Events
Thought leadership for the built environment™
Our events bridge academia to industry and are designed for a wide variety of stakeholders.
Fireside Chat Series
April 23, 2024
The convergence of forward-thinking voices spanning capital markets, development, policy, law, leadership, and our collective impact.
Skate to Where the Puck Is Going, Not to Where It Has Been:
A conversation spanning business building, venture capital, resilience, and learning from failure.
Attire:
Business casual to business professional
Location:
The Ohio State University Faculty Club
Time:
4:00 - 5:30 p.m. ET Fireside Chat
5:30 - 6:30 p.m. ET Networking Cocktail Reception
Join us for an installment in the Center for Real Estate Fireside Chat series at the Ohio State University Faculty Club for an interactive discussion bridging academia and industry.
We welcome to campus David J. Adelman, a fellow Buckeye and business builder with substantial leadership experience across commercial real estate, professional sports, venture capital, and philanthropy. As no two entrepreneurs are created alike, this forum will illuminate an ambidextrous approach to generating value across multiple spheres of Mr. Adelman's endeavors that impact directly millions of our lives.
This event will be moderated by:
Prof. Donald D. Sheets, Executive Director for the Center for Real Estate
Joining the Center will be special guests:
David J. Adelman, Entrepreneur and CEO
The Center welcomes students, alumni, and industry professionals to express interest in joining this limited-capacity event.
Inaugural Research Symposium
April 24, 2024
A convergence of multi-generational perspectives and interdisciplinary insights.
Evaluation and Inquiry across the Built Environment:
A forum that bridges academia to industry.
Attire:
Business casual to business professional
Location:
The Ohio State University
Fisher College of Business Campus
Columbus, Ohio
Date:
- Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Dinner and Discourse
- Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Evaluation and Inquiry
View Program and Thought Leaders
Join us for The Ohio State University Center for Real Estate's forum that bridges doctoral-level academic research with industry relevance. Listen to seasoned voices from the formal academic research community debating viewpoints among our next generation of thought leaders.
Evaluation and Inquiry across the Built Environment is a convergence of multi-generational perspectives and interdisciplinary insights across the field of real estate. The format will honor a traditional display of formal research in a modern approach of Socratic, interactive discourse among presenters and our audience.
This event will be co-hosted by:
- Prof. Donald D. Sheets, Executive Director for the Center for Real Estate;
- Dr. Itzhak (Zahi) Ben-David, Academic Director for the Center for Real Estate, Professor of Finance, and Neil Klatskin Chair in Finance and Real Estate;
- Dr. Stephanie Moulton , Professor and Associate Dean for Faculty Research - John Glenn College of Public Affairs; and
- Dr. Meta Brown , Associate Professor of Economics and Faculty Affiliate for the Institute for Population Research.
The Center welcomes scholars, industry practitioner researchers, and those who are academically curious.
Brutus Luminaries Series
April 02, 2024 (Postponed)
Seasoned professionals sharing authentic perspectives with our industry's emerging leaders.
The Long and Winding Road:
Luck, hard work, and an ever-changing market.
Attire:
Business casual to business professional
Location:
Mason Hall Rotunda
Time:
4:00 - 5:15 p.m. ET Panel Discussion
5:30 - 6:30 p.m. ET Networking Reception
Join the Center for Real Estate for the second installment in its new Brutus Luminaries Series at Mason Hall Rotunda to meet peers interested in real estate, attend an interactive discussion, and network at the Varsity Club over refreshments. The Center welcomes the next generation of industry leaders, students, and young alumni to express interest in joining this limited-capacity event. Attendees will hear from Thrive Companies, The Pizzuti Companies, and BridgeInvest.
This event will be moderated by:
- Prof. Donald D. Sheets, Executive Director for the Center for Real Estate
- Prof. Todd Starker , Legal Professional and Clinical Professor at Moritz College of Law
Joining the Center will be special guests:
- Mark Wagenbrenner, Thrive Companies;
- Bill Brennan, The Pizzuti Companies; and
- Jon Gitman, BridgeInvest.
