Leading Voices In Real Estate

In Part II of Leading Voices in Real Estate, host Matt Slepin continues his conversation with Roy March, CEO of Eastdil Secured, exploring what has made the firm a true powerhouse in the commercial real estate investment business.This episode moves beyond history to focus on the cultural DNA, client-first philosophy, and strategic discipline that have defined Eastdil’s success. Roy shares candid insights on leadership, the importance of language, and why he sees himself not as a broker but as an investment banker. His perspective highlights how mindset shapes positioning, credibility, and long-term impact.A central theme is the transformative merger between Eastdil and Secured Capital, and how the partnership between Roy March and Mike Van Konynenburg created a powerful synergy that elevated the firm to new heights. The conversation also places Eastdil within the broader competitive landscape, comparing its culture and focus with industry leaders such as CBRE, JLL, Cushman & Wakefield, and Newmark, as wel

In Part I of this two-part conversation, Leading Voices in Real Estate host Matt Slepin sits down with legendary Eastdil Secured CEO Roy March, joined by ZRG colleague Alan Walker, for a wide-ranging discussion on the evolution and institutionalization of the real estate industry. Recorded in Santa Monica, the episode traces Eastdil’s origin story and the broader transformation of real estate from the early 1980s through the Global Financial Crisis, offering essential context for understanding today’s global capital markets. March shares granular, firsthand stories from landmark transactions, including the sale of Equity Office Properties from Sam Zell to Blackstone, providing rare oral history from someone who was truly “in the room where it happened.” The conversation also explores what distinguishes great, value-add advisors, highlighting the role of wisdom, judgment, and storytelling in transactional businesses. Part II will dive deeper into Eastdil’s platform and what has made it one of the most dominant

In this episode of Leading Voices in Real Estate, host Matt Slepin sits down with Sonny Kalsi, CEO of BGO, a global real estate investment manager with over $90 billion in assets under management. Continuing the show’s multi-episode theme of thinking broadly, both globally and long term, this conversation explores how commercial real estate has evolved and what the next decade might look like in an increasingly unpredictable world.Following recent and upcoming conversations with Tim Bodner of PwC and Roy March of Eastdil Secured, Sonny offers a distinct perspective shaped by experience across market cycles and geographies. He shares the remarkable story of leaving Morgan Stanley in the depths of the Global Financial Crisis, founding GreenOak in 2010, and through growth and strategic M&A, helping build what is now BGO, a leading global real estate platform.Beyond markets and investment trends, Matt and Sonny dive into a core Leading Voices theme, the value of the business platform itself. Sonny speaks cand

Leading Voices in Real Estate kicks off 2026 and Season 9 with a wide-lens conversation on global real estate trends and long-term market shifts. Host Matt Slepin is joined by Tim Bodner, Global Real Estate Deals Leader at PwC and a key voice behind PwC and ULI’s Emerging Trends in Real Estate report, now in its 47th year.Rather than focusing on short-term topics, this episode explores the fundamental forces shaping real estate globally. Tim shares insights on investor drivers, return expectations, investment structures, time horizons, and how capital is being allocated across U.S. and international markets, including traditional asset classes, infrastructure, and specialty sectors.This episode sets the tone for a broader 2026 series examining global capital flows, investment strategy, and long-term transformation across the real estate landscape.

In the final episode of 2025, the microphone is flipped as Matt Sleppin appears as a guest on Lance Woods’ Fortunes of the Brave podcast. Recorded on October 16, the conversation, titled From Cowboys to Platforms, explores the evolution of the real estate industry from founder driven “Cowboy” businesses to resilient, institutional platforms. Drawing on more than 40 years of experience, Matt shares insights on leadership, building enduring business platforms, and what creates meaningful and successful careers in real estate. This episode captures the core themes behind Leading Voices in Real Estate and ZRG’s work helping companies transition from founder led organizations to sustainable platforms built for long term success.

This episode of Leading Voices in Real Estate features an in-depth conversation with Don Wood, CEO and President of Federal Realty Investment Trust, one of the oldest companies in the REIT industry and the only one to raise its dividend for 58 consecutive years. Don and host Matt Slepin discuss how the REIT investor base has evolved during his tenure, the growing contrast between public REITs and private equity, and how leading REITs use joint ventures to diversify their capital.The episode covers Federal’s 27 million square foot retail and mixed use portfolio in high income, high barrier markets and looks at the company’s value through both NAV and cash flow perspectives. They explore the unique aspects of retail real estate, including tenant strategy, placemaking, and creating destinations where people want to shop and gather. The conversation also highlights the importance of pairing a strong operating platform with a top tier portfolio.Matt reflects on the broader retail environment during Black Friday, e

In this episode of Leading Voices in Real Estate, host Matt Slepin speaks with Jeremy Bromfman, CEO and founder of Lincoln Avenue Communities, one of the nation’s top affordable housing owners and developers. Founded in 2016, the company has quickly grown into a leading force addressing housing affordability across the country. The discussion focuses on how Jeremy thoughtfully built the organization from the ground up and his perspective on leadership in the affordable housing space.Matt begins by reflecting on how housing has evolved from a “back page” issue to a national conversation. For most of his career, public discussion centered on government-funded low-income programs such as HUD initiatives and the long-standing Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, which remains a cornerstone of affordable housing finance. While current debates often focus on rent control, housing supply, and homelessness, Matt notes that these “alphabet soup” government programs continue to function effectively, even if t

