Our Current Scholars

Alexandra Romanowski is an Associate Director on the Investment Team and Commonfund OCIO where she is responsible for assisting with asset allocation, manager sourcing, due diligence, and investment monitoring for investment portfolios for real asset strategies and private real estate investments. Before joining Commonfund, Alexandra worked as an Associate as part of the Commercial Real Estate Team for Bank of Montreal Harris, where she focused on Healthcare Real Estate lending and investing. Prior to that, she worked as an Investor Relations Analyst for Graham Capital Management, L.P., a Macro Hedge Fund in Rowayton, CT, as well as a Management Development Associate at M&T Bank. Alexandra received a B.S. in Business Administration with a minor in International Relations from the State University of New York, College at Geneseo and is currently pursuing her M.S. In Real Estate Finance at Georgetown University.  

Teresa Amaro currently serves as a General Manager at Sterling Bay, where she manages all aspects of a prominent Chicago CBD office building, including financial management, maintenance, security, and construction. Throughout her career spanning over two decades, Teresa has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the property management industry. She is an active member of BOMA Chicago and she is currently pursuing a MSRE at DePaul University. She also helps aspiring professionals navigate the complexities of the property management field, offering invaluable insights and advice as a mentor. She earned a BS in Business Administration from National Louis University as well as the Real Property Administrator (RPA) designation.

Kira Antoine is currently pursuing a Masters of Real Estate Development at the University of Maryland. With a strong foundation in public-private partnerships and affordable housing finance, Kira brings a mission-driven perspective to real estate development. She currently serves as an Underwriter at the DC Housing Finance Agency, where she underwrites loans and tax-exempt bond financing for affordable housing projects and renders decisions for the allocation of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits to qualified developments. Previously at JLL, Kira advised a federal agency on real estate strategy, policy, and operations for a national residential portfolio. Grounded in a deep commitment to community-centered outcomes, she views housing as a catalyst for economic mobility and is passionate about driving lasting impact through sustainable, inclusive development.      

Bretagne Ball is currently pursuing her MBA at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Gies College of Business, with a focus on strategy and leadership development. She is a Strategic Initiatives Lead at LivCor, a Blackstone portfolio company, focused on multifamily real estate. In this role, she manages national vendor partnerships and leads cross-functional initiatives that enhance operational efficiency, resident experience, and long-term portfolio value. Bretagne also serves as LivCor’s Spokesperson for the Black Team Resource Group, where she champions equity, mentorship, and community-building across the organization. She is also a licensed managing broker and has built a strong foundation in corporate real estate and asset management, consistently aligning operational strategy with investment goals. She graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in Interior Design from Howard University and brings a multidisciplinary background spanning design, education, and real estate. Bretagne is deeply committed to legacy, leadership, and expanding opportunities for women and people of color in commercial real estate.

Samriti is pursuing an MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She most recently worked at Realstar Corp., a private owner and operator of multi-family rental buildings across Canada, where she worked to expand and shape the firm’s ESG strategy, including the first decarbonization projects. Samriti is pursuing a career managing the environmental impact of building operations and development in pursuit of long-term value creation and risk mitigation in the real estate sector; she hopes to build on previous experience to drive positive change in the industry. Originally from Toronto, Samriti holds a BSc in Neuroscience and Immunology and a Master’s in Management of Innovation from the University of Toronto.

Irina is pursuing her Master’s in Real Estate at Cornell University, with a concentration in Finance and Investments. Originally from the country of Georgia, she holds a degree in Economics and previously worked at Colliers as a Development Advisor for 2.5 years, focusing on feasibility and highest and best-use studies for ground-up and value-add projects. Over the summer, Irina interned as an Associate with Greystar’s Development team, where she was involved in the full development lifecycle - from early-stage deal evaluation to financial analysis and project execution. Her goal is to become an expert in evaluating and structuring real estate investments, building the foundation to launch her own firm in the future. Irina is especially driven by the chance to solve complex investment challenges and is committed to helping create more space for women in commercial real estate.

Sophia is pursuing her Master of Science in Real Estate Development at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Prior to attending MIT, Sophia worked in real estate development and asset management working for her family’s Los Angeles based multi-family, commercial development firm. In these roles, she has worked on the acquisition, entitlement, project management, stabilization of large-scale mixed-use, residential, and commercial projects. These projects have focused on hybrid development integrating residential, commercial, and hospitality components. Sophia earned a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Southern California.