Building Foundations Series
April 10 - 11, 2024
Experiential learning spanning finance, law, policy, architecture and design, engineering, and planning.
Fundamentals of Distressed Investing (Part I):
Understanding loan structures, borrower and lender rights during defaults, and negotiation techniques.
Attire:
Business casual to business professional
Location:
Fisher College of Business Campus
Time:
Wednesday, April 10 from 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 11 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Join us for The Ohio State University Center for Real Estate's inaugural installment within the Building Foundations Series. Fundamentals of Distressed Investing (Part I) offers timely and relevant skills for young professionals, alumni, and students interested in establishing a foundation to address sub-performing real estate investments.
Applications must be submitted and accepted to attend this limited-capacity workshop. Admission will be determined on a rolling basis.
- Complete advanced reading assignments and come prepared.
- Commit to participating in a highly interactive environment.
- Submit a resume.
This event will be lead by an industry expert:
James R. Pomeranz , Senior Vice President at Broadshore Capital Partners
Brutus Luminaries Series, Installment 1
February 21, 2024
An event for young professionals and students interested in real estate.
Attire:
Business casual to business professional
Location:
Mason Hall Rotunda
Time:
6:15 - 7:30 p.m. ET Panel Discussion
7:45 - 8:30 p.m. ET Networking Reception
The Center for Real Estate offered an installment in its new Brutus Luminaries Series at Mason Hall Rotunda to meet peers interested in real estate, attend an interactive discussion, and network at the Varsity Club over refreshments. The Center welcomed the next generation of industry leaders, students, and young alumni to express interest in joining this limited-capacity event. Attendees heard from Anchor Retail, Pizzuti Companies, and MDH Partners.
The event was co-moderated by
- Prof. Donald D. Sheets, Executive Director for the Center for Real Estate
and - Dr. Jason Reece, Vice Provost for Urban Research and Community Engagement, Office of Academic Affairs and Associate Professor, City & Regional Planning, Knowlton School, College of Engineering
Joining the Center were special guests
- Arun Singh and Maylene Renninger, MDH Partners;
- Arthur Kaplan, Anchor Retail; and
- Kristin Randall, Pizzuti Companies.
When All Else Fails
February 22, 2024
Resilience and relevance in leadership through an interdisciplinary lens.
Attire:
Business casual to business professional
Location:
The Ohio State University Faculty Club
Time:
3:30 - 5:00 p.m. ET Fireside Chat
5:00 - 6:00 p.m. ET Networking Cocktail Reception
The Center offered an installment in the Center for Real Estate Fireside Chat series in partnership with Women in Real Estate (WIRE) at the Ohio State Faculty Club for an interactive discussion bridging academia and industry. WIRE is a student-led organization founded in 2023 with the mission to empower women in the real estate industry at The Ohio State University.
This event was co-moderated by
- Prof. Donald D. Sheets, Executive Director for the Center for Real Estate
and - Prof. Sharon Shaffer, Faculty Advisor for WIRE
Joining the Center and WIRE were special guests
- Marilyn Lucas, Principal for Lucas Advisory;
- Elizabeth Mack, Partner and Chair, Environmental Section–Real Estate and Corporate for Locke Lord LLP;
- Tracy Passarella, Senior Project Manager for Gilbane Building Company; and
- Grace Donaldson, Student President for WIRE.
The Center welcomed students, alumni, and industry professionals to this event.
Never Let a Good Crisis go to Waste.
November 30, 2023
Career prospects within compromised capital markets.
Attire:
Business casual to business professional
Location:
Classroom location disclosed to admitted participants
Time:
8:30 - 10:00 a.m. ET Morning Fireside Chat Session with donuts and coffee
Attendees joined the Center in the classroom for a morning Fireside Chat session at Ohio State University for an interactive discussion bridging academia and industry. Spencer Levy - an established thought leader - engaged in a conversation over coffee and donuts with Prof. Donald D. Sheets about capital markets and careers in real estate.
