Drawing the Blueprint

What does it look like to grow your career at Blueprint?

In this episode of Drawing the Blueprint, host Ben Firestone sits down with three of Blueprint’s rising leaders - Katie Hinzey, Dylan DeMuth, and Xander Allison to hear how they found their way to the firm, what has shaped their careers, and what keeps them motivated along the way.

From unexpected career paths and cold outreach to navigating the job market during COVID, each story is different... but all three share a common thread: the people, relationships, and culture that have made Blueprint feel like home.

Katie, Dylan, Xander also reflect on how Blueprint has evolved, the opportunities that have helped them grow, and what makes the firm’s culture unique.

Take work seriously. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Tune in for a conversation about career growth, leadership, and the people behind Blueprint.

What does it really take to build a successful career in real estate? For Brad Serot, Maxx Carney, and Mark Stern, it comes down to one thing: relationships.

In this episode, three seasoned brokers with decades of industry experience share the lessons, strategies, and experiences that have shaped their careers. From building trust long before a pitch to turning everyday lunches and coffee meetings into meaningful connections, they discuss why strong relationships remain at the heart of successful real estate.

Brad, Max, and Mark also share how their unique career paths and expertise have helped them understand their clients, build lasting partnerships, and stand out in a competitive market.

Tune in for insights on networking, trust, client relationships, and what it takes to build a career that goes beyond the transaction.

As the senior population continues to grow, the need for innovative solutions that improve care and quality of life has never been greater. In this episode of Drawing the Blueprint, we sit down with Danny Kaplan, co-founder of Equitage Ventures, a venture capital fund focused on investing in companies transforming the aging and senior care industry.

Danny shares his perspective on the evolving landscape of age tech, what Equitage looks for when evaluating emerging companies, and why passionate, adaptable teams are critical to building successful businesses. He discusses the importance of honest communication between founders and investors, the role of technology-enabled solutions in improving care delivery, and what makes a company’s business model truly scalable.

From identifying the next generation of senior care innovators to navigating the challenges and opportunities within venture capital, Danny provides valuable insight into the future of an industry on the brink of transformation. Tune in for a conversation about investment, innovation, and the people working to create better outcomes for older adults.

This episode is proudly sponsored by DAPS Pickleball Shoes. Whether you’re on the court or staying active, DAPS combines performance, comfort, and style built for movement. Use code BLUEPRINT for 25% off your next pair.

In this episode of Drawing the Blueprint, Claudia and Rodrigo Garcia share how they transformed personal adversity into a mission-driven business with the founding of Parkdale Center. After Rodrigo’s battle with addiction following a workplace injury, the couple saw firsthand the gaps in treatment, especially for healthcare professionals, and set out to build a better outpatient care model.

Joined by guest host Andrew Sfreddo, Executive Managing Director & Head of Behavioral Healthcare, and Colin Segner, Transaction Coordinator, Behavioral Healthcare, the conversation explores the levels of care Parkdale provides, including Partial Hospitalization (PHP), Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), and aftercare support designed to help patients transition back into everyday life while receiving meaningful, ongoing care.

Claudia and Rodrigo also discuss what it takes to build a best-in-class facility, from prioritizing family involvement to setting measurable goals and continuously improving their approach. They close by sharing lessons for entrepreneurs on staying in your lane, adapting quickly, and leaning on your network. Their story is a powerful reminder of how resilience and purpose can create lasting impact.

Learn more: https://parkdalecenter.com

Ben welcomes longtime friend and Blueprint’s newest leader, Tony Marino to unveil our expanded Capital Markets practice and demystify HUD/FHA financing for healthcare real estate. Tony breaks down why HUD-insured loans are the “last stop on the train” for stabilized nursing homes and seniors housing: long-term, non-recourse, fully amortizing debt with typically lower rates than banks. They dig into how the program actually works (think mortgage insurance, not direct government lending), why it’s crucial for rural and inner-city communities, and what HUD’s new “express” processing can mean for speed to close.

From bridge-to-HUD strategies that get deals done today, to programmatic capital that supports emerging operators, Ben and Tony map the practical playbook, relationship-first underwriting, smart interim debt, and a clear path into the HUD “box.” They also share why Blueprint’s pipeline, culture, and vertically integrated team made this the right home for Tony’s next chapter and end with a Daruma-doll promise to turn goals into reality. If you buy, sell, refinance, or operate in healthcare real estate, this one’s your field guide.

Connect with Tony Marino here:

In this episode of Drawing the Blueprint, Ben Firestone sits down with Amy Sitzman, Executive Managing Director, Partner, and a leader at Blueprint, to discuss what it takes to succeed in today’s senior housing market. Amy, who joined the firm in 2017, shares her perspective on building a career and driving results in a competitive and evolving industry.

Amy reflects on her journey from medical equipment sales to finding her passion in real estate and becoming a force to reckon with in senior housing investment sales. Finding a culture at Blueprint that values creativity, curiosity, and strategic thinking, a move that reignited her career and gave her the flexibility to balance professional ambition with family life.

