In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Dara Friedman, Managing Director at BentallGreenOak. Following her graduation with a liberal arts degree, Dara started her career journey in investment banking, where she was given a choice between focusing on technology or real estate. Since choosing real estate she has never looked back and now specializes in investment management. Dara points out that many of the phenomena we face today have been around for many years – shorter-term leases, more flexible spaces, making live-work-play a priority, and the issue of affordability. Building operators and occupiers must focus on tenant engagement, creating alignment through their approach. Amenities, health and wellness, energy use and reducing operational costs, are all key drivers of supporting human capital and contributing to the delivery of great customer experiences. Dara shared a bit about completing a merger amid the pandemic, and how the company created opportunities to socialize and integrate people across the globe. I appreciated Dara’s reflection on how difficult living through the pandemic really was.  

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