Bio 

John C. Coe is the founder of Coe Enterprises, an advisory and content studio focused on strategic counsel for real estate and civic leadership. For over six years, he has hosted Icons of DC Area Real Estate, conducting thoughtful conversations with industry leaders. Previously, he founded the Iconic Journey in CRE, a nonprofit platform that fostered intergenerational dialogue and community building in the DC commercial real estate sector. As he prepares to relocate to New York's Hudson Valley in 2026, John reflects on structural transitions, legacy, and the difference between scaffolding that serves temporarily and foundations built to endure. 

Key Chapters 

Scaffolding: The Opening Metaphor [00:00:00-00:07:00] Opening with scaffolding wrapped around buildings—temporary structures enabling permanent growth. Gary Rappaport: "We don't build centers, we build Saturday morning memories." The Iconic Journey in CRE served as scaffolding, holding early confidence, vulnerable questions, and multi-generational dialogue. "Scaffolding is not an insult. It is a compliment of the highest order." 

Ripples & Pebbles: Building Networks [00:07:00-00:11:00] Brad Olson: "You don't build networks, you toss pebbles and ripples do the rest." A personal story of an introduction that took five years to become a capital partnership. Brad tosses pebbles as an ethical posture, not a transaction. After enough ripples overlap, bridges form. 

Bridge Builders: Carrying Load [00:11:00-00:17:30] "Bridges aren't neutral. They carry load." Tom Buzzuto: "People don't want luxury, they want dignity." Bridge builders absorb conflict, translate perspectives, prevent fractures before anyone knows a fracture was possible. Story of two DC leaders headed toward conflict, resolved by quiet presence. "Structural leaders think in load paths, not headlines." 

Load-Bearing vs. Decorative Change [00:17:30-00:24:00] Bob Kettler: "The downturn doesn't change you, it reveals you." Contrast between decorative change (new branding, titles) versus structural change (clear decision authority, simplified reporting, accepted responsibility). Repositioning changes the story; shoring changes the structure. Personal transformation requires shifting from central to foundational roles. 

Jane Jacobs & The Soul of Streets [00:24:30-00:28:00] Jacobs' insight: safety and vitality emerge from ground-up human presence through mixed-use development and the "sidewalk ballet" of daily life on thriving streets. Ray Ritchie: "You can't rush a neighborhood." "You can finance buildings, you can't finance belonging." 

The Transition: IJCRE to Coe Enterprises & Station DC [00:28:00-00:34:00] Internal transition before external: shifting from center to foundation, from carrying weight to distributing it, from owning identity to stewarding legacy. IJCRE concludes its scaffolding purpose. Coe Enterprises emerges as John's advisory platform. Station DC, led by Sam Glass with "pro patria" ethos (for the good of place, profession, next generation), becomes the new framework. Sam's defining moment: "If we don't know who we're serving, the market will decide for us." 

What Endures: Five Commitments [00:34:00-00:37:30] "People always ask what changes, but the wiser question is what doesn't?" Five load-bearing commitments: (1) ethical grounding, (2) relationship-first thinking, (3) intergenerational responsibility, (4) long memory, (5) service over supremacy. For listeners in their "load-bearing season": "You are being prepared for structural responsibility, not decorative accomplishment." 

The Scaffolding Comes Down [00:37:30-00:39:40] Workers arrive, bolts loosen, platforms descend. What remains: "A building standing wholly on its own strength." IJCRE completes its purpose. Coe Enterprises refocuses. Station DC rises. Icons interviews resume 2026 at one per month. "Thank you for staying curious alongside me for more than six years." 

References: 

Coe Enterprises Website: https://coeenterprises.com (will be in updated mode after 1/15/2026) 

Sam Glass: Email: [email protected] 

Station DC: https://www.stationdc.org/ 
 

Bio: Executive VP of Acquisitions and Development and part-owner at EYA. MBA from Wharton, Environmental Psychology training from Cornell. Led Pike & Rose development at Federal Realty before joining EYA to continue Bob Youngentob's vision.

EYA's Evolution [00:00:01-00:06:31]: Goldman became EVP when he and partners became part-owners. Recent passing of Founder Bob Youngentob, who created sustainable long-term transition plan five years before illness. Goldman, Jack Lester, Akash Thakkar, and McLean Quinn are four of five owners. Time split: 1/3 acquisitions, rest development, focusing on vision, economic viability, and implementation. Core business remains townhomes (3-10 acre sites with high entitlement barriers), but dramatically expanded into commercial mixed-use, master planning, and substantial multifamily practice over 15 years.

