MIT/CRE Meet the Visionaries

Hosted by MIT Center for Real Estate

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Latest episode

Jul 2026

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About the show

In this semimonthly, student-driven podcast, MIT Center for Real Estate will interview industry leaders to uncover the insights, strategies, and stories from the visionaries who are shaping the industry. Join us as we explore the ever-evolving landscape of real estate, from innovative technology and finance models to the latest sustainable practices. Get ready to gain valuable perspectives and be inspired by the visionaries who are leading the way into the future of real estate development.

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42 recent

October 26, 2026Episode 136 min

S4 E4: Building Small: Incremental Development Builds Thriving Neighborhoods

In the season 4 premiere of Meet the Visionaries , MIT Center for Real Estate alumnus Jim Heid SM '94 talks with Becky Lin, MSRED Candidate 2027, about building small. Founder of the Small Scale Development Forum and author of Building Small , Heid argues that vibrant neighborhoods grow incrementally, in partnership with local communities, rather than through single large projects. Join us as we explore how developers, policymakers, and community advocates can bring policy, capital, and vision together to create lasting neighborhoods and middle-income housing. The conversation covers the hallmarks of small-scale development and the persistent challenge of financing. Learn more about Building Small Director: Denise DeLorey Interview by: Becky Lin Production by: Becky Lin / Lacey Cochran Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-with-me License code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E cre.mit.edu

July 7, 2026Episode 1837 min

Patient Capital, Location, and Resilience: Principles of Institutional Real Estate

In this episode, Eric Plesman, President & CEO of Oxford Properties, challenges prevailing narratives on institutional real estate investing. We dig into whether permanent pension capital changes investment decisions, what separates trophy office from secular decline, and why patient capital makes you behave differently than investors operating on defined timelines. Join us as we discuss Oxford's key development criteria which include the ever-important location, demand durability, operational leverage, and ESG resilience. The conversation includes specific examples from Oxford's portfolio, including the recent acquisition of properties from CPP and the development of Hudson Yards, as well as perspectives on how factors like AI and geopolitical uncertainty affect real estate markets. Director: Denise DeLorey Interview by: Cherry Tang Production by: Lacey Cochran Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-with-me License code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E

June 3, 2026Episode 1757 min

The Mid-Year Verdict: Where Should Capital Actually Belong in 2026?

Mark G. Roberts, MSRED alumnus, Managing Director of Research at Crow Holdings Capital, and Director of Research at SMU's Folsom Institute, joins us to unpack his 2026 real estate outlook — and the conversation goes well beyond the report. We dig into why he's calling 2026 a "bifurcated" market and what that means for capital allocation. We pressure-test his 4.15 to 4.30 percent range on the 10-year Treasury against the fiscal deficit picture, talk through the 160 basis point gap between NCREIF valuation cap rates and transaction cap rates, and ask which market an LP should believe. Mark explains why the Sunbelt-versus-coastal debate is the wrong frame for 2026, why retail is his most enthusiastic call but institutional capital isn't following, and why industrial may no longer be one asset class. He also shares the market he's watching most closely, where his own team is most divided, and the research gap he thinks the industry will look back on in five years. Director: Denise DeLorey Interview by: Michael Khamis Production by: Michael Khamis / Lacey Cochran Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-with-me License code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E

May 18, 2026Episode 1644 min

Resilience and Vision: A Developers Journey

In this episode, MSRED student Cherry Tang sits down with MSRED alumnus Carlos Rosso, Founder & President of Rosso Development. Carlos Rosso shares his journey from Argentina to MIT to lead developer shaping Miami's skyline. After decades building across multiple continents and navigating the 2008 financial crisis at Related Group, he launched his independent firm and is still applying lessons from MIT to reimagine real estate development. Carlos discusses why Miami has become a global magnet for capital, talent, and innovation and shares his vision for Midtown Park; a transformational $2 billion mixed-use community designed as a "neighborhood within a neighborhood". He also explores innovative solutions like autonomous vehicles and offers candid advice for aspiring developers on resilience, long-term thinking, and creating lasting community value. Director: Denise DeLorey Interview by: Cherry Tang Production by: Cherry Tang / Lacey Cochran Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-with-me License code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E

May 6, 2026Episode 1540 min

Building for AI: Capital, Power, and Risk in Next-Generation Data Center Development

In this episode of Meet the Visionaries , interviewer Monisha Nasa speaks with Hossein Fateh , founder and CEO of Cloud Capital and CloudHQ , about the future of digital infrastructure. Drawing on decades of experience in developing and operating data centers worldwide, Fateh discusses how the industry has evolved from cloud to AI, the differences between training and inference AI facilities, and the growing importance of power, location, and underwriting discipline. He also shares perspectives on global expansion, development risk, renewable energy, and the policy case of data centers as critical infrastructure. Director: Denise DeLorey Interview by: Monisha Nasa Production by: Monisha Nasa / Lacey Cochran Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-with-me License code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E

