Leading Voices in Real Estate

This episode of Leading Voices in Real Estate features Maury Tognarelli, President and CEO of Heitman, a $50 billion real estate investment manager. Drawing on more than four decades at Heitman, including over 25 years leading the firm, Maury discusses the value of longevity, the importance of brand and guiding principles, and how Heitman has evolved through multiple market cycles. The conversation explores long-term leadership, strategic thinking, and the importance of keeping institutional investors’ goals at the center of real estate investment management.

Matt Slepin sits down with Bill Stein, former CEO of Digital Realty Trust and current partner at Primary Digital Infrastructure, for a wide-ranging conversation about the rapid evolution of the data center industry and its increasingly important role in the AI economy. Drawing on decades of experience in digital infrastructure, Bill provides historical context on the sector’s transformation from a relatively niche real estate business into one of the most closely watched areas of investment and development. Matt and Bill explore how the AI arms race is driving unprecedented demand for new data centers—and with it, enormous requirements for energy, infrastructure, capital, and talent. The conversation also examines the growing tension surrounding data center development, from local opposition and energy consumption to broader questions about AI’s impact on society. As communities grapple with the physical infrastructure required to support AI, data centers have increasingly become a tangible focal point for much larger debates about technology, climate, economic growth, and the future. Recorded during Leading Voices in Real Estate’s Climate Month, the episode offers perspective on one of the built environment’s biggest emerging challenges: how to support the extraordinary growth of AI while navigating its equally extraordinary demands on energy, communities, and human capital.

In this episode of Leading Voices in Real Estate, Matt Slepin speaks with Mike McNamara, co-founder and CEO of Samara, an innovative homebuilder focused on accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and small-scale infill housing. A company incubated within Airbnb's venture arm, Samara is rethinking how factory-built homes can help address both the housing shortage and climate challenges. Mike shares how his experience leading global manufacturing company Flex shaped Samara's approach to scalable, high-quality home production, and discusses why smaller, neighborhood-based development can play an important role alongside larger multifamily projects. As part of Leading Voices' annual Climate Month series, the conversation explores the intersection of housing, sustainability, and the future of the built environment.

In this special rebroadcast of Leading Voices in Real Estate, Matt Slepin revisits his 2017 conversation with acclaimed architect Phil Freelon of Perkins & Will, one of the lead designers of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. Recorded shortly after the museum’s opening, the conversation reflects on Phil’s vision, impact, and legacy during a deeply personal time as he battled ALS. Revisited during a recent Fourth of July, this episode offers a thoughtful look back at a moment when national landmarks like the National Mall and institutions like the Smithsonian served as powerful symbols of unity. Phil’s insights on architecture, culture, and purpose remain as relevant today as ever.

In this episode of Leading Voices in Real Estate, Matt Slepin sits down with Casey Berman, Founder and Managing Partner of Camber Creek, a private equity firm investing in innovative real estate technology and cash-flowing assets. Part of the podcast’s ongoing proptech VC series, the conversation explores how real estate operators are leveraging technology to solve persistent industry pain points and build more integrated, competitive business platforms. Drawing from his experience as both an operator and investor, Casey shares insights on how fragmented tech solutions are evolving into cohesive systems that drive efficiency, differentiation, and long-term value. The discussion also highlights the growing importance of forward-thinking leadership across operations, technology, finance, and people functions—roles that are critical for companies aiming to compete in the next real estate cycle. This episode offers valuable perspective for real estate leaders navigating digital transformation and building high-performing, future-ready organizations.

In this podcast episode, Matt Slepin speaks with Darrell Crate, CEO of Easterly Government Properties, about the company’s differentiated investment strategy as a net lease REIT focused on mission-critical properties leased to U.S. government agencies. While often associated with traditional office and the DC market, Easterly’s portfolio tells a different story, with limited office exposure and a broader geographic footprint. Crate shares his perspective on the company’s positioning between underperforming office REITs and strong net lease peers, highlighting a potential pricing mismatch and investment opportunity. The conversation also touches on the role of outsourcing in government real estate, market perceptions of stability, and Easterly’s broader mission to support and improve government operations.

In this episode of Leading Voices in Real Estate, Matt Slepin sits down with retiring Cornell Nolan School of Hotel Administration Dean Kate Walsh for a wide-ranging conversation about the evolving role of hospitality within real estate and business leadership. Recorded during Walsh’s final month as Dean, the discussion explores Cornell’s outsized influence on the global hotel industry and the powerful network and culture that have shaped generations of hospitality leaders. The episode goes beyond hotels to examine how hospitality principles—service, operations, resident experience, and organizational culture—are increasingly influencing other real estate sectors, especially multifamily housing. Slepin connects these themes to broader industry shifts toward operational excellence, technology integration, and customer-centric leadership. Drawing on both personal travel experiences and professional insights from executive recruiting at ZRG, the conversation highlights why hospitality mindsets are becoming essential across the real estate landscape.

This episode of Leading Voices in Real Estate features a conversation with Margette Hepfner and Sam Bakshandehpour of BILT, a platform bringing hospitality and rewards into the multifamily housing space. The discussion explores how BILT fits into the broader apartment ecosystem and highlights a larger industry shift toward a more customer-focused, service-driven model. Building on insights from recent conversations and industry events, the episode underscores how differentiation in today’s market is increasingly happening at the operator level. As ownership remains relatively fragmented, operators are consolidating and investing in technology, platform capabilities, and hospitality-driven experiences to better serve residents. Strong service not only enhances customer satisfaction but can also drive tangible business outcomes like rent growth, retention, and overall performance. The episode also touches on the growing importance of industry reputation and the need for a more customer-oriented approach to help mitigate regulatory pressures. Overall, this conversation reinforces the idea that the future of multifamily real estate will be shaped by those who prioritize service, platform thinking, and the resident experience.

