2026 Ones To Watch - Rising Stars: Smita Garg, SKG Capital

“Smita Garg stands out for the breadth of her real estate investment, asset management and capital markets experience, as well as her ability to combine disciplined analysis with hands-on execution. She brings strategic judgment, accountability and clarity to complex decisions, helping strengthen portfolio performance while supporting long-term value creation.” 

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

My interest in real estate began early, shaped by watching my father build SKG Capital and seeing how ownership, operations and long-term thinking can affect communities. I started my career in real estate banking at J.P. Morgan, where I built a strong foundation in underwriting, credit analysis and deal structuring. Roles in institutional asset management and capital markets deepened that experience, ultimately leading me back to SKG Capital to help guide investment strategy and portfolio performance.

What accomplishment or project so far in your career are you most proud of?

One of the accomplishments I am most proud of is leading the $400 million CMBS refinance of 70 Pine St. while at Rose Associates. The asset was highly complex, with luxury rentals, an extended-stay hotel and retail within a landmark adaptive-reuse tower in Manhattan’s Financial District. The process required detailed underwriting, lender and rating-agency coordination, third-party diligence, capital partner alignment and execution across multiple stakeholders. The project reflected my ability to lead a large-scale financing and deliver a successful outcome under complex circumstances.

What trends or opportunities do you see shaping the future of your industry?

I see the future of real estate being shaped by a need for more sustainable, transit-oriented multifamily housing that responds to affordability pressures and changing renter preferences. I also see an opportunity to bring more disciplined, data-driven asset management to the middle-market multifamily sector, with stronger operations, transparent reporting and thoughtful decision-making that support both portfolio performance and positive resident outcomes.