The Distribution by Juniper Square

Mit Shah, Founder & CEO of Noble Investment Group, shares his inspiring journey from his family's motel to leading a hospitality investment powerhouse. He highlights how resilience has shaped his business through crises like 9/11 and COVID, emphasizing lessons in hard work and teamwork. Shah discusses the rise of branded long-term accommodations and emerging opportunities in hospitality, urging investors to rethink traditional assumptions and embrace the sector's unique potential in meeting modern travel and living needs.

Scott Aleali, Head of Private Equity Finance at Citizens Private Bank and podcast host of Fund Fanatics, discusses his career trajectory from Silicon Valley Bank to his current role. He shares lessons learned from the banking collapses of SVB and First Republic, emphasizing the need for transparency and differentiation in private markets. Scott highlights innovative liquidity solutions for underserved middle market clients and his passion for podcasting, revealing how authentic content can foster connections in the finance sector.

Jay Parsons, a respected rental housing economist with years of industry experience, shares insights on the evolving rental market. He discusses his career path post-financial crisis and the unique dynamics of apartments versus single-family rentals. The conversation covers migration trends favoring the Sunbelt regions, the shift towards long-term investment strategies, and the impact of technology in enhancing the leasing experience. Parsons emphasizes the importance of monitoring supply and demand metrics for informed decision-making in this competitive landscape.

Cia Buckley Marakovits, President and CIO of Dune Real Estate Partners, shares her fascinating journey from corporate finance to real estate. She discusses the nuances of high-yield investing versus opportunistic approaches and highlights the ongoing deleveraging in the market. Cia emphasizes the power of relationships and diversity in driving investment success, while also candidly addressing loneliness in leadership. Her insights offer valuable lessons on capital markets and the evolving landscape for women in real estate.

Chris Merrill, Co-Founder and CEO of Harrison Street, shares his insights from a dynamic career in real estate. He discusses his early experiences as a pioneering investor in Central Europe and how they shaped his unique approach. Chris reveals the challenges he faced in promoting unconventional asset classes like student housing and healthcare. He emphasizes the power of building strong partnerships with operators and the strategic shift towards infrastructure investments, highlighting the importance of innovation and a long-term mindset in achieving success.

Len O'Donnell, CEO and Chairman of Affinius Capital, shares his journey from the unexpected world of industrial chemical sales to leading a $60 billion real estate investment firm. He emphasizes the importance of historical insights in shaping leadership and business strategies. The discussion highlights the evolution of USAA Real Estate, co-investment growth, and the significance of data centers as vital to the economy. Len also reflects on the power of patience during mergers and the future of strategic partnerships in reshaping digital infrastructure.

Brendan Wallace, Co-founder and CEO of Fifth Wall, shares insights on how his diverse background in real estate finance and tech entrepreneurship shapes his firm's approach to transforming the built environment. He discusses Fifth Wall's strategic LP model that fosters technology adoption in real estate and addresses the slow tech uptake in the industry. The conversation reveals why now is an ideal time to launch new investment platforms and critiques the overhyped notion of proprietary data in the AI age, showcasing the future potential of PropTech.

Patrick McBride, co-founder and co-CEO of Coastal Ridge Real Estate, discusses his journey from starting a small venture with college friends to managing $5 billion in assets. He highlights the strategic evolution of Coastal Ridge, including partnerships with family offices and transitions to discretionary fund management. McBride explains how student housing offers growth opportunities, fueled by rising rents and specific amenities sought by students. He also emphasizes the importance of vertical integration and the Midwestern values that shape their company's culture.

In this conversation, Chris Brimsek, Managing Partner of CAB Advisory, shares his insights on the strategic and operational hurdles investment managers face today. He discusses the emerging trend of fundless sponsors and their impact on deal flow and team structures. Chris emphasizes the crucial choice between remaining boutique or scaling for founders, focusing on team dynamics. He also draws fascinating parallels between sports franchises and investment firms, highlighting how talent management strategies can inform private equity. This pragmatic dialogue offers valuable perspectives for navigating an evolving industry.

Franz Colloredo-Mansfeld, Chairman and CEO of Cabot Properties and incoming global chair of the Urban Land Institute, shares his unique journey from history and investment banking to leading a logistics powerhouse managing $12 billion in assets. He discusses key moments in Cabot's evolution, including their shift from public to private equity. Franz highlights the growing appeal of logistics real estate and its potential for value creation, while shedding light on global market dynamics and the strategic decisions that spurred the company's success.