Origin & Education [00:09:34-00:23:45]: Grew up in Suffern, NY in economically unstable household with gambling father (Atlantic City trips as "vacations"). Turned to drawing/sketching houses as outlet and coping mechanism. Early hotel exposure sparked design fascination. Attended Cornell's Design Environmental Analysis program combining interior architecture with Environmental Psychology—studying how spaces psychologically affect people (McDonald's loud, hard-seated quick-turnover design vs. fine dining comfort). Small 11-person cohort provided mentorship and stability.

Career Journey [00:23:45-00:35:48]: BBGM architecture firm → Mandarin Hotel competition (Tishman Speyer) loss convinced him developers drive key decisions → Russian Tea Room $30M renovation as VP of Design at 26 under perfectionist Warner LeRoy (briefly fired, then brought back with scholarship) → Wharton MBA → Tishman Speyer → Holiday Corp → Federal Realty. Advice for young professionals: Get lots of "reps" on different projects early. Leverage your strengths while staying multidisciplinary enough to ask right questions. Be bold, take calculated risks, "go first"—don't wait for permission.

Pike & Rose [00:44:48-01:13:01]: Led Federal Realty's 24-acre Mid-Pike Plaza transformation (original Toys R Us site). Massive entitlement: 29M sq ft approved required 80+ community meetings in one year. Hired political organizers (Dewey Square) to combat opposition and build support through polling and targeted outreach. 2008 recession required phased approach with interim and ultimate plans. Collaboration with Don Wood, Street Works, Sandy Clinton, Paula Reese balanced vision with economics using Federal Realty's corporate debt advantage. Key insight: Retail knowledge and street-level activity are foundation for best mixed-use projects. Created Project Visioning Committee (PVC) meeting bi-weekly for Bob Youngentob knowledge transfer to next generation, ensuring design rigor. Goldman frequently asks "What would Bob do?"

Key EYA Projects [01:18:55-02:37:01]: Montgomery Row: IBM office-to-residential in Rock Spring Park office park. Strathmore Square: Holy Cross Seminary partnership, first geothermal trial. McMillan Reservoir: 15-year effort with JAIR Lynch/Trammell Crow, city handled historic sand filtration restoration, 20-30% affordable housing, overcame legal challenges from external opponents. Graham Park Plaza: Loehman's Plaza retail conversion to attainable smaller townhomes (14-foot units at $600-650K). Robinson Landing: High-end Old Town Alexandria waterfront condos ($1,000+/sq ft), became largest archaeological dig on Eastern Seaboard after discovering three Revolutionary War ships—14-month work stoppage, $7M+ archaeology costs. Providence Reimagined: 25-acre hospital site requiring $30M demolition and complex utility replacement for operating medical office buildings.

Competitive Edge: In-house construction company provides pricing structure competitors lack. Willing to take entitlement risk others avoid. 30-year track record: only one failed entitlement of 50+ projects. Never closes on land until fully entitled. Programmatic relationship with Bernstein Management Company (8 years) for townhome equity. Targets distressed suburban office/retail for residential conversion.

Civic & Personal [02:37:01-02:44:06]: 2012 Livable Communities Leadership Award for Pike & Rose. Coalition for Smarter Growth advocate. ULI vice chair, chair of mission advancement, involved in Future Forum on regional collaboration. Family priority: wife Amy (investments), three kids in Adams Morgan. Charitable focus: Jewish community (JCC board, Jewish Federation, Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School). Hockey coach/team manager for son's travel team.

Billboard Message [02:35:58]: "That house you love, the coffee shop, farmers market, grocery store, office—all brought to you by your neighborhood developer." Reminds public development creates the spaces we live in, including parks and playgrounds. Advocates viewing development as ecosystem, working collaboratively vs. demonizing industry, which hinders affordable housing and infrastructure progress.

Gerald Divaris is Chairman and CEO of the Divaris Group, a vertically integrated commercial real estate enterprise. Co-founded Divaris Real Estate (DRE) in Cape Town, South Africa (1974), relocating to Virginia Beach (1981). DRE manages 40M+ sq ft across 15-16 U.S. cities. Visionary behind Town Center of Virginia Beach. Inducted into Hampton Roads Business Hall of Fame (2024). 

Primary Focus [3:25] CEO responsibilities center on exceeding client expectations, ensuring cohesive teamwork embodying company ethos, and platform growth. 

