Titans of Real Estate
The Titans of Real Estate is an annual event hosted by the Center for Real Estate and Finance and the Cornell Baker Program in Real Estate. The event features real estate panelists and connects students, alumni, and industry.
To participate as a sponsor for the Titans of Real Estate, contact CREF by email.
8th Annual Titans of Real Estate
April 27, 2023
4:30-7 p.m. EDT
Convene – 75 Rockefeller Plaza, NY, NY
We are excited to announce that the 2023 Titans of Real Estate event will be held in conjunction with the Philip Payton Society for Minority Real Estate Professionals Answering the Call Summit and HBCU Real Estate Case Competition. This year’s event will take place in New York City and will feature an interview with Richard Baker ’88, governor, executive chairman and CEO, Hudson’s Bay Company. He will be interviewed by the Academic Director for the Center for Real Estate and Finance, Steve Carvell, professor of finance in the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.
Opening introductions will be made by Christopher Browne, MPS-RE ’23, president, Philip Payton Society leadership.
Web Accessible Program
Thursday, April 27, 2023
Convene, 75 Rockefeller Plaza
The West Hub
4:00 p.m. Registration Opens
4:30 p.m. Welcome Remarks and Introductions
Christopher Browne MPS-RE ‘23, President, Philip Payton Society for Minority Real Estate Professionals
4:40 p.m. Panel Discussion
Richard A. Baker ’88, Governor & Executive Chairman, Hudson’s Bay Company
Steven Carvell, Professor, Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration
5:15 p.m. Q&A Session
Richard A. Baker ’88, Governor & Executive Chairman, Hudson’s Bay Company
Steven Carvell, Professor, Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration
The Gallery
5:30 p.m. Networking Reception
Titans is an annual event now in its eight year. Starting in 2016, and returning to NYC this year, it is being held in in conjunction with the Philip Payton Society for Minority Real Estate Professionals Answering the Call Summit and HBCU Real Estate Case Competition.
Welcome…and thank you for attending the 8th Annual Titans of Real Estate in conjunction with the Philip Payton Society for Minority Real Estate Professionals Answering the Call Summit and HBCU Real Estate Case Competition.
On behalf of the Center for Real Estate and Finance and the Cornell Baker Program in Real Estate, I welcome you to this inspiring event featuring one of the most relevant real estate visionaries in the world today. This discussion is sure to provide a profound look into retail real estate in North America, and to highlight the importance of diversity and includsion in the commercial real estate industry.
An event of this magnitude requires substantial support, and I want to acknowledge those who have made this discussion possible. A deep and sincere thank you to Richard A. Baker who has graciously agreed to share his time and expertise with us this afternoon. Also critical is the support of industry sponsors and the many individuals at Cornell University who helped bring this event to life.
Finally, to those of you who are here as audience members this afternoon, thank you for your attendance. The Center for Real Estate and Finance at the Cornell Nolan School of Hotel Administration, and the Cornell Baker Program in Real Estate maintain a mission of creating compelling events to engage the global real estate industry, and your attendance is an integral part of this event.
Steven A. Carvell
Professor
Academic Director for the Center for Real Estate and Finance
Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration
Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge the land politically designated as New York City to be the homeland of the Lenape (Lenapehoking) who were violently displaced as a result of European settler colonialism over the course of 400 years. The Lenape are a diasporic people that remain closely connected with this land and are its rightful stewards. We also recognize that New York City has one of the largest urban Native American / Indigenous populations in the United States.
Christopher Browne MPS-RE ‘23, President, Philip Payton Society for Minority Real Estate Professionals
A ten-year professional in finance, economic development, and management consulting where Christopher utilized his educational background in Business Economics, Management, and Finance to accelerate both domestic and international corporate and development goals. A company that he founded called, The Buckler Group, was an instrumental tool in the re-imagination and development of the future of the workforce by preparing young professionals from all over the world for the workforce, alongside advising corporations on strategies to increase workforce productivity. While working in his career, he had an experience that made him realize that real estate is the “great patron of civilization”- ushering in economic growth and rich cultural diversity wherever it is nurtured and he want to be a part of that!
The Baker Real Estate Program at Cornell University is the premier professional program in the industry and is the perfect fit to gain an in depth understanding of the evolving space, along with first-class access into the real estate market.
Steven Carvell, Professor, Academic Director of the Center for Real Estate and Finance (CREF), Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration
Steven A. Carvell, professor of finance in the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business. Carvell joined the faculty of the School of Hotel Administration in 1986 and has taught undergraduate and graduate courses, including Advanced Corporate Finance, Capital Budgeting, Financial Strategy and Investments, and Mergers and Acquisitions. He has also been active in executive education since 1990, working with almost every major domestic and international hotel company to create custom courses for hotel executives. These companies include Hilton, Marriott, InterContinental Hotel Group, Taj Hotels, and many others. Carvell was one of the earliest contributors to eCornell and has authored eight distance-learning courses that are among most widely demanded offerings of eCornell for the past 15 years. At the Hotel School, he served as associate dean for academic affairs (2007–2016) and academic director of the Pillsbury Institute for Entrepreneurship (2013–2016). Currently he is academic director of the Center for Real Estate and Finance.