Elley is pursuing her MBA at Columbia Business School, focusing on real estate and sustainability. In summer 2025, she interned with Wells Fargo Securities in the Real Estate, Gaming, Lodging, and Leisure (REGAL) Investment Banking group. Prior to business school, she was an assistant manager on the Global Real Estate Investment team at KB Asset Management, South Korea’s third-largest asset management company with over $100 billion in assets under management. In this role, she worked across fundraising, acquisition, and management of cross-border investments throughout the US and Europe, through both direct equity vehicles and funds of funds. Her interests include sustainable development and commercial real estate acquisition. Elley is an active member of the Global Shapers Community, a social impact initiative led by the World Economic Forum. She is also a participant in the Toigo Foundation’s Real Estate Intensive (TREI) Program. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in German from Korea University.

Jojo Cui is currently pursuing her MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where she serves as Co-Chair of both the Real Estate Group and Private Equity Group. She recently interned at Temerity Strategic Partners, a private equity real estate firm focused on co-GP growth equity investments, and is currently interning at Wind River Capital, an investment bank. Prior to Booth, Jojo built and led a real estate practice serving retail investors, where she advised clients, executed income-generating transactions, and raised two private real estate funds. Her passion for real estate investing was sparked by a desire to expand access, education, and networks for new immigrants. Jojo is pursuing a career in real estate private equity after graduation and is committed to broadening access to investing and advancing women in finance. She is excited to be part of The Goldie Initiative and looks forward to learning from and contributing to this powerful network, as well as building stronger connections between Goldie and the Booth community.

Porsche Dames is currently pursuing a Master’s in Urban Planning at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. She grew up in Harlem, New York, during a time of significant neighborhood change, which sparked her interest in affordable housing and equitable community development. She has worked across the public and private sectors, including roles in Cit's Community Development Group, in the Office of New York City's Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce, and at a fintech startup focused on building financial capability in the Black community. She holds a BA in Art History and Black Studies from Amherst College, where she studied how power and identity are expressed through space, perspectives that continue to inform her approach to planning.

Sydney Dea is pursing her JD at Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Sydney was a 2025 Summer Associate at Dentons in their litigation practice group, and she plans to join Honigman as a 2026 Summer Associate to gain more experience in the real estate realm. Post-graduation, Sydney aspires to specialize in commercial real estate litigation. Prior to law school, Sydney earned her Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin- Madison, where she majored in Real Estate and International Business. During undergrad, Sydney interned with law firm, O'Dekirk, Allred, & Rhodes, where she worked on real estate transactions. She also interned for Beam Living, a Blackstone Portfolio Company, where she gained more experience in the legal realm of commercial leasing and property management.

Gin is an MBA candidate at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, specializing in Real Estate with a track in Private Equity. She currently works in Mergers & Acquisitions in the clean energy sector, where she supports strategic transactions that advance the transition to a low-carbon economy. Before business school, Gin built a foundation in urban planning and sustainability, contributing to award-winning regional development and mixed-use projects while working at offices in Shanghai, Chicago, and Madison. As a Goldie Scholar, Gin looks forward to leveraging the opportunities provided by The Goldie Initiative to learn from industry leaders and contribute to a community that values innovation, inclusion, and long-term impact.

Nicole is pursuing a Master’s in Real Estate at Georgetown University and works as a Senior Analyst in Multifamily Credit Policy at Freddie Mac. Previously, she earned her undergraduate degree in Finance from George Mason University, where she interned as a Financial Analyst at Discovery, Inc. and as an Advisor Assistant at RBC Wealth Management. Her interests include risk assessments, data analysis, and affordable housing.  

Lily Friedland is pursuing a Master in Real Estate at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, where she is focusing on the potential of adaptive reuse and mixed-use redevelopment projects. Lily began her career at Brown Harris Stevens in New York, working under the Chief of Architecture and Design on office-to-residential conversions, and later worked for a NYC-based family office investment firm where she guided LP investment initiatives for commercial and residential opportunities across the US. Lily earned departmental honors for her senior thesis while majoring in Sustainable Development at Columbia University, where she researched low-cost urban design interventions to improve walkability in adaptive reuse projects. As a 2025 Goldie Scholar, she is eager to connect with and learn from a network of mission-driven leaders in real estate while building the skills to deliver sustainable development projects on an international scale.

