In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Yara Berbari, who leads Workplace Experience within Work Dynamic Consulting across the Middle East for JLL. Yara brings a unique perspective to commercial real estate, drawing from her background in landscape architecture and strategic design to reimagine how physical spaces can shape human experiences. We discuss how commercial real estate is evolving into destinations that prioritize employee well-being and integrate work-life seamless...
Jun 02, 2025•40 min•Season 6Ep. 7
In this episode, host David Abrams is joined by James Nelson, a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, podcast host, and investor. James is also the Principal and Head of Avison Young’s US Investment Sales group in New York City. James shares his journey from an English major at Colgate University to leading Avison Young’s U.S. Investment Sales team, offering invaluable lessons on team-building, market adaptation, and embracing technology along the way. We explore the post-pandemic real estate ...
May 13, 2025•46 min•Season 6Ep. 6
In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Jordan Menashe, Principal & CEO of Menashe Properties, to hear his insights on the commercial real estate industry. With over three decades of experience, Jordan discusses the evolution of office spaces, the enduring value of personal touch in business, and the critical role of adaptability in today’s ever-changing market. We explore the strategies behind creating exceptional tenant experiences, from thoughtful amenities to hands-on ...
Apr 28, 2025•43 min•Season 6Ep. 5
In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Alex Thomson, Founder of Prevail Consultants and the 2025 Chair of NAIOP. Alex shares his inspiring journey in commercial real estate—from his beginnings in investment brokerage to building his own consulting firm. We discuss the evolving nature of CRE, the need to adapt to social and technological shifts, and the importance of creating spaces that enhance productivity and engagement. Alex also provides insights into his work empowering ...
Apr 07, 2025•45 min•Season 6Ep. 4
In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Dennis Cisterna, Managing Partner & Chief Investment Officer of Sentinel Net Lease for an engaging discussion about navigating the challenges of today’s commercial real estate market, embracing technology, and enhancing customer experience. Dennis offers insights into addressing housing shortages through innovative solutions like modular housing and discusses how new technologies, including AI, are reshaping efficiency, tenant experi...
Mar 21, 2025•36 min•Season 6Ep. 3
In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Glenn Way, President of GWL Realty Advisors for a fascinating discussion about connectivity and creating both economic and social value through technology, hospitality, and innovative building design. We explore the challenges and opportunities in using technology to enhance customer experience, the critical role of a hospitality mindset in property management, and how a focus on education, curiosity, and relationships drives progress in...
Feb 21, 2025•39 min•Season 6Ep. 2
In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Julie Whelan, SVP, Global Head of Occupier Thought Leadership at CBRE, joins me to dive into the people side of CRE and how tenant behavior is shaping the built environment. Julie combines her two passions—commercial real estate and understanding how people use and interact with spaces—to explore the evolving experience of the workplace. We discuss how a variety of thoughtfully designed spaces can enhance functionality and how companies ...
Feb 10, 2025•43 min•Season 6Ep. 1
In season 5 of the Tenant Experience Network (TEN) podcast, host David Abrams has had 15 inspiring conversations with some exceptional leaders at the forefront of innovation and technology in commercial real estate. Have a listen to some of our favorite clips. We are grateful to all the incredible CRE professionals who have shared their insights, perspectives and expertise through all 75 episodes of TEN! Subscribe so you don't miss out on future discussions with great guests. Is there anyone you...
Jan 30, 2025•10 min•Season 5Ep. 15
In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Ryan Anderson, VP of Global Research & Planning at MillerKnoll, for an insightful discussion around the intersection of furniture, place design, and technology. We explore how Ryan’s dual passions—design and technology—come together to shape environments that foster connection, collaboration, and well-being. From MillerKnoll’s mission to design for the good of humankind to the evolving purpose of workplaces, Ryan shares how well-desi...
Jan 13, 2025•49 min•Season 5Ep. 14
In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Adam Jacobs, National Head of Research, Colliers. We cover a wide range of topics, including the impact of data on occupancy levels, how CRE is responding to changes in the marketplace due to the pandemic, and the realities of demand and occupancy in urban vs. suburban locations. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.
