Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate » Alumni » Real Estate Circle

Real Estate Circle

About 

The Columbia Real Estate Circle is an exclusive alumni-only group that provides unique networking opportunities and educational events for its members. Programs are designed to encourage network building and professional development, and often include monthly market updates, access to Columbia University faculty thought leaders, intimate gatherings with leading real estate practitioners and business leaders, and exclusive behind the scenes tours of signature real estate projects. 

Members of the Circle also steer the leadership and program development for the annual Columbia Business School Real Estate Symposium. 

Scott Meyer '14“The Real Estate Circle has been the perfect way for me to stay involved with Columbia Business School and in particular maintain strong ties to the CBS real estate network. Since starting PTM Partners in 2018, the Circle has been a great resource in both raising capital and sourcing deals.”
— Scott Meyer ’14, Chief Investment Officer, PTM Partners

Eric Tam '08“Joining the Real Estate Circle is an excellent way to develop relationships (old and new) with CBS Alumni and thought leaders in the real estate industry as well as to stay connected to the school.”
— Eric Tam ’08, Managing Director, Blackstone

Membership

Membership currently spans 40 graduation years, including alumni from across the US and more recently touching the UK and Latin America. We are thrilled to see this international network of CBS real estate professionals grow! Members of the Circle are at various levels in their careers and are making their mark in all segments of the real estate industry.

Raphael Sidelsky '99“The Circle is a powerful way to enhance your CBS real estate network while giving back to the school... Staying involved with CBS is a great way to augment your professional development at all stages of your career.”
— Raphael Sidelsky ’99, Chief Investment Officer, W5 Group

Gentry Ashmore Hoit '90“I should have joined years ago, because it’s fun! The Real Estate Circle has been valuable to me personally and professionally. In addition to being really connected with the school, I have made new alliances with CBS alumni that I have never met and gotten reacquainted with old friends.”
— Gentry Ashmore Hoit ’90, Senior Advisor, Finback Real Estate

What Does a Commitment Mean?

An annual commitment to the Real Estate Circle is a tax-deductible gift to the Milstein Center and the MBA Real Estate Program and therefore does not correlate with a specific number of events or programs you participate in. A gift to the Circle supports education, research and industry engagement at Columbia Business School, and has a deep and immediate impact on the Center's mission to educate the next generation of business leaders about the practice of real estate within an ever-changing global market. 

Gideon Gil '00“The Real Estate Circle has been instrumental in building strong relationships with some of the most engaged professionals in our industry. The ability to connect and share ideas at curated forums is a unique benefit.”
— Gideon Gil ’00, Executive Managing Director, Cushman & Wakefield

Kevin Thompson '17“The CBS Real Estate Circle amplifies the benefits of the school’s powerful alumni network by making likeminded professionals accessible on a frequent and intimate basis. Circle Meetings have provided an engaging venue to stay abreast of recent trends affecting CRE and to meet fellow CBS grads who can offer well-founded insight to complex investment challenges. My connection to CBS is stronger and more meaningful because of my involvement in the Real Estate Circle!”
— Kevin Thompson ’17, Vice President, MCAP Advisors

How Do I Get Involved?

Join us as a guest for an upcoming event to see how the Circle comes together! 

If you would like more information or to discuss the Columbia Business School's Real Estate Circle, please contact Kristin Svenningsen, Managing Director of the Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate. 

If you are ready to join, please use one of the below options:

  • An online gift commitment for the Circle can be made here.
    On the main screen, please select "Other" as the designation option and include "Real Estate Circle" in the Comments/Special Instruction field on the next page.

OR

Circle Members

Becoming a Circle member gives you many advantages, including invitations to an exclusive lecture series, networking opportunities, and interactions with current students. Learn more about becoming a Circle member.

Meet New Members

September 2021 | July 2021 | June 2021 | April 2021 |March 2021 | February 2021 | January 2021 | November 2020 | August 2020 | January 2020 | September 2019 | January 2019 | August 2018 | February 2018