Bella is a rising 3L at St. John’s University School of Law. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, summa cum laude, from St. John’s University. Bella worked as a law clerk at MetLife in Summer 2024. This summer, she was a Summer Associate at Eversheds Sutherland in their New York office and will be returning as a full-time Associate in Fall 2026 with the firm’s Real Estate Finance team.  

Mika is a senior development manager at EYA, a townhome developer in the Washington DC metropolitan area known for creating walkable, transit-oriented neighborhoods. Prior to joining EYA, Mika worked at Boston-based developer Samuels & Associates. To date, she has delivered 450 multifamily units, executed a $7M hotel expansion, and oversaw over 300,000 SF of office and retail fit outs. Mika’s passion for real estate stems from her love for the built environment. Her projects help to create places for people to enjoy through neighborhood building and placemaking. Mika is currently pursuing her Master’s in Real Estate part-time at Georgetown University. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Brown University where she double majored in Business Economics and Architectural History while competing on the varsity Fencing Team. Outside of work, Mika enjoys traveling, skiing, and trying new restaurants.

Alessia Haddad is Senior Project Manager for Global Store Planning at Assouline, part of the LVMH Group, leading the design and construction team responsible for flagship retail spaces around the world. With a background in architecture and construction management, Alessia has led global commercial and retail development projects across EMEA and North America for brands including Ralph Lauren. Alessia is passionate about culturally resonant spaces that blend brand storytelling, community impact, and long-term value creation, and aspires to lead global real estate strategy for a luxury brand. Alessia holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Syracuse University and is currently pursuing an Executive MBA at Cornell to deepen her expertise in commercial real estate finance, development strategy, and leadership. In her free time she dedicates time to mentoring and advocating for women and BIPOC professionals.

Jamie is pursuing her MBA at the University of Notre Dame with a focus on real estate development and real estate private equity. Jamie is a licensed attorney, admitted to the California Bar, and has practiced law with a concentration in property law, corporate governance, and complex transactions. She has advised on multimillion-dollar deals in the real estate, entertainment, and finance sectors. She thrives in navigating both the legal and business sides of a project.A Chicagoland native, Jamie is passionate about the adaptive reuse of historic properties, with a particular focus on repurposing vacant churches. She envisions transforming underutilized assets into vibrant community, cultural, and mixed-use destinations that both preserve architectural heritage and drive economic vitality. Jamie hopes to lead projects that not only pencil out on the spreadsheet but also tell a story, connect people, and revitalize neighborhoods. To Jamie, real estate is about creating places people love.

Catherine Hanlon is an MBA Candidate at the Darden School of Business at University of Virginia. She previously served as Business Development Associate at GEM Realty Capital. Her work experience also includes positions with Northern Trust Corporation and Logistics Capital & Strategy. Catherine earned her Bachelor’s in Art History from Georgetown University in 2018, where she also served as a Research Assistant.

Linda Humphrey is currently pursuing an MBA at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. She serves as Assistant Vice President – Asset Manager at Heitman, a real estate investment management firm, where she plays a key role in managing a diverse portfolio of multifamily and self-storage assets within the firm’s North American private equity platform. Linda leverages her financial background and collaborative approach to drive performance and deliver value to clients. Previously, she was a Finance Manager in Heitman’s Financial Operations & Analysis group, where she supported fund-level strategy, financial reporting, and property valuations for the firm’s $12+ billion open-ended CORE fund. Prior to joining Heitman, Linda worked in Deloitte’s audit and assurance practice, serving a variety of real estate clients. She currently serves as Co-President of the Kellogg Real Estate Club and is actively involved in the Real Estate Finance Forum (REFF) and the Marquette Real Estate Alumni Network. Linda earned a BS with honors in Commercial Real Estate and Accounting from Marquette University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Daniela Ivanov is currently pursuing an MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She works as a Real Estate Asset Manager at Northern Trust, where she services Trust and guardianship clients. In her role, Daniela manages construction projects, and the acquisition and disposition of real estate assets. She also brings experience in real estate investing and property management. Her professional interests extend to commercial real estate development, community development, affordable housing, and impact investing. Daniela is passionate about using her expertise to drive meaningful change in these areas and looks forward to leveraging the opportunities provided by The Goldie Initiative to further her career and contribute to the growth of women leaders in the industry.