National Operations [4:20] Maintains standards across 15-16 cities through personal CEO visits (monthly/bi-monthly) and "Principal in Charge" in each office embodying firm philosophy. 

Employee Model [6:24] Unlike industry peers, DRE agents are salaried/on draw vs. independent contractors, ensuring clients receive controllable service rather than commission-driven behavior [7:50]. 

Vertical Integration [8:55] Retail deeply engrained from family retailer background. Development's longer lead time/higher risk suits stable employee model. Retail is "glue" in mixed-use developments, providing street-level vibrancy attracting office/residential tenants. 

Realty Resources Network [12:09] Provides national platform of best-in-class local brokerages for seamless nationwide service. Smaller engaged networks led by "deal junkies" [17:23] outperform large publicly-traded firms with heavy infrastructure costs. 

Management [19:32] "Overbalanced on corporate infrastructure" using salaried professional managers, freeing deal-makers to "lead by example." 

African Origins [22:14] Born in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), moved business to Virginia Beach 1981. Smaller South African economy created "generalist" approach [24:22] across product types—essential for mixed-use development. 

Retail Family Background [27:21] Greek merchant family from Cephalonia [28:44] owned department stores, liquor stores, groceries. Started working age 10 [30:01], learning customer assessment and merchandising strategy. 

Art of Retail [32:45] Store deployment is art, not science. Placemaking engages all human senses—family's florist shops used tuberose scent near door [37:28] to pull customers inside. Experiential retail critical [42:23]—Barnes & Noble survived Amazon through "storytelling" and reading experiences. 

III. Town Center of Virginia Beach 

Opportunity [45:24] Virginia Beach: largest Virginia city by population but lacked CBD. Strong economy, tourism, minimal national broker competition. "Rough diamond" with suburban sprawl needing heart and soul. 

Military Economy [50:40] Hampton Roads houses NATO headquarters, major cyber command, world's largest naval base. Demographics underreported 28% [59:41] due to "hidden economy"—young military retirees with full pensions, free medical, VA loans not counted in salary reports. 

Mixed-Use Success [55:31] Town Center became city's "heart and soul," attracting institutions. Westin (40 stories) is Virginia's tallest structure—iconic landmark. 

TIF Financing [1:21:10] Public entities own parking garages, Performing Arts Center, roads. Funded through TIF (Tax Increment Financing) above 1999 baseline. Changed city charter (1980s) to permit financing. Free parking key to walkability/density success. 

50th Anniversary & Expansion [1:04:03] DRE celebrated 50 years (2024). Stayed open throughout COVID [1:04:31], viewing it as opportunity. Acquired McGarey Group (entertainment/sports development expertise) [1:08:15]. 

D.C. Market [1:09:05] Greater Washington expansion (May 2024) services Northern Virginia requirements. D.C. presence legitimizes national platform internationally. 

Repositioning Strategy [1:13:38] Key: determining if market changed—population shifts, neighborhood relevance. Examples: Tampa mall to back-office space; Newport News mall to shipyard engineering offices [1:16:23]. 

Omnichannel [1:18:29] Stores as showrooms. Pottery Barn/West Elm use in-store terminals/design professionals. Ikea [57:46]: predetermined route + food/entertainment. Lego: experiential with finished models. 

Office Amenities [1:23:02] Real estate as recruitment/retention tool. Class A++ with communal gyms, conference rooms, function spaces. Mixed-use convenience: "live, work, play." 

Longevity [1:31:53] DRE celebrated 50 years (2024). Longevity (employees up to 47 years) cultivated through "practice what you preach" [1:32:04]—demonstrating hard work, never accepting "no" as final answer. 

Civic Leadership [1:33:13] Central Business District Association involvement essential for understanding community and better customer service. 

Alex Divaris Legacy [1:34:41] Honors late son Alexander (passed age 40 from cancer) through internship program starting at high school level. 

Billboard Message [1:35:00] "Love life. Don't hesitate. Think positive." [1:35:42] Emphasizes U.S. as country of opportunity achievable through hard work and positive focus. 

Contact: [email protected] 

Jason Bonnet is Chief Development Officer at Essen, a next-generation development firm. Previously led East Coast Commercial Development for Brookfield Properties ($7B pipeline) and Forest City Realty Trust. Career spans $5B+ development: 4,000+ multifamily units, 1M sf office, 500K+ sf retail. Started Bonnet Development post-UNC. USC MRed, Harvard Business School alumnus.