A wide-ranging conversation with economist and Rent Roll podcast host Jay Parsons on the current state of the apartment industry and adjacent sectors, including single-family rentals (SFR), build-to-rent (BTR), student, and senior housing. Jay shares key market trends, regulatory challenges, and myth-busting insights, most notably that while property management has consolidated, ownership in the multifamily sector remains highly fragmented. The episode offers a thoughtful look at how scale, operations, and evolving market dynamics are shaping the future of housing.

This episode of Leading Voices in Real Estate features a conversation with Argentine politician Horacio Rodríguez Larreta, recorded in Buenos Aires at the end of Matt Slepin’s South American trip. Unlike the previous episode focused on real estate investment in Chile, this discussion centers less on property markets and more on leadership, governance, and the economic challenges facing Argentina. Larreta shares his perspective on navigating political leadership in a country marked by ongoing economic instability, explaining why Argentina remains difficult for institutional real estate investment. The conversation explores the importance of political moderation and consistency in creating long-term stability, as well as his broader vision for the country’s future. While real estate topics are touched on, the episode ultimately offers a deeper look at how politics, economic policy, and leadership intersect in shaping investment environments, along with reflections on Argentina’s resilience and global significance despite its challenges.

In this episode of Leading Voices in Real Estate, host Matt Slepin sits down with Francisco Rencoret for a live conversation recorded atop the landmark mixed-use development MUT in Santiago. Slepin reflects on his travels through Chile, highlighting the country’s modern infrastructure, vibrant urban energy, and the success of large-scale developments like MUT as standout examples of placemaking. He also shares observations on Chile’s geographic diversity, welcoming culture, and appeal as both a travel destination and business environment. The episode weaves in broader insights on Chile’s political and economic stability, shaped by its history, including perspectives tied to Augusto Pinochet, setting the stage for a conversation that blends real estate, culture, and global context.

In this episode of Leading Voices in Real Estate, host Matt Slepin sits down with Justin Pattner, Head of Real Estate Equity, Americas at KKR, for a wide-ranging conversation recorded on February 26. The discussion explores the major forces shaping today’s real estate investment landscape, including global capital flows, the evolution of REITs in comparison to private equity and traditional real estate investment managers, and the role of operating platforms versus partnerships with external operators. Matt also shares his perspective as both a recruiter and interviewer, emphasizing that the most authentic insights into leadership often emerge not from scripted responses, but from the open space within longer, more candid conversations. Through this lens, his discussion with Justin moves fluidly across KKR’s real estate strategy, the firm’s investment approach, how it differentiates itself in the market, and Justin’s role within the broader platform. The episode blends industry expertise with a thoughtful exploration of leadership, culture, and the passion that drives professionals across the real estate sector.

Thirteen months after the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, Lew Horne and David Waite return to Leading Voices to provide a candid update on recovery, rebuilding, and the long road ahead. With more than 13,000 structures lost, including over 12,000 homes, the scale of rebuilding remains immense. More than 3,100 permits have been issued and nearly 900 homes are now under construction, yet fewer than a dozen have received certificates of occupancy. The conversation explores why progress feels slow, what is working, and where friction still exists. Lew and David discuss permitting timelines, the rollout of professional self-certification and AI-assisted plan review, the formation and progress of the Builders Alliance, insurance challenges, environmental cleanup standards, and the emotional realities families face when deciding whether to rebuild or relocate. This episode also includes a prerecording of their earlier conversation, offering listeners helpful context on where recovery efforts began and how priorities have evolved over the past year. They reflect on lessons learned, from public-private collaboration to resilience planning, and how these insights can shape responses to future natural disasters. This episode offers an honest look at recovery, policy innovation, and the complex human decisions behind rebuilding communities.

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 well as investment-focused firms including Walker & Dunlop, Berkadia, and Marcus & Millichap. The episode also touches on succession, industry evolution, and what may lie ahead as markets recover into the next cycle. For listeners interested in leadership, advisory businesses, and the evolving role of investment bankers in real estate, this conversation offers thoughtful perspective and practical insight.

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 players in the global transactions marketplace.

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 candidly about people, culture, and the less tangible elements that drive long term enterprise value, factors that matter just as much as AUM in building a durable and resilient organization. This wide ranging conversation covers global capital flows, long term investment thinking, leadership through uncertainty, and the cultural foundations behind building a world class real estate firm. As always, it is a thoughtful and forward looking discussion for anyone seeking to better understand where the real estate business has been and where it may be headed. Another great Leading Voices conversation.

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, encourages listeners to think about their impact and leadership at this time of year, and shares plans for the podcast’s expanded global focus in 2026.

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 they receive less public attention. Matt highlights two main takeaways from the conversation with Jeremy. First, Jeremy’s intentional approach and leadership have made Lincoln Avenue Communities a major player in less than a decade. Second, while many guests have built businesses from modest beginnings, Jeremy’s story stands out for how he has used his privileged background to chart his own course and make a difference through his company’s mission. Matt is joined by his colleague Sarah Dunn, who leads ZRG’s affordable housing search practice. As he moves toward semi-retirement, he reflects on mentoring colleagues like Sarah and invites listeners to explore more affordable housing episodes and connect with ZRG for talent and advisory needs.