Recent goal and impact: Under Deborah’s leadership, CCG transformed its scope of services to grow its private placement business. Recognizing the need for a more targeted, sophisticated investor outreach strategy, Deborah led a complete overhaul of the firm’s investor coverage. This disciplined, data-driven approach has expanded access to key LP segments. By combining strategic insight with operational excellence,
Recent goal and impact: I’ve been schooled in the New York condominium world. For years I’ve poured over AG regulations, and I’ve been in the trenches with major NYC condo developments. But I’ve always been curious about other aspects of a deal — financing, leases, JV negotiations, and guarantees —
Turning problems into opportunities: Infrastructure limitations in an office tower required an innovative HVAC approach for a 20,000 s/f commercial interior space. Our team’s response solved the issue and created new opportunities. Instead of relying on a single 50-ton, air-cooled, packaged unit, we implemented five 10-ton condensing units with variab
Recent goal and impact: Our company reached $500 million in loans arranged on behalf of our clients since its inception in 2012. Turning problems into opportunities: During the recent CRE downturn, we quickly adapted by shifting our focus to owner-occupied investors — leveraging SBA and build-to-own financing strategies that allowed us not just to survive
Sharing knowledge and expertise: I thrive on actively sharing my knowledge and expertise regarding the auction method of marketing properties with others, including potential clients, realtors, lawyers, and anyone interested in this innovative approach. Since every real estate transaction is unique, we pride ourselves on offering personalized advice and solutions.
Recent goal and impact: At REAL New York, one of my primary objectives was to establish a comprehensive, full-service brokerage that caters to the evolving needs of landlords and developers. Initially, our focus was on leasing for landlords with existing properties. However, as our firm expanded,
Recent goal and impact: After surpassing the $2 billion threshold of closed transactions we set another goal to close another $1 billion by year end 2024. By January 2025 despite the volatility of the real estate market we reached our goal. This was even more significant because 2025 marked the 10th year anniversary of our firm.
Recent goal and impact: One recent goal I achieved was refining our Economic Inclusion Plan, which I originally created in 2020 to support minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses. By enhancing the program’s structure and expanding access to resources, we’ve helped over fifty businesses get certified, access capital, and secure affordable office space. The impact has been substantial—not only for the businesses we’ve supported but also for our firm.
Recent goal and impact: Growing the firm’s commercial leasing business using more client-friendly fee structures. This created a lot of growth opportunities and increased new client inquires.
Recent goal and impact: Since joining Kasirer more than 20 years ago, I’ve always had one overarching goal: Keep NYC thriving despite any political, social or economic headwinds. I’ve supported the hospitality industry with outdoor dining requirements during the pandemic, worked with the Fifth Avenue Association to make NYC a global retail destination, and I’ve helped Stony Brook University win the bid to serve as the anchor institution
Recent goal and impact: My role in advising the UNDC on their long-term leases with the UN and the UNDP for over 650,000 s/f at One and Two United Nations Plaza. This complex transaction took several years to finalize but we were able to achieve a great result for our client and the city. The transaction will include a $500,000,000 capital improvement
Recent goal and impact: Our goal is to grow our architectural metal and glass fabrication/installation firm in the large-scale project market. We recently completed a very prominent project in this segment: the $2 billion redevelopment of the 1.3-million s/f terminal warehouse at 261 11th Ave.
Recent goal and impact: For several years, it was a goal of Kara’s to expand our firm’s affordable housing practice to incorporate lawyers with a particular expertise in tax exemptions and zoning incentives. This goal finally came to fruition in late March of 2025, with Belkin Burden Goldman’s (BBG) hiring
Sharing knowledge and expertise: After 33 years as a commissioned U.S. Army officer, and now an IMEG principal, I mentor and encourage open communication. Leadership is caring for your team and their families. I involve my team in decision-making, considering their well-being, and ask them to do so too. I help my team understand the importance of empathy,
Turning problems into opportunities: I have been fortunate to be a third-generation real estate entrepreneur, drawing inspiration from both my grandfather and father, who each developed distinct but complementary investment strategies. When I launched CL, I merged these two strategies, leveraging my multi-generational foundation to create a hybrid approach.
Recent goal and impact: Leading the department through the unprecedented commercial real estate cycles caused by COVID reshaped my management approach. From the shutdowns to a boom driven by low interest rates, followed by a downturn due to rate hikes and the work-from-home trend, the demand for legal services fluctuated rapidly.
Sharing knowledge and expertise: To give back to the industry, I became a REBNY downtown committee co-chairman last year and actively participated in REBNY events.
Recent goal and impact: The global aspects of our real estate practice are especially enjoyable for me. We were recently engaged by a great client on a joint venture hospitality transaction involving an asset in the Caribbean. We put an excellent cross-border team together that quickly gained the trust of the client and the counterparties.
Turning problems into opportunities: One real estate challenge that turned into an opportunity involved a commercial property that had been sitting vacant for a long period. The owner was struggling with finding a tenant and the building itself was in need of significant renovations. Instead of seeing the vacant space as a loss, we approached the situation
Recent goal and impact: One of our recent goals was to streamline the permitting and approval process for demolition projects in NYC. Given the complexity of regulations and the multiple agencies involved, delays were common. We invested in a dedicated compliance team and digital tracking system, which cut approval times by 30%.