Alison Johnson is pursuing her MBA at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. She is currently a Senior Manager of Real Estate Capital Markets at Walgreens, overseeing all US-based owned and leased assets, specializing in capital creation through sale leaseback and lease arbitrage transactions. Alison is an active member of ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers, an industry association), and recipient of the Mary Lou Fiala Fellowship. Prior to her current role, she spent four years in real estate finance and as a rotational analyst. Alison earned a Master of Arts in Economics and Management from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. She also holds an Interior Design Certificate from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Ivorine Jones is a commercial real estate professional with a strong background in acquisitions, dispositions, and industrial transaction operations. At Link Logistics, she supports execution across the full lifecycle of complex transactions, from marketing through post-close, ensuring continuity, compliance, and value creation across a national portfolio. Her experience includes legal operations, title curative work, and financial due diligence on deals totaling over $11 billion, including a landmark $7 billion portfolio acquisition. Ivorine brings a unique blend of technical skill, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to purpose-driven work. This fall, she will begin her MS in Real Estate Finance at NYU’s Schack Institute of Real Estate. She is actively involved in Link’s employee resource groups, where she contributes to local outreach and cultural engagement. Ivorine is passionate about building more inclusive pathways into commercial real estate and shaping community-centered investment strategies for the future.

Tiffany is pursuing an MBA at MIT Sloan, where she focuses on real estate, finance, and community-centered development. She previously held roles at Goldman Sachs, Redcar Properties, and Assembly OSM, gaining experience across debt structuring, private equity, and modular construction. As the founder of POPL, a New York-based MWBE development firm, Tiffany is advancing sustainable and affordable housing models through partnerships with faith based developments and nonprofits. Tiffany is also a Program Manager at MIT’s delta v accelerator. She earned a BS in Business Administration from the University of Southern California.

Christine Y. Kim is pursuing an MBA at Columbia Business School with a focus on leadership and real estate. Prior to business school, Christine was a Portfolio Manager at Essential Properties Realty Trust and an Investment Associate at Four Corners Property Trust, both publicly traded REITs in the net lease real estate industry. She also worked at early-stage real estate start-ups Tailorbird and Withco and with Related Companie, where she worked on Manhattan’s Hudson Yards development. Christine was an Investment Banking Analyst in Leveraged Finance at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. She also leads and volunteers at various non-profit organizations such as Redefine Her Street and Korea Finance Society. Christine earned a BA in Political Science from Swarthmore College, where she was elected Student Body President. She also served as the ex-officio member on the Board of Managers, and as an alumna, she was part of the Alumni Council for two years. Christine was recently selected to be part of the Toigo Foundation's Real Estate Intensive program.

Ellen Lai is an MBA candidate at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business, concentrating in Finance with a focus on commercial real estate investment and acquisitions. She recently served as a Private Equity Real Estate Acquisition Intern at Solid Rock Group, underwriting hotel and CRE acquisitions across New York and New Jersey. This fall, she will join Navigation Capital Group as an Acquisitions & Underwriting Intern. Ellen began her career auditing public real estate groups at Deloitte in Hong Kong and later held strategic roles at WWF and Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. At Fordham, she actively engages with New York’s CRE network through the Fordham Real Estate Institute, CoreNet NYC, and AREPA. She brings cross-border perspective, analytical rigor, and a deep interest in shaping the built environment through real estate.

Janet McBee is currently pursuing her MBA at Georgetown University McDonough School of Business with a certificate in Global Real Estate. Janet has started a new role as Senior Consultant at Well Built Consulting. She previously worked as a Manager at Boston Consulting Group on the Construction and Infrastructure Development team, where she served clients in construction, engineering, building materials, public sector, and private equity. Her consulting work focuses on operating model, growth strategy, market entry, large capital project management, and procurement. Prior to BCG, Janet spent 5 years working in project management for a DC-based general contractor specializing in large-scale historical renovation projects. She earned a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and holds an Engineer in Training (EIT) designation. At Georgetown, Janet serves as the VP of Marketing for Georgetown Real Estate Society, VP of Social for Student Government Association, and is a member of the Georgetown Soccer Club. Outside of school and work, Janet enjoys soccer, CrossFit, painting, and travelling.