Circle Leaders

Matthew Baron ’07
Simon Baron Development

Michelle Berliner ’96
InTheMarket

Alex Bernstein ’00
Bernstein Real Estate

Tim P. Berry ’13
Pennybacker Capital

Nicholas Bienstock ’96
Savanna

Julie Brenton ’89
Dune Real Estate Partners

Cia Buckley Marakovits ’93*
Dune Real Estate Partners

Mark Caplan ’84
The Time Group

Christopher Chang ’07
Menlo Equities

Arvind Chary ’11
Atlas Real Estate Partners

Anna Coatsworth ’01
Compass

Brent Connell ’95
Geneva Capital Group

Stonington Cox ’07
Nomos Group

Tommy Craig ’82
Hines

Kate Crosby ’13
The Davis Companies

Louis D’Avanzo ’91
Cushman & Wakefield

Ivo de Wit ’17
CBRE Global Investors 

Roland Dib ’98
Dib Management

Ronald Dickerman ’87
Madison International Realty

Brian Dilley '10
Dakota Pacific Real Estate Partners

David Dowell ’04 
Arliga Capital Advisors

Craig Elkind ’91
Elk Street Management

Daniel J. Entwistle ’00
NYC Office Suites

Gideon M. Gil ’00*
Cushman & Wakefield—Capital Markets

Sam Glass ’06
Artis Capital

Ed Gormbley ’09
Workforce Partners

Steve Grant ’92
MCRE Partners

Lea Guberina-Sulc '12 
LGS Management

Ronen Haron ’08
Artimus

Gentry Ashmore Hoit ’90
GAH Real Estate

Matthew Karp ’04
Amstar

Robert Klein ’04
Postal Realty Trust

Fernando Lamas ’05
Ohana Real Estate Investors

Nancy Lashine ’81*
Park Madison Partners

Ines Leung ’07
Sundance Bay

Mark Lokhin ’08
China Orient Asset Management

Sproule Love ’09
Allegro Senior Living

Lisa Mayer ’97

Scott Meyer ’14*
PTM Partners

Jonathan More ’09
Mayfair Investment Partners

Herbert Myers ’96
Investcorp

Matthew Neisser ’14
LendingOne

Tom Ortinau ’09
GFP

Katie Pelczar ’08
BMGI

Mark Portner ’99
Shorenstein Properties 

Atif Qadir ’14
Amanat Properties

Quentin Reynolds ’02
The Davis Companies

Michael Ridloff ’07
Vanke

Arthur Romeo ’12 
Sixth Street

Matthew Ross ’04
Edge Principal Advisors

James Schmid ’05
Anchor Health Properties

Gregorio Schneider ’96
TC Latin America Partners

David M. Sherman ’82*
BGO Strategic Capital Partners

Steven Shores ’00
RangeWater Real Estate

Raphael Sidelsky ’99*
W5 Group

Joseph C. Smith ’99
1754 Properties

Ross Smotrich ’83
Hodes Weill

Walter Stackler ’94 
Shelter Rock Capital Advisors

Bill Stasiulatis ’04
RRA Capital

Brian R. Steinwurtzel ’04
GFP

Robert Stern ’88
Castle Hill Investors

Eric Tam ’08
Blackstone 

Jared Toothman ’12*
Vornado Realty Trust

Kyle Torpey ’10
Madison International Realty

Jeff  Turkanis ’10
Oxford Properties

Philippe Visser ’04
Related

Jeff Wainwright ’11
West End Capital Group

Gordon Whiting ’94
Angelo, Gordon & Co.

Demetrios Yatrakis ’10
Lonicera Partners 

Circle Associates

Anthony Albanese ’18
Albanese Organization

Andy Anderson ’15
EnergyWatch

Michael Barkman ’20
Welltower

Federica Burelli ’20
Boston Properties

Anand Bhatia ’16
Bhatia Development Organization

Lisa Cations ’17
Hana

Tommy Chan ’19
Boston Properties

Christian Coates ’19 
Spear Street Capital

Jeremy Cooper ’21
Stonehill Strategic Capital

Maureen Devenny ’21

Sam Fenwick ’18
Pennybacker Capital

Chris Grube ’20
Format Real Estate 

Francisco Heffesse ’19
Gateway Real Estate

Jeremy Holder ’20
PGIM Real Estate 

Aaron Kazam ’15
Breakthrough Properties

Adam Kietz ’20
GPC Partners

Andrew Kim ’21
Invesco

Andrew Lang ’20
Bank of America

Musashi Liu ’20
Tishman Speyer

Andrew Lohrfink ’20
Tishman Speyer

John Millett ’21
Welltower

Justine Murphy ’21
Schulte Hospitality Group

Sophie Nitkin ’20
Hines 

Evan Petracca ’16
Triangle Equities

Taylor Pierce ’19
Gaia Real Estate

Ellen Qiu ’20
Credit Suisse

Lauren Rose ’17

Zachary Shulruff ’18 
BESEN

Michael Stern ’19
Madison Capital

Thomas Sternfeldt ’17
Sternfeldt + Co. 

Kenny Thompson ’19
L+M Development

Kevin Thompson ’17
MCAP Advisers

Garnett Veney ’19
Castle Hill Investors 

Katie Vila ’16
Roundhouse

Angela Wang ’21
Walmart

Lisa Weingarten ’21
Tishman Speyer

Ethan Woo ’20
Morgan Stanley

 

*Denotes Circle Board members

Circle Board

In October 2017, a Circle Board was initiated, and tasked with enhancing current programming, increasing communication, developing a stronger level of connectivity among real estate alumni, and supporting the overall strategic growth of the membership group. In just a few short months, the Circle has increased its programming activities from two annual breakfasts to 10 different activities, including a new “Sites and Sounds” tour program, a Distinguished Speaker Series, and in partnership with the Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate, has developed a monthly “Real Estate Alumni in the news" roundup to help keep fellow alumni connected and informed. There are more exciting and important things to come, so stay tuned, stay involved, and come participate!

Board Members

Cia Buckley Marakovits '93

Cia Buckley Marakovits ’93 
Dune Real Estate Partners

Biography
Chief Investment Officer, Partner, Managing Director and Member of the Investment Committee

With a breadth of experience in finance, fund management, and real estate investing through multiple market cycles over a nearly 30 year career, Ms. Cia Buckley Marakovits is one of the most accomplished women in institutional real estate investing.

Prior to joining Dune in 2007, Ms. Buckley Marakovits was the President of the U.S. Fund Business for JER Partners, an affiliate of the J.E. Robert Companies. Ms. Buckley Marakovits joined JER in 1997 and held a variety of positions there, including Chief Financial Officer, Head of Asset Management, Head of Acquisitions and President of the U.S. Fund Business. During her tenure at JER, Ms. Buckley Marakovits also served on the JER Global Investment Committee, the European Investment Committee, as well as the Investment Committee for the JRT public debt vehicle. Before joining JER, Ms. Buckley Marakovits spent nine years in the Real Estate Investment Banking Group at Bankers Trust, where she successfully sourced and managed a variety of assets, including distressed mortgage portfolios, operating company investments and structured debt investments.

Ms. Buckley Marakovits is a member of the Urban Land Institute where she is a Trustee and a member of the Board of Directors and Treasurer of the ULI Foundation. She is Chair of the Investment Committee for ULI and ULIF, a member of the Audit Committee of ULIF and active in the Women’s Leadership Initiative at ULI. Ms. Buckley Marakovits is a member of the Pension Real Estate Association, serves as a member of Columbia Business School’s MBA Real Estate Program Advisory Board and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Samuel Zell and Robert Lurie Real Estate Center at the Wharton School. She is a member of Women Executives in Real Estate (“WX”) and was honored as the WX Woman of the Year in 2011. Ms. Buckley Marakovits was selected by PERE as one of the Top Ten Women in Real Estate Private Equity in 2012 and received an award recognizing leadership and achievement in capital markets from the Association of Real Estate Women in 2013.

Ms. Buckley Marakovits is a member of the Board of Directors of Taubman Centers, Inc., a Real Estate Investment Trust currently engaged in the ownership, management and leasing of 26 regional, super-regional and outlet shopping centers in the U.S. and Asia. She also serves on the Board of Trustees of Collegiate School in New York City. Ms. Buckley Marakovits received an M.B.A. from Columbia University in 1993 and a B.A. from Lafayette College in 1988.