The Center welcomed students, alumni, and industry professionals to this event. Attendees were expected to wear business casual to business professional for Center for Real Estate events.
Can this Time be Different?
October 26, 2023
Special situations call for special solutions.
Location:
The Ohio State University Faculty Club
Time:
3:30 - 5:00 p.m. ET Fireside Chat
5:00 - 6:00 p.m. ET Networking Cocktail Reception
Transactions and fundraising volumes within the commercial real estate industry are both at multi-decade lows. Blue-chip sponsors are voluntarily surrendering billions of dollars of institutional-grade assets that are situated in core markets. Can old dogs learn new tricks?
This interactive program included a discussion with academic and industry experts, a Q&A session, and a networking cocktail reception. This installment within our Fireside Chat Series will provide an interdisciplinary lens to unearthing novel solutions for a complicated time.
Center for Real Estate Career X-Change
October 23, 2023
A Two-Part, Time-Efficient Recruiting Forum
Location:
The Ohio State University Faculty Club
Time:
5:00 - 6:00 p.m. ET "Day in the Life" panel discussion
6:00 - 7:30 p.m. ET "Meet and Greet" resume and business card exchange reception
The Center invited participants to our inaugural, targeted recruitment event hosted on campus at The Ohio State University. Students and firms first attended a moderated “Day in the Life” panel discussion to hear about a day in the life of a variety of industry participants including lenders, developers, investment managers, brokers, advisors, lawyers, non-profit professionals, and other constituents within the commercial real estate ecosystem.
Following the “Day in the Life” panel discussion, undergraduate- and graduate-level students from multiple Ohio State colleges with an interest in pursuing careers in real estate joined dozens of employers for a resume and business card exchange reception.
To Re-Insure, Or Not to Re-Insure?
September 28, 2023
Commercial Property Insurance Landscape, Outlook, and Risks
Location:
The Ohio State University Faculty Club
Time:
3:30 - 5:00 p.m. ET Fireside Chat
5:00 - 6:00 p.m. ET Networking Cocktail Reception
The dramatic increase in property insurance costs in recent years has had a meaningful impact on commercial and corporate real estate, and how investors think about property. But why have these costs skyrocketed? Complicating factors include the economy, high interest rates, lending standards, and—especially—geographically-specific issues related to natural disasters and weather events. These obstacles make it more difficult for individuals, owners, and organizations to grasp the rapidly evolving situation and plan for the future.
The Center explored the landscape of commercial real estate re-insurance: the causes, effects, and risks involved, and what the next few years might hold for commercial property coverage and its cost. This interactive program included discussions with academic and industry experts, a Q&A session, and a networking cocktail reception.
Will You Be in South Bend on September 22?
September 22, 2023
Join The Ohio State University Center for Real Estate at the Notre Dame Fitzgerald Institute for Real Estate
Location:
Notre Dame Stadium
Time:
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Fireside Chat with Michael O'Malley & Donald D. Sheets
3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Market Observations with Mark Gibson
4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Panel Discussion in Formation
5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Networking Cocktail Reception
Did you attend The Ohio State University versus Notre Dame football game in South Bend? Football and real estate fans alike joined The Ohio State University Center for Real Estate the evening prior to engage with Notre Dame colleagues within the real estate ecosystem. The Fitzgerald Institute for Real Estate hosted its Fall Gathering and Networking Reception on Notre Dame’s campus in the afternoon/evening prior to the football game. The Center was invited to assemble a cohort of our Buckeyes in real estate to join this unique opportunity to liaise with a deep cross-section of Fighting Irish real estate peers.
