Spotlights
2021 Ones to Watch: Avi Begun, Meridian Capital Group, Senior Housing and Healthcare Team
How do you keep your team motivated despite conflicts and obstacles? Communication is key. We’ve experienced numerous obstacles over the past year, but talking about these challenges openly and frequently as a team has helped us learn from one another and navigate conflicts more seamlessly.2021 Ones to Watch: Sim Goldberg, Meridian Capital Group, Senior Housing and Healthcare Team
What did you want to be when you grew up? I always knew I wanted to work in an industry that helped people. I didn’t always know exactly how, but in college, I began working with different special needs organizations and communities in all types of capacities, which led to healthcare.2021 Ones to Watch: Trevor Adler, Stroock & Stroock & Lavan
What recent project, transaction or accomplishment are you most proud of? I am most proud of leading several of the most important NYC real estate deals to have occurred during the pandemic. These included representing Edward J. Minskoff Equities in FTI Consulting’s 120,000 s/f lease at the 1166 Sixth Ave. during the summer of 20202021 Ones to Watch: Elsa Ben, Shimon Stroock & Stroock & Lavan
How do you contribute to your community or your profession? Through Stroock’s Women in Real Estate Group, I share with my women colleagues my knowledge and experience, discuss deals and market trends, help brainstorm solutions to problems, share business development ideas and serve as a mentor to junior attorneys.2021 Ones to Watch: Raymond Pomeroy, Stroock & Stroock & Lavan
What recent project, transaction or accomplishment are you most proud of? I recently assisted a lender client who was in the midst of closing on a large loan secured by a portfolio of industrial assets. Days before the scheduled closing, the client’s environmental consultant proposed a list of 26 environmental action items that would be required of the borrower.2021 Ones to Watch: Margaret Hopkins, AKRF, Inc.
What recent project, transaction or accomplishment are you most proud of? As project manager for East Side Coastal Resiliency, a $1.45 billion integrated coastal protection system under construction along Manhattan’s East River shoreline, I take great pride in helping to bring physical, social, and economic resiliency to communities2021 Ones to Watch: Ashutosh Sharma, AKRF, Inc.
What recent project, transaction or accomplishment are you most proud of? I take a lot of pride in AKRF’s work for Sawyer Place at Larkin Plaza in Yonkers, a 586,000 s/f development by RXR Realty with 439 luxury rental units in 17-story and 25-story towers united by a retail and amenities building.2021 Ones to Watch: Peter Johnson, Avison Young
Who was/is your mentor and how did s/he influence/help you in your career? My boss from my time at Merrill Lynch, Maria Colucci. Maria and our team were consistently ranked by Barron’s and Forbes as a Top 100 Financial Advisory Team.2021 Ones to Watch: Michael Brown, HKS Real Estate Advisors
How do you keep your team motivated despite conflicts and obstacles?The most important thing in staying motivated and keeping things moving whenever hurdles arise is remaining calm. If you ask my colleagues, I think
2021 Ones to Watch: Aron Mesis, D&A Construction Advisors
Who was/is your mentor and how did s/he influence/help you in your career?My mentor through everything has been my cousin/boss lady/auntie Andrea Mesis-Bruno. Andrea is the proud owner and president of D&A Construction Advisors, the largest Latina-owned construction consulting agency in