April 29, 2026Episode 1440 min

Investing through Real Estate Market Shifts

In this episode of Meet the Visionaries , MIT Center for Real Estate students Ryan Othman and Jainil Shah sit down with David DesPrez, Partner on Bain Capital’s Special Situations team, to explore how one of the industry’s leading investors navigates real estate dislocation across debt and equity. David shares how Bain approaches capital solutions, distressed investing, and platform-based real estate strategies, while offering insights on today’s market dynamics across office, multifamily, industrial, hotels, and senior living. The conversation also dives into sourcing proprietary deals, assessing risk across cycles, and where opportunity may emerge next in commercial real estate. Director: Denise DeLorey Interview by: Ryan Othman, Jainil Shah Production by: Lacey Cochran Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-with-me License code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E

March 18, 2026Episode 1347 min

The Next Step: Real Estate Decision-Making in India’s Growing Hospitality Sector

In this episode of Meet the Visionaries, Jainil Shah sits down with Nirupa Shankar, Joint Managing Director of Brigade Group, for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, strategy, and building resilience in India’s real estate and hospitality markets. Drawing on her experience across consulting, hospitality, and development—as well as her discipline as an Ironman triathlete—Nirupa reflects on how these experiences shaped her approach to problem solving, discipline, and decision making. The conversation explores her transition into leadership within a legacy organization and the mindset shift required to move from analysis to ownership of outcomes. Nirupa shares how she navigated the post COVID revival of hospitality, the rise of flexible workspaces, and creating value with mixed use developments through a powerful “halo effect.” Looking forward, Nirupa discusses how innovation, technology, and sustainability are reshaping real estate, which inspired her to start Brigade REAP and the Earth Fund. A grounded and thoughtful dialogue on how endurance and adaptability play in global real estate. Director: Denise DeLorey Interview by: Jainil Shah Production by: Lacey Cochran Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-with-me License code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E

February 25, 2026Episode 1246 min

The Forces Reshaping Global Real Estate

MSRED candidate Michael Khamis welcomes David Steinbach, Global Chief Investment Officer at Hines, to MIT’s Center for Real Estate for an in-person conversation. David made the trip from Houston to Cambridge to sit down with our students and share his perspective on the forces reshaping global real estate. With more than 25 years at Hines and oversight of a platform that has grown from roughly $10 billion to over $90 billion in assets under management, David offers a vantage point across cycles, geographies, and sectors. In this episode, we cover: · Where we are in the global real estate cycle — and what makes this downturn and recovery fundamentally different · How Hines is navigating the repricing of risk and a higher cost of capital environment · The tension between deglobalization and global capital flows, and why local market knowledge has never mattered more · Structural conviction in the living sector — from multifamily and build-to-rent to student housing and senior living — amid a deepening global housing shortfall · How recent executive action on single-family rental acquisitions is reshaping BTR and SFR investment strategy · The rise of powered land plays: why power availability and grid capacity are becoming the defining constraint for data centers and AI-driven infrastructure · Lessons from working alongside the legendary Gerald Hines · Advice for students and early-career professionals who aspire to lead at a strategic level Whether you're an investor, developer, student, or anyone trying to make sense of where real estate goes from here, this conversation is essential listening. Director: Denise DeLorey Interview by: Michael Khamis Production by: Michael Khamis / Lacey Cochran Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-with-me License code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E

February 10, 2026Episode 1126 min

Energizing and Decarbonizing Logistics at Global Scale

In this episode of Meet the Visionaries , MIT/CRE student Monisha Nasa sits down with Susan Uthayakumar, Chief Energy and Sustainability Officer at Prologis, one of the world’s largest logistics real estate company. Susan shares her career journey leading to her role in global sustainability at Prologis. She outlines how Prologis is transforming logistics real estate through sustainable design, on‑site energy generation, fleet electrification, and data‑driven emissions management. Susan discusses the challenges and opportunities of decarbonizing Scope 3 emissions, the impact of AI-driven energy demand, and the company’s approach to microgrids, modular data centers, and emerging technologies like modular nuclear. Offering an optimistic view of the future, she emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and purpose-driven work. Susan encourages students and industry leaders to take risks, experiment boldly, and care deeply about the problems they choose to solve. Interview by: Monisha Nasa / MSRED 2026 Director: Denise DeLorey Production: Lacey Cochran Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-with-me License code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E Learn more: https://www.prologis.com/about/our-story/leadership/susan-uthayakumar

January 26, 2026Episode 1033 min

Building Trust: Aligning Capital, Design, and Community

In this episode of Meet the Visionaries, Jainil Shah sits down with Adam Gordon, Managing Partner at Wildflower, for a thoughtful conversation on real estate investing, design-led development, and building enduring platforms in complex urban environments. Adam shares how Wildflower approaches investment through a deep understanding of demand, long-term trends, and human behavior. The discussion explores how conviction is built over time, why small and intentional gestures matter in relationship-building, and how developers can create value by aligning capital, design, and community impact. Adam also reflects on leadership, decision-making under uncertainty, and what it takes to build trust across cycles. A candid and inspiring conversation for investors, operators, and students interested in how thoughtful development and principled leadership come together in practice. Interview by: Jainil Shah / MSRED 2026 Director: Denise DeLorey Production: Lacey Cochran Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-with-me License code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E Learn more: https://www.wildflowerltd.com