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The Dealmakers’ Edge with A.Y. Strauss dives deep into the world of commercial real estate, bringing you exclusive stories, insights, and strategies from the industry’s top investors, developers, and dealmakers.
Hosted by Aaron Strauss, founder and managing partner of A.Y. Strauss, a leading real estate law firm, this podcast offers a behind-the-scenes look at what drives success in commercial real estate. From uncovering the unique edge of industry leaders to exploring the challenges and triumphs they’ve faced, this podcast is a must-listen for commercial real estate investors, developers, brokers, and professionals looking to sharpen their skills and stay ahead in the competitive market.
Whether you’re navigating real estate law, structuring deals, or scaling your portfolio, The Dealmakers’ Edge delivers actionable insights and inspiring stories to help you take your career to the next level. Tune in to gain valuable knowledge and discover what it takes to thrive in commercial real estate today.
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Purpose-built student housing wasn't always an institutional asset class. When Jared was tracking the sector in college, two public companies dominated it and most developers hadn't touched it. His first deal in Syracuse required staking out an unresponsive seller on his morning commute just to get a conversation going — and delivered 40% net returns in 18 months when it sold to a publicly traded company. From that first project, deal sizes have grown from $18 million to $100 million-plus, an...
Jeff Gronning is the CEO of Cannon Hill Capital Partners, a vertically integrated real estate private equity firm formed through a management-led buyout of the investment management business of Columbia Property Trust. Prior to founding Cannon Hill, Jeff served as Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at Columbia Property Trust. Before Columbia, Jeff spent 15 years at Normandy Real Estate Partners, where he co-led the growth of a vertically integrated real estate private equit...
Chad Lavender is the President of Capital Markets for North America at Newmark. He has more than 15 years of commercial real estate experience, particularly in healthcare and senior housing. Over his career, Chad has completed more than $50 billion in transactions across the U.S., beginning his journey in markets like Alabama and Dallas. Prior to joining Newmark, Chad worked in high-rise development before moving to lead the National Seniors Housing Group at HFF (Holliday Fenoglio Fowler), gr...
James Ryan founded RYCO Capital in 2018 and has led the firm since its inception. Since establishing the company, James has personally overseen all aspects of its growth and operations. His team has grown and expanded, and he has been a contrarian to great success, acquiring multifamily properties across New York City. Prior to founding RYCO Capital, James held leadership and finance roles across real estate development and early-stage technology firms. He earned his BA in Political Science f...
Jason Bordainick started his first company from a dorm room at the University of Virginia. Off Campus Partners became the nation's largest online marketplace for student housing and was eventually acquired by CoStar. That success gave him credibility, momentum, and the confidence to take on something harder. In 2010, he and his childhood friend Andy Cavaluzzi decided to build a business in affordable housing preservation. Expertise, relationships, and regulatory fluency created steep barriers...
Henry Stimler serves as an Executive Managing Director on Newmark’s Capital Markets Strategies team, where he specializes in originating and structuring in multifamily debt and equity with an emphasis on large bespoke portfolio transactions. Based in the firm’s New York headquarters, Stimler is known for guiding traditional Tri-State investors into new high growth markets across the U.S., including the Midwest, Texas and South Florida, while also sourcing global equity from key international ...
Ran Eliasaf is the founder of Northwind Group, a real estate private credit platform based in New York. He founded the firm in 2008 and oversees all investment activity. Throughout his career, Ran has executed more than 300 real estate transactions totaling over $5.5 billion, investing in commercial properties in New York City and healthcare and senior-living properties across the U.S. In 2017, he spearheaded the creation of Northwind’s credit platform and launched the firm’s discretionary cl...
Diego Hodara is the founder and CEO of Titanium Realty Group, a real estate investment and development company focused on mixed-use and residential assets in transit-oriented markets across the New York metropolitan area. Titanium Realty Group has close to 2,000 units under development or completed in Jersey City, NJ, and Port Chester, NY, representing more than $800 million in total project value. Diego holds a master’s degree in Real Estate Finance and Investment from NYU, as well as degree...
When you strip business down to its core, it’s about people. Every deal, every partnership, and every bit of growth comes from how well your team works together. Real culture comes from integrity, empathy, and a shared belief in doing things the right way. Strong teams start with trust. They create an environment where people can make mistakes, recover, and keep moving forward. Leaders who protect that culture and put their people first build something that lasts. They attract talent that wan...
