casey Roloff

CEO & Town Founder

Seabrook, WA

Casey, CEO and Town Founder, has been a part of Seabrook from its conceptualization to the thriving beach town that it is today. From new construction to the expanding hospitality program, he continues to work with his growing teams through each exciting development that continues to bring new urbanism to life on the Washington Coast.

Nick Romito

CEO & Founder

VTS

Nick Romito is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of VTS. Nick started his career in commercial real estate almost 20 years ago as a tenant rep and landlord broker at New York City’s Murray Hill Properties. There, he expanded the U.S. presence of international companies while supporting the growth of the firm’s 8-million square-foot office portfolio. Nick went on to AM Properties, where he oversaw a 3-million square-foot office portfolio, before becoming the founder and CEO of Titan Advisors in 2009. While leading Titan, a full-service commercial real estate firm, Nick realized the need in the industry for a technology platform that could transform how strategic decisions are made and executed across the asset lifecycle. Today, VTS is the industry's leading platform for leasing management, tenant experience, data, and digital marketing. Nick has been featured in prominent publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Entrepreneur Magazine. He has spoken at Harvard Business School’s Technology Cyberposium and real estate conferences around the world including Realcomm, Blueprint, and MIPIM. Nick is a self-professed outdoor enthusiast and has earned several national awards in surfing.

Kanishk Roy

VP, Transactions & Residential

Hyatt Hotels

Kanishk is Vice President, Transactions and Residential with Hyatt Hotels Corporation and oversees Hyatt's residential business globally including Branded Residences, Serviced Apartments, Vacation Rentals and Vacation Ownership properties. As part of the Transactions team, Kanishk is also responsible for driving inorganic growth for Hyatt.

Libby Schaaf

Treasurer Candidate, 2026

California

Libby Schaaf served as the 50th Mayor of Oakland from 2015-2022, where she broke records in creating housing, paving roads, and reducing gun violence. Her “17K/17K Housing Plan” doubled Oakland’s affordable housing production, protected 36,000+ low-income tenants from displacement, and created 20,000 new homes. Her innovative public-private partnerships to address homelessness, “Keep Oakland Housed” and “Cabin Communities,” were widely replicated and nationally recognized. She was also the first to chair the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA) Oversight Committee and co-chair the bipartisan Mayors & CEOs for US Housing Investment. She received HAC’s Housing Hero Award and was named to the Politico 50 List as one of the most politically influential voices in the nation. Currently, she teaches at UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy, serves as HUD’s appointee to the Bay Area's regional transportation and housing commission (MTC), and is Senior Program Advisor to the Abundance Electeds Network. She is also running to be California's next State Treasurer.

Mike Scott

Managing Partner & Co-Founder

Derive Ventures

Mike Scott co-founded Derive Ventures in 2021 and currently serves as a Managing Partner of Thayer Investment Partners. Prior to co-founding Derive, Mike spent over 3 years as a private equity investment professional at KSL Capital Partners. At KSL, he had over $4bn of transaction experience covering U.S. hospitality, timeshare, all-inclusive resorts, travel distribution, gaming and alternative accommodations. Prior to KSL, Mike was an investment banking professional in J.P. Morgan's Real Estate, Gaming and Lodging group. Mike currently serves as an advisor to Paradero – an experiential hospitality brand, operator and owner in Mexico. He graduated from the University of Michigan and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business.

James Scott

Director

MIT's Real Estate Tech Initiaitive

James Scott is a Research Scientist, lecturer, Director of Industry and Professional Programs, and Director of the Real Estate Transformation Lab at MIT’s Center for Real Estate, with a primary focus on real estate automation and technology. MIT’s Center for Real Estate has a thirty-nine year history of pioneering research and thought-leadership that trains generations of professionals to capitalize on today’s dynamic markets, understand transformative technologies and facilitate sustainability goals using its insights from around the globe. Among other positions, James is also ‘Innovator-In-Residence’ for IREM (Institute of Real Estate Management) where he identifies new technologies that help IREM members operate their buildings more efficiently, improve their properties’ competitive positioning, and better serve clients. James has written numerous industry papers and gives regular presentations globally on automation, ‘Proptech’ and the future of innovation in the industry. James combines a background in commercial real estate with a unique understanding of real estate technology to identify the products and processes that will provide the future spaces in which people will want to live and work.