[00:00:09-00:04:24] Introduction: Background with Forest City, Brookfield, founding Esen.

[00:04:59-00:09:33] Esen Overview: Team of former Forest City/Brookfield executives. Large-scale mixed-use focus, 5,000+ unit pipeline across NY metro, Southeast, Midwest. Lead project: $1.5B Jersey City waterfront (2-3% vacancy, strong demand, Manhattan views, PATH access).

[00:09:55-00:14:01] Early Life: Silver Spring upbringing on Queen Anne's Drive. Father: electrical subcontractor (construction exposure). Mother: Fortune 100 HR executive (negotiation skills). Film production aspirations (Stanley Kubrick) led to real estate. Springbrook High School, UNC.

[00:17:00-00:23:42] Bonnet Development & Pivot: Started company post-dot-com doing Shaw rowhouse conversions (sub-$2M projects). Partnership accounting dispute taught fiduciary responsibility, when to settle vs. litigate. ULI mentorship (Marcel Acosta) led to USC MRed for institutional scale jump.

[00:31:57-00:44:17] Forest City & The Yards: Joined 2011 via mentors Stan Ross, Brian Jones. Debby Ratner Salzberg valued entrepreneurial spirit. 48-acre Southeast DC mixed-use. P4 partnership (DC, GSA, Navy). Eleanor Holmes Norton championed waterfront access. Complex brownfield remediation - Forest City as government agent. Lessons: team collaboration, coalesced vision, passion. DC renaissance period - competitive but collegial, rising tide lifts all boats.

[00:48:17-00:57:26] Yards Development Strategy: Creating neighborhood not just place. Flexible entitlements framework. Retail strategy: Blue Jacket Brewery opened before Harris Teeter - people knew brewery before "The Yards" name. Chef Michael White's Osteria Morini gave legitimacy. Ice Cream Jubilee (attorney turned businesswoman) first location. Attention to detail, patience choosing tenant partners, commitment to long-term success. Retail foundation critical - most complex, detail-oriented real estate sector.

[00:59:18-01:06:43] San Francisco Projects: Led 5M (Fifth & Mission) and Pier 70 after Brookfield acquisition. Biggest difference: intense NIMBYism - sometimes no win-win possible. CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) extends entitlements 8-10 years via traffic study challenges. 5M took 10+ years. Pier 70: fastest California entitlement approval in history via transparency, over-communication, hundreds of community meetings, port authority partnership alignment.

[01:09:18-01:13:50] Scale & Affordability Philosophy: Density builds economy of scale, feeds project economics. More eyes on the ground plane = vibrancy, security, safety. Dynamic public realm. Scale enables affordable housing financially - a difficult concept for government officials. Yards success: Due South restaurant server qualified for 50% AMI unit next door, living and working in community - very rewarding outcome.

[01:17:11-01:26:30] Esen Formation & Values: Started during down cycle - ideal timing. Small, quick, nimble vs. legacy companies. Entrepreneurial spirit, institutional pedigree. Creative solutions. Team of teams, flat organization: CEO Matt Elsesser (Forest City/Brookfield), CIO Dave Boillot (USC classmate), Jim Chang (Croesus Group). Core approach: transparency - one word for negotiations, relationships, partnerships. Quickly builds trust with private partners, cities. Want win-wins for all. Mixed-use not four-letter word - people always want dynamic environments.

[01:29:47-01:46:15] Design & Neuroarchitecture: Most rewarding: seeing vision executed - restaurant you negotiated 2 years prior, celebratory drink, half staff living in your building. Art essential (music, film, built environment). "Your Brain on Art" - awe, transcendence, soul in places. Neuroarchitecture: three key elements creating ambiance - LIGHT (daylighting brutalist structures, welcoming spaces, productivity), SOUND (live music, curated playlists not elevator music, elevate experience), SMELL (bakery bread, coffee roasting - can't go wrong with coffee). Placemaking: being true to place and community, inviting participation, value creation. Does this place have soul or is it soulless? Singularity of vision so strong it permeates entire process to end user.

[01:49:08-01:51:33] Personal Priorities: Family absolute priority. Health (personal, mental). Work-life balance critical - healthy home environment makes you productive at work. Giving back through mentorship - nowhere without mentors like John Coe. Always available for next generation navigating career decisions.

[01:56:56] Billboard Message: "Estoy aquí" (I am here) - reminder to be present in the moment with others.

Two of the Washington region’s most influential leaders—architect Diane Hoskins and economic-development visionary Victor Hoskins—share the story of parallel careers that converge around one principle: collaboration compounds impact.

