2026 Ones to Watch - Industry Leaders: Daniel Kaplan, EA RESIG LLC

“Dan Kaplan is the definition of an industry leader. With over 30 years of experience and a rare perspective gained from both the operational and client-service sides of real estate, he brings unmatched insight into every engagement. His commitment to mentoring the next generation is as strong as his technical expertise, making him invaluable to our clients and our team.” 

What is one major challenge you’ve overcome as a leader, and what did it teach you?

My biggest challenge was the collapse of a startup that I poured everything into earlier in my career. We grew from 5 to 2,000 people in under two years, only to be blindsided by the 2008 Financial Crisis. Investor defaults and project cancellations brought it all down, and as a leader, I felt I should have seen it coming. In hindsight, I learned the humility that comes from forces beyond your control. I took everything I did right or wrong and channeled it into my next opportunity to build a business, EA RESIG, and my partners and I have seen resounding success.

How do you inspire, motivate, or mentor others within your organization?

Early in my career, I was fortunate to have mentors who were the best and brightest in real estate. They invested their time in me, and their guidance was always centered around teaching me how to do their job someday. For a young associate or analyst, making partner or becoming a CFO can feel distant or unattainable. I believe the greatest motivator is helping others see not just how to excel at what they do today, but the full potential of where their career can take them.

Who has had the greatest impact on your career or leadership journey?

My older brother Dave, who shaped both my career and my character.