Emory Real Estate Conference Unites National Leaders

IN APRIL, GOIZUETA HOSTED the inaugural Emory Real Estate Conference, designed to unite national real estate professionals. The conference sold out to a crowd of more than 550 attendees at the Whitley Hotel. Attendees joined to hear influential members in real estate speak on topics such as capital market insights and Atlanta real estate growth.

The conference’s student co-chairs, John Schellhase 23EvMBA and Bernard “Bern” Clevens 22MBA, worked together with Roy Black, professor in the practice of finance and director of Goizueta’s Real Estate initiative; as well as Goizueta’s Interim John H. Harland Dean Karen Sedatole; other Goizueta staff, alumni, and faculty; and several members of the Goizueta Real Estate Group.

“Our hope for the conference was to plant a flag that Emory is serious about real estate, that it’s passionate about it,” explained Clevens. “The conference also serves as a vehicle to attract talent and develop a strong real estate pipeline of students interested in the space,” he added.

Renowned entrepreneur and investor Sam Zell served as keynote speaker.

Schellhase and Clevens also arranged for a host of other real estate leaders to speak on current issues. Panelists included: Ambrish Baisiwala, CEO, Portman Holdings; Matt Bronfman, CEO, Jamestown LLP; Colin Connolly, CEO, Cousins Properties; T. Dallas Smith, CEO, T. Dallas Smith & Company; Hussain “Moos” Moosajee 07MBA, senior vice president, Trammell Crow Company and an adjunct professor in Goizueta’s real estate program; Bryan Donohoe, partner, head of real estate debt, Ares Management; Lance Patterson, CEO, Patterson Real Estate Advisory Group; Adam Sklar 05BBA, co-head of real estate, co-portfolio manager, Monarch Alternative Capital; John Wolf, managing principal, Westbrook; and Colleen Keating, CEO, FirstKey Homes.

The annual Emory Real Estate Conference returns in April 14. Register at emory.biz/realestate.