Carvell has published numerous articles in academic and professional journals and is co-author of In the Shadows of Wall Street. His work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Forbes, and elsewhere. He has recently finished a major project designed to identify the determinants of hotel demand for U.S. hotels and another on economic and capital market antecedents of venture capital commitments. Carvell has worked with professional money managers in the area of applied strategy in the equity market and served as a consultant to the Presidential Commission on the 1987 stock market crash. His private sector interests include consulting on valuation and risk analysis in feasibility studies, hotel debt capacity, strategic benchmarking, and corporate and financial strategy. He serves on a number of private equity and start-up boards in health care, real estate, hospitality, and consumer goods.
He holds a Ph.D. from the State University of New York, Binghamton.
Richard A. Baker ’88, Governor & Executive Chairman, Hudson’s Bay Company
Richard Baker is an established visionary and seasoned executive known for maximizing value at the crossroads of retail, real estate, and technology. As the governor, executive chairman and CEO of HBC and executive chairman of each of HBC’s portfolio companies – Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks OFF 5TH, Saks.com, SaksOffFifth.com, Convene, Hudson’s Bay, TheBay.com, HBC Properties and Investments – he leads with an adaptive and agile vision that fuels HBC’s continued evolution and expansion globally. Since becoming HBC’s governor in July 2008, Mr. Baker has transformed North America’s oldest continually operating company into an agile force that has enabled HBC and each of its subsidiaries to stay ahead of short- and long-term industry trends.
With a forward-facing vision, Mr. Baker has recognized and maximized the growing impact of technology on the retail space, implementing a digital-first strategy across HBC’s portfolio. In alignment with this innovative approach, he spearheaded HBC’s entry into office and meeting space – including the recapitalization of SaksWorks and Convene – to provide a solution for those seeking a professional environment centered around flexibility, technology, and experience in design-forward settings.
Mr. Baker is also an owner of National Realty & Development Corporation (NRDC) – one of the largest real estate development companies in the United States – along with his son, Jack Baker, serving as chief operating officer. In addition, he serves as the chairman of the board of directors for Retail Opportunity Investments Corporation (ROIC), a NASDAQ-listed REIT focused on acquiring retail properties on the west coast of the United States.
An active philanthropist, Mr. Baker is a strong advocate for mental health awareness. Under his leadership at HBC, the Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation – where Richard serves as president – was founded in 2017 and has since invested more than $5.8 million towards mental health initiatives and has reached over 6.6 million people through direct support programs that promote positive mental health.
A proud supporter of his alma mater, Cornell University, Mr. Baker serves or has served on several councils and advisory boards at Cornell University, including: the Cornell Baker Program in Real Estate Advisory Board, the School of Hotel Administration Advisory Council, the Center for Real Estate and Finance Advisory Board and the Center for Real Estate and Finance Industry Fellows. Mr. Baker received his Bachelor of Science in hotel management from Cornell University.
Center for Real Estate and Finance
The Center for Real Estate and Finance, established in 2009, is the foremost clearinghouse for hospitality real estate and finance information. Defined by its intellectual capital, industry experience, and rigorous academics, the center is respected as a leader of real estate and finance. Built on a tradition of quality research in the hospitality industry and a growing real estate and finance faculty, the center is at the forefront of research in all areas of commercial real estate—from studying the behavior of real estate assets in investment portfolios to understanding real estate capital markets and science of hedging real estate risk.
Cornell Baker Program in Real Estate
The Cornell Baker Program in Real Estate was established in the mid-90’s by Robert Abrams ’53 and Howard Milstein ’73 and endowed by Lisa and Richard Baker ’88, Governor and Executive Chairman of the Hudson’s Bay Company in 2012. It is a two-year, graduate program housed in Cornell’s College of Architecture, Art, and Planning and The Nolan School of Hotel Administration.
Previous Titans of Real Estate Events
7th Annual Titans of Real Estate
May 5, 2022
4:30-7 p.m. EDT
Statler Hall Auditorium, Ithaca, NY
The 2022 Titans of Real Estate event, held together with the Cornell Baker Program in Real Estate’s Distinguished Speaker Series, took place on Cornell Ithaca’s campus and featured an interview with Richard Baker ’88, governor and executive chairman, Hudson’s Bay Company, and Jack Baker ’19, chief operating officer, National Realty & Development Corp. They were interviewed by the Academic Director for the Center for Real Estate and Finance, Steve Carvell, professor of finance in the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.
Opening introductions were made by Cody Danks Burke, visiting professor of practice; managing director, The Agnew Company, with welcome remarks from Kate Walsh, dean, Cornell Nolan School of Hotel Administration.