From Chicago’s skyline to the Amazon HQ2 deal, from design constraints to billion-dollar surpluses, the Hoskins demonstrate how empathy, partnership, and systems-level thinking can reshape cities and careers. Their joint mantra—

“Get wisdom, and with all that getting, get understanding.”
—anchors a conversation that’s equal parts master class and love story.

Chapter Markers

Time

Segment

Highlights

00 : 00 – 02 : 20

Introduction

John Coe frames the series and today’s guests.

02 : 21 – 03 : 46

Roots & Creative Upbringing

Diane on Chicago’s architecture and her mother’s artistry.

03 : 47 – 06 : 55

First-Gen Philanthropy

The Hoskins on giving back to education.

07 : 00 – 08 : 33

Dartmouth Decision

Challenge as catalyst for growth.

09 : 11 – 11 : 39

Negotiating Across the Table

MIT-trained empathy in public–private deals.

12 : 01 – 24 : 53

Diane’s Arc: SOM → Olympia & York → Gensler

Mentorship, mega-projects, and a developer’s lens.

24 : 54 – 32 : 28

Transforming DC as Business

CityCenter DC, The Wharf, Union Market → $7.5 B investment.

32 : 41 – 35 : 45

Regionalism & Collaboration

DMV economy beyond borders.

36 : 01 – 39 : 31

Amazon HQ2 – Talent as Currency

Education beats incentives; $1 B talent pipeline.

40 : 16 – 41 : 55

Fairfax Digital Hub

7.5 K companies + 100 universities bridging skills.

42 : 07 – 47 : 20

Design Within Constraints

Amtrak Call Center → innovation through limits.

49 : 43 – 55 : 46

Workplace as Destination

Variety, neurodiversity, and WPI metrics.

57 : 03 – 59 : 53

Community in Buildings

Amenities as connection + shared spaces.

1 : 00 : 15 – 1 : 04 : 36

Cross-Disciplinary Leadership

Co-CEO model and latticework learning.

1 : 35 : 19 – 1 : 38 : 35

Partnership & Time

“Design shared geography to protect time.”

1 : 38 : 09 – 1 : 39 : 26

Baltimore Inner Harbor Vision

Legacy of Rouse & Schaefer reborn.

1 : 39 : 29 – 1 : 41 : 00

Reputation & Integrity

Habits of professionalism compound trust.

2 : 02 : 18 – 2 : 03 : 54

Longevity & Neuro-Architecture

Design for 100-year impact and human brains.

2 : 04 : 13 – 2 : 05 : 10

Mantra on the Beltway

“Get wisdom… get understanding.”

2 : 05 : 10 – 2 : 06 : 32

Final Reflections

Learning across industries to create lasting value.

Current Role [7:35-9:09]

Background Journey [9:20-17:00]

Career Evolution [17:00-25:00]

Company Comparisons [27:53-32:00]

Major Projects

Wardman Details [55:13-1:17:00]

Market Insights [1:17:42-1:22:00]

Advice for Young Professionals [1:29:14-1:30:26]

Personal Philosophy [1:30:51-1:37:02]

Billboard Message [1:36:17] "When things get grim, be the reaper." - Patrick Mahomes quote about performing under pressure.

Resources:

Ronnie Gibbons LinkedIn
Carmel Partners
Aerie Apartments
Zephyr Apartments

Jamie Weinbaum is President & CEO of Horning, overseeing operations, development, and strategic planning. Previously Executive VP at MidCity (4M sf pipeline), COO at Ditto Residential, development executive at JBG Smith, Director of DC Office of Zoning, and Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. Former ULI Washington chair. JD from GW Law, BA from Wake Forest.

Career Pivot from Law [00:00-13:17]

Real Estate Entry via AJ Jackson [13:17-25:42]

DC Government Leadership [25:42-37:33]

JBG Development Experience [37:33-51:30]

Family Business Philosophy [51:30-1:05:15]

Horning Strategy & Amazon Partnership [1:05:15-1:20:45]

Development Challenges [1:20:45-1:35:20]

Personal Integration Philosophy [1:35:20-1:48:30]

Market Outlook [1:48:30-2:05:00]

Resources:

https://www.horningdc.com/

Bio
Len Forkas is founder/CEO of Milestone Towers, a digital infrastructure company building wireless towers on public lands for over 25 years. Adventure athlete who completed the Seven Summits (becoming 5th oldest globally), Race Across America winner, and non-profit founder of Hopecam.org, a charity supporting children with cancer. Author of leadership books drawing from extreme sports experiences.