Gideon Gil '00

Gideon Gil ’00
Cushman & Wakefield

Biography
Gideon Gil serves as a Executive Managing Director in Cushman & Wakefield’s Capital Markets Group focused on raising debt and equity for client properties and development projects throughout New York City, as well as the Northeast corridor.  Mr. Gil has been an advisor to or a principal investor in over $8.0 billion of commercial real estate transactions throughout his career.  Mr. Gil joined C&W in 2012.

Mr. Gil began his real estate career at Clarion Partners, working in the Acquisitions and Development Group rising to the level of Vice President.  From 2004 through 2008, Mr. Gil was a Portfolio Manager and Lead Originator at RCG Longview, a private equity fund focused on high-yield debt positions in commercial real estate.  Mr. Gil was a Managing Principal at Madison Realty Capital from 2008 through 2010 focused on purchasing distressed debt from financial institutions and originating high-yielding mortgage loans.  In 2010, Mr. Gil co-founded Columbia River Capital Advisors (“CRCA”) an advisor to Family Office clients and advised on the investment of over $100 million of equity into opportunistic debt and equity investments in commercial real estate.

Mr. Gil holds a Bachelor degree from Cornell University and an MBA from Columbia Business School. He is a member of The Advisory Board of the Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate at Columbia Business School and serves as a board member and treasurer at Friends Seminary. 

Gentry Hoit '90

Gentry Ashmore Hoit ’90
GAH Real Estate

Biography
Gentry Ashmore Hoit joined GreenOak Real Estate, a global real estate private equity investment and advisory firm, in April 2016 to help build the company’s business. GreenOak is a value investor investing in mid-market assets in gateway cities around the world through separate private equity funds in the US, Asia, and Europe.  Based in New York, Gentry helped to capitalize funds and co-investments, evaluate and launch new business strategies and further build GreenOak’s brand.  Covering investors in the US and Middle East, she worked closely with the GreenOak European team to market and raise their second value-add fund of €655MM, investing predominantly in Spain and Italy and with the US team to market their third value add fund of $1.55B.  She project managed the firm’s new initiative in India seeking to raise $300-500MM. 
 
Other Experience 
Previously Gentry was a Partner of Park Madison Partners (2012-2016), a boutique real estate advisory firm. She led the firm’s Capital Advisory practice, which included direct equity investments comprised of individual deals, co-investments, joint ventures and separate accounts and worked with the Park Madison team in the fund raising and manager due diligence side of the business.  She evaluated over 100 managers and strategies in her time at the firm.

Prior to joining Park Madison Partners, Gentry was a Partner at Atlantic Assets Group (2006-2012), a private investment company dedicated to mixed-use and residential investment and redevelopment in Brooklyn, New York. AAG’s projects were located in urban infill and transit oriented areas. Gentry worked with the partners to formulate corporate strategy for the firm. She led capital transactions: acquisitions, dispositions and financings. She oversaw all investor participation in deals: raising equity, finalizing structures and negotiating terms and documentation. In addition, she ran lender reporting and compliance and oversaw execution of all retail leasing.

Gentry was a Senior Partner at Rubenstein Partners (while also running Atlantic Assets Group 2009-2010), a private real estate investment fund focused on the acquisition and redevelopment of office properties in the Eastern Time Zone. She advised them on New York and Florida office acquisitions and helped build relationships with strategic operating partners.

Gentry served as Managing Director of Shorenstein Company, LLC (1993-2006). She was with Shorenstein at the inception of their investment management business through seven funds (Funds I-VII) which totaled $2.2 billion and achieved net IRRs at the fund level from 9-24%. While at Shorenstein, Gentry was responsible for running east coast acquisitions for the firm’s Capital Transactions Group and served as a member of the Executive Committee. She led the team to purchase office properties across the nation specializing in Midwest and East Coast markets. She acquired approximately 16 million sf of office properties valued at nearly $4.0 billion and raised over $1.8 billion in debt financing.

Prior to Shorenstein, Gentry worked for Hines as Assistant Project Manager (1990-1993) where she coordinated planning, approvals and construction of a $100 million complex for Bristol Myers Squibb Company in Princeton, NJ. After graduating from college she joined PaineWebber Incorporated (1986-1988) where she participated in more than $3 billion of financings and worked on initial public offerings of 6 closed-end bond funds.

Education
Georgetown University – BA – History/Computer Science – 1986
Columbia University – MBA – Real Estate and Finance – 1990
Series 7, 24, 63 Licenses
Professional Interests and Activities
  • Full member of Urban Land Institute.  Vice Chairman of UDMUC Blue Product Council and former Chairman.  Past member of ULI NY District Council Executive Committee and former Co-Chair of Programming Committee.
  • Member of WX (Women Executives in Real Estate).  Former mentor.
  • Member of the Columbia Business School Real Estate Advisory Board and Columbia Business School Real Estate Circle. Former Chairman of Marketing and Communications Committee.
  • Former Member of the Board of Trustees at Kent Place School in Summit, NJ. Former Member of its Finance and Audit Committees and past Chairman of its Real Estate Committee.
  • Former Member of the Board of Trustees of The Peck School in Morristown, New Jersey.  Former Member of its Finance and Buildings & Grounds Committees.
  • Former Member of the Lincoln Center Real Estate and Construction Council.
  • Former Member of the Real Estate Board of New York.
  • Licensed real estate sales person in Georgia since 1985.
  • Past Trustee of George F. Baker Scholarship Program Georgetown University and past Co-Chairman of the Board.
  • Guest lecturer and case author for Columbia Graduate School of Business. Guest lecturer at Yale University and University of Pennsylvania.

Nancy Lashine '81

Nancy Lashine ’81 
Park Madison Partners

Biography
With more than 25 years of real estate experience, including providing placement and strategic consulting services both as principal and agent, Ms. Lashine brings senior-level attention to every client assignment.

As a strategic consultant within the real estate industry, Ms. Lashine has advised leading institutional real estate investment advisors and managers on product development and expansion, the implementation of institutional marketing initiatives, and the organization of professional teams. She has also been directly involved in the formation of investment products across the equity and debt markets and along the risk-return spectrum from core funds to opportunity funds.

Ms. Lashine earned a BFA in Dance Theatre from Case Western Reserve University and an MBA from Columbia Business School, where she graduated with majors in finance and marketing. She is a member of ULI and WX (Executive Women in Real Estate) and is a past board member of Pension Real Estate Association.