Attend a Center for Real Estate Information Session
September 6, 2023
Students were Invited to Attend a Center Information Session
Times and Locations:
10:30 - 11:00 a.m. ET Session One: Mason Hall Rotunda
11:00 - 11:30 a.m. ET Session Two: Mason Hall Rotunda
5:30 - 6:00 p.m. ET Session Three: Gerlach Hall 315
Those who were interested in commercial real estate attended an Ohio State University Center for Real Estate Information Session. Attendees met the Center to learn about recruiting, scholarships, professional networking, and hands-on experiential learning opportunities. The Center offered coffee and donuts during the morning sessions and pizza during the afternoon session.
Meet The Ohio State University Center for Real Estate
September 6, 2023
Faculty and Student Organization Meet and Greet Breakfast
Location:
Mason Hall Rotunda
Time:
8:45 - 9:45 a.m. ET Faculty and Student Organization Meet and Greet
The Center invited faculty, student organizations, and advisors, to attend a breakfast meet and greet among the Center’s team, professors, and other university student organizations across multiple disciplines that interface within the commercial real estate industry.
During this meeting, the Center shared details about our exciting calendar of events for the 2023-2024 Academic Year. Of particular interest was the debut of a real estate-focused career and networking exchange, a first-of-its-kind experiential learning trek, our annual symposium, and a series of interactive programs hosted at The Ohio State Faculty Club. We look forward to bridging colleges, disciplines, and real estate-oriented student organizations across Ohio State University.
Navigating Choppy Waters within Capital Markets
May 17, 2023
Location: The Ohio State University Faculty Club
Time:
- 4 - 5:15 p.m. Fireside Conversation
- 5:15 - 6 p.m. ET Networking Cocktail Reception
During this event, the Center for Real Estate hosted a fireside conversation that discussed ways to navigate the rapidly-deteriorating capital markets environment. Throughout the conversation, we conducted a deep-dive analysis of the recent failures within the global banking system and a data-centric perspective of loan defaults within the commercial real estate industry. The intent was to deepen the discussion beyond anecdotes of the financial press and instead explore unique findings within the capital markets that might influence near- and medium-term catalysts for a variety of stakeholders within the commercial real estate ecosystem. We were delighted to host Brian Olasov for this interactive discussion.
Meet our speakers:
Brian Olasov is an Adjunct Professor of Real Estate Capital Markets at New York University Schack Institute of Real Estate and serves as Executive Director of Financial Services Consulting at Carlton Fields. Brian provides expert witness testimony to other law firms in disputes involving residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities (MBS), mortgage loan servicing and mortgage loan origination. Brian received his MBA from Emory University and BA in International Relations from Yale University.
Donald D. Sheets serves a dual appointment as a Senior Lecturer of Finance at the Fisher College of Business and as Executive Director of The Ohio State University Center for Real Estate. Prior to joining Ohio State, he served as Managing Director and member of the Management Committee at Broadshore Capital Partners. Donald has two dozen years of leadership experience on Wall Street across several investment management firms, one of which he founded nearly a decade ago and recently sold. Donald received a BBA magna cum laude from The George Washington University and received an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Center Rebuilding Forum
March 14, 2023
Location: The Ohio State University Faculty Club
Time:
5 - 7:30 p.m.
During this special event, center Advisory Board and Executive Committee members were invited to learn more about the center’s relaunch under Donald Sheets’ leadership.
The Forum included:
- Welcome remarks by Joseph Alutto | Distinguished Professor, Former Dean of Fisher College of Business, Former Interim President and Provost of The Ohio State University
- A preview of strategic visioning for the center from Donald Sheets
- A fireside chat with a luminary in the geopolitical/macroeconomic landscape from McKinsey & Company
- A networking cocktail reception to meet and mingle with other members of the advisory board
Student Information Session with Donald Sheets
February 28, 2023
Location: The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business; Mason Hall Rotunda (2nd Floor)
Time: 2 - 2:45 p.m.
This event was designed for Ohio State University undergraduate students majoring or minoring in real estate. Throughout the session, the Center's new Executive Director, Donald Sheets, 1) gave an overview of the center and how it will be evolving in the future, 2) shared his professional background and how he got into real estate, and 3) discussed how students can become more involved with the Center for Real Estate through mentorship programs, experiential learning, case competitions, events and more.
