Network
America Forum 2023
15 - 16 November 2023,
Convene at 117 West 46th Street New York
Connecting American capital to global real estate
The PERE Network’s 18th annual America Forum on November 15-16 will discover effective investment strategies for North American real estate markets in New York.
Discuss current trends with North American real estate’s most influential gathering of institutional investors, fund and asset managers, developers, and strategic partners:
- Position your current and future investments to meet increasing investor sustainability demands
- Navigate risks arising from an unprecedented inflationary and interest rate environment
- Learn how to manage distressed assets in struggling sectors
- And more …
Buy your PERE Network membership today and join us at the America Forum this November.
Getting 97 Done: Implementation and impacts
Rohit Aggarwala will discuss the implementation and the impact of several city policies, including Local Law 97, one of the boldest pieces of climate legislation in the world.
Join us to start strategizing on how you can cut your emissions by 40% in 2030 and by 100% by 2050 in New York City.
Rohit Aggarwala
Chief Climate Officer and Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner
New York City
Leading CalSTRS’ real estate business through unpredictable times
Julie will discuss capital allocations at the present time and the new commitments to real estate managers. She will also share her insight on the future of office, particularly through a sustainability and ESG lens.
Join us to discover how to better manage your assets and upgrade your allocation during an unprecedented inflationary and interest-rate environment.
Julie Donegan
Investment Director, Real Estate
CalSTRS
The power of the institutional ownership of operating companies
Dennis has been actively involved in the real estate industry for over 32 years working in the Americas, Asia and Europe. His experience includes real estate acquisitions, developments, M&A, equity and debt fundraising in both the public and private markets.
Join Dennis to discuss the power of the institutional ownership of operating companies and the benefits of “in-house” operating companies with regards to portfolio growth, talent retention and diversification of staff skillset.
Dennis Lopez
Chief Executive Officer
QuadReal Property Group
A “Real Estate Reckoning”
John will discuss the long-term investment outlook for commercial real estate, including commentary on a “tsunami” of real estate loans maturing through 2025 and the implications of bank pressures from rising interest rates and a looming recession.
Explore how various parts of the CRE capital spectrum are impacted by the rapidly changing landscape so you could maximize your growth.
John Murray
Managing Director, Global Private Real Estate
PIMCO
Accelerate your fundraising
Reconnect with American investors allocating across a wide spectrum of real estate strategies through the networking-focused program.
Expand your investor network
Meet investors allocating to North American real estate and understand their preferences for allocations.
Better connections
Connect with North American investors year-round through pre-event meetings and post-Forum conversations with PERE Network membership. Access 1,000+ global investors and managers, monthly insights, and online meetings with industry leaders.
2023 speakers
Apply for complimentary access to the PERE Network to be able to attend the America Forum this November 15-16.
Apply for complimentary access
A limited number of complimentary passes are available for allocators and institutional investors to join the event.
Complimentary investor passes are limited to foundations, endowments, trusts, insurance companies, single family offices, sovereign wealth funds and pension funds who are actively making fund commitments and do not engage in third-party fundraising activities or collect fees for advisory/consulting services.
Apply for access and a member of our team will follow up with you to secure your pass.
2023 speakers
PERE America Forum brings together C-level executives and industry thought-leaders to speak about the latest macroeconomic trends and insight impacting your strategies and plans in the region. Download the agenda to learn about the sessions to be discussed at the Forum.
Please contact Ben Moss at ben.m@peimedia.com for a discussion on key topics and speaking opportunities at the PERE America Forum 2023.

Rohit T. “Rit” Aggarwala
Chief Climate Officer, New York City

Ankit Bhatt
Managing Director, Investment Head – Industrial, Oxford Properties Group

David Armitage
Senior Vice President, CBRE Affordable Housing

Mark Biancucci
Chief Financial Officer, US, Lendlease

Jonathan Brasse
Senior Editor, Real Estate, PEI Media Real Estate Publications

Steven Boydstun
Managing Director and President MUFG Fund Services (USA) LLC

Gila Cohen
Head of Global Institutional Partnerships, Monroe Capital

Jim Costello
Head of Real Estate Economics, MSCI

Rhys Davies
Partner, ESG & Impact, Kirkland & Ellis International LLP

Adi Divgi
Founder and Chief Investment Officer, Divino Global Holdings LLC

Bradford Dockser
Founder and CEO, Green Generation

Julie Donegan
Investment Director, Real Estate, CalSTRS

Chris Ebersole
Investment Officer, Oregon State Treasury

Jeffrey Fine
Global Head of Real Estate Client Solutions & Capital Markets, Goldman Sachs Asset Management