Scott Meyer '14

Scott Meyer ’14
PTM Partners

Biography
Scott Meyer is the Managing Principal, Chief Investment Officer, and an Investment Committee Member of the PTM Partners. Previously, Scott was a Director at LeFrak in its’ Real Estate Acquisitions and Capital Markets Group. Scott was part of the LeFrak team that invested and committed to more than $4 billion in real estate to the South Florida market. Projects included SoLe Mia and the 1 Hotel & Homes South Beach. SoLe Mia is a master planned development in Miami that sits on 184 acres and is entitled for more than 4,400 residential units and 1.5 million square feet of commercial space.  In addition to these projects, Scott led the firm's acquisitions efforts in South Florida and supported the firm's capital markets activity in New York, New Jersey, and California, which included securing over $1 billion in financings.

Prior to joining LeFrak in 2014, Scott spent five years with Hines in Washington, D.C. where he focused on the redevelopment of 1200 Nineteenth Street, a 330,000 sf Class A office building. Scott directed the management of the asset post renovation with an emphasis on the lease-up, stabilization of operations, and ultimate disposition of the property.
  
Scott graduated with Honors from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in History and Political Science and received his MBA from Columbia University. Scott is also on the board of Columbia Business School’s Real Estate Circle.

David Sherman '82

David Sherman ’82
BGO Strategic Capital Partners

Biography
David M. Sherman is a Co-founder and Managing Director of Metropolitan and Chairman of Metropolitan’s investment committee. Mr. Sherman has more than 30 years of real estate finance and analytical experience. In 2000, Mr. Sherman founded D. Sherman & Company, Inc., an advisory firm focused on strategic issues and transactions in the real estate securities industry.

Previously, Mr. Sherman was Managing Director of Salomon Smith Barney’s REIT research team, which covered more than 60 stocks and supported the firm’s $15 billion of REIT offering activity. At Smith Barney, Mr. Sherman created a new approach to evaluate global real estate securities and initiated global coverage of the sector. The team received recognition from Institutional Investor Magazine in 1998 and 1999. Mr. Sherman also held other positions in real estate finance, investment banking, and strategic planning at Smith Barney, The Harlan Company, First Boston, and Paine Webber, including acting as the Chief Financial Officer of Paine Webber Properties.

In addition, Mr. Sherman is the Co-Director of the Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate at the Columbia University Graduate School of Business Administration and the former Chairman of the Pension Real Estate Association (PREA) Institute Committee. Previously, Mr. Sherman was an Adjunct Professor of Real Estate Finance at Columbia Business School for seven years. Over the years, Mr. Sherman has published numerous articles in periodicals including American Banker, PREA Quarterly, Shopping Center Business, and National Real Estate Investor. Mr. Sherman served as a panelist for Institutional Limited Partners Association for its first member educational webcast on private equity real estate. Mr. Sherman currently serves as an independent director on the board of Brookfield Residential Properties.

Mr. Sherman received an A.B. in Mathematical Economics (magna cum laude) from Brown University and an M.B.A. in Finance from Columbia Business School.

Raphael Sidelsky '99

Raphael Sidelsky ’99 
W5 Group

Biography
Raphael Sidelsky is the head of real estate investing for W5 Group which has offices in New York, Miami and Switzerland.  Established in 2009, W5 Group is Ralph Winter’s family office. After successfully building the European real estate business of a large US private equity firm, Mr. Winter founded CORESTATE Capital in 2006, which has become one of the leading listed European real estate investment managers with EUR 25 billion of AUM. In the real estate space, W5 Group invests across all asset classes and capital structures in both entity level, joint venture and direct investments in the US and Europe. Current investment areas include co-living (W5 is a significant investor in Medici Living), micro apartments, residential, office and lodging.

Mr. Sidelsky has worked on over $6 billion of direct, entity level and joint venture real estate investments across a broad array of sectors and markets in the United States and Caribbean. Prior to W5, he worked as a Senior Managing Director/co-head of equity investment at CIII Capital Partners ($8BN in AUM) and before that as a Managing Director at Fremont Realty Capital, the Bechtel Family Office. He began his career as an architect and worked in Tel Aviv, Berlin, Los Angeles, Johannesburg and then in New York for Skidmore Owings and Merrill. Mr. Sidelsky received a Bachelor of Architecture in South Africa and an MBA from Columbia Business School. He is a board member of the Columbia Business School Real Estate Circle.

Brian Steinwurtzel '04

Brian Steinwurtzel ’04 
GFP Real Estate

Biography
Along with his cousin Eric Gural, Brian R. Steinwurtzel is co-head and principal of Newmark Holdings, which owns and manages a portfolio of approximately 50 properties comprising over 10 million square feet primarily in the New York City metro area. The firm also handles thirdparty services for over 20 properties comprising over 3 million square feet. The portfolio’s ownership includes such properties as the Flatiron Building, 515 Madison Avenue, 10 Astor Place, 520 Eighth Avenue, 230 Fifth Avenue, The Film Center and the Actors’ Equity Building.

Mr. Steinwurtzel oversees all aspects of the company’s operations with a focus on new investments, financing, project management and
leasing activity. His team has averaged more than 1.0 million square feet of leasing per year, including Manhattan’s largest lease in 2009, which relocated The Gap to approximately 265,000 square feet at 40 Worth Street in Tribeca. Noteworthy recent projects include the
acquisitions of 40 Exchange Place in the Financial District, 10-27 46th Avenue and 11-05 44th Drive in Long Island City as well as 7 Bushwick Place and 285 North Sixth Street in Brooklyn. Mr. Steinwurtzel recently led the redevelopment of 1560 Broadway into a Class A retail and office building in Times Square and the lease-up of the 700,000-square-foot asset at 40 Worth Street. He is currently leading the repositioning of SoHo’s 560 and 594 Broadway, Hell’s Kitchen’s The Film Center Building and Midtown East’s 767 Lexington Avenue.