Key Discussion Points

Everest Achievement & 2023 Failure Lessons [0:50-16:00]
Key Moment: Len Forkas completed the Seven Summits after a 2023 Everest failure due to pulmonary complications 
Business Lesson: Deconstructing every decision that led to the failure and meticulous preparation are crucial. Forkas dedicated a year to preparation, including weightlifting, trekking with a 50-lb pack, climbing in Indonesia & Ecuador and hypoxic sleep training

Crevasse Incident & Systems Validation [33:00-36:00]
Key Moment: After a successful summit, Forkas fell into a 70-foot crevasse at 27,000 feet while descending to the South Col.
Business Lesson: The importance of safety systems and meticulous preparation. His polar expedition training saved his life.

Hopecam Growth & Impact [36:00-51:00]
Key Moment: Hopecam doubled its applications from 500 to 1,000 children annually post-COVID and grew hospital partnerships from 60 to 180 in five years. 70% of Hopecam students attend title one schools.
Business Lesson: Viewing sponsors as "investors" in mental health outcomes created by the nonprofit rather than as a traditional donors.  

Milestone Towers Business Evolution [72:00-95:00]
Key Moment: Milestone Towers rebranded from Milestone Communications to reflect its real estate asset focus 
Business Lesson: Strategic niche and barriers to entry protect competitive advantage. AI is optimizing existing equipment efficiency, and use of 5G networks has not hit full stride. Difficult to entitle locations have the highest value for both the tower owner and wireless carriers.

Leadership Philosophy [114:00-125:00]
Key Moment: Len Forkas' son Matt joined the company after five years of external experience 15.
Business Lesson: Trust and preparation are essential for success in both business and extreme sports. Letting team members own and solve problems is crucial
Next challenge: North Pole expedition, but prioritizing family and team presence for now.

RESOURCES:
https://www.lenforkas.com/
https://coeenterprises.com/podcast/len-forkas-renaissance-man-33/
What Spins The Wheel: https://www.amazon.com/What-Spins-Wheel-Leadership-Lessons/dp/0996096906?sr=8-2
Cold Hard Truth: https://www.amazon.com/Cold-Hard-Truth-Special-Color-ebook/dp/B09VDY69FC?sr=8-1
https://www.hopecam.org/
https://youtu.be/D6qjcwEVQYc

Hilary Allard Goldfarb is Senior Managing Director and Head of Development for Mid-Atlantic at Rockefeller Group. Native Washingtonian, Princeton graduate, Harvard Urban Planning master's. Previously at Bozzuto Development and ProMark Real Estate. Active in ULI, Federal City Council, Economic Club.

Rockefeller Group Role [00:00-08:38]

Career Journey [10:01-27:17]

Major Projects [29:00-53:00]

Industry Insights [57:00-70:00]

Company Culture [1:02:19-1:03:43]

Advice & Personal Philosophy [1:18:25-1:25:05]
Billboard message: "Hard work gets noticed and beats luck, coincidence, and favors" - her father Nick Allard's adage. Work-life integration rather than balance - children visit construction sites, color plan sets, know her colleagues. Active in ULI (chairs Federal City Council Developer Roundtable), Economic Club.

Evan Regan-Levine is Chief Strategy Officer at JBG Smith, shaping investment approaches through data analytics, strategic initiatives, and investor relations. Key role in National Landing transformation and Amazon HQ2. Previously JLL research analyst and Monday Properties Associate. Georgetown Political Science graduate who pivoted from law school track to real estate after art professor suggested architecture.

Strategic Priorities [3:06-8:35]

Career Journey [8:47-32:23]

Real Estate Philosophy [20:08-26:00] Success requires: communication, analytics, design

Crystal Park One [$40M Repositioning] [43:19-52:53]

National Landing Strategy [37:03-43:00] "Regional mall" approach with anchors: Pentagon, Amazon (8K today, up to 38K), Virginia Tech

Amazon Return-to-Office [78:35-87:00]

Investment Philosophy [95:22-103:33]

Virginia Tech Impact [103:33-107:04]

Community Impact [116:19-122:33]

Personal [127:17-140:02]

JBG Future [140:02-145:33]

Billboard Message [145:33]  Placing on National Landing: "The future is built here" - greatest concentration of innovation and national security.

Related Episodes: 

Matt Kelly

Moina Banerjee

AJ Jackson