Real Estate Conference Agenda 2025 - Real Estate

2025 UVA Real Estate Conference Detailed Agenda

Join us at the conference welcome reception on Thursday, November 13 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Forum Hotel, located adjacent to the Darden School of Business on North Grounds. Kick off your 2025 conference experience by connecting with fellow alumni, students, faculty, and friends of the Center for Real Estate. Check in for the conference and pick up your nametag and materials for the next day.

On Friday, November 14, the 2025 UVA Real Estate Conference will be held at Old Cabell Hall and the McIntire School of Commerce on Central Grounds. The detailed agenda for our Friday program is outlined below.

Conference Website

Friday, November 14, 2025

Venue: Old Cabell Hall

8:30—9:30 a.m.

Arrival and Networking Hour
Join fellow alumni, students, faculty, and friends of the Center in the Old Cabell Hall Foyer for coffee and light refreshments. Please get settled in the auditorium by 9:30 a.m.

9:30—10 a.m.

Welcome to the UVA Real Estate Conference
Paul G. Mahoney, Interim President, University of Virginia & David, and Mary Harrison Distinguished Professor of Law, Keven Lindemann (A&S '91), Executive Director, White Ruffin Byron Center for Real Estate, and Robert M. White Jr., CRE, FRICS (McIntire '87), Founder, Real Capital Analytics

10—10:45 a.m.

Fireside Chat
Robert Byron (A&S '73, Law '76), Chairman, Co-CEO, Co-Founder, Blue Vista Capital Management, Chris Nassetta (McIntire '84), President & CEO, Hilton, and Ben Weprin, CEO & Founder, AJ Capital Partners

10:45—11:30 a.m.

The Evolution of an Industry—Lessons from 50 Years of Leadership at Walker & Dunlop
Mallory Walker (A&S '62), Former Chairman & CEO, Walker & Dunlop, and Willy Walker, Chairman & CEO, Walker & Dunlop

11:30—11:45 a.m.

Presentation of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni and Outstanding Student Awards
Keven Lindemann (A&S '91), Executive Director, White Ruffin Byron Center for Real Estate

Following our morning general sessions, exit Old Cabell Hall and turn right to walk towards the Commerce School. Head down the outside stairwell to the right of Rouss Hall and you will enter the Breeden Commerce Grounds. Just follow the crowd and our student volunteers!

Venue: McIntire School of Commerce

Noon—1 p.m.

UVA Student Luncheon: Exploring Careers in Real Estate (Robertson Hall, Classroom 120)
Rebecca Wilson, Senior Managing Director & Regional President, 20/20 Foresight Talent Solutions; Moderated by Ashley Mays (McIntire '02), Chief Marketing Officer, Newark Alliance and President, Newark Happening

Noon—1:15 p.m.

Networking Luncheon for All Other Conference Attendees (Shumway Hall Atrium)
All other conference attendees should head to the Atrium on the ground floor of Shumway Hall to pick up a boxed lunch. You are welcome to dine in the atrium, grand classrooms, courtyard, or elsewhere in Shumway Hall.

1:30—2:30 p.m.

Breakout Sessions Round 1 (See below for descriptions and locations.)
Attendance is first-come, first-served—please attend the session of most interest to you.

Capital Raising

Capital Raising in Today’s Market

Bringing together leaders from across the industry, this session will highlight best practices and emerging trends in capital raising. The discussion will focus on building investor relationships, adapting to market conditions, and positioning for long-term growth.

Moderator: J. Scott Adams (McIntire '88, Darden '92), Senior Vice President, Investor Relations, Harbor Group International

Panelists: Carey Doyle (Architecture '09), Managing Director, Capital Formation, Pennybacker; Ashby Hackney (Law '97, Darden '02), Principal, Hackney Real Estate Partners; and Lee Purcell (McIntire '96), Global Head of Capital Formation, Harbert Management Corporation

Location: Robertson Hall, Classroom 120

Housing

Building Communities: Perspectives on Today’s Housing Landscape

Explore how the housing market is adapting to pressing issues of affordability, demand, and community development. Industry leaders will discuss policy considerations, private-sector strategies, and opportunities for creative partnerships.

Moderator: Jessie Barter (Darden '06), Managing Member, Charger Ventures

Panelists: Ben Lazarus (Darden '10), Managing Director, Vista Residential Partners; Diana Reid (Darden '80), Independent Director | Strategic Advisor; and David Webb (A&S '82), Vice Chairman, CBRE

Location: Robertson Hall, Classroom 123

Data Centers

Data Centers: At the Center of an AI-Driven World

As demand for cloud services, AI, and digital connectivity grows, data centers have become one of the fastest-evolving asset classes. Industry leaders will discuss trends in development, financing, and sustainability shaping the future of this critical sector.