Prior to joining Newmark Grubb Knight Frank, Mr. Steinwurtzel was an equity research analyst for Triene Inc., a Goldman Sachs Ventures firm. Previously, he worked as a management consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

An active member of the community, Mr. Steinwurtzel serves on the boards of Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts, the Center for Family
Representation, Columbia Business School’s Real Estate Advisory Board, the East Midtown Partnership, LIFT-NY, Selfhelp Community
Services Inc., and the SoHo Broadway Initiative. He is also a member of the Columbia Business School Real Estate Circle, Hastings-on-
Hudson Infrastructure Committee and board of trustees for Cooper Union.

Mr. Steinwurtzel received his Master of Business Administration degree from Columbia Business School and his Bachelor of Science degree in
Business Administration from Washington University.

Jared Toothman '12

Jared Toothman ’12
Vornado Realty Trust

Biography
Jared handles acquisition, financing, pre-development, and asset management responsibilities across office, retail, residential, and hotel assets for Vornado Realty Trust and Vornado Capital Partners. At Vornado he has sourced, underwritten, and structured acquisitions in New York and Los Angeles, assembled development sites, negotiated financings for acquisition and construction loans, overseen asset management of three properties in Vornado’s private equity fund, and helped oversee Vornado’s signage portfolio.

Significant projects include 220 Central Park South, a 950 foot tall, 620,000 square foot luxury condominium under construction along Central Park South; Marriott Marquis Times Square (1535 Broadway), a blockfront retail and signage redevelopment located in the Times Square bowtie; and three office and retail development projects in Midtown South totaling 650,000 square feet.  

Prior to joining Vornado, Jared worked as a Director of Financial Services at Eastern Consolidated, a New York focused investment sales firm. He started his career at Bear Stearns in an investment banking and capital markets rotation program. Jared received his BA from Duke University in Economics and his MBA from Columbia Business School where he was a Real Estate Circle and ICSC scholarship recipient.

Current Events

Circle Member events are designed to encourage network building and professional development, and often include monthly market updates, access to Columbia University faculty thought leaders, intimate gatherings with leading real estate practitioners and business leaders, and exclusive behind the scenes tours of signature real estate projects.  All events are being presented virtually at this time. 

To suggest a topic, speaker or to help coordinate an event in your area of expertise or geographic region, please connect with Mary The Trieu. 

If you are not currently a member but would like to attend an event as a guest, we’d be happy to host you. Please contact Mary The Trieu. 

Spring 2021

  • Tuesday, 2/23, 12:00-1:00pm: Market Observations Discussion + Member Networking
     
  • Tuesday, 3/16, 12:00-1:00pm: Circle Market Update and Discussion on Underwriting Environmental Risk
    Speakers: Keith Banhazl, Managing Director, Moody’s Investor Service, and Stijn Van Nieuwerburgh, Earle W. Kazis and Benjamin Schore Professor of Real Estate
     
  • Thursday, 3/25, 5:00-6:00pm:  Circle Virtual Cocktail Hour
     
  • Tuesday, 4/6, 12:00-1:00pm: Market Observations Discussion + Member Networking
     
  • Wednesday, 4/21, Time TBA: Global Real Estate Alumni Introductions and Market Observations – exclusively for CBS alumni outside of the US. Sponsored by the Real Estate Circle.
     
  • Tuesday, 4/27, 12:00-1:00pm: Market Observations Discussion + Member Networking
     
  • Thursday, May 6, 4:00-6:00pm: Columbia Business School Annual Real Estate Alumni Event – details TBA
     
  • Tuesday, May 18, 12:00-1:00pm: Market Observations Discussion + Member Networking

Past Events

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the Center immediately pivoted activities to virtual programming, and the Circle quickly became an even more valuable resource for its members, serving as a monthly touchpoint with others in various corners of the industry to share observations, suggest best practices and find connection, while being physically distant. 

What began with broader “Circle Market Observations” and discussions in the spring, has evolved into a wider, more frequent menu of virtual thought leadership, and have included topics such as the below:

  • How Coronavirus is Impacting the Real Estate Credit Markets
  • How the Pandemic Has Altered the Real Estate Market
  • Urban Single Family Rental Market
  • Luxury Sales and NYC Residential Market
  • Industrial outlook
  • Insight from Senior experts in the Real Estate Search Industry
  • The Intersection of Technology and Inclusive Leadership
  • Flattening the Curve: Pandemic-induced Revaluation of Urban Real Estate

Some of the featured members and speakers in 2020-2021 programming have included:

2020-2021 Speakers

  • Thomas Flexner, Global Head of Real Estate, Citigroup
  • Gideon Gil '00, Executive Managing Director, Equity, Debt, and Structured Finance, Cushman & Wakefield,
  • Dan Heflin, CEO, Torchlight Investors,
  • Anthony J. LoPinto, Global Sector Leader, Real Estate, and Managing Director, Korn Ferry
  • Gemma Burgess, President of US Search, Ferguson Partners
  • Mark Momongan ’99, Founder and Managing Partner, Maple Hill Search Partners 
  • Tawan Davis, Founding Partner and CEO, Steinbridge Group
  • Tim Berry ’13, CEO, Pennybacker Capital
  • Steven Shores ’00, CEO, RangeWater Real Estate
  • Gregorio Schneider ’96, Founding Partner & CIO, TC Latin America Partners
  • Quentin Reynolds ’02, CIO, Davis Companies
  • Mark Caplan ’84, CEO, The Time Group
  • James Schmid ’05, CIO, Anchor Health Properties
  • Raphael Sidelsky ’99, CIO, W5 Group
  • Camille Douglas, Senior Managing Director, LeFrak
  • Matthew Karp ’04, President, Amstar Group
  • Gentry Hoit ’90, Senior Advisor, Finback Real Estate
  • Cia Buckley Marakovits ’93, President & CEO, Dune Real Estate Partners
  • Anna Coatsworth ’01, Real Estate Advisor, Compass
  • Nicholas Bienstock ’96, Managing Partner, Savanna Real Estate Fund
  • Brian Steinwurtzel ’04, Co-CEO, GFP Real Estate
  • Nancy Lashine ’81, Founder & Managing Partner, Park Madison Partners
  • Mark Portner ’99, Managing Director, Shorenstein
  • Walter Stackler ’94, Managing Partner, Shelter Rock Capital Group
  • Robert Stern ’88, Managing Partner, Castle Hill Investors
  • Bill Stasiulatis ’04, CFO, RRA Capital
  • Joseph Smith ’99, CEO, 1754 Properties
  • Ivo De Wit ’17, Managing Director, CBRE Global Investors
  • Louis D’Avanzo ’91, Vice Chairman, Cushman & Wakefield
  • David Dowell ’04, Managing Principal, Arliga Capital Advisors
  • Sproule Love ’09, Owner, Allegro Senior Living
  • Katherine Vila ’16, COO, Roundhouse
  • Philippe Visser ’04, President of Related Office Development, Related
  • Yolande Schuler, Real Estate Transaction Advisory Head, WeWork
  • Ed McGovern ’95, Managing Director, Security Properties
  • Garraud Etienne ’16, COO, Settlement Housing Fund
  • Abner Figueroa ’96, Managing Principal, Five Boro Multifamily
  • Thomas Campbell ’09, Principal, Managing Member, Thorobird Companies
  • Alex Holiday ’13, Partner, The Glasshouses
  • Jimmy Arakanji ’12, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Thor Urbana
  • Ryan Moorehead ’09, Founder & CEO, Javelin Residential
  • Mark Tsocanos ’88, Partner, The Baupost Group