Philip Payton Society Real Estate Case Competition
We were thrilled to host the winners of the Philip Payton Society Real Estate Case Competition! Yentell James and Mikayla McDaniel joined us from North Carolina A&T University, and were recognized at the reception following our speaking event. The team also included Faheema Fabre and Jacquoia Hunter. Presenting the check were Ali Daye ‘MRE ’19 (Baker), founder of the Philip Payton Society; Amanyi Richardson MRE ’22 (Baker), president, Philip Payton Society, Christopher Browne MRE ’23 (Baker), treasurer, Philip Payton Society, Victor Younger, director of diversity and inclusion, Cornell Nolan School of Hotel Administration; Richard Baker ’88, governor & executive chairman, Hudson’s Bay Company; Steven Carvell, professor and CREF academic director; & Kate Walsh ’90, dean, Cornell Nolan School.
April 6, 2021 – Virtual
2021’s Titan Honoree was Brian Kingston, managing partner and CEO of real estate, Brookfield Property Partners. He was interviewed by Richard Baker ’88, governor, executive chairman and CEO, Hudson’s Bay Company. Students Alyssa Gallina ’21 (Baker) and Cody Perez ’21 (Baker), MBA ’22 introduced Acting Dean and Dean of Academic Affairs, SC Johnson College of Business, Andrew Karolyi to open the event.
- Nolan BusinessFeed (May 7, 2022): 6th Annual Titans of Real Estate – Honoring Brian Kingston, CEO of Brookfield Property Partners
Sponsors
May 8, 2020 — New York City
The extraordinary circumstances of 2020 resulted in the decision to cancel our annual Titans event. We thank everyone for your continued support and look forward to coming together for a virtual event in 2021.
To participate as a sponsor for the Titans of Real Estate, contact CREF by email.
The Fourth Annual Titans of Real Estate, hosted by the Center for Real Estate and Finance and Cornell Baker Program in Real Estate at the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business took place at Cipriani, 42nd St, in New York City on Friday, April 19, 2019 from 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Marty Burger, P ’17 and ’20, CEO of Silverstein Properties, Inc. moderated the panel where perspectives were shared on mixed-use properties and redevelopment, including the planning, design and construction elements that each add to ensure their signature style. The panel was preceded by a networking breakfast for industry, alumni and current students.
CREF would like to thank the panelists and moderator for participating in the event as well as CBRE and Rechler Philanthropy for contributing as sponsors.
This year’s panelists:
Moderator
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
The Center for Real Estate and Finance and the Cornell Baker Program in Real Estate hosted the third annual Titans of Real Estate panel discussion on Friday, April 20, 2018 at Cipriani, 42nd St in New York City.
Richard Baker ’88 of Hudson’s Bay Company moderated the discussion. Audience members were treated to a rare glimpse into growing up in a preeminent real estate family, the lessons instilled by the generations before them, and how to exceed the success of the family legacy in the 21st century. The Titans event opened with a networking breakfast, during which Cornell University students mingled with top real estate executives and Cornell alumni.
CREF would like to thank Baker for his contributions in organizing the event, as well as event sponsors Stikeman Elliott, CBRE, and JLL.
Media coverage
• SHA BusinessFeed article, June 4, 2018: Real Estate Titans Discuss the Importance of Mentorship
• Mann Report Management, June/July 2018: The Third Annual Titans of Real Estate, pages 22-23.
This year’s panelists:
Moderator
Platinum Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
The Center for Real Estate and Finance (CREF) hosted the Second Annual Titans of Real Estate panel discussion on Friday, April 28, 2017 at the Pierre in New York City. The nearly-350 guests attending the event included Cornell alumni, students, and real estate industry professionals.
Panel members Sandeep Mathrani of General Growth Properties, Steven Roth of Vornado Realty Trust, and David Simon of Simon Property Group, along with moderator Richard Baker ’88 of the Hudson’s Bay Company, shared candid stories and insights with the audience about their rise to the top of the real estate industry.
CREF would like to thank moderator Richard Baker for his contributions in organizing the event, as well as event sponsors Bank of America Merrill Lynch, JLL, Eastdil Secured, and Singerman Real Estate.
This year’s panelists:
Moderator
Title Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
April 6, 2016
Through anecdotes and first-hand experiences, the panelists explored the characteristics that have enabled them to develop projects that have influenced the evolution of Manhattan’s skyline.
The inaugural Titans of New York Real Estate event took place on May 6, 2016. William Mack, Harry Macklowe, and Larry Silverstein participated in a dynamic discussion moderated by Richard Baker, SHA ’88. The audience of over 200 included members of the real estate industry, Cornell alumni, and students. The panelists provided insights into their dynamic careers and transformative projects. Throughout the exchange of ideas and visions for current and past projects, several overarching themes emerged: common personality traits, creative thinking, and a shared value of teamwork within marriage. Through anecdotes and first-hand experiences, the panelists explored the characteristics that have enabled them to develop projects that have influenced the evolution of Manhattan’s skyline.
Event sponsors
