Upcoming Events
Speed Networking Workshop
April 10, 2024 from 6-8 PM | Williams Hall Global Commons
The Goodman Center for Real Estate and CREW Lehigh Valley invite Lehigh real estate students and other related studies to join us in a fun and friendly Speed Networking Workshop. This event offers a low-pressure environment to enhance your on-the-go and in-depth networking abilities, broaden your professional network, and forge meaningful connections at your own pace.
This event has limited capacity. Activity and reception are included.
Videos from Past Events
LET'S TALK ... The Power of Communication | October 2023
Five dynamic women discussed the ways we exchange information person-to-person, generation-to-generation, and through technology at a breakfast panel Discussion with Kathryn Brown (Morton Brown Family Wealth), Angela K. Gosman (PPL Corporation) and Genesis Ortega (City of Allentown) and “Fireside Chat” with Lucia Diana (Global Real Estate at Verizon).
Are We in a NEW Commercial Real Estate Era? | June 2022
As we enter a post-COVID era for commercial real estate, there are many factors commercial property owners face. Office building vacancies are on the rise with employees working remotely from home, retailers and brick and mortar stores have seen a downturn, and some are going out-of-business. Where does that leave the building owners?
The World’s Most Ambitious Carbon Law Virtual Panel | April 2022
Hear how New York City is reducing its carbon footprint 25k square foot at a time with its ambitious Local Law 97. This massive overhaul is expected to reduce emissions by 40% in 2030 with a long-term goal of an 80% reduction by 2050.
Goodman Center Tami Tenant Panel Video | July 2021
This event explored strategies implemented by Businesses in Technology, Advertising, Media, and Information (TAMI) tenants that might inform best practices in other sectors.
Goodman Center Tech Talk: The Workplace is Transforming | March 2021
While new innovations in healthy, safe, and green work environments have been in development for many years, office space innovation has been accelerated by the pandemic. Learn more.
"Is the Timing Ripe to Go Public?" | April 2021
In 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic, there were a record number of initial public offerings. Take a look at our discussion on this dramatic boost in IPO activity.
Goodman Center Tech Talk: Commercial Real Estate Sales | March 2021
Commercial real estate sales through online auctions have had significant growth over the past year...but will they last?
Commercial Real Estate Trends Event | November 2020
his event looked at the changing face of real estate. Panelists discussed the latest trends in commercial real estate and addressed key issues including changes in tenant behavior, flexible leasing terms and market disruptions and more.
Goodman Center Retail Panel Event | October 2020
Who will fill the shopping malls and stores on Main Street? A look at the state and future of retail amid and beyond the pandemic from our panel event October 14, 2020.
The Future of the Workplace Post COVID-19 Event | June 2020
This panel discussion provided a 360° look at returning to work post COVID-19 from a landlord, tenant, architect, engineering and transportation standpoint.
Recent Past Events Listing
November 15, 2023 | The Convergence of Industrial and Life Science Real Estate, Now and the Future
Students had the opportunity to learn about the convergence of Industrial and Life Science Real Estate and how it represents a dynamic intersection between two distinct sectors, each playing a crucial role in shaping the built environment.
October 17, 2023 | LET'S TALK... The Power of Communication - Breakfast Event
Panel Discussion with Kathryn Brown (Morton Brown Family Wealth), Angela K Gosman (PPL Corporation) and Genesis Ortega (City of Allentown) and “Fireside Chat” with Lucia Diana (Global Real Estate at Verizon).
April 27, 2023 | Pivoting Post-Pandemic: Navigating the Commercial Real Estate Landscape in New York City and Beyond - Exploring Interest Rates, Market Trends, and Future Outlook for Success
This Tara Stacom Executive Speaker Event included Keynote speakers; Jason Barnett, Vice, Chairman, General Counsel, and Chief Administrative Officer RXR Realty, Eric Clement, Portfolio Manager, Social Impact & Sustainability Investments, RXR Realty and moderator Craig Lemle, Senior Managing Director, Savills.