Spring 2020

Circle Academy Breakfast: The Art of Choosing

February 2020
 

A special presentation by world-renowned choice expert, Sheena Iyengar, S.T. Lee Professor of Business, Columbia Business School. Dr. Iyengar explores the psychology behind decision-making and innovation. In today’s increasingly dynamic world, how can we choose with confidence? And how can we think and act creatively when options seem to be endlessly proliferating, as new tasks and opportunities vie for our attention? Dr. Iyengar’s work provides insights into the common mistakes we make when facing decisions and presents lab-tested solutions for getting the most from choice. 

Hosted by the Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate. 

Circle Breakfast Event: Development of Life Science Buildings

March 2020
 

A conversation with Robert Albro, Managing Director, King Street Properties, and Brian Steinwurtzel ’04, co-CEO and Principal, GFP Real Estate on zoning and development of life science buildings, and the size of the current market.  

Special thanks to Brian Steinwurtzel ’04 for organizing this event.

Fall 2019

2019 Real Estate Symposium
December 2019

Real Estate Symposium

The 12th annual Real Estate Symposium, an exclusive Columbia Business School alumni-only educational forum will take place on Wednesday, December 12, 2019 at the Princeton Club of New York. Registration for this event will be available to CBS alumni only in the CBS Real Estate Alumni Community.

East Side Access
November 2019

Sites & Sounds Tour: East Side Access

A unique opportunity for an insider look at the exciting development of East Side Access.

Special thanks to Gentry Hoit ’90 and Tommy Craig ’82 for organizing this event.

Tom DeRosa '88
October 2019

Distinguished Speaker Breakfast: Tom DeRosa ’88

An exclusive conversation with Thomas DeRosa, CEO, Welltower on how modern, purpose built real estate settings are driving better health and wellness outcomes while lowering costs to payers.

Hosted by the Paul Milstein Center and the Real Estate Circle

NY Rent Regulation
September 2019

Breakfast Panel: NY Rent Regulation

A dynamic panel discussion focusing on the investment implications of the recent overhaul of New York rent regulations, featuring representatives from three of the largest multifamily owners and developers in New York City, and a Columbia Business School professor.

This topical conversation with esteemed panelists, Jeremy Shell ’04, TF Cornerstone, David Twerdun ’09, LeFrak, Joe Weishaar ’11, L+M Development, and Professor Stijn Van Nieuwerburgh, Columbia Business School will be moderated by Jonathan More ’09, Mission Capital Advisors, Mayfair Investment Partners. 

Special thanks to Jared Toothman '12 for organizing this event.

2019 Summer Social Cocktail Event
August 2019

Circle Social: Summer Cocktail Hour

The Paul Milstein Center hosted its second Real Estate Circle Summer Happy Hour at the Empire Hotel Rooftop Bar in August. We kicked-off the upcoming fall Circle programs with this member appreciation event! It was great to connect with members and alumni guests over drinks and appetizers at this summer event.

Spring 2019

2019 Alumni Reception
May 2019

CBS Annual Real Estate Alumni Reception

This is the largest real estate alumni activity at the School! An evening when hundreds of alumni reconnected with former classmates and meet new friends and business colleagues at the Columbia Business School’s Annual Real Estate Alumni Reception.

The 2019 honorees included:

Distinguished Real Estate Partner: Matthew Lustig

Distinguished Real Estate Faculty: Camille Douglas, Michael Giliberto, Andrew Jacobs ’96

The Robots Are Coming!
April 2019

Circle Event: The Robots Are Coming!

An exciting look at robotics in the real estate industry, a presentation with distinguished speakers, Zach Aarons '13, Co-Founder and Partner, MetaProp, Scott Peters, Co-Founder, Construction Robotics, and Platt Boyd, Founder and CEO, Branch Technologies. Followed by an evening reception to connect with classmates and fellow CBS alums. 

Special thanks to Zach Aarons '13 and MetaProp for organizing and hosting this event.

Debra Cafaro
April 2019

Distinguished Speaker Breakfast: Debra Cafaro, Chairman & CEO, Ventas

An exclusive conversation with Debra Cafaro, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Ventas, an S&P 500 company and real estate investment trust that owns approximately 1,200 healthcare, life science and senior living properties in North America and the United Kingdom and serves as the primary capital provider to leading healthcare companies. A recognized industry leader, Cafaro set and oversaw execution of a long term strategy that has driven Ventas’s market capitalization to $26 billion at its peak from $200 million since her leadership began in 1999. Widely-acclaimed for her strategic vision, Cafaro has received multiple professional recognitions. In addition to her work at Ventas, Cafaro is broadly engaged across business, public policy, academic, sports and non-profit sectors.

Special thanks to Cia Buckley Marakovits ’93 for organizing this event.

53W53
March 2019

Sites and Sounds Tour: 53W53

A unique opportunity for an insider look at the exciting new development of 53W53. An iconic residential condominium project that includes three floors of new exhibition space above the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). This exclusive tour was led by David Penick, Managing Director, and Tim Flynn, VP of Construction, Hines.