Vaibhav Gujral
Senior Partner, New York, McKinsey & Company

Brice Hafner
Senior Managing Director, Industrial, Crow Holdings Capital

Julia Haugg
Head of PERE Network, PEI Group

Zoe Hughes
Chief Executive Officer, NAREIM

Sarah Jancot
Senior Investment Manager, Unlisted Real Estate, Global Logistics, NBIM

Doyle Kim
Managing Director, Hana Securities

Jonathan Kivell
Director of Community Investments, Federal Reserve Bank of New York

Evelyn Lee
News Editor, PERE

Ed Lerum
Head of Global Logistics Real Estate, Norges Bank Investment Management

David Levine
Co-Head of Americas Acquisitions, Blackstone Real Estate

Lee Levy
Co-Head of US Real Estate Credit Investing, Goldman Sachs Asset Management

Anthony Lipardis
Principle and Director of Real Assets, Bessemer Trust

Rob Little
Head of Real Estate

Jason Longo
Real Estate Americas, Senior Investment Leader, Partners Group

Dennis Lopez
Chief Executive Officer, QuadReal Property Group

Saul Lubetski
Vice Chairman, Harbor Group International

Margaret McKnight
Partner, StepStone Group

Hank Midgley
Managing Member, Rockpoint

Zack Montebell
Managing Director, Green Bank of NY

John Murray
Portfolio Manager, Commercial Real Estate, PIMCO

Michael Neuman
Head, Industrial, United States and Latin America, Ivanhoe Cambridge

Jonathan Pearce
Head, Investments, Office, and Life Sciences, US, Ivanhoé Cambridge

Jon Pharris
Co-Founder and President, CapRock Partners

Prashant Raj
Managing Director, U.S. Real Estate Debt, QuadReal

Sajith Ranasinghe
Managing Director, Global Real Estate, of The Church Pension Fund (CPF).

Samantha Rowan
Editor, Real Estate Capital USA

Kelly Ryan
Partner, Kirkland & Ellis

Snehal Shah
Reporter, New Private Markets, PEI Media

Sandeep Singh
Global Business Development Lead, IFC

Nishu Sood
Managing Director, Real Estate Research, Pretium

Thomas Stanchak
Director of Sustainability, Stoneweg US

Ned Stiker
Senior Managing Partner, Head of Client Relations and Capital Markets, Cortland

Varuth (Nu) Suwankosai
Head of Global Credit, Oxford Properties

Matt Tepper
Head of Americas, Indirect Real Estate Strategies, CBRE

Pamela Thomas
Head of US Real Estate, CPP

Elisabeth Troni
Global Portfolio Strategist, CBRE Investment Management

Bert van den Hoek
Head of New York, Bouwinvest

Marc Weiss
Partner, Chairman of Private Real Estate, Partners Group (USA) Inc.