April 13, 2023 | Lehigh University Business Clubs Networking Event
Lehigh’s Business clubs partnered with their club alumni and friends to talk about networking best practices and were able to obtain a professional headshot.
March 22, 2023 | Soaring Together Women in Real Estate
This Soaring Together Women in Real Estate event was one of Lehigh's ongoing celebrations of 50 years of undergraduate coeducation. The Soaring Together Conference Series began in 2022 when nearly 50 Lehigh women volunteers gathered on campus to discuss the past, present, and future of Lehigh. Fifteen Lehigh women alumni working in the Real Estate industry met to network over a dinner in New York City, including Tara Stacom, Executive Vice Chairman at Cushman & Wakefield.
February 16, 2023 | Walking Tour of the Crown 95 Warehouse Facility hosted by Evan Kleppe ’12, developer, Court Street Ventures
This student tour explored the recently completed Crown 95 warehouse, a 650,000 square feet warehouse/distribution center along the Industrial Corridor of Philadelphia. The is the only functional multi-story warehouse project in the Greater Philadelphia area and is planned to help revitalize a section of the city that hasn’t been heavily redeveloped in decades.
November 17, 2022 | Peak Innovation Park, Part 2, Speaker and Networking Event with Master Developer Garrett Baum '22P '25P, managing partner of Urban Frontier
Fresh off his highly successful Peak Innovation Park, a 1600-acre, master-planned office park at the entrance to the Colorado Springs Airport, CEO developer Garrett Baum hosted by the Goodman Center for Real Estate at Lehigh University discussed the challenges of real estate investment and development in a rapidly changing environment. Baum's company develops and invests in land, retail, office, industrial, and residential real estate projects. Success in assembling land, negotiating challenging entitlements, creating value-added investments, and assisting lenders with troubled assets distinguishes Baum and his team from traditional developers.
More about Garrett Baum ’22P ’25P
Garrett Baum has 35 years of experience in real estate in Colorado. He began his development career in 1992 at Interlocken as the director of marketing and sales, eventually becoming general manager. In 1999, Baum went on his own and formed JPB Holdings, which ultimately evolved into Urban Frontier with Bill Branyan. As managing partner, Baum has been involved in many mixed-use projects. In addition to Interlocken, notable developments include Preble Creek (known today as Anthem and Baseline), Palisade Park, Palisade North, and Palisade West, Green Gables, Peak Innovation Park in Colorado Springs which is now home to one of the most significant Amazon buildings (4,000,000 sq. ft.) in the world and Verve Innovation Park in Jefferson County. Notable deals include Sun Microsystems (Oracle) 1,100,000 sq. ft. campus, Level 3 Communication 800,000 sq. ft. campus, National Archives (GSA), two Children's Hospital developments, FedEx, Marriott, Vail Resorts, Northrup Grumman, Pepsi Corp, Quality Bike Products, and most recently, Amazon, among many others. In addition to commercial land development and vertical building development, Baum has worked with many national home builders. He has added well over ten thousand residential lots to the Denver metro area, the majority in mixed-use developments.
October 27, 2022 | Edge at Hudson Yards Event with Scott Evans '90 Chief Digital Officer, Related Companies
Lehigh Real Estate Students were given the opportunity to visit New York Cities-Edge the highest sky deck in the Western Hemisphere with a one-of-a-kind design. It’s suspended in midair, giving you the feeling of floating in the sky, with 360-degree views you can’t get anywhere else!
Hosted by alumnus Scott Evans ’90, chief digital officer, Related Companies, students enjoyed a presentation and lunch about Hudson yards at the gorgeous and modern Related Offices NYC headquarters followed by an interactive walking tour of Hudson Yards. After the tour, attendees headed to Edge observation deck where they had the opportunity to look 100 stories down from the thrilling glass floor.
