The Walker Webcast

On a special episode of the Walker Webcast, we turned the tables and put Willy in the hot seat. He answered the audience’s most pressing questions on everything from the privatization of Fannie and Freddie, the build-to-rent asset class, back-to-office plans, the biggest surprise the real estate sector will face in 2025, and Fed cuts, to his favorite food, travel plans in the new year, Super Bowl...

On a special episode of the Walker Webcast, Willy sat down with Ben Schall, Chief Executive Officer and President of AvalonBay, at the Bisnow Multifamily Annual Conference. What are they forecasting for the multifamily market in 2025?  Don’t miss this compelling, in-person discussion where they covered Ben’s early career trajectory and how he worked his way up the ladder to CEO, AvalonBay’s cultur...

Willy was joined by Isaac Boltansky, Director of Policy Research at BTIG, on the Walker Webcast. Isaac is responsible for coordinating his firm’s Washington policy analysis and forecasting how potential policy shifts could impact investors, corporations, and other market participants. So, what is he predicting? He and Willy covered a range of topics shaping the political and economic landscape, in...

Willy was joined by economist, advisor, and speaker Jay Parsons. He is also a Principal and Head of Investment Strategy at Madera Residential, a Texas-based multifamily owner/operator with 11k + units, and additionally serves as an independent consultant and speaker to apartment and SFR groups nationally. He and Willy covered a range of topics including Jay’s retrospective look at the rental marke...

Willy was joined by Ryan Marshall, President and CEO of PulteGroup, Inc., one of the nation’s largest home builders. Ryan has his finger on the pulse of the housing market, so what are the key trends and opportunities he’s seeing?  Ryan and Willy discussed his transition into the role of CEO at PulteGroup, Inc., the company’s number one driver of value, the importance of the consumer, disruptions...

To be successful, you have to constantly innovate. So, what is your company doing to stay ahead of the curve? Willy was joined by bestselling author, entrepreneur, and acclaimed international speaker, Frans Johansson. They discussed how Frans developed an agile and adaptable mindset from a young age, his unique upbringing, the importance of intent, the need for diverse perspectives and innovative...

On a special episode of the Walker Webcast, we showcased highlights from noteworthy episodes featuring remarkable women in leadership. We heard from: Christina Wallace, Senior lecturer at Harvard Business School Frances Frei, Professor of Technology and Operations Management at Harvard Business School Ginni Rometty, Former Chairman and President & CEO of IBM, Co-Chair at OneTen Gloria Steinem, Wri...

Willy was joined by General David Petraeus, retired four-star U.S. Army general who also served as the director of the CIA, for part two of their captivating conversation. One episode wasn’t enough to cover David’s invaluable insights and experiences.  He sat down with Willy once again to cover even more hard-hitting topics, from global power dynamics and geopolitical tensions to performing under...

Willy was joined by Marc Ganzi, Chief Executive Officer at DigitalBridge, a leading global alternative asset management firm. With over 25 years in the digital infrastructure sector, Marc has his finger on the pulse of technological advancement and innovative AI.  He and Willy discussed his introduction to the path of technology infrastructure, how he built a career at the intersection of real est...

Willy was joined by Fernando De Leon, Founder and CEO of Leon Capital Group, a family holding company that built and operates a portfolio exceeding $10 billion in assets across multiple businesses in healthcare, financial services, and real estate.  He and Willy discussed his humble upbringing as the youngest of six and the drive that was instilled in him at a young age, his educational and career...

Willy was once again joined by Dr. Peter Linneman for “The Best Hour in CRE,” and they certainly covered a lot of ground. They discussed some of today’s hottest topics, including the impact that the election and policy objectives will have on the economy, consumer confidence, U.S. debt, inflation, cap rates, CPI, Peter’s Fed predictions, where we’re at in terms of economic recovery, back to office...

Willy was joined by Mayor of Denver, Mike Johnston, and Egon Terplan, strategist and advisor on urban policy and economic development, live from the University of Denver Educated Opinions Event. They discussed the urban revitalization of Denver – and cities in general – post-pandemic, how the mayor is tackling issues including homelessness, crime, and public safety, the impact of technological inn...