Kaley is pursuing a JD at Yale Law School, where she aims to develop new tools in the service of building affordable housing. In her career, Kaley has worked across the public and private sectors to promote dynamic cities that are accessible to all. In the public sector, Kaley has worked for government offices and on campaigns on the local, state, and federal level - most recently as Get Out the Vote Director for Mark Levine's successful Manhattan Borough President race, managing a 1,000-volunteer operation. In real estate finance and development, Kaley worked in real estate at Blackstone, and subsequently for Fairstead, a national purpose-driven affordable housing developer. At Fairstead, Kaley's work included a $600M+ transaction to bring comprehensive renovations to an 87-building, 3,400+-resident portfolio in Brooklyn, which won Fannie Mae's 2023 Deal of the Year. Kaley graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude from Yale University with bachelor's degrees in Economics and History, and holds a master's in History from Yale, for which she focused on 20th century American urban and real estate history.

Kazmyn Ramos is a social impact strategist and Executive MBA candidate at the University of Notre Dame, bringing nearly a decade of experience designing and leading programs that expand access to housing, income, and opportunity. Based in Indianapolis, Kazmyn is the founder of Seeking 1610, a tech-driven nonprofit focused on reducing barriers to housing access for low-income renters. She has led multimillion-dollar public-private partnerships across the country and is currently deepening her expertise in commercial real estate through the Toigo Real Estate Accelerator, with a growing focus on asset management and mission-aligned investment. She holds a Six Sigma Green Belt, is fluent in Spanish, and brings a sharp eye for equity, implementation, and cross-sector collaboration to every endeavor.

Jess Ravitch is an MBA candidate at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management with a focus on real estate development and investment. Prior to Kellogg, Jess was a Senior Analyst in Capital One’s Healthcare Real Estate group, where she underwrote and managed transactions across medical office, life science, and senior housing assets. She previously interned at Lerner Enterprises, gaining acquisitions and asset management experience across multifamily, office, and retail properties. Jess’s passion for real estate is complemented by her entrepreneurial mindset. While at Tulane University, she founded Share Squad, a sustainable dress rental company serving the student community. She graduated from Tulane with a B.S. in Finance and a minor in Legal Studies. Jess is passionate about using creativity to build vibrant, dynamic communities through real estate development.

Hannah Rosenberg is currently a member of the portfolio management team at CBRE Investment Management, supporting the firm’s open-end Industrial Fund. She brings several years of experience in real estate investment and strategy, with a focus on institutional asset management. She is pursuing her MBA at New York University and is actively engaged in industry and community leadership. She serves as one of the Communications Chairs for the Urban Land Institute’s Young Leadership Group and sits on the Women’s Leadership Board at CBRE IM. In addition, she is a member of the Real Estate Committee for the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF). Hannah Rosenberg earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.  

Layla Salah is currently pursuing her MBA at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, where she will major in Finance and Real Estate. She is a senior-level Property Manager at Palm Leaf Holdings, a real estate investment firm, where she oversees daily operations, supports strategic investment initiatives/ value-add opportunities, and helps drive long-term value across a diverse asset portfolio. Known for her proactive management style, she plays a critical role in optimizing property performance and supporting the firm’s broader investment goals. Before entering the real estate industry, Layla founded and scaled a successful e-commerce business while completing her Bachelor of Science from Trinity Christian College. This venture gave her hands-on experience in entrepreneurship, business development, and operational growth—an "ownership mentality" that continues to impact her strategic approach to real estate and asset management today. With aspirations of becoming a Portfolio Manager, Layla is passionate about advancing within the real estate and private equity sectors and expanding her impact on institutional investment strategy. Layla remains committed to continuous learning and professional growth in investment management and entrepreneurship.  

Julia Schwartz is an MBA candidate at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University focusing on Finance and Real Estate. This summer, Julia is working with the Development and Investment team at Trammell Crow Company in Chicago, focusing on multifamily projects, underwriting, and deal origination. Prior to her MBA, Julia developed broad expertise in real estate, technology, and client management through roles at Fifield Companies, Procore Technologies, and Dropbox. Most recently, Julia worked as a Development Intern at Fifield Companies, where she analyzed development pipeline strategy and multifamily trends. At Procore Technologies, she managed a $3.7 million portfolio of construction technology clients and consistently achieved top-performer recognition for revenue growth and customer success. Julia earned her bachelor’s degree from Duke University. She is passionate about urban development, community-building, and expanding opportunities for women in commercial real estate. Julia is fluent in Spanish and values cross-cultural collaboration both professionally and in her volunteer work.  