Nov 18, 2024•44 min•Season 5Ep. 13
In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Gary Chance, CEO at Nantum AI. Gary shares how his team is utilizing the latest technology and data to write better algorithms that save real estate tenants and owners more money, energy, and ultimately, to provide a better indoor experience overall. If you’re interested in AI and the impact it’s having on the built world, this episode is for you. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Oct 21, 2024•37 min•Season 5Ep. 12
In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Ivo van Breukelen, Managing Partner at The Proptech Connection. Ivo and his team are tracking an impressive 19,000 proptech companies to provide global market intelligence and insights on what’s happening in the industry. Keep listening to learn more about their data-led approach and Ivo’s passion for innovation in the built world. Subscribe to TEN so you never miss an episode of the Tenant Experience Network.
Sep 27, 2024•32 min•Season 5Ep. 11
In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Emily Hanna, Managing Partner of Investments at Crown Realty Partners. During our conversation, Emily shares a wonderful story about how she actually wrote the job posting for her first job in Commercial Real Estate. It led to her joining the team at Allied Properties REIT, working under the watchful eye of Michael Emory, a previous guest on this podcast. I can’t wait for you to hear more of her story! Subscribe to TEN so you never miss ...
Sep 11, 2024•42 min•Season 5Ep. 10
In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Martin Kelly, President of Blueprint: The Future of Real Estate. Martin shares his career journey. He initially aimed to become a barrister in England but ended up in the world of events and infrastructure investment. This path eventually brought him to the U.S., where he took over an events business in New York. During the pandemic, Martin joined a firm that connected family offices, institutional investors, and alternative funds with i...
Aug 14, 2024•40 min•Season 5Ep. 9
In this episode, we learn about Jeff’s career journey, his experience in the events business, and the impact of the pandemic on his business. As his business transitioned to remote operations, Jeff began to explore new ways to build community using social media platforms. Shortly after, he launched Work 20XX to provide thought leadership on the future of work. Jeff readily admits that he had no commercial real estate experience when he first embarked on this journey. He relied on his genuine cur...
Jul 09, 2024•45 min•Season 5Ep. 8
In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Ryan Speers, Partner and COO at Workhaus. Ryan shares his early beginnings leading a marketing agency. During that time, Ryan had a yearning to build something, rather than just serve as a consultant. He shares how he met his business partner and ultimately ventured into the co-working industry to become a partner at Workhaus. Today the company has grown to 12 locations in Toronto, Kitchener-Waterloo and Calgary. Ryan acknowledges that h...
Jun 24, 2024•41 min•Season 5Ep. 7
In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Bryan Berthold, Global Lead Workplace Experience at Cushman & Wakefield. Bryan shares his journey to commercial real estate and how he got started in the business. Bryan studied architecture and eventually found his way to commercial real estate helping companies develop their strategic plans around workplace requirements. He then applied his analytical skills to focus on his passion for the experience of people and eventually found ...
Jun 12, 2024•46 min•Season 5Ep. 6
In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Lisa Davidson, Vice Chairman at Savills North America. Lisa shares her professional journey, which commenced fresh out of college. Initially uncertain about her career path, Lisa seized an opportunity with a small real estate tenant rep firm that visited her campus for recruitment. Expecting it to be a stepping stone, she quickly discovered a natural fit for her skills within the tenant representation domain, leading her to devote her en...
May 27, 2024•46 min•Season 5Ep. 5
In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Rob Kumer, CEO of KingSett Capital. Rob shares his journey to commercial real estate. KingSett is a private equity real estate investment company focused on Canada, both the equity and credit side of the business and all asset classes. After graduating from the Ivey Business School, Rob began his 20-year career journey in CRE. He started as an analyst, then moved to the investment side of the business and became President in 2021, and mo...
May 07, 2024•54 min•Season 5Ep. 4
In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Sophie Wade, Founder of Flexcel Network and host of the Transforming Work podcast. Sophie’s journey to her current role started with the experience of living in many different countries and studying people. She started out in strategy and finance and later focused on the future of work as her personal situation demanded working differently. Sophie is an avid observer of people and has used this skill to shape her view of the world, and n...
Apr 17, 2024•57 min•Season 5Ep. 3
In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Jen Tindle, Chief Comic Relief Officer @ AllAboutCRE.com . Jen shares her journey to commercial real estate and how she got started in the business. Today, Jen is focussed on helping to solve the knowledge gap that exists between CRE firms and CRE technology providers. Jen started her career in public accounting — a path we share in common — and found tremendous value in better understanding how businesses work. She then leveraged that k...
