MIT/CRE Meet the Visionaries

In this episode, we welcome Kabir Seth, Principal at San Francisco-based Presidio Bay Ventures, a vertically-integrated developer of commercial real estate for private and public sector tenants across the U.S. Presidio Bay Ventures' portfolio consists of mid- to large-scale office, life science and R&D spaces, mixed-use, urban infill multifamily communities, industrial distribution centers and...

In this episode, we welcome AJ Jackson, President of LEO Impact Capital, a subsidiary of JBG Smith focused on acquiring, financing, and operating workforce housing using an Impact Framework. AJ serves on numerous boards and advisory councils, including the Fannie Mae Affordable Housing Advisory Council, NMHC’s Workforce Housing Committee, and is Chair of the Advisory Board at the Randall Lewis Cen...

In this episode, we welcome Joe Azelby, former NFL linebacker and current Head of Real Estate and Private Markets for UBS Asset Management. With a career spanning from professional sports to managing real estate, infrastructure, and private equity investments. Joe brings perspective to leadership, strategy, and the evolving real estate landscape. Hosted by Dean Firouzian, a student at the MIT Cent...

In this episode we welcome Tess McNamara, AIA, a Senior Sustainability Consultant at Arup and faculty member at the Yale School of Architecture. Tess shares her journey that propelled her to the intersection of research, design, and implementation, where she is driving advancements in sustainable built environments.   She offers insights into her role at Arup, where her research informs strategies...

In this episode, we sit down with Jill Brosig, Senior Managing Director and Chief Impact Officer at Harrison Street, a global investment management firm headquartered in Chicago. With a background as a physicist at Argonne National Laboratory, KMS Fusion, and Motorola, Jill brings a unique perspective to the pursuit of aggressive sustainability goals in real estate. As a pioneer in environmental i...

How can we create cities where people truly thrive? In this episode, Thure Krarup, Head of Global Stakeholder Relations at Urban Partners, joins us from Copenhagen to explore how meaningful, big-picture partnerships can drive lasting change at scale. Hosted by Soala Lolia Ajienka, a dual-degree Architecture and Real Estate Development student at MIT, this conversation delves into the transformativ...

In this episode, we host Dror Poleg, Economic Historian and award-winning author of  Rethinking Real Estate . Dror is an insightful voice on the evolving intersection of technology, work, and urban environments. Hosted by Larry Deng, a student at the MIT Center for Real Estate, this episode offers a fascinating deep dive into the forces reshaping how we live, work, and build. Dror shares his persp...

In our season premiere, we welcome Joe Sumberg, Head of Real Estate, and Nicolette Jaze, Head of ESG and Sustainability for Real Estate at Galvanize Real Estate. Together, they share the innovative sustainability principles that underpin Galvanize’s distinctive approach to real estate investment. Hosted by Sam Jakshtis, a student in the MIT Center for Real Estate, this episode showcases how Galvan...

Onay Payne is a Senior Managing Director and Portfolio Manager at Manulife Investment Management, leading the firm’s ESG impact investment strategy. She works with various teams to screen investments, identify ESG risks and opportunities, optimize portfolios, enhance asset performance, maximize returns, and set ESG benchmarks. She is part of the global real estate leadership team. Join us as Onay...

What do we need in transitional and uncertain times? Leaders. On this episode of Meet the Visionaries, we have the pleasure of interviewing Mahbod Nia, CEO of Veris Residential. We explore the sustainability values Veris Residential holds under Mahbod’s leadership, and learn more about how the company has undergone a strategic transformation. Hosted by Daniela Morales, student at the MIT Center fo...

In this episode, join us as Viet Nguyen of MIT’s Center for Real Estate interviews Natalie Ambrosio Preudhomme, Associate Director at Moody’s Analytics CRE, a provider of innovative commercial real estate solutions for investors, lenders, and brokers. In her role, Natalie conducts research and outreach on the implications of climate risk, resilience and ESG on real estate markets and the built env...

In this episode, join us alongside Peter Merrigan (MSRED ’93), CEO and Managing Partner of Taurus Investment Holdings, as he engages in a dynamic conversation with Viet Nguyen at MIT’s Center for Real Estate. Explore Peter's remarkable trajectory in the real estate industry, from his formative time in MIT's MSRED program to pioneering his first major deal and beyond.  Delve into the rich h...

In this episode, Ernst & Young (EY) industry leader Mark Grinis sits down with host Jason Ng at the MIT Center for Real Estate to discuss the ever-changing real estate, hospitality, and construction sector, and how EY fits into it. From Mark's early experiences in accounting to his current role managing a multi-billion dollar business at EY, listeners will gain valuable insights into his j...

In this latest podcast episode featuring Luis Claudio Garcia de Souza, CEO and Founder of Finvest we explore how investments impact green innovations in the real estate sector, and their potential for transformative climate action. Hosted by Daniela Morales, student at the MIT Department of Urban Studies and Planning, this episode highlights Luis Claudio’s lifelong experience building successful e...

Explore real estate innovation and community building in the latest podcast episode featuring Qian Wang, a seasoned real estate professional and visionary founder of Collab. Hosted by Jason Ng, student at the MIT Center for Real Estate, this episode unfolds Qian's journey through his career to developing Collab: a groundbreaking decentralized student housing real estate asset management platfo...

In an era marked by climate volatility and global uncertainty, the quest to future-proof capital investment has never been more vital. Join us for a thought-provoking interview with Michael Ferrari, Chief Scientific & Chief Investment Officer at Climate Alpha, a pioneering AI-powered location analytics platform. Their objective? To revolutionize how we assess and price the future of geography...