Evan Bell is Managing Partner and co-founder of Lorimer Capital, a direct portfolio lender that provides creative financing solutions for commercial real estate opportunities across the eastern U.S. He has over two decades of expertise in structured real estate credit products and started his career as a real estate finance attorney, representing major institutions like Morgan Stanley, Barclays, Lehman Brothers, and Wachovia Bank on mortgage and mezzanine financings, which totaled over $10 bi...
Norman Bobrow is the president of Norman Bobrow & Co., Inc., one of New York's leading independently-owned, tenant-focused commercial real estate brokerages. A third-generation real estate professional and lifelong New Yorker, Norman launched the firm in 1980 with a clear mission to represent tenants exclusively and deliver results with precision, integrity, and relentless advocacy. Over the course of his career, he's personally negotiated more than 3,000 leases and overseen the acquisiti...
Jonathan Dulberg has nearly 20 years of experience acquiring and operating real estate throughout the U.S. and Europe for both institutional and privately-held real estate firms. Since 2010, he has been at Time Equities Inc., a New York-based investment and development firm, where he serves as the Director of Acquisitions. Jonathan focuses on sub-institutional investments ranging from $10 to $50 million in size. Throughout his career, he has acquired more than $800 million of real estate, foc...
As a dynamic speaker whose career spans several domains, Jonathan Cohen has always brought resilience and purpose to the table. His podcast features conversations with high performers across multiple industries who provide their insights and strategies to help people overcome obstacles, shift their mindset, and live with intention. With over 100 interviews of individuals ranging from fighter pilots and Navy SEALS to best-selling authors and nine-figure entrepreneurs, he’s built an audience of...
With over two decades in retail real estate, Justin Stein brings a unique perspective on how the industry has transformed—and where it's heading next. As Executive Vice President of Leasing at Tanger, he's been instrumental in the company's evolution from a legacy outlet operator to a dynamic, diversified portfolio of open-air shopping centers that blend outlet and full-price retail with experiential destinations. In this episode of The Dealmakers' Edge, Justin shares how Tanger navigated its...
Glen Kunofsky shares how a long-term, client-centered philosophy led to the creation of Surmount, a unified platform combining brokerage, advisory, development, and capital markets services. What began as a brokerage team evolved in direct response to client needs—from navigating sale-leasebacks, to renegotiating leases during downturns, to sourcing capital and delivering development expertise. Glen outlines how each service line emerged from listening to clients and building relationships th...
Rafael is the Founder and Managing Partner of Safe Harbor Capital Partners and is Chair of the Investment Committee. He has managed over $1B of performing and non-performing commercial and residential mortgage loans, defaulted debt instruments, and distressed real estate assets transactions in both Domestic US and International markets. From 1992 to 1999, he was the founder and CEO of MTU, a provider of commercial vehicle fleet servicing and maintenance. From 2001 to 2005, Mr. Serrano served ...
Elise Holtzman is the CEO of The Lawyer’s Edge®, an executive coaching and consulting firm where she and her team have spent over 16 years helping law firms build thriving businesses by transforming lawyers into better business developers and leaders. A former practicing attorney, Elise brings first-hand knowledge of the legal profession’s demands and a strategic focus on rainmaking, leadership, and visibility. Elise is the creator of the Lawyers Making Rain® program and the Ignite Women’s Bu...
David Berg is a Partner at Infinity Real Estate, where he oversees acquisitions, investment ventures, and the firm’s overall investment strategy. Since joining in 2011 as Investment Director, David has led Infinity’s expansion into the Philadelphia and Miami markets while managing key lender and investor relationships. Under his leadership, the firm is currently developing or repositioning over one million square feet of commercial and residential property. David has played a central role in ...
Avner Krohn is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Jasko Development, a vertically integrated real estate development firm based in New Britain, Connecticut. Under his leadership, Jasko has delivered a wide range of projects across the multifamily, healthcare, and retail sectors—focused primarily on underserved urban cores in the Northeast. Avner launched his entrepreneurial career at age 10 and has since spent more than two decades working across real estate development, historic preservation,...
Greg Corbin is the President and founder of Northgate Real Estate Group, which specializes in the sale and workout of distressed properties. In addition, he has deep expertise in judicial and UCC foreclosures, loan and REO sales, restructuring, and stalled construction sites. He’s widely recognized as one of the most active and sought-after industry leaders, with countless accolades throughout his career. Greg spent a decade at Besen & Associates before becoming a Director of Sales at Mas...
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