Frank Scott, Jr.

Mayor

Little Rock, AR

Frank Scott, Jr. began his second four-year term as Mayor of Little Rock on Jan. 1, 2023. During his time in office, Mayor Scott has worked toward uniting Little Rock’s diverse neighborhoods through expanding our economy, creating new opportunities for educational growth for Little Rock’s students, enhancing public safety and improving the quality of life and place in Arkansas’ capital city. Mayor Scott has pledged to be Little Rock’s Chief Growth Officer, and has overseen the creation of more than 8000 jobs to date. Little Rock’s population has grown to more than 203,000 residents as the Mayor pushes jobs growth and economic development, making Little Rock a catalyst for the new South. New developments, such as Trex, Trader Joe’s, Fiocchi, Topgolf and more highlight the momentum of this growing and thriving city. Under the Mayor’s leadership, the City established the position of Chief Education Officer and helped implement a Community Schools model in six Little Rock School District schools. These schools integrate individualized student support services, expand and enrich learning opportunities, and operate as a neighborhood hub to provide other needed trainings and services for students’ families. Mayor Scott worked with the Little Rock Board of Directors to make the Little Rock Police Department the highest-paid municipal force in the State, and to provide LRPD with the equipment and tools it needs to protect Little Rock neighborhoods including the implementation of full- time social workers within the LRPD. Mayor Scott has also worked to expand community programs to reduce violence as part of his holistic and comprehensive crime reduction strategy.

Luciane Serifovic

CEO & Founder

Convierge

Luciane Serifovic is the founder of Convierge, an AI-enabled app revolutionizing the home search and vendor management experience. Designed to bring unprecedented clarity and organization to buyers and agents, Convierge exemplifies Luciane's dedication to leveraging cutting-edge technology for practical solutions in the real estate sector. This innovative spirit is a hallmark of her two-decade career. Beyond Convierge, Luciane is also a true powerhouse in luxury real estate as the CEO & Founder of Luxian International Realty.

Stefan Shircel

Head Of Client Engagement

August Hill

As Head of Client Engagement at August Hill, Stefan leads the delivery and execution of August Hill’s advisory services business. This ranges from the formation of GTM strategies, business development, and developing strategies for organizational effectiveness. Stefan specializes in creating and leveraging opportunities across the SFR, Multifamily & Residential Real Estate verticals where he has worked with leading brokerages, property management companies, point solutions & platforms to develop strategies that win business and create enterprise value. Prior to August Hill, Stefan was a Management Consultant in the CFO & Enterprise Value practice at Accenture, where he led the design, strategy, and implementation of business planning software to many of the leading financial services, hi-tech, insurance and consumer goods companies globally.

Neda Sohrabi

Corporate Partnerships Manager

Plug & Play

Neda Sohrabi is the Corporate Partnerships Manager of Plug and Play's Real Estate and Construction vertical. Plug and Play is the most active VC in the Silicon Valley, investing in 200+ startups every year and working with top corporations within Smart Cities such as Prologis, Kajima, Mercedes Benz, LG Display, and more. Through the Corporate Partnerships program, Neda helps top corporations internationally with their innovation and sustainability strategies, specifically helping real estate and construction companies with the introduction of new startup technologies, investment scouting, POC/pilot assistance, trend reports and analysis, and more. Previously, Neda worked in Asset Management at PGIM Real Estate.

Krishna Srinivasan

Founding Partner

LiveOak Ventures

Krishna Srinivasan is a co-founder of LiveOak Ventures and has been investing in early-stage Texas-based companies and entrepreneurs since 2000. His active board involvements at LiveOak include DISCO (NYSE: LAW), BackFlip, Eventus Systems, Homeward, Kinjo, LitLingo, Nada Finance, Real Work Labs, Rollick, SchooLinks, and Talent Guard. His notable past investments include Digital Pharmacist (acquired by K1), Hive9 (acquired by BrandMaker), Iris Plans (acquired by Aledade), Mavenir Systems (NYSE: MVNR), Opcity (acquired by Newscorp), StackEngine (acquired by Oracle), Telestax (acquired by Mavenir). Prior to co-founding LiveOak in 2012, Krishna was a Partner at Austin Ventures. Previously he worked at Motorola, where he wrote large-scale optimization software for supply chain planning and worked with a variety of business units on strategic and operational issues. He started his professional career at SEMATECH.