Top Down or Bottom Up? Macro and Microeconomic Perspectives for 2023
February 28, 2023
Location: The Ohio State University Faculty Club
Time: 5 - 6:30 p.m. | Fireside conversation 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. | Networking cocktail reception
During this fireside conversation with two leading researchers, each with a unique vantage point, we charted an uncertain path in 2023. Throughout the conversation — moderated by the center’s newly-appointed Executive Director, Donald Sheets — we debated considerations from both a top-down macroeconomic and a bottom-up microeconomic perspective. The intent wasto deepen the discussion beyond anecdotes of the financial press and instead explore unique findings within capital markets, consumer and business sentiment, and other key factors affecting the near-term prognosis of commercial real estate. We were delighted to host two luminaries from Heitman and the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.
More about our panelists:
Emi Adachi-Fox
Emi Adachi is the Director of North American Research and Co-Head of Global Research Operations at Heitman. She is an equity owner of the firm. Emi researches property market, macroeconomic, and capital market trends and oversees strategy development and underwriting for all North American private equity and debt investments. Emi received a BA with honors in Urban Studies from Stanford University.
Lara Loewenstein
Lara Loewenstein is a research economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. She is an applied microeconomist whose current research focuses on residential and commercial real estate and mortgage markets. Prior to joining the Cleveland Fed, Dr. Loewenstein was a research associate in the research department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. She received her PhD from Brandeis University.
Donald Sheets | Moderator
Donald serves a dual appointment as a Senior Lecturer of Finance at the Fisher College of Business and as Executive Director of The Ohio State University Center for Real Estate. Prior to joining Ohio State, he served as Managing Director and member of the Management Committee at Broadshore Capital Partners. Donald has two dozen years of leadership experience on Wall Street across several investment management firms, one of which he founded nearly a decade ago and recently sold. Donald received a BBA magna cum laude from The George Washington University and received an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Fisher Real Estate Society (FRES) Young Alumni Networking Event
February 9, 2023
Sponsored by Crawford Hoying
Location:
Moxy Bar
800 N. High St. Columbus, 2nd Floor
Time:
6 - 8 p.m.
Are you a Fisher College of Business real estate alum, having graduated in 2012 or after? Fisher Real Estate Society is hosted a networking event, sponsored by Crawford Hoying, where young alumni had the opportunity to network with each other and current real estate students. The event served as an opportunity to expand professional networks, share experiences with students looking to break into the real estate industry post-graduation, and meet Donald Sheets, the center's new executive director.
Breakfast Series: Real Estate - Is it an Inflation Hedge?
January 18, 2023
Location:
Mason Hall Rotunda
Time:
8 - 9 a.m.
Historically, real estate has been seen as a hedge on inflation. The U.S. has not seen an extended period of high inflation for more than 40 years. Are real estate sectors truly holding up in this macroeconomic environment?
Our panel of industry experts discussed how each of the real estate sectors - industrial, office, multifamily, retail and hotel - are performing in what is a new environment for most real estate investors today.
In addition, attendees had the chance to meet the center's new Executive Director, Donald Sheets, who shared an update on the center reboot and his vision for the future.
Panelists included:
- Grant Chaney | Executive Vice President, Retail Services Group, Colliers
- Paul Ghidotti | Principal and Member Management, Daimler
- Adrian Hamilton (Moderator) | White Oak Revenue Management Team, White Oak Partners
- Spencer Jordan | Senior Vice President, Retail Real Estate, Steiner & Associates
- Melanie Mayo | Partner and Chief of Development and Diligence, White Oak Partners
- Ben Pierson | Managing Director of Investment & Development Group, Rockbridge
- Raif Webster | Vie President of Development Services, Columbus office of VanTrust
To see a full list of past events offered by the Ohio State Center for Real Estate, check out our events archive page.
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