MIT/CRE Meet the Visionaries

In this episode, we welcome Kabir Seth, Principal at San Francisco-based Presidio Bay Ventures, a vertically-integrated developer of commercial real estate for private and public sector tenants across the U.S. Presidio Bay Ventures' portfolio consists of mid- to large-scale office, life science and R&D spaces, mixed-use, urban infill multifamily communities, industrial distribution centers and other special-use facilities, with an emphasis on bespoke strategy and tailored design for each end-user. Kabir shares his own career journey, from growing up in Dubai to his studies at UC Berkeley, an early career in investment banking, and eventually partnering with PBV Managing Partner Cyrus Sanandaji to work first with public sector tenants and then strategically enter private development for a variety of uses.  He reflects on the state of the San Francisco real estate market, particularly in the context of the "doom-loop" narrative of the past few years, and why he thinks the city remains an excellent geography for investors and developers willing to adapt. We dive into several of Presidio Bay Ventures' most recent office projects, including Springline, the firm's "office resort" concept that's proved to be a smashing success.  Kabir's insights and candor make this episode a truly inspiring and thoughtful listen. Tune in for another great conversation with the visionary Kabir Seth. Interview by Robby Mulcahy | MSRED 2025Director:  Denise DeLoreyProduction by: Robby Mulcahy, Soala AjienkaMusic from ⁠#Uppbeat⁠: https://uppbeat.io/track/mark-july/dance-with-me?rt=uc-referralLicense code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01Ehttps://cre.mit.edu/

In this episode, we welcome AJ Jackson, President of LEO Impact Capital, a subsidiary of JBG Smith focused on acquiring, financing, and operating workforce housing using an Impact Framework. AJ serves on numerous boards and advisory councils, including the Fannie Mae Affordable Housing Advisory Council, NMHC’s Workforce Housing Committee, and is Chair of the Advisory Board at the Randall Lewis Center for Sustainability in Real Estate at ULI. AJ shares his fundamental understanding of macroeconomic conditions impacting the demand for affordable and workforce housing in gateway and growing cities, navigating public policy to establish competitive solutions to reducing housing prices for cost-burdened renters, and LEO’s unique organizational structure in solving for the “missing middle.” With inflation and capital constraints impacting the public and private markets, housing remains at the forefront of national conversations. AJ offers listeners an abundance of knowledge on ways operators can leverage policy, public benefits, and technology to level the playing field. Tune in to learn how the private markets are paving the way for a future in workforce housing. Interview by: Dean Firouzian / MSRED Candidate 2025 Produced by: Lacey Cochran Music: #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-with-me License code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E

In this episode, we welcome Joe Azelby, former NFL linebacker and current Head of Real Estate and Private Markets for UBS Asset Management. With a career spanning from professional sports to managing real estate, infrastructure, and private equity investments. Joe brings perspective to leadership, strategy, and the evolving real estate landscape. Hosted by Dean Firouzian, a student at the MIT Center for Real Estate, this episode delves into the current state of the real estate market and Joe’s role in navigating its complexities. He shares insights about investments in data centers and energy storage infrastructure, as well as strategies for transforming struggling office markets through public-private partnerships and incentive programs to achieve their highest and best use. Interview by: Dean Firouzian / MSRED Candidate 2025 Music from #Uppbeat License code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E

In this episode we welcome Tess McNamara, AIA, a Senior Sustainability Consultant at Arup and faculty member at the Yale School of Architecture. Tess shares her journey that propelled her to the intersection of research, design, and implementation, where she is driving advancements in sustainable built environments.   She offers insights into her role at Arup, where her research informs strategies designed to integrate a whole-life carbon perspective into projects. The conversation also explores her Yale course, Bad Buildings: Decarbonization through Reuse, Retrofit, and Proposition, which equips the next generation of architects with tools to tackle the challenges of sustainable, smart design.   As the challenges of sustainability in our buildings grows more complex, Tess reflects on the opportunities for architects and developers to collaborate in shaping resilient, future-ready spaces. Tune in to learn how Tess McNamara is inspiring meaningful change at the forefront of sustainable design and education.    Interview by: Robby Mulcahy / MSRED Candidate 2025 Music from #Uppbeat License code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E