Parker Stanberry

Founding Partner

S19 Capital

Parker Stanberry is passionate about the intersection of hospitality and living, and the power of entrepreneurship to unlock potential in people and communities. He has 20+ years of experience founding, owning and operating businesses across various verticals within the hospitality space, and was the Founder & CEO of Oasis Collections, the first alternative accommodations brand.

Naqash Tahir

Executive Director

PGIM RE

Naqash is the executive director of Research & Development and Investments at RealAssetX, an innovation lab powered by PGIM Real Estate. Based in London, he leads RealAssetX which is dedicated to revolutionizing the real assets sector, in partnership with leading universities and venture capital firms. This initiative aims to invest in and deliver modern technologies across the industry, marking a significant step towards the digital transformation of real assets management. In addition to his efforts in innovation, Naqash is deeply involved in developing strategic partnerships with venture capital firms. He has been a significant contributor to the PropTech program in Europe and is a member of AREF's Technology working group, serves on INREV’s Technology committee and is co-Chair of ULI’s council on Real Estate and Technology. He is also a tech and start-up advisor and mentor, speaking at technology events around Europe. Naqash is also the founder and chairman for ReimTech, which is a forum for the Real Estate Investment Management Technology peers across Europe. Naqash has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science and an MBA through Cranfield University.

Jen Tindle

Director Of Strategic Insights

Grace Hill

Jen Tindle is the Vice President of Strategic Insights for Grace Hill. She plays a pivotal role in driving customer-focused insights across all products of Grace Hill and including other meaningful customer data. She also leads commercial strategy for the firm. Prior to joining Grace Hill, she founded All About CRE to close the knowledge gap between CRE and tech professionals. As part of her educational efforts, she writes a popular weekly Substack. Jen was also a Founder and CEO of CREx Software, a solutions provider of commercial real estate data integration software for managers and owners. Jen launched her career in CRE at Pennybacker Capital, a private equity real estate firm, where she held a variety of roles, including the creation and leadership of the Data and Analytics team. She started her career at PwC, where she won a national award for her CPA scores.

David Weiden

Founding Partner & Managing Director

Khosla Ventures

David Weiden is a co-founder and Managing Director at Khosla Ventures, a $15b venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley. David focuses on Internet, enterprise and financial services. Within real estate, David has served on the board of directors of companies including Opendoor, Roofstock, and Lessen and co-manages a residential real estate portfolio. David has been recognized by Fortune and Forbes as one of the top technology investors.

Steve Weikal

Industry Chair, Real Estate Transformation Lab

MIT Center for Real Estate

Steve Weikal is a lecturer, researcher, and thought leader focused on innovative new technologies and business models that are reinventing traditional ways of developing, transacting and managing real estate. He is the Industry Chair of the Real Estate Transformation Lab at the MIT Center for Real Estate, which explores how emerging technologies impact the commercial real estate industry, and is also the Managing Partner of MET Fund II, which invests in early-stage, MIT-connected start-ups focused on solutions for the coming Built Environment Transition. Previously, Steve was the Head of Industry Relations at the Center, responsible for managing relationships with its global network of corporate partners and more than 1,300 alumni from 48 countries.

James Whalen

SVP & CTO

BXP

James Whalen serves as Senior Vice President, Chief Information & Technology Officer for BXP where he is responsible for the direction and implementation of technology services and solutions. Prior to joining the Company in March 1998, he served as Vice President, Information Systems of Beacon Properties. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a recipient of the New York City Urban Fellowship. Mr. Whalen is a current trustee and past President of the Boston Chapter of the Society for Information Management (SIM) and serves on the Real Estate Cyber Consortium, Realcomm Advisory Council, Commercial Facilities Cyber Working Group, TechHire Boston and Boston Private Industry Council. BXP (NYSE: BXP) is the largest publicly traded developer, owner, and manager of premier workplaces in the United States, concentrated in six markets - Boston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, DC. BXP is a fully integrated real estate company, organized as a real estate investment trust (REIT), with more than 50 years of experience developing, owning, managing, and acquiring exceptional properties in dynamic gateway markets.