To celebrate the 200th episode of the Walker Webcast, Willy was joined by General David Petraeus, retired four-star U.S. Army general who served as the director of the CIA, focusing on intelligence and counterterrorism. He and Willy discussed the evolving landscape of global security, how near-death experiences changed his perspective on life and leadership, physical fitness and his competitive dr...

Willy was joined by Robert Reffkin, the Founder and CEO of real estate tech company Compass, Inc., live from the 2024 Zelman & Associates Housing Summit. He and Willy discussed topics including Robert’s humble upbringing and how it led him down the path to entrepreneurship, pivotal moments that shaped his career, combatting negativity and lessons learned through hardship, Compass’ investment in te...

Willy was joined by one of the most notable figures in housing finance, Priscilla Almodovar, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fannie Mae. She is on a mission to create a housing market that works for everyone, including whom she calls the “credit invisible” – hard working Americans who may not qualify for traditional loans. She and Willy discussed the intricacies of her career journey in t...

Willy was joined by Matthew Weinzierl, Senior Associate Dean and Chair of the MBA Program at Harvard Business School and an economist whose research focuses on economic policy and the commercialization of space. They discussed Matthew’s intellectual pursuits and his experience as a student at HBS, his pivot from a focus on tax policy to the new frontier of space, the curriculum at HBS and their fo...

On this episode of the Walker Webcast, we featured an interview between Gary Pinkus, McKinsey & Company’s Chairman of North America, and Strauss Zelnick, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., from W&D’s 2024 Summer Conference. They touched on Strauss’ approach to business and leadership, his origin story – from childhood ambitions of running a movie company a...

Willy was joined by Diane Hoskins and Andy Cohen, global co-chairs of the world’s most influential architecture design planning firm with over $2 billion annually in revenue, Gensler.  They covered ways to drive meaningful change through the power of design, creating office spaces of the future, ways they’re working to lower emissions, how Gensler has secured their place as an industry leader, how...

While it’s clear that we’re living through an uncertain time in history, there’s one thing Willy is confident in – the strength of our country to get through challenging times. On this Walker Webcast, we featured Willy’s opening remarks from W&D’s Summer Conference in Sun Valley. Listen to his take on consumer confidence, housing prices, asset classes including hospitality and office, the impact t...

How can we ensure the preservation of democracy? By adopting the virtues of our founding fathers.  On the latest episode of the Walker Webcast, we featured Willy’s discussion with Jeffrey Rosen – president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, host of the weekly podcast We the People, professor of law at the George Washington University Law School, and contributing editor of The Atlantic –...

Willy was joined by Wall Street Journal reporters and authors of The Formula: How Rogues, Geniuses, and Speed Freaks Reengineered F1 into the World's Fastest-Growing Sport, Joshua Robinson and Jonathan Clegg. They covered key topics from the book, including the pivotal moments and figures that reshaped F1’s trajectory, the technology and engineering advancements that revolutionized the sport, how...

Willy was once again joined by one of the most respected voices in the housing industry, W&D’s Hall of Fame housing market analyst and executive vice president and co-founder of Zelman & Associates, Ivy Zelman. She and Willy discussed rising home prices and affordability challenges, her outlook on multifamily inventory and rent growth, rate cuts, widening spreads, land prices and accessibility, ho...

Willy took a trip down memory lane with George Hawkins as they discussed the incredible turnaround at DC Water when Willy was Chairman of the Board and George was General Manager. Under their leadership, they took one of the most problematic public utilities in the country, The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority, and turned it into one of the most innovative, customer-driven, environme...

Willy was once again joined by John Hope Bryant, a lifelong entrepreneur, philanthropist, bestselling author, and thought leader who has built more than 40 organizations, including Operation HOPE, Inc. His mission? To provide financial literacy and economic empowerment tools in the U.S. for youth and adults in underserved communities. He and Willy discussed his newest book, Financial Literacy For...

Willy sat down for the 18th installment of the Most Insightful Hour in CRE with renowned economist Dr. Peter Linneman – live from Chicago. Even with inflationary pressure, a looming election, and geopolitical tensions at the forefront, Peter insists, “economies, especially as big as ours, are far more resilient than we think.” Where do Peter and Willy stand on some of today’s most important topics...