Dan Winters
Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives, GRESB

Michelle Zhang
Senior Associate, Portfolio Management, Real Estate Impact Investing, Nuveen
Thought leadership, branding and networking opportunities
Be part of thought-provoking discussions with leading institutional investors, fund and asset managers, developers, advisers, and strategic partners. Sponsorship gives you:
- VIP access
- Thought-leadership opportunities
- High-profile branding
- And much more …
For exclusive sponsorship packages for 2023, contact Nick Hayes, our Global Business Development Director of Real Estate at nick.h@peimedia.com
Thanks to our 2023 sponsors
THE NETWORK FOR GLOBAL REAL ESTATE
Make better connections at the America Forum and beyond
The PERE Network is a year-round program of networking and content that enhances the experience of our members at the PERE America Forum.
Members can connect with more than 1,200 investors and managers throughout the year, setup pre-meetings with those attending the Forum, meet in-person on the day, or pick up a conversation after the Forum:
- Find investors who match your investment strategies and set up meetings ahead of the event on our membership platform.
- Get personalised introductions to investors that fit your profile from our dedicated networking team before, during, and after the event.
- Access unique, business critical insights exclusive to members including; webinars, podcasts, special interest groups and attendance to any event within the global PERE portfolio.
Our network makes decisions that shape markets
Explore opportunities with investors from across the globe today with access to the most influential private real estate network.
Want to understand more about who you will meet and what to expect at the Forum? Talk to our team today.
America Forum attendees get more
By attending the America Forum you will join real estate’s most influential global community, PERE Network. Membership will give you access to:
- PERE Connect – our new tailored networking service
- Content and insights to drive better decisions
- Access to the investor directory
- And much more …
PERE Global Events
Join our events globally to gain access to in-depth content, insights, and in-person networking opportunities with institutional investors. Contact our team to learn more.
Institutional Investors at the PERE America Forum 2023
Complimentary passes are available for allocators and institutional investors to join the PERE Network’s America Forum.
Complimentary investor passes are limited to foundations, endowments, trusts, insurance companies, single family offices, sovereign wealth funds and pension funds who are actively making fund commitments and do not engage in third-party fundraising activities or collect fees for advisory/consulting services.
Apply for a pass and a member of our team will follow up with you to secure your pass.
Investors at PERE America Forum 2023
The forum is the largest meeting place for institutional and private investors, and other members of the real estate community in North America.
Check out the benefits of joining the conference and who among your peers you will be joining. Apply for a complimentary pass for your or your team today.
Meet the biggest global funds
Network and arrange one-to-one meetings with the biggest and leading real estate managers.
Network with your peers
Take advantage of our networking sessions to connect with your peers and understand their strategies and allocation approach to real estate.
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Get the latest insights
Discuss the opportunities and challenges your peers are facing in the market.
Explore opportunities
Find investment opportunities across traditional and emerging sectors, from data centers, life sciences, logistics, office and more.
Pre-Event Resources
View the key conversation topics
Download the agenda to see the trends shaping North American investors’ allocation strategies and markets across the region. These topics will shape the discussions at the PERE America Forum 2023.
Have a topic that you would like to discuss on the agenda? Contact Ben Moss today.
Agenda
Day 1 - Wednesday 15th
Registration & networking
LP-investor-only breakfast: 2024 Outlook
At the end of 2023, we are taking the opportunity to bring leading North American and international investors together in a private meeting to discuss where the global real estate markets are headed in 2024.
Join this exclusive, off-the-record opportunity to speak with fellow investors who are actively invested across the real estate industry to benchmark against peers, network, and understand how capital allocation behaviour might develop over the coming 12 months.
- Invited attendees, including private and institutional investors can enjoy breakfast with their peers
- Look ahead and discuss potential macroeconomic scenarios for 2024 in an off-the-record meeting
- Focused discussion group session facilitated by experts
PERE Lenders’ Workshop
Join this exclusive, off-the-record opportunity to speak with lenders actively invested across the risk spectrum to understand lending and refinancing requirements for existing and new clients over the coming months.
- Is the time finally right for alternative debt funds or will traditional lenders resume lending activity?
- Learn from experts how pricing and margins are expected to develop over the next 12 months
- Understand the financing environment in this dynamic workshop with traditional and alternative lenders
Welcome from PERE and Chair
PIMCO’s John Murray presents: a “Real Estate Reckoning”
Insights from a June 2023 report discussing the long-term investment outlook for commercial real estate, including commentary on a “tsunami” of real estate loans maturing through 2025 and the implications of bank pressures in the U.S. and Europe, rising interest rates and a looming recession. John will talk about the state of the market, including how various parts of the CRE capital spectrum are impacted by the rapidly changing landscape, before joining join a panel of his peers to reflect on the market dislocation.
John Murray, Managing Director, Global Private Real Estate, PIMCO

What’s on the other side of a $1.5 trillion wall of commercial real estate debt maturing through 2025?
- What are the economic, political and regulatory issues impacting the commercial real estate debt market today?
- Are more equity investors looking at CRE debt as a strategy? Is this a long- or short-term play?
- How has the shift from banks to alternative lenders affected the lending landscape?
- Where does CRE debt sit in an institutional investor portfolio and how will that change as we enter the next cycle?
Moderator:
Samantha Rowan, Editor, Real Estate Capital USA
Speakers:
Lee Levy, Managing Director, Goldman Sachs
John Murray, Managing Director, Global Private Real Estate, PIMCO
Prashant Raj, Managing Director, U.S. Real Estate Debt, QuadReal
Varuth (Nu) Suwankosai, Head of Global Credit, Oxford Properties Group