Special thanks to Tommy Craig ’82 and Hines for organizing and hosting this event.

Co-Living--New Frontiers
February 2019

Circle Breakfast: Co-Living—New Frontiers

An exclusive conversation on co-living as a new segment of the real estate market, with perspectives from investors in the space. Distinguished speakers Matthew Baron ’07, President, Simon Baron Development, Brian Lee, Senior Director of Real Estate, Common, and Raphael Sidelsky ’99, Chief Investment Officer, W5 Group, provided an inside look in the co-living model based on their investments in leading companies such as Ollie, Common, and Quarters.

Special thanks to Raphael Sidelsky ’99 for organizing this event.

Opportunity Zones in Action
February 2019

Circle Breakfast: Opportunity Zones in Action

A dynamic panel discussion on Opportunity Zones investing from all perspectives with an insider look on real transactions. This exciting conversation on how to unravel the mystery was moderated by Gentry Hoit ’90, GAH Real Estate with, esteemed panelists: Lisa Brill, Shearman & Sterling, Samuel Chapin ’14, L+M development, Scott Meyer ’14, PTM Partners, and Mike Shulman, Shearman & Sterling.

Special thanks to Gentry Hoit ’90 and Scott Meyer ’14 for organizing this event.

Fall 2018

2018 Real Estate Symposium
December 2018

Real Estate Symposium

The 11th annual Real Estate Symposium, an exclusive Columbia Business School alumni-only educational forum took place on Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at the Princeton Club of New York.

More information →

56 Leonard
November 2018

Sites & Sounds Tour: 56 Leonard

This tour, organized exclusively for the Columbia Real Estate Circle, was a unique opportunity for an inside look at the development at 56 Leonard. The tour was lead by Izak Senbahar of Alexico Group, and David Beznos, Dune Real Estate Partners, who generously offered to provide an overview of the design.

Real Estate Tech Roundtable
October 2018

Real Estate Tech Roundtable: Real Estate Tokenization and ICOs

A conversation with Mohammah Shaikh, CEO and Co-Founder, Meridio, a blockchain-based platform for creating, managing, and trading fractional ownership shares in real estate assets, and Jonathan Weibrecht, Director of Real Estate Capital Markets, Harbor, a global leader in security token issuance and innovation.

Nicholas Bienstock & Steven Orbuch
September 2018

Distinguished Speaker Breakfast: Nick Bienstock ’96 & Steven Orbuch

With Nicholas Bienstock ’96, Co-Managing Partner, Savanna, and Steven Orbuch, Founder and President, Oz Real Estate, this dynamic discussion covered topics on investment strategies and opportunities.

Domino Sugar Factory
September 2018

Sites & Sounds Tour: Domino Sugar Factory

This was a unique opportunity for an inside look at the exciting development of the former Domino Sugar Factory in Williamsburg. Vishaan Chakrabarti, Architect and Founder of PAU, generously offered to provide an overview of the design of the first series of waterfront buildings at 325 Kent Ave, as well as the newly developed Domino Park.

Summer 2018

2018 Summer Happy Hour
July 2018

Summer Happy Hour

The Paul Milstein Center hosted its first Real Estate Circle Summer Happy Hour at the Empire Hotel Rooftop Bar in July 2018. We kicked-off our new upcoming Circle programs with this member appreciation event! It was a great opportunity to connect with members and alumni casually over drinks and appetizers this summer.

Spring 2018

2018 Alumni Reception
May 2018

Pre-Event Cocktails and Networking

With Columbia Business School’s Distinguished Real Estate Partner honoree David Neithercut ’82 before the Annual Real Estate Alumni Reception.

61 Ninth Avenue & 512 West 22nd Street
April 2018

Sites & Sounds Tour: 61 Ninth Avenue & 512 West 22nd Street

Hosted by Vornado Realty. Blending industrial elements of West Chelsea's past with ultra-modern, state-of-the-art design and set the heart of Google's Manhattan Campus, with prominent views west toward the Hudson River—an exclusive tour of these brand new properties, and networking along the High Line!

Professor Bruce Greenwald
April 2018

Real Estate Circle Academy Breakfast

Featuring Professor Bruce Greenwald, Robert Heilbrunn Professor of Finance and Asset Management at Columbia Business School.

Described by the New York Times as "a guru to Wall Street's gurus," Greenwald is an authority on value investing with additional expertise in productivity and the economics of information. 

Richard LeFrak
March 2018

Distinguished Speaker Lunch

A discussion with Richard LeFrak, Chairman and CEO and Harrison LeFrak ’98, Vice Chairman of LeFrak, a preeminent, family-owned property company committed to community development and long term ownership.

Beyond property, LeFrak investments are geographically diverse and span many business sectors with significant investments in securities, private businesses and energy. LeFrak regularly enhances its real estate and non-real estate asset base with opportunistic investments across the United States and around the globe.

Steven Hason & Hilary Spann
February 2018

Distinguished Speaker Breakfast: Discussion on Global Investing

With Hilary Spann, Managing Director, Head of Americas, Real Estate Investments at CPP Investment Board and Steven Hason, Managing Director, Co-Head Americas Real Estate APG Asset Management US Inc.

Essex Crossing
January 2018

Sites & Sounds Tour: Essex Crossing, hosted by L+M Development

An unprecedented development in the heart of the Lower East Side. Spread over 1.9 million square feet, Essex Crossing comprises nine sites with over 1,000 new residences, 450,000 square feet of retail, 400,000 square feet of office space, community attractions, and green spaces. These nine sites represent one of the most significant urban renewal developments in the history of New York City. This tour, organized exclusively for the Columbia Real Estate Circle, was a unique opportunity for an inside look at the exciting development of the Essex Crossing megaproject.