Apr 05, 2024•43 min•Season 5Ep. 2
In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with the co-hosts of the new CRE Unplugged podcast, Nadine Ezzie, Founder and President of ezzie + co and Ryan Elazari, Senior Director at Empire Management. We learn about Nadine and Ryan’s journey to commercial real estate and how they got started in the business. Nadine is an attorney and made her way to CRE, serving as in-house counsel for an industrial developer. Through LinkedIn, she was then presented with the perfect opportunity to jo...
Feb 13, 2024•38 min•Season 5Ep. 1
In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Peter Riguardi Chairman & President, New York Region at JLL. Peter’s career journey in commercial real estate began early on, watching his father work in property management and then having the opportunity to learn from many experts in the business before embarking with a group of colleagues to start their own company in 1989. He would later sell that firm to JLL in 2002 and has been at JLL ever since. I love how Peter gives credit t...
Jan 22, 2024•29 min•Season 4Ep. 15
In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Nico DePaul, Chief Operating Officer at NNN Pro Group. Nico’s career journey began through a search for an internship, and after showing up for an interview 4 times, was actually offered a full-time role. So for him, it was goodbye law school, and hello commercial real estate, starting in the net lease space as a junior analyst. Nico kicks off the show with an explanation of how net lease space works and who it is best suited to. He inve...
Oct 11, 2023•36 min•Season 4Ep. 14
In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Brett Miller, CEO at Canderel. Brett’s career journey began through an introduction from a university professor to someone who has now become a lifelong friend, John Weiner, the founder of Canderel. Brett first started at Canderel in what was supposed to be an internship position, but it turned out to be a 7-year-long ‘summer job’. After a great run, in 1993, market conditions changed, and Brett pursued an MBA in France and spent the nex...
Oct 06, 2023•40 min•Season 4Ep. 13
In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Shimon Shkury, President and Founder at Ariel Property Advisors. Shimon’s career journey began in 2002 working at a CRE firm this podcast knows well – Massey Knakal – thanks to my conversations on TEN with Bob Knakal and Paul J. Massey. About a year into that relationship, Shimon was given the opportunity to run Upper Manhattan and the Bronx as a partner. Shimon went on to hire several key people to support him in that effort, and togeth...
Sep 06, 2023•40 min•Season 4Ep. 12
In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Gary Phillips, Managing Director at Eastdil Secured. Gary’s career journey began working at Deutsche Bank, where he was assigned to an economic group focused on real estate. And so began Gary’s residency in New York and his passion for the real estate industry. He attributes some of his success to his personal drive and nurturing long-term relationships. Gary has been exposed to all asset classes but was able to share his insights into t...
Aug 22, 2023•34 min•Season 4Ep. 11
In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Phil Kanfer, Founder & CEO at Market Lane Advisors. Phil’s career journey had finance and entrepreneurial beginnings, which led him to real estate with Newmark as a tenant rep broker in lower Manhattan. Phil eventually met the CEO of a newly emerging company, now called WiredScore, and was brought in to help bring the business to market. This company saw an opportunity to create a measure and certification of how well a building is c...
Aug 03, 2023•44 min•Season 4Ep. 10
In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Lee Odess, CEO of Access Control Executive Brief. Lee’s career journey began with a position in the security industry at BRIVO. He eventually discovered that it was best to work on his own within the building access space and focus on the digital transformation that is impacting the industry. Lee sees the world of access control from the perspective of the end user and how it contributes to a better customer experience. Lee has always ha...
Jul 17, 2023•41 min•Season 4Ep. 9
In this episode, host David Abrams is in conversation with Sonny Kalsi, Co-CEO at BentallGreenOak. Sonny’s career journey began working in investment banking at Morgan Stanley on Wall Street after completing his studies in finance. He had an opportunity to rotate from mergers and acquisitions to join the real estate group, which he thought would only last a year or so, but it stuck and he feels very fortunate to still be working in commercial real estate. Sonny has lived and worked in 6 differen...
Jul 12, 2023•40 min•Season 4Ep. 8
