2026 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Hugo Donath, North Bridge

“From day one, it was clear Hugo Donath was someone who thinks differently. Thoughtful beyond his years, relentlessly curious, and hungry in the best possible way, he approaches every deal with creative rigor and a maturity you rarely see at this stage of a career. Hugo will do whatever is needed to complete a project and that kind of commitment lifts everyone around him.” 

Who has been a mentor or influential figure in your career, and what is the most valuable advice they have shared with you?

A piece of advice that will stay with me forever came from a close family friend in Melbourne — an accomplished real estate professional who has since passed. He would always say: “Hugo, ears open, eyes open, mouth shut.” He taught me the power of absorbing knowledge—listening to everyone and everything so you can make the most informed decision. In an industry built on relationships and information, that lesson has been invaluable, reminding me that the best decisions come from listening first. It’s this guidance that has shaped both my professional and personal life.

What inspired you to pursue a career in your industry, and what path brought you to your current role?

I came to New York from Australia at 18, drawn to real estate because it’s a physical asset, not a ticker on a screen. I wanted to help build the places people call home, work, and play. Out of college, I chose the debt path, knowing few CRE deals get done without it. Amalgamated Bank gave me my foundation, and today, as an Investments Associate at North Bridge, I get to apply that foundation across every asset class and market nationwide, alongside a team that brings decades of industry experience to help structure transactions in the most accretive way possible for our clients.