Moderator: Thomas (TJ) Hofheimer (A&S '95), Managing Director, Portfolio and Asset Management, National Real Estate Advisors

Panelists: Chris Pyke, Chief Innovation Officer, GRESB; Rob Rockwood, Private Consultant; and Rob Walters (A&S '97), Managing Director, Data Center & Infrastructure Group, Eastdil Secured

Location: Robertson Hall, Classroom 116

REITs

Strategic and Leadership Considerations for the REITs in 2026

Gain insight into the evolving landscape for REITs in 2026 through a candid conversation with two industry leaders. The discussion will focus on strategic trends and their operating implications in the REIT sector, including prospects around M&A, IPO’s, and privatizations.

Speakers: Bill Ferguson, Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ferguson Partners, and Nick Joseph (A&S '06), Managing Director & Head of the Real Estate and Lodging team and the Global Real Estate Super Sector, Citi Research

Location: Robertson Hall, Classroom 118

Hospitality

Hospitality 2030: What’s Next for Investors, Brands, and Guests

Explore the future of hospitality as industry leaders share perspectives on investment, technology, and operations in a rapidly changing environment. The discussion will highlight evolving trends in guest experience and real estate strategy.

Moderator: Sarah Senyo, Partner, PwC

Speakers: Jacob Dinetz, Director of Real Estate & New Business Development, Union Square Hospitality Group; Casey Gemunder, Vice President, Real Estate Investment & Development, Choice Hotels International; Parker Henderson, Senior Director, Brand Leader, Graduate by Hilton; and Joshua Rainey, Senior Director of Real Estate and Growth, [solidcore]

Location: Shumway Hall, Classroom 130

2:30—2:45 p.m.

Networking Break (Beverages and afternoon snacks will be provided in the Shumway Hall Atrium and outside classroom 120 in Robertson Hall.)

2:45—3:45 p.m.

Breakout Sessions Round 2 (See below for descriptions and locations.)
Attendance is first-come, first-served—please attend the session of most interest to you.

Lending Environment

The Real Estate Lending Environment, from Banks to Private Credit

As lending conditions continue to change, understanding the drivers behind credit, capital, and risk is essential for real estate decision-making. This session will feature an in-depth discussion on how lenders and borrowers are adapting to the current market and what to expect in the coming cycle.

Moderator: Nathan Stovall, Director, FIG Research, S&P Global

Speakers: Jeff Havsy (A&S '96), Commercial Real Estate Industry Practice Lead, Moody's Analytics, and Charlie Schulz (McIntire '10), Managing Director- CRE Homebuilder Banking, Wells Fargo

Location: Robertson Hall, Classroom 120

Adaptive Reuse

Downtowns: Reimagining a Future Driven by Investment, People, and Mixed Use

Central business and cultural areas have been through phases of booms and busts over the last 50 years. This session will explore ways that downtowns can be 24/7 destinations and anchor investments, housing, and culture.

Moderator: Suzanne Morse Moomaw, Chair & Associate Professor, Urban and Environmental Planning Interim Director, Real Estate + Design and Development Certificate Program, UVA School of Architecture

Panelists: George Banks (A&S '94), Founder, Revel; Brendan Sorem (McIntire '06), Vice President, Investments, JBG SMITH; and Sara Willard (Architecture '96), Founding Director, Workable City Ltd.

Location: Robertson Hall, Classroom 116

AI in Real Estate

Beyond Bricks: Real Estate's Reality in the Age of AI

This breakout session will examine the intersection of AI and real estate, showcasing innovations that are redefining how properties are developed, managed, and valued. Experts will share insights on the opportunities and challenges AI brings to the industry.

Moderator: Zander Geronimos (McIntire '14), Global Head of Business Development, PRODA.ai

Speakers: Virginia Drennen (A&S '16), Principal, Head of Platform & GTM, Fifth Wall; Rukus Esi, SVP, Chief Digital Officer, AvalonBay Communities; and Will Mitchell (Architecture '06), CEO, Rabbet

Location: Robertson Hall, Classroom 123

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Sports to Real Estate

From Sports to Real Estate

UVA alumni who competed at the highest levels of collegiate and professional sports will discuss their transition into real estate. The session will highlight how the discipline, leadership, and teamwork developed in athletics have shaped their success in the industry.

Moderator: Jim Miller (A&S '85), President, Senior Wealth Advisor, Miller Financial Group

Speakers: John Crotty (A&S '91), Principal-Investment Sales, Avison Young; Patrick Jeffers (A&S '95, Darden '05), Partner - Chief Development Officer, New Waterloo; Chase Minnifield (A&S '10), Founder and CEO, EZOS; and Marc Yavinsky (McIntire '92), Owner & Founder, Davin Holdings