October 26, 2022 | Career Networking Night at the Pyramid Club, Philadelphia
Students enjoyed an evening with the Philadelphia Metropolitan Chapter of the Appraisal Institute members and sponsors at the “Real Estate Career Connection Night” which was designed to help students make connections with Philadelphia-area real estate valuation firms in hopes of potentially securing either a future internship or job placement. The event took place at the beautiful Pyramid Club in Philadelphia. Guest represented multiple national appraisal firms including C&W, CBRE, Newmark and Valbridge Property Advisors and more.
October 20, 2022 | Professional Alliances Networking Evening
More than 50 alumni joined together at Stout Grand Central and enjoyed a joint sponsored evening of networking with the Lehigh Real Estate Alliance and Lehigh Lawyers Association.
September 28, 2022 | What You Need to Know About Environmental Consulting and Assessment with James Cinelli, Principal, Liberty Environmental
Students learned about environmental site assessment; site remediation management; remediation system design; spill prevention and response plans; stormwater and wastewater system design; permitting and construction; erosion control plans; stream encroachment and earth disturbance permitting; and waste management.
June 7, 2022 | Are we in a NEW Commercial Real Estate Era?
As we enter a post-COVID era for commercial real estate, there are many factors commercial property owners face. Office building vacancies are on the rise with employees working remotely from home, retailers and brick and mortar stores have seen a downturn, and some are going out-of-business. Where does that leave the building owners?
Whether you consider creating new value in tired properties, renovation, repositioning, re-leasing, or even flipping existing buildings or land, this event presented by the Goodman Center for Real Estate and led by Loren Keim, professor of practice at Lehigh University, will empower you with examples and case studies that can translate into advising clients on out-of-the-box thinking.
April 22, 2022 | UCity Square, Philadelphia Construction Site Hard Hat Tour with John Cobb, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, Ventas
Students heard were presented from guest speakers that included an overview of Ventas, Wexford, Turner Construction and uCity Square Development plans followed by a walking hard hat tour of the live construction site at UCity Square and the future Health and Sciences building at 3675 Market Street.
April 7, 2022 | Peak Innovation Park, Part 1, Garrett Baum, Owner and Managing Director, Urban Frontier LLC
Students heard from developer, Mr. Baum about his work with the Colorado Springs Airport to develop Peak Innovation Park. Urban Frontier, founded in 2005 by Garrett Baum and Bill Branyan, brings a wealth of experience in all aspects of the real estate process: land acquisition, entitlement, horizontal infrastructure development, public finance vehicles such as metropolitan districts and tax increment financing, vertical development, construction, property acquisitions, asset management, and the acquisition of debt instruments. Garrett Baum and Bill Branyan have been involved in the development of over 5,000 acres of land, tens of thousands of residential lots and millions of square feet of commercial development. Mr. Baum shared his experiences and expertise with students in this informative real estate event.
April 14, 2021 | Is the Time Ripe to Go Public?
In 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic, there were a record number of initial public offerings. Airbnb, DoorDash, Palentir Technologies, and Snowflake decided to hit the market along with 490 additional IPOs. In fact in 2020 the volume of IPOs more than doubled from 2019, and the IPO market raised $174 billion – an astounding 150% increase from the previous year.
The dramatic boost in IPO activity is, in part, driven by Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs), sometimes called blank check companies. In 2020, SPACs accounted for half of all IPOs.
Our distinguished panel of experts shared their insights on the IPO market and had a lively discussion about the role of SPACs with an emphasis on the real estate market.
Panelists:
- Moderator: Kathleen Weiss Hanley, Bolton-Perella Chair in the Department of Finance, Director of the Center for Financial Services, Lehigh University
- Paul Galiano Senior Managing Director, Co-Head of US Acquisitions, Dispositions, Capital Markets, Joint-Venture Transactions, Tishman Speyer
- Gil Ottensoser, Managing Director, Head of SPAC Investment Banking, BTIG
- David Panton, Managing Partner, SPAC Operations Group, Navigation Capital Partners
- Jay Ritter, Joseph B. Cordell Eminent Scholar in the Department of Finance, University of Florida
- Matt Wolpert, Portfolio Manager, Managing Director, Almanac Realty Investors, Neuberger Berman
This event was jointly hosted by the Goodman Center for Real Estate and the The Center for Financial Services.