In this episode, we sit down with Jill Brosig, Senior Managing Director and Chief Impact Officer at Harrison Street, a global investment management firm headquartered in Chicago. With a background as a physicist at Argonne National Laboratory, KMS Fusion, and Motorola, Jill brings a unique perspective to the pursuit of aggressive sustainability goals in real estate. As a pioneer in environmental initiatives, she is unlocking new opportunities to drive value through ESG-focused strategies. Our conversation delves into Harrison Street's expertise in identifying, acquiring, and managing alternative real assets, exploring how leadership is navigating the current market cycle. We discuss the evolving landscape of ESG in the built environment, highlighting Harrison Street's role in fostering partnerships that create operational and sustainable synergies. Around the world, project leaders are finding innovative ways to scale capacity for the growing technology and data sectors, and Harrison Street is at the forefront of these transformations. Tune in to discover how forward-thinking leaders like Jill Brosig are shaping the future of real estate — one bold initiative at a time. Interview by: Dean Firouzian / MSRED Candidate Produced by: Lacey Cochran Music from ⁠#Uppbeat⁠ License code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E

Thure Krarup, Head of Global Stakeholder Relations at Urban Partners, discusses creating sustainable, livable cities. He dives into collaborative initiatives like 'Green and Thriving Neighborhoods' with C40 Cities, focusing on equity and health. The conversation highlights the importance of trust in public-private partnerships. Thure also addresses the 'Leaders of the Urban Future' project, advocating for resilience in real estate. Explore innovative solutions for urban transformation and the urgency of creating 15-minute cities to enhance community living.

In this engaging discussion, Dror Poleg, an Economic Historian and author of Rethinking Real Estate, shares insights into how technology is transforming work and urban environments. He discusses the shift to a nonlinear economy influenced by the entertainment industry and the importance of adaptability in business strategies. Dror emphasizes the need for flexible real estate regulations to accommodate changing demands and explores the dual challenges and opportunities that arise from decentralization and emerging technologies in the industry.

In our season premiere, we welcome Joe Sumberg, Head of Real Estate, and Nicolette Jaze, Head of ESG and Sustainability for Real Estate at Galvanize Real Estate. Together, they share the innovative sustainability principles that underpin Galvanize’s distinctive approach to real estate investment. Hosted by Sam Jakshtis, a student in the MIT Center for Real Estate, this episode showcases how Galvanize is reshaping asset value through a commitment to environmental responsibility. Throughout the conversation, Joe and Nicolette offer valuable insights into the strategic initiatives designed to enhance asset performance while reducing environmental impact. They discuss their leadership philosophies, the significance of collaboration in cultivating an inclusive company culture, and the metrics Galvanize uses to assess the effectiveness of its sustainability initiatives. Join us as we delve into the cutting-edge strategies being adopted in the current real estate landscape and uncover Joe and Nicolette’s vision for the industry’s future. Interview by: Sam Jakshtis / MSRED Candidate Narrated by: Kelly Cameron, EdD Production by: Lacey Cochran Music from #Uppbeat: License code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E

Onay Payne is a Senior Managing Director and Portfolio Manager at Manulife Investment Management, leading the firm’s ESG impact investment strategy. She works with various teams to screen investments, identify ESG risks and opportunities, optimize portfolios, enhance asset performance, maximize returns, and set ESG benchmarks. She is part of the global real estate leadership team. Join us as Onay shares her inspiring journey from immigrating to the U.S. from Jamaica to becoming a leader in real estate investment. Onay delves into her role at Manulife, focusing on ESG strategy and development, and discusses the importance of sustainable and inclusive investment. Discover how Onay and Manulife are driving positive environmental and social impacts while achieving market-rate returns. Don’t miss this insightful conversation about the future of real estate, the importance of diversity in the industry, and how innovative strategies are shaping more equitable outcomes. Interview by: Viet Nguyen, MSRED Candidate ’24 Narrated by: Dr. Kelly Cameron Produced by: Lacey Cochran PODCAST music: Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-with-me License code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E

What do we need in transitional and uncertain times? Leaders. On this episode of Meet the Visionaries, we have the pleasure of interviewing Mahbod Nia, CEO of Veris Residential. We explore the sustainability values Veris Residential holds under Mahbod’s leadership, and learn more about how the company has undergone a strategic transformation. Hosted by Daniela Morales, student at the MIT Center for Real Estate, this episode highlights Mahbod’s decades-long real estate experience across multifamily and office investment, as well as management, financing, and advisory roles. Throughout Mahbod’s interview, he talks about his personal leadership style as a CEO, the role of his team in creating and maintaining an inclusive company culture, and ways Veris Residential measures the impact of its initiatives. Listen in as we dive into strategic ideas being implemented in the current real estate landscape, and learn more about what Mahbod sees for the future of the industry. Interview by: Daniela Morales /MCP Candidate ’25 Narrated by: Kelly Cameron, EdD Production: Lacey Cochran Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-with-me License code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E