She attributes her success in a predominantly male industry to empathy and determination. By putting herself in her clients’ shoes, Amy approaches every challenge with a solution-oriented mindset focused on getting transactions across the finish line.

Amy’s story highlights the importance of relationships, resilience, and adaptability in the evolving world of senior housing.

Find Amy here:

In this episode of Drawing the Blueprint, Ben Firestone and Mike Segal share the story behind Blueprint’s founding and the culture that sets it apart from the competition. What started as a connection between University of Michigan alumni grew into a leading healthcare real estate advisory firm with a mission to deliver real results for those shaping the future of senior care. Blueprint was co-founded by Ben Firestone and Jacob Gehl, whose early vision helped lay the foundation for what the firm is today.

A major part of Blueprint’s success comes from its client-first mindset. Ben and Mike discuss how their collaborative team approach leads to better strategy, stronger execution, and ultimately better outcomes for the groups they represent. Rather than chasing transactions, Blueprint focuses on long-term relationships and helping clients navigate complex decisions in an ever-changing healthcare landscape - supported by the firm’s strong analytical backbone led by Ryan Chase, whose data-driven insights help inform smarter decisions across the board.

Mike also dives into his deep expertise in the skilled nursing sector, where Blueprint has built a strong reputation. He explains the nuances of the space, from regulatory challenges to operational complexity, and how specialized market knowledge allows the firm to guide clients through high-stakes sales with confidence.

Of course, it’s not all serious. Ben and Mike share stories from the early days that highlight the camaraderie and personality behind the brand. That balance of professionalism, trust, and team spirit is a defining part of the Blueprint culture.

Connect with Mike Segal here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-segal-33522321/

In this episode of Drawing the Blueprint, host and Michigan alum Ben Firestone sits down with Jared Wangler, a former University of Michigan student-athlete turned leader in the NIL space. Jared played football at Michigan from 2014–2018 before shifting his focus to the business side of sports, where he now leads Valiant Management and Champions Circle, the university’s NIL collective.

Jared traces his early entrepreneurial instincts back to 2016, when he began working in apparel with a focus on tailgating gear. After graduating, he moved to Chicago to intern at a sports agency, gaining hands-on experience in recruiting and marketing while learning the endorsement and business side of athletics. That experience ultimately sparked a bigger vision.

In 2021, Jared returned to Ann Arbor to launch a sports marketing agency centered on creating commercial opportunities for student-athletes — from putting their names on jerseys to securing local advertising partnerships around campus. That momentum set the stage for Michigan’s leadership in NIL, culminating in the launch of Champions Circle in the spring of 2022. Since then, the collective has facilitated more than $45 million in deals across all 29 varsity sports, solidifying Michigan as a first mover in brand endorsements for student-athletes.

Jared’s story highlights how passion, community, and innovation can come together to create lasting impact in college athletics.

Links & Resources:

In this episode of Drawing the Blueprint, host Ben Firestone sits down with Jennifer Sternshein, a standout leader in the legal industry whose path to law is anything but traditional. Jennifer shares how she began acting at age 17 and used her acting career to help pay for law school - an early lesson in grit that continues to define her leadership today.

She reflects on her firm’s remarkable rise from a nursing-home basement startup founded by her brother-in-law during the pandemic to a boutique powerhouse completing nearly $3 billion in transactions in 2024.

A major theme of the conversation is the power of authentic relationship-building. Jennifer credits strategic marketing and personal connection as key drivers of her success and encourages young attorneys to prioritize people over transactions. She also champions hiring for grit over pedigree, often looking to those with retail or service backgrounds for their strong client-first mindset.

Outside the office, Jennifer and her husband run their own farm, Stardust Grove - a grounding counterbalance to her high-paced legal work. Her influence also extends through the annual Jennifer Sternshein Award, recognizing attorneys who embody collaboration and brand ambassadorship.

Jennifer’s journey blends resilience, creativity, and connection - proving that unconventional paths and strong values can lay the foundation for extraordinary success in the legal field.

Links & Resources:

In this episode of Drawing the Blueprint, host Ben Firestone sits down with Northeast broker Kory Buzin, a dealmaker known for his grit, charisma, and unshakeable work ethic. From law school and big-firm life to navigating elopements during site tours, Kory’s journey into senior housing brokerage is anything but traditional.

Ben and Kory revisit the early days of Blueprint, swap stories about mentors and mischief with Mike Segel, and dig into the inflection point that pushed Kory from the legal world into commercial real estate. Kory shares how his legal training shaped his discipline and thinking, how regional immersion gives brokers a competitive edge, and why relationships not spreadsheets are the heart of senior housing investing.

Along the way, Kory offers a hilarious (and heroic) tale of saving an elderly resident mid-Zoom call, reflects on what it takes to make a name in a competitive industry, and breaks down the three things every young originator must learn: sell the value, sell the firm, and sell yourself.

With stories of dealmaking, road-warrior travel, leadership at the property level, and the true currency of the industry, information, this episode is a candid, energetic look at what it means to build a career at Blueprint.