Don Wood | Federal Realty Investment Trust

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.