In this episode of Leading Voices in Real Estate, Matt Slepin sits down with Jeffrey Hoopes, President of the West Region for Suffolk Construction to explore how the general contracting business is evolving and what it means to lead, build, and eventually pass the baton in a rapidly changing industry.This episode marks a first: a deep dive with a senior executive from the general contracting world. Jeff shares hard-earned perspective from decades in the field, reflecting on the pace of technological adoption in construction and why meaningful change requires both context and skepticism, not just excitement for the latest shiny tool. He explains how the sector is modernizing while staying grounded in fundamentals: safety, craftsmanship, relationships, and the patient discipline required to build complex, lasting structures.The conversation also turns deeply personal and surprisingly candid as Matt and Jeff discuss leadership transitions, retirement vs. semi-retirement, and the emotional and strategic challenge

In this episode of Leading Voices in Real Estate, we sit down with Bob Hart, Founder and CEO of TruAmerica Multifamily, for an inspiring and wide-ranging conversation on leadership, innovation, and the future of the multifamily housing market.Bob shares his remarkable journey from his early career at Kennedy Wilson, where he built a foundation in investment and asset management, to launching TruAmerica, now recognized as one of the largest apartment operators in the United States. His story is one of entrepreneurial vision, strategic partnerships, and a deep understanding of how to create long-term value in an evolving real estate landscape.

In this episode, Joe Muratore and Ryan Swehla reveal how they’re unlocking opportunities in secondary and tertiary real estate markets—areas often underestimated yet rich with potential. They push back against the misconception that only primary markets deliver results, showing how overlooked regions can provide strong, sustainable returns with the right strategy.The conversation also highlights the critical role of partnerships. Rather than chasing every deal, they carefully align with partners who share their vision and values. This intentional approach leverages diverse expertise while maintaining unity of purpose, allowing them to navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities where others might hesitate.For investors ready to think differently, this episode is a roadmap to uncovering new frontiers.

Join us for an insightful conversation with Luke Petherbridge, CEO, and Nick Pell, President & Chief Investment Officer, of LINK Logistics, Blackstone's U.S. industrial platform. Discover their unique perspectives on the logistics industry, investment strategies, and the future of industrial platforms. Whether you're an industry insider or just curious about the logistics world, this episode offers valuable insights and thought-provoking discussions.

Join us as we dive into the career journey of Debra Cafaro, the Chairman and CEO of Ventas. From her humble beginnings in Pittsburgh to leading one of the largest REITs, Debbie shares her insights on leadership, innovation, and the strategic decisions that have propelled Ventas to the forefront of the real estate industry.

Dave Reiss, Co-Founder & CEO Wunder Power, explores the profound impact of the energy transition on the commercial real estate sector and the global shifts towards sustainable energy solutions with commercial properties being at the forefront of this transformation. 

Pete Gaynor, former FEMA Administrator and President of Bright Harbor, discusses the preparedness, systems and infrastructure our country and our industry needs to effectively respond to disasters. In our previous episode with Lew Horne and David Waite, we talked about our industry's response to the January Los Angeles fire disaster and, more generally, the real estate industry’s role in preparedness, immediate response, and rebuilding in these disasters.

Lew Horne, President for Advisory Services for CBRE in Greater Los Angeles, and David Waite, Partner at Cox, Castle, & Nicholson LLP discuss Project Recovery, Rebuilding Los Angeles after the January 2025 Wildfires. This report was created by the real estate industry as a roadmap for disaster recovery and rebuilding efforts.

In this revisit of our conversation from 2023, Brett White, the outgoing Executive Chair of Cushman & Wakefield and prior CEO of CBRE, tells the story of the growth and evolution of these now giant global real estate service firms. In this rebroadcast episode, Brett discusses the evolution of today’s giant global real estate service platforms from essentially brokerage shops to the full-service firms that they are today.

Tyler Christiansen, CEO of Funnel, a multifamily prop tech company, discusses how Funnel fundamentally changes the owner-renter relationship and how that relationship facilitates change in the operating platform within the apartment business, opening the door to greater centralization, the use of AI, and a changed workforce. This conversation follows up on our prior LVRE episode with David Stanford and Chris Shaida of RealFoundations, where we established the importance and meaning of “operating platform” in the real estate business.

At the 25 th Anniversary of their firm, RealFoundations, Co-Founders David Stanford and Chris Shaida deliver a masterclass on how information technology and AI are impacting the real estate industry. This episode is Part 1 of our two-part series exploring the influence of information technology and artificial intelligence on the real estate business.

At the firm's 60th anniversary, the next generation co-CEOs of Lincoln Property Company, Clay Duvall and David Binswanger, discuss the company’s new business model, succession, leadership, legacy, and approach to the challenges and opportunities of today's business. As Lincoln celebrates its 60th anniversary, this conversation takes place at their newly delivered headquarters office in Dallas.

Ben Miller, CEO and Co-Founder of Fundrise, talks with Matt about Fundrise and his vision for disrupting the real estate industry with his online, direct-to-consumer, low-fee real estate (and now also venture capital) investment funds. Recorded live at Ben’s office on Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C. on April 23, this conversation is a fascinating exploration of what it means to pioneer a new thesis and challenge the orthodoxy around traditional thinking in the real estate business.