Keynote panel: What next for global real estate investment?
- How has the industry weathered the headwinds of high inflation, rising interest rates, and global recessions?
- Where is the capital coming from?
- What are the opportunities facing stakeholders in global real estate markets today?
Moderator:
Kelly Ryan, Partner, Kirkland & Ellis
Speakers:
David Levine, Co-Head of Americas Acquisitions, Blackstone Real Estate
Saul Lubetski, Vice Chairman, Harbor Group International
Elisabeth Troni, Fund Manager, CBRE Investment Management
Coffee & networking break
Fireside chat: The power of the institutional ownership of operating companies
- How do you effectively manage assets? What models can be chosen from and how do they differ?
- How has QuadReal’s asset operations model developed over the last few years and how will it develop moving forward
- What are the benefits of “in-house” operating companies with regards to portfolio growth, talent retention and diversification of staff skillset
Speaker:
Julia Haugg, Head of PERE Network, PEI Group
Dennis Lopez, Chief Executive Officer, QuadReal
Keynote panel: Institutional Investors on capital allocation in the next decade
- How have recent market challenges affected investor allocations?
- What strategies are investors employing in real estate?
- How do North American investors view the global market? What countries and sectors are attractive to them?
Moderator:
Jeffrey Fine, Global Head of Real Estate Client Solutions, Goldman Sachs Asset Management
Speakers:
Chris Ebersole, Investment Officer, Oregon State Treasury
Ed Lerum, Head of Global Logistics Real Estate, Norges Bank
Sajith Ranasinghe, Head of Real Estate, Church Pension Group

Jeffrey Fine
Global Head of Real Estate Client Solutions & Capital Markets, Goldman Sachs Asset Management
Read bio


Lunch and networking break
PERE Women's Circle: Networking lunch
Examining the rapid acceleration of secondaries and recapitalizations
- What are the main risks and opportunities facing secondaries investors?
- A lack of liquidity in the market is encouraging investors to opt out of recapitalized assets and portfolios
- How are fluctuating valuations impacting recapitalization?
Moderator:
Jim Costello, Head of Real Estate Economics, MSCI
Speakers:
Margaret McKnight, Partner, StepStone Group
Matt Tepper, Head of Americas, Indirect Real Estate Strategies, CBRE Investment Management
Marc Weiss, Partner, Chairman of Real Estate, Partners Group
Coffee & networking break
Borderless Capital: Synergizing foreign institutional investors with the U.S. real estate market
- Understanding the appeal: the key factors that make the U.S. real estate market attractive to foreign institutional investors, the sectors and regions piquing investor interest
- Navigating cross-border transactions in the U.S.; overcoming regulatory and cultural differences to achieve successful partnerships and deals
- How can American funds effectively engage with foreign institutional investors and foster long-lasting relationships? What are the criteria and considerations foreign investors prioritize when seeking partnerships in the U.S.?
Moderator:
Hank Midgley, Managing Member, Rockpoint
Speakers:
Steven Boydstun, President, MUFG Investor Services
Sarah Jancot, Senior Investment Manager, Norges Bank
Doyle Kim, Managing Director, Hana Financial Investments
How are investors leading the sustainability conversation?
- How are investors and funds managing their decarbonization strategy in a volatile market?
- How do you achieve sustainability at scale? Where to dedicate your resources
- To what extent are investor expectations different in Europe and Asia compared to the US and Canada?
Moderator:
Rhys Davies, Partner, Kirkland & Ellis
Speakers:
Rob Little, Head of Real Estate, MassMutual
Michael Neuman, Head, Industrial, U.S. and LATAM, Ivanhoe Cambridge
Pamela Thomas, Head, US Real Estate, CPP Investments
Bert Van den Hoek, Senior Portfolio Manager, North America, Bouwinvest





Leading CalSTRS’ real estate business through unpredictable times
- How do you expect CalSTRS real estate’s business to change under your leadership?
- How are you thinking about capital allocations at the present time?
- How actively are you seeking new commitments to real estate managers?
- What are your views on the future of office, particularly through a sustainability and ESG lens?
Interviewer:
Evelyn Lee, Editor, PERE
Speaker:
Julie Donegan, Real Estate Investment Director, CalSTRS
Networking drinks reception
Agenda
Day 2 - Thursday 16th
Registration and networking
Decarbonizing Real Estate Workshop
Meet ESG experts in this off-the-record meeting to understand how the decarbonisation agenda is impacting real estate values, funds, and investment decisions. Discuss amongst fellow investors and managers success stories and how the transition can positively impact the bottom line.
- What are solutions to decarbonise portfolios and the next priorities for real estate?
- Discuss how to futureproof existing stock and what impacts the green transition is having on investment and transaction behaviour
- Understand best practices and case studies from industry trailblazers and impacts on financial returns and portfolio value
Welcome from conference chairperson
Conference chairperson:
Zoe Hughes, Chief Executive Officer, NAREIM