Kat Winston

Managing Partner & Co-Founder

Equity Angels

Katherine “Kat” Winston is a lifelong advocate of underrepresented innovators and the founder of Equity Angels. She is a seasoned entrepreneur with a 25-year track record in tech, finance, real estate, and entertainment. Most recently, she served as a strategy advisor for the National Association of REALTORS® to build new communication networks between real estate professionals and proptech innovators. She has supported entrepreneurs and startups through financing, brand-building, growth, and exit stages as an operator and marketing leader.

Alex Wolkomir

Partner

McKinsey & Company

Alex is a leader in McKinsey’s Real Estate Practice, focused on using digital and analytics to create new products and operating models. Alex has led several large-scale digital transformations and digital product builds across asset classes, serving leading residential, office, industrial, retail, and hotel owners and operators. He has also helped technology players and service providers in the real estate industry use digital and analytics to transform their product offerings. Alex is currently leading McKinsey’s thinking related to Generative AI and its applications to real estate to create tangible business value. Alex holds a graduate degree in design and engineering from Stanford’s d.school, where he also taught and researched. Additionally, he holds a degree in finance and statistics from the Wharton School and a degree in International Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. He also holds a certificate in UX/UI Design from the Pratt Institute in New York. Most recently prior to McKinsey, Alex worked on innovation and IoT strategy for the International Rescue Committee in Amman, Jordan, focused on using technology for improving the experience of refugees and humanitarian workers impacted by the Syrian refugee crisis.

Nykia Wright

CEO

National Association of Realtors

Nykia Wright is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of REALTORS. Nykia brings a breadth of executive leadership and strategic advisory experience with her. Prior to assuming the role in November of 2023, Nykia was the Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Sun-Times, the oldest continuously published news publication in the state of Illinois. As CEO of the Chicago Sun-Times, she led the newspaper through a sweeping digital transformation and a merger with WBEZ (Chicago Public Media). She is a recognized leader in the journalism industry who was responsible for managing significant disruption, driving change, and implementing digital transformation at the newspaper. Before joining the Sun-Times, Nykia was a strategy and business transformation professional with more than 15 years’ experience advising and leading companies and teams for operational, financial, and performance improvement projects. Specific areas of expertise include planning for growth, operational turnarounds, launching global digital strategies, starting new business lines, and initiating organizational redesigns. Nykia has served as a strategic advisor to a number of institutes of higher learning including MIT, Duke, and Dartmouth College, and to Fortune 500 companies such as McDonald’s, Tyson Foods, and Toll Brothers.

Ashkan Zandieh

Managing Director

CRETI

Ashkán Zandieh is the founder and CEO of the Center for Real Estate Technology & Innovation (CRETI), a leading research, education, and networking organization dedicated to the financial vitality of the real estate technology (proptech) ecosystem and adjacent sectors. CRETI represents a community of over 200 prominent venture capital investors, managing a collective portfolio value exceeding $32 billion and an extensive index of more than 8,000 proptech companies. This powerful network serves as the nexus for strategic growth, investment, and innovation in real estate technology. A recognized pioneer in the proptech and venture capital industries, Ashkán uniquely bridges the gap between traditional real estate and emerging technology. Over his career, Ashkán has driven strategic growth and partnerships at influential organizations such as WeWork, Ollie, CREtech, and American Family Insurance Ventures (AmFam), positioning him at the forefront of the industry's evolution.

Wan Li Zhu

Managing Director & Co-Founder

Suffolk Technologies

Wan Li Zhu is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Suffolk Technologies, a built environment venture capital firm investing in and accelerating construction and real estate innovations. Affiliated with tech-forward construction leader Suffolk, Suffolk Technologies has backed 30+ ConTech and PropTech startups across AI & automation, sustainability, supply chain, financial services, and smart building themes. Wan Li is an experienced technology investor and was previously a Partner at Fairhaven Capital, a Boston-based VC firm that has invested over $430M in enterprise software and deep tech. Wan Li founded and runs MIT Alumni Angels, which has backed 100+ MIT-affiliated startups. Prior to venture capital, Wan Li held product and marketing leadership roles at Microsoft. Wan Li holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from MIT in Computer Science.