Leading Voices in Real Estate Debra A. Cafaro | Chairman & CEO of Ventas
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Sep 2, 2025 Debra A. Cafaro, Chairman and CEO of Ventas, describes her inspiring journey from humble beginnings in Pittsburgh to leading a major REIT focused on senior housing. She discusses Ventas's innovative strategies, emphasizing the shift from nursing homes to personalized senior living. Cafaro also reflects on navigating challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of teamwork and mentorship in real estate leadership. With insights on market dynamics and the future of aging populations, her thoughts are both engaging and enlightening.
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Ventas Targets The Longevity Economy
- Ventas focuses on the longevity economy with a diversified portfolio across senior housing, outpatient medical, and research facilities.
- The firm combines scale, markets in US/Canada/UK, and a vertically integrated outpatient platform to capture secular aging demand.
Perpetual Funds Reduce Vintage Risk
- Ventas launched an open-end institutional fund (Ventas Investment Management) to deploy third-party capital alongside the REIT.
- A perpetual vehicle avoids vintage risk and lets managers buy or hold opportunistically for better long-term returns.
Encourage Earlier Moves For Better Outcomes
- Move to senior living sooner when possible so the older adult chooses and benefits from socialization and safety.
- Prioritize proximity and service quality over just physical amenities when selecting a community.