March 24, 2021 | Tech Talk: Commercial Real Estate Sales through Online Auctions have had Significant Growth Over the Past Year...But Will They Last?
While commercial real estate auctions historically have been used for bank foreclosures, they have gained traction in recent years with bidding wars on “hot” properties across the country. This trend was accelerated during the pandemic and the subsequent shortage of strong stabilized assets for sale. With significant increases in technology and connected platforms, online CRE auction companies claim to provide greater transparency for buyers and a potentially higher sales price for sellers because the properties are open to broad markets. Major CRE marketing platforms have scrambled to acquire online auction platforms or develop their own. This was punctuated with CoStar’s purchase of TenX in 2020.
This event discussed the technology and trends with the largest CRE online auction platform, Real Capital Markets, which has recently been acquired by LightBox. LightBox is a real estate data and information service, akin to the Bloomberg Terminal, and provides the CRE industry and commercial lenders with data as well as digital map products.
Speakers:
- Justin Latorrem, Managing director of Auction Services at LightBox
- Loren K. Keim '88 '01G, Professor of Real Estate at Lehigh University and part of the Goodman Center for Real Estate in the Perella Department of Finance
March 10, 2021 | Tech Talk: Reimagining the Workplace and the Changing Landscape of PropTech
While new innovations in healthy, safe, and green work environments have been in development for many years, office space innovation has been accelerated by the pandemic. RXR, one of the largest landlords in Manhattan, has launched a combination of state-of-the-art technology and physical services to provide both the needed health and safety tools for office workers as well as peace of mind. Through a combination of high-tech sensors, data driven apps, physical services, and optimal space configuration, the company is providing a new vision for occupying office space.
The pandemic has also driven lasting changes to consumer and business behavior which have accelerated many technology trends underpinning the digitization of real estate. RXR’s vertically integrated platform provides it with a holistic perspective on the integration of new technologies within real estate which allows it to approach entrepreneurs as partners, offering unique perspectives. This alignment with entrepreneurs, along with RXR’s operator mentality, has allowed it to invest in leading companies within the PropTech sector, ranging from early-stage venture to growth capital.
Speakers:
- Moderator: Loren K. Keim '88 '01G, Professor of Real Estate at Lehigh University; and part of the Goodman Center for Real Estate in the Perella Department of Finance
- Matthew Boras, SVP on the investments team at RXR; and leads the RXR Digital Ventures investment strategy
- Cory Clark, Vice President of Product Management for RXR’s Digital Lab
November 18, 2020 | Commercial Real Estate Trends: Market Outlook and Emerging Trends in Commercial Real Estate Amid and Beyond the Pandemic
This event looked at the changing face of real estate. Panelists discussed the latest trends in commercial real estate and addressed key issues including changes in tenant behavior, flexible leasing terms and market disruptions. It explored the pandemic's impact on CRE and the growing importance of technology.
Panelists:
- Moderator: Loren K. Keim, Professor Real Estate, Lehigh University
- Sarah Dreyer, Vice President, Head of Americas Research, Savills
- Surabhi Kejriwal, Associate Vice President | Real Estate Research Leader, Deloitte
- Spencer G. Levy, Chairman Americas Research, Senior Economic Advisor CBRE-Americas Research
- Ken McCarthy, Principal Economist, Americas Head of Applied Research-Cushman & Wakefield
- David Seaman, Partner, PWC
October 14, 2020 | Retail Panel Event
Who will fill all of the empty stores on Main Street and the shopping malls?