The future of AI and private real estate
- How are industry players using AI algorithms to predict investment performance?
- What are the risks and benefits associated with the application of AI technologies?
- How might the regulatory landscape change to impact AI?
Moderator:
Evelyn Lee, Editor, PERE
Speaker:
Vaibhav Gujral, Senior Partner, New York, McKinsey & Company
Logistics & industrial - sunset or new dawn?
- How attractive still are logistics and industrial options to investors? Will it continue to be a strong pick in the years to come?
- How are debt fund managers viewing financing opportunities in logistics & industrial?
- What strategies are being deployed to reduce the carbon footprint and drive down operational costs of these assets?
Moderator:
Gila Cohen, Managing Director, Head of Global Institutional Partnerships, Monroe Capital
Speakers:
Ankit Bhatt, Managing Director, Investments, Oxford Properties
Adi Divgi, Chief Investment Officer, Divino Global Holdings LLC
Brice Hafner, Senior Managing Director, Industrial Group, Crow Holdings Capital
Jon Pharris, Co-Founder and President, CapRock Partners





New Life for Life Sciences
- With vacancy rising and a record level of lab/R&D space under construction, how will the life sciences sector perform relative to other asset classes amid broader economic headwinds?
- How will investment in established clusters compare with activity in emerging markets?
- What types of facilities will attract capital as the sector continues to mature? Will the majority of new supply be ground-up developments or conversions, and how might that differ across markets?
Moderator:
Samantha Rowan, Editor, Real Estate Capital USA
Speakers:
Mark Biancucci, Chief Financial Officer, US, Lendlease
Jonathan Pearce, Head, Investments, Office and Life Sciences, US, Ivanhoe Cambridge
Coffee and networking break
Getting 97 Done: Implementation and impacts
In this one-on-one session, New York City’s Chief Climate Officer and Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit Aggarwala will discuss the implementation and impacts of several city policies, including Local Law 97, one of the boldest pieces of climate legislation in the world, requiring most large buildings in New York City to cut emissions 40 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2050.
Attendees can expect to hear:
- How the Adams administration’s plan “Getting 97 Done” will mobilize buildings for Local Law 97 implementation
- How the major citywide proposal “City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality” will ease climate adaptation measures for building stakeholders
- How engagement and investment of the private sector can support public-sector climate efforts
Speaker:
Snehal Shah, Senior Reporter, New Private Markets
Rohit Aggarwala, Commissioner, NYC Department of Environmental Protection and Chief Climate Officer, New York City
Investment strategies in residential real estate
- What residential assets are most attractive to investors?
- Where are the opportunities and risks for residential investors in America? What cities and regions will be the most attractive with hybrid working becoming the norm?
- How are investors and landlords dealing with expense increases, such as insurance increases?
Moderator:
Ned Stiker, Senior Managing Partner, Head of Client Relation and Capital Markets, Cortland
Speakers:
Anthony Lipardis, Principle and Director of Real Assets, Bessemer Trust
Jason Longo, Senior Investment Leader, Real Estate Americas, Partners Group
Nishu Sood, Managing Director, Real Estate Research, Pretium
Thomas Stanchak, Director of Sustainability, Stoneweg US





Impact investment panel – definitions, statistics and strategies
- How do you define and measure positive social impact?
- What types of real estate assets do investors and funds view as the best options to make an impact?
- Have you observed momentum in the impact investing space? Why is that?
- Understand recent fundraising efforts and projected growth in committed equity
Moderator:
Jonathan Kivell, Director of Community Investments, Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Speakers:
David Armitage, Senior Vice President, CBRE Affordable Housing
Zack Montebell, Vice President, Green Bank of New York
Michelle Zhang, Sr. Associate, Portfolio Management, Real Estate Impact Investing, Nuveen




Michelle Zhang
Senior Associate, Portfolio Management, Real Estate Impact Investing, Nuveen
Read bioBuilding the future: technology’s role in sustainable real estate
- Energy price volatility is increasing appetite to integrate renewable energy and battery storage technologies to reduce carbon emissions and increase value
- What technologies and methods are used during development to reduce embodied carbon?
- How do data capture and analytics technologies play a role in reducing operational costs and lowering the carbon footprint of an asset?
Moderator:
Dan Winters, Senior Director, GRESB
Speakers:
Brad Dockser, CEO, Green Generation
Sandeep Singh, Global Business Development Lead, IFC