Fall 2017

Circle Academy Breakfast

How Real Estate Staucks Up Among Capital Market Alternatives


Craig Leupold ’92, Chief Executive Officer, Green Street Advisors

Spring 2017

Circle Academy Breakfast

Scott Rechler, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, RXR Realty

Fall 2016

Circle Academy Breakfast

Power at Ground Zero: Politics, Money, and the Rebuilding of Lower Manhattan
 

Featuring a presentation by Lynne B. Sagalyn, Earle W. Kazis and Benjamin Schore Professor Emerita and Founding Director, The Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate, Columbia Business School

Spring 2016

Circle Academy Breakfast

The REIT World Today: Benefits & Headwinds
 

David B. Henry, Co-Founder, Peaceable Street Capital; Retired Vice Chairman, Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, Kimco Realty

Fall 2015

Circle Academy Breakfast

The Changing Structure of the Real Estate Investment Industry
 

David M. Sherman ’82, Co-Founder, President, and Co-Chief Investment Officer, Metropolitan Real Estate

Spring 2015

Circle Academy Breakfast

Secular Opportunities in Today’s Real Estate Markets
 

Richard J. Mack, Law ’93, Founder and CEO, Mack Real Estate Group

Fall 2014

Circle Academy Breakfast

The Current US Private Equity Market
 

Stephen J. Furnary, Chairman and CEO, Clarion Partners

Circle Academy Breakfast

Real Estate Under the Alternatives Umbrella
 

Marjorie Tsang, Law ’85, Director of Strategic Research and Solutions, New York State Common Retirement Fund

Fall 2013

Circle Academy Breakfast

GSE Reform
 

Hugh Frater ’85, Chief Executive Officer, Berkadia

Spring 2013

Circle Academy Breakfast

CRE Debt: Have Markets Normalized?
 

Spencer Haber, Founder, Chairman, and CEO, H/2 Capital Partners

Fall 2012

Circle Academy Breakfast

Martin Cicco, CC ’78, Senior Managing Director and Head of Real Estate, Evercore Partners

Spring 2012

Circle Academy Breakfast

Being a Real Estate Entrepreneur, Young!
 

Mark Caplan ’84, President, Time Group: 

Fall 2011

Circle Academy Breakfast

Challenges to Effective Renegotiation of Residential Mortgages
 

Tomasz Piskorski, Edward S. Gordon Professor of Real Estate, Columbia Business School.

Spring 2011

Circle Academy Breakfast

An Interactive Case Study: Liquidity in a Credit Drought: Equity Residential (EQR)
 

David Neithercut ’82, President and CEO, Equity Residential

Fall 2010

Circle Academy Breakfast

Housing, Credit, Real Estate, and the Economy
 

Chris Mayer, Co-Director, Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate and Paul Milstein Professor of Real Estate, Columbia Business School

Spring 2010

Circle Academy Breakfast

Distressed Debt Investing: The Hancock Tower & Garage (a real estate case study)
 

Lynne B. Sagalyn, Earle W. Kazis and Benjamin Schore Professor Emerita of Real Estate, Columbia Business School

Fall 2009

Circle Academy Breakfast

Distressed Real Estate
 

John Klopp, CEO, Capital Trust, Inc.

Spring 2009

Circle Academy Breakfast

A Perfect Mess: The Hidden Benefits of Disorder
 

Eric Abrahamson, Professor of Management, Columbia Business School

Fall 2008

Circle Academy Breakfast

The Venturesome Economy
 

Amar Bhide, Lawrence D. Glaubinger Professor of Business, Columbia Business School

Summer 2008

Circle Academy Breakfast

Are Short Sellers Evil?
 

Charles Jones, Professor of Finance and Economics, Columbia Business School

Spring 2008

Circle Academy Breakfast

Strategic Intuition: The Creative Spark in Human Achievement 
 

William Duggan, Professor of Management, Columbia Business School

Fall 2007

Circle Academy Breakfast

Macroeconomic and Monetary Studies Function
 

Richard Peach, Vice President, Federal Reserve Bank of New York

Summer 2007

Circle Academy Breakfast

Is Good Governance always Good for the Shareholders? 
 

Matthew Rhodes-Kropf, Daniel W. Stanton Associate Professor of Business, Columbia Business School

Spring 2007

Circle Academy Breakfast

Bubbles, Fundamentals and Superstar Cities: The Future Path of High Real Estate Prices
 

Chris Mayer, Co-Director, Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate and Paul Milstein Professor of Real Estate, Columbia Business School

Winter 2007

Circle Academy Breakfast

Long Term Trends in Globalized Interest Rates
 

Bruce Greenwald, Robert Heilbrunn Professor of Finance and Asset Management, Columbia Business School

Join the Real Estate Circle

Learn more about the advantages of joining the Real Estate Circle.

Starting in July 2019, four levels of commitment are available and renew annually:

  1. Circle Leader (for graduates of more than 5 years)
  2. Circle Associate (for graduates within the last 5 years)
  3. Non-Resident (for graduates >100 miles from NYC)
  4. Recent Graduate (first year following graduation only)

If you would like to join Columbia Business School's Real Estate Circle, please complete the commitment form or contact Kristin Svenningsen for more information.

You can make an online contribution here. On the main screen, please select "Other" as the designation option and include "Real Estate Circle" in the Comments/Special Instruction field on the next page.

Kristin Svenningsen
Managing Director
[email protected]
(212) 854-8556

Distinguished Alumni Voices

Distinguished Alumni Voices

 

News

GSB News

October 12, 2021

Real Estate Association Elects 2021-2022 AVPs

The Columbia Business School Real Estate Association (REA) is pleased to announce the AVPs for the 2021-22 academic year. The officers were elected by the REA membership. Meet the Board!

September 20, 2021

Introducing New July 2021 Members of the Real Estate Circle

The Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate is pleased to welcome the following new alumni to the Real Estate Circle: Matthew Neisser ’14 and Arthur Romeo ’12 as Leaders and Maureen Devenny ’21 as an Associate. 

September 20, 2021

Real Conversation: 10 Questions with the 2021–2022 REA Co-Presidents

The Paul Milstein center for Real Estate sat down with the incoming Real Estate Association (REA) Co-Presidents Katie Hogan ’22 and Dan Vasserman ’22 to learn more about what brought them to the MBA Real Estate Program at Columbia Business School, into leadership positions in the REA, and beyond! Read more to get the inside scoop on the lives of Katie and Dan! 

June 4, 2021

Introducing New Members of the Real Estate Circle: June 2021

The Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate is pleased to welcome the following new alumni to the Real Estate Circle: Jeremy Cooper ’21, Andrew Kim ’21, John Millett ’21, Justine Murphy ’21, Angela Wang ’21, and Lisa Weingarten ’21 as Associates.