2020 Ones to Watch: Allen Shayanfekr, Sharestates

Name: Allen Shayanfekr

Company:  Sharestates 

Title: CEO/Co-Founder

Education: Juris Doctorate

Which project, deal, or transaction was the “game-changer” in the advancement of your career? 
It always starts with the first deal.

How do you contribute to your community or your profession? 
I contribute to my community in a number of ways. I am an active member of many charitable organizations including Sunrise Day Camp. My involvement in these charities led my co-founders and I to create our own not-for-profit called Share4Kids. Share4Kids is a nonprofit entity of Sharestates that donates all proceeds to charities dedicated to improving the lives of children. These charities range from children struggling from cancer to homeless kids that are in need of food, clothing and medical care.

What can our political leaders do to increase equality in the workplace? 
I think the Women on Boards law passed in California in 2018 is an incredible step in the right direction that I would like to see catch traction across the nation. The law required that by the end of 2019, all companies with a base in California must have at least one woman on their board. 

What led you to your current profession? 
My real estate career started while I was still an undergraduate student at NYU. I was more focused on capitalizing on a niche in the real estate market, crowdsourcing loans for real estate development, than a potential top executive spot at an existing company. The idea for Sharestates came about after a family dinner following the passing of the JOBS Act in 2008, and the rest really is history.  I’m very happy to have been able to realize so many achievements already in my career, but my end goal has always been to create new opportunities for real estate investors using technology and increased accessibility.

What do you like most about your job? 
As a startup founder, I started out wearing many hats. As our user base and staff grew, I was able to really hone in on the things that interested me the most. Today, I am mostly involved in platform innovation for Sharestates. I spend my time optimizing the user experience for borrowers and investors while also spearheading the development of new loan products and capital markets relationships.

Who or what inspires you? 
My co-founders, Raymond Davoodi and Radni Davoodi.

If your life were made into a movie, what actor would you want to portray you? 
Robert Downey Jr. 

What social media platform do you use the most professionally? 
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allenshayanfekr/