Julia Telzak is pursuing her MBA at the Wharton School, focusing on real estate and finance. Prior to Wharton, she worked at L+M Development Partners in NYC, managing mixed-income, ground-up development projects across the Northeast. She has also held roles at JBG Smith and Jonathan Rose Companies. Julia earned her BA from Brown University, majoring in Classics and History of Art and Architecture. She is passionate about addressing the housing supply and affordability crisis through innovative investment and production strategies.

Abby Thyne is currently pursuing an MBA in Real Estate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Graaskamp Center for Real Estate. Prior to business school, she was an Associate for Northwestern Mutual Real Estate in Dallas, TX where she focused on production origination and financial underwriting. While there, she was responsible for analyzing property financials, dissecting market dynamics, and contributing to the $1 billion of new business each year. Her expertise lies in Class A multifamily, office, student housing, and retail assets located across Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and Phoenix. Outside of deal origination, her passion lies in advocating for women throughout the Commercial Real Estate Industry. She is an active Forte Fellow through the University of Wisconsin, and she is the founder and co-chair of the Marquette University Women in Real Estate alumna group. She graduated cum laude from Marquette University with a dual degree in Finance and Commercial Real Estate.

Megan is currently pursuing her MBA at the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business, majoring in finance and minoring in real estate. From 2021-24, Megan worked as an Investment Analyst on the Public Equity and Multi-Strategy teams at the Notre Dame Investment Office, one of the largest endowments in the country. Megan is a Vice-President in the Real Estate Club and serves as a mentor in the Business Honors Program for undergraduate students at the University of Notre Dame. She earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and history from the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business, with a minor in real estate. Megan was part of the first graduating class from the Fitzgerald Institute of Real Estate.

Deb is pursuing a Master’s in Interior Architecture at George Washington University. She is a Director at Glencrest Group, responsible for the firm’s underwriting and institutional equity functions. Prior to joining Glencrest, Deb was formerly Director of Investor Relations for a leading multifamily development firm in the Washington D.C. area, after starting her career in Finance and Investor Relations at a real estate investment trust. Deb graduated from the University of Virginia, earning a BA with distinction in Economics and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Her interests include commercial and residential interior design and sustainability in the built environment.

Yang Yang Guo is pursuing an MBA at Columbia Business School. She is passionate about commercial real estate investment, with a focus on creating innovative, impact-driven projects. Prior to business school, Yang Yang worked at a boutique capital advisory firm, where she represented commercial real estate sponsors and developers in capitalizing their institutional pursuits. She has been directly involved in executing $2B in debt and equity capitalizations across all asset classes. Yang Yang holds a B.S. from the University of California Los Angeles where she majored in Psychobiology. Outside of work, she enjoys snowboarding, exploring new restaurants, and spending time outside and at the beach.

Hannah Zhao is a dual Master’s candidate in Real Estate Development and Architecture at Columbia University. At Columbia, she serves as Co-President of Women in Real Estate Development and is an Avery Scholar. She also contributes as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for both Real Estate Finance and Environmental Sustainability. This summer, Hannah interned at Centennial Bank, where she worked in the Commercial Property Finance division, focusing on credit analysis and loan underwriting. Her past roles span real estate data research at a proptech startup, construction management, and architectural design. Hannah earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Architecture and Building & Construction Technology, along with minors in Economics and Information Technology, from University of Massachusetts Amherst. Additionally, she graduated as a Commonwealth Honors College Scholar with Distinction, co-founded the National Organization of Minority Architecture Students, served as Vice President of the American Institute of Architecture Students, and received both the Senior Leadership Award and the Chancellor’s Talent Award.

Ms Zouak is a master’s student in Real Estate Development at NYU Schack Institute of Real Estate at just age 20. She started university at the age of 14 due to her exceptional intellect and earned her associate’s degree by 17. Ms  Zouak has already gained valuable experience at RXR, serving as an Owner’s Representative on major mixed‑use projects, conducting feasibility studies, and engaging in capital markets. She is driven to shape vibrant, inclusive communities and unlock the potential of emerging markets. A scholar and active member of CREW Network, ULI Women’s Leadership Initiative, and WX New York Women Executives in Real Estate, Ms  Zouak continues to advance her vision for impactful, community‑driven development.