2022-2023 PPIL Initiatives

Leadership Lessons with Sonny Kalsi, Co-Chief ExecutiveOfficer at BentallGreenOak, Fall 2022

Deirdre Steel ‘23 hosted Mr. Kalsi’s for a candid discussion about his career trajectory, entrepreneurial journey, and BentallGreekOak’s impressive real estate platform. The discussion also transitioned to leadership, what it means to lead and set measurable goals for an equitable and inclusive organization, and to how he advocates across the industry, for diverse talent to find their way into careers in commercial real estate.

Fair Housing & Appraisal Bias Panel, Spring 2023

In recognition of April being National Fair Housing Month, the Center hosted a discussion as part of the Phillips Pathway to Inclusive Leadership (PPIL) initiative, on the topics of homeownership, evictions, fair housing practices and appraisal biases. Led by Professor Chris Mayer, Co-director of the Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate, the panel of speakers each offered specific expertise in policy, advocacy, research, business leadership, in addition to real estate investment and development. The discussion amplified the complexities of several of the laws and policies around fair housing and homeownership, as well as highlighted opportunities in real estate for investors and developers, and for policy changes. The panel was comprised of all Columbia affiliates.

Columbia’s Inaugural Women in Real Estate Summit, Spring 2023

The Columbia University MSRED Women in Real Estate Development (WIRED) and the Columbia Business School Real Estate Association (REA) have joined together to build and present the inaugural Women in Real Estate Summit in partnership with the Center. This event included two professional panels followed by a networking reception.

Leveraging the Columbia Network to Advance Together Panel

The first discussion brought together Columbia alumni from the MBA REProgram at the Business School and the MS in Real Estate DevelopmentProgram at GSAPP to discuss the advancement of their real estate careers post-graduate school, and how lessons learned in the classroom (and beyond)have translated to success in their careers. Panelists shared their experiences building and leveraging their Columbia networks, offered advice and context on how to advocate for yourself and for others, and shared specifics about the impact mentorship has had on their careers thus far.

Breaking Barriers and Building Careers

The second discussion brought together industry leaders in real estate to dis-cuss their career paths, triumphs, and opportunities, as well has the challenges they faced as women at different times in their careers in the real estate industry. The speakers candidly shared about personal experiences navigating an industry which has traditionally been male dominated, from entry-level positions to leadership roles, and provided insights on how to build a successful career.