Panelists:
- Moderator: Melissa Marsh, Founder & Executive Director of PLASTARC
- Barrie Scardina, Head of Retail for the Americas, Cushman & Wakefield
- Garrick Brown, Vice President, Retail Research of the Americas, Cushman & Wakefield
- Phil Colicchio, Executive Managing Director, Cushman & Wakefield
- Liz Edmiston, CEO, Dynamite Group
- Naveen Jaggi, President, Retail Advisory Services, JLL
- Stephanie Lee, Founder, SpaceUs
Co-hosts:
- Tara Stacom, Executive Vice Chair, Cushman & Wakefield
- Craig Lemle, Senior Managing Director, SAVILLS
June 23, 2020 | The Future of the Workplace Post COVID-19
This panel discussion provided a 360° look at returning to work post COVID-19 from a landlord, tenant, architect, engineering and transportation standpoint. Watch the video below.
Panelists:
- Scott Ceasar, Senior Vice President, Director of Sustainable Design, Cosentini
- Thomas Durels, Executive Vice President, Empire Realty Trust
- Kevin Kelly, Senior Managing Director, Savills
- Melissa Marsh, Senior Managing Director, Occupant Experience, Savills
- David Weinberg, Principal, ZGF
- Sponsor:
- Craig Lemle, Senior Managing Director, New York City, Savills
February 11, 2020 | Co-working Conference Panel Discussion
What is the short and long term effect on the industry after the recent changes in WeWork? A deep dive into the trends and perspectives of coworking and effects of Wework on the industry. Hear firsthand from a distinguished panel of industry leaders on the dynamic and evolving movement of coworking.
Panelists:
- Lucia Diana, Global Real Estate, Verizon
- Thais Galli, Managing Director, Studio,Tishman Speyer
- Melanie Gladwell, Executive Managing Director, Americas Head of Flexible Workplace, Cushman & Wakefield, Inc.
- David Ledy ‘70, Chief Operating Officer, Partner, US Realty Advisors
- Melissa Marsh, Senior Managing Director, Occupant Experience, Savills Studley
- Representative of Cambridge Innovation Center, Ventas, Inc.
Events Archive
2008-2019
- Lehigh-Lafayette Real Estate Center 1st Annual Tailgate
- Tour of 425 Park Avenue,New York City and presentation with Speaker, Robert Lapidus, President and Chief Investment Officer and co-founder of L&L Holding Company, LLC | 425 Park Avenue is the First Full Block Redevelopment/New Tower on Park Avenue in more than 50 years!
- "The Art of the Deal" | A panel of industry leaders including Brokers, Property Managers, Engineers, Architects, Commercial Lending, Commercial Insurance, Lawyers, Economic Development, Environmental.
- "A Rise To The Top" the Annual Tara Stacom Endowed Executive Speaker Series in Real Estate Studies keynote speaker-Marc Holliday, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SL Green Realty Corp., hosted by Tara Stacom, Executive Vice Chairman, Cushman & Wakefield-One Liberty Plaza.
- "Constructing the Future: the Continuing Evolution of Real Estate" with Craig Lemle '74, Senior Managing Director, Savills Studley; Mike Butz '94, Partner and Head of Private Acquisitions and Loan Origination at Torchlight Investors; and Eden Abraham '12, Acquisition Associate, SL Green.
- "Women in Real Estate" | Panel Discussion and Networking Reception
- "Let's Talk Real Estate" with Vorndo CFO, Joe Macnow
- "Commercial Real Estate: The Rise of a New Generation" | 180 Maiden Lane World Trade Center
- John Cobb | "Getting the Deal Done"
- Tara Stacom | "An Insiders Look at Manhattan" World Trade Center Tour and Talk
- Ken McCarthy & Jason Greenstone | “Commercial Real Estate Trends” Presentation
- John Cobb | "An Introduction to the Real Estate Process" Presentation
- Marc Holliday | "Making the Grade"
- Larry Silverstein | “Looking Up: The New Downtown” at the World Trade Center & World Trade Center Exclusive Tours (additional information)
- Marc Holliday | "Behind the Glass Curtain," 3 Columbus Circle
- Mary Ann Gilmartin | "Forest City Ratner, The Atlantic Yards Development & Gehry Building"
- Pamela O’Neill, Linda Dietrick & Jane C.H. Jacob| "Finding the Value in Valuation" Panel
- Tara & Darcy Stacom | Keynote Speaker Event - "A Tale of Two Sisters"
- Rob Lapidus | "Behind the Uncertainty in NYC Real Estate"
- Bruce Mosler & John Mechanic | Keynote Speaker Event
- Marc Holliday | Renowned Real Estate Chief Lehigh University Visit - "$6 Billion Acquisition of Reckson Associates"
- Barry Gosin | "Studying the Rebirth of Bethlehem Steel"
- Student Tours - One World Trade Center, National Memorial, Museum and Calatrava Transporation Hub
- Rise and Fall of Bethlehem Steel Historic Walking Tour
- Lehigh Anthracite - A Historic Pennsylvania Coal Site Underground Tour
- 9/11 National Memorial & World Trade Center 7 Tour
- 1 World Trade Center & 4 World Trade Center - Alumni Tours
- 11 Times Square Tour
- Brooklyn Atlantic Yards and Gehry Building Tour with Keynote Speaker Mary Anne Gilmartin
- ArtsQuest Center and PBS Building Tour
- Easton Silk Mill Redevelopment Tour
- Allentown Waterfront Site Tour
- Sands Casino Tour
Real Estate Program Speakers
- Christa Kraftician, Architect, Spillman Farmer Architects
- Darlene Heller, Director, Planning and Zoning, City of Bethlehem
- Dave Bell, Senior Environmental Manager, Barry Isett & Associates
- John Bassler, Vice President, National Penn Bank
- Richard Somach , Attorney, Norris, McLaughlin & Morris, PA
- Steve Schwarz, VP Pre-Construction, Torcon
- Amy Novak, Senior Project Manager, Torcon
- Allison Zamfir, Investment Associate, PGIM Real Estate
- Craig Lemle, Senior Managing director, Savills Studley
- Borko Milosev, Developer, Post Road Management
- Chuck Moyer, Appraiser , Moyer Realty Advisors, LLC
- Joe Genay, Commercial Real Estate Appraiser/Consultant, The Advisory Group, LLC
- Joe Posh, Developer, Joseph T. Posh Properties
- Kent Brustlin, Commercial Real Estate Appraiser, Integra Realty Resources
- Michelle Brustlin, Commercial Real Estate Appraiser, Integra Realty Resources
- Lauren Gilchrist, VP, Director of Research, JLL
- Clint Randall, Research Analyst, JLL
- Tony Hanna, Director, Redevelopment Authority, City of Bethlehem
- John Callahan, Director of Business Development, Peron Development
- Dennis Benner, Partner, Benner & Piperato
- Mark Juliano, Former President, Sands Bethlehem Casino and Resort
- Dennis Benner, Attorney, Benner & Piperato and owner Boutique One Properties
- Garrett Benner, Attorney, Benner & Piperato
- John Cobb, Chief Investment Officer, Ventas
- Chris Dollard, Appraiser, Princeton Real Estate
- Kassie Hilgert, President and CEO, ArtsQuest
- Christine Ussler, Architect, Artefact, Inc.
- Kerry Wroble, President, Lehigh Valley Industrial Parks
- Kate Hart Zayaitz, Senior Commercial Relationship manager, Lafayette Ambassador Bank
- Kevin Campbell, President and COO, Barry Isett & Associates
- Adrienne K. Kwiatek-Holub, Vice President, BB&T
- Ed Falkowski, Director, Cushman & Wakefield Valuation & Advisory
- Joe Rubin, Principal, EY Real Estate Strategy and Transactions
- Walter Krzywicki, Director, Benchmark Appraisal Group
- Christin Phillips, Senior Vice President, Appraisers & Planners, Inc.
- Linda Dietrick, Managing Partner, Director, Dietrick Group