Past Speakers

March 24, 2026
Senior Vice President of Building Repositioning
STO Building Group
brooks.mcdaniel@STOBG.com

Brooks McDaniel is the Senior Vice President of Building Repositioning at STO Building Group, a global family of builders providing full-service construction across the US, Canada, UK, and Europe. Specializing in the repositioning of buildings,

Repositioning Real Estate in today’s market.

What works, what has not

March 3, 2026
Partner Citrin Cooperman
Citrin Cooperman
pribaudo@citrincooperman.com

Paul M. Ribaudo is a partner in the Valuation and Forensic Services Practice. With over 30 years of experience in public accounting, he specializes in forensic accounting, dispute resolution consulting, and expert witness services.

Rent control and stabilized apt issues on change of ownership

March 3, 2026
Gabe Whitman
National Director of Office Leasing
Manhattan RE

Gabe Whitman is a NY State broker for 20 years. Mr. Whitman worked at Cushman & Wakefield representing over 2 million sf of office space and retail in Downtown Manhattan and Midtown South.

“From distress to direction: leading the repositioning of a Class A office portfolio.”

“Turning challenge into clarity for a distressed Class A office portfolio.”

Asset Criteria

Investment Profile

Vacancy Considerations

Operating Strategy

Cost Rationalization

Leasing Strategy

Reactivating Demand

Deal Philosophy

December 2, 2025
Partner
Sholom & Zuckerbrot Realty LLC
inquire@s-z.com

John Ritter has over 40 years’ experience in the sales and leasing of industrial, office and retail properties located in Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Nassau counties. He is a partner at Sholom & Zuckerbrot Realty. In addition, John and his partne

Ultimate co-tenant and retail space.

John and two of his partners Eric Deutsch & Brian Lockner will share updates on various projects in Jamaica and 315 Meserole Street, East Williamsburg

See PDF attached for details re 315 Meserole St.

December 2, 2025
EVP/Principal
Volmar Construction, Inc.
peterv@volmar.com

Executive Vice President/Principal of Volmar Construction, Inc., a general contractor specializing in building renovation, new construction and facility maintenance contracts in the Northeast United States for a wide variety of Federal, State, and Municipal agency clients.

Volmar Construction and various projects both completed and underway.

December 2, 2025
Executive Vice President, External Relations & Advocacy
REBNY
zsteinberg@rebny.com

Zach leads advocacy strategies to advance REBNY’s public policy priorities and oversees external relationships and
outreach to policymakers.

NYC Mayoral Election

December 2, 2025
Founder
Thesis Driven
brad@thesisdriven.com

Brad is the founder and editor of Thesis Driven
(www.thesisdriven.com), a publication covering innovation in the built world.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how buildings are designed, financed, and built. From generative design tools that optimize layouts and materials to predictive models that flag cost overruns and schedule delays before they happen, AI is beginning to automate many of development’s most complex tasks. This session will explore practical use cases already emerging in construction and predevelopment—how owners and operators can evaluate vendors, pilot tools, and position their organizations to capture early efficiency gains and strategic advantages.

September 16, 2025
Chief Operating Officer
SM&W LLC
rhaddad@smwllc.com

With expertise spanning planning, design, and project management, Rob has been a key
contributor to SM&W's success since he joined our firm 19 years ago. Rob has been
instrumental in shaping the company's operational strategy, optimizing processes, and driving
cross-functional collaboration among SM&W's global offices.

June 24, 2025
CEO & Founder
NomadWorks
steven@nomadworks.com

Steven Cohen is an agile global CEO and Board Director adept at identifying and capitalizing on market shifts.
Throughout his career, from his education at the UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE (MBA & BA) in
Entrepreneurship, Real Estate & Economics, Corporate Governance, and Strategic Positioning he has achieved
significant growth across three continents.

June 24, 2025
Chief Operating Officer
utiliVisor
timothy.angerame@utilivisor.com

Tim Angerame is the chief operating officer at utiliVisor, the leading tenant submetering and energy plant optimization service.

May 20, 2025
President & CEO
New York Building Congress
carlo@buildingcongress.com

Carlo A. Scissura, Esq. is President & CEO of the New York Building Congress, a position he has held since January 2017.

The New York Building Congress is a broad-based membership association committed to promoting the growth and success of the construction industry in New York City and its environs. The organization – which includes members from across the building community – provides a unique forum to advance an industry-wide agenda focusing on economic and infrastructure investment, job creation, and professional exchange.

February 26, 2025
Owner
Amie Gross Architects
asg@amiegrossarchitects.com

Amie Gross AIA founded Amie Gross Architects in 1984 with the conviction that people of all walks deserve well-crafted architecture. With over forty-five years of multidisciplinary work, Ms. Gross has championed the causes of diversity, community alliance, and direct engagement with urban policy.

February 26, 2025
General Counsel
Time Equities, Inc.
dfeinberg@timeequities.com

David Feinberg is General Counsel at Time Equities Inc. (TEI), and is responsible for overseeing the legal aspects of the various transactions TEI performs.  David is also the Chief Compliance Officer of Time Equities Securities LLC, TEI’s FINRA licensed broker dealer. 

February 25, 2025
Partner
Sheldon Lobel, P.C.
rlobel@sheldonlobelpc.com

In addition to our staff of attorneys who are well practiced in land use law we have non-legal professionals who possess a broad knowledge base in zoning regulations.

February 25, 2025
Senior Managing Director
Savills
wmontana@savills.us

Bill Montana is Senior Managing Director at Savills, a global real estate advisory firm. Since 1988, he has been providing real estate advisory services to major corporations, institutions, and not-for-profit organizations located in the New York metropolitan area and nationally. He and his team structure creative and innovative occupancy solutions that save their clients money.

December 3, 2024
FOUNDER / CEO
DRISCOLL ADVISORS
marietdriscoll@gmail.com

Marie Driscoll, CFA, founder of Driscoll Advisors and co-founder of MDSQUARED, is a leading expert in beauty, fashion, and retail. A four-time Top Retail Expert by RETHINK Retail, she also teaches at multiple institutions and contributes to industry publications.

A Brief Survey of Manhattan Retail Real Estate Trends and Challenges

Manhattan’s retail real estate market is experiencing a dynamic transformation, shaped by evolving consumer behaviors and innovative retail formats. We will explore the key trends driving the robust retail real estate industry in Manhattan:

Emerging Trends

· New retail fundamentals

· Changing consumer lifestyles and demands

· NYC’s flagship mentality driving luxury neighborhood investments

· Rise of experiential retail and multi-use spaces

· Impact of return-to-office mandates

· Resurgence in tourism

Persistent Challenges

· Uneven recovery across local neighborhoods

· Effects of high borrowing costs on investment and profitability

· Ongoing shift to online shopping

Our brief overview will provide insights into the forces shaping Manhattan’s retail landscape, highlighting both the opportunities and obstacles facing the sector. Attendees will gain a nuanced understanding of the current state and prospects of retail real estate in one of the world’s most competitive markets.

December 3, 2024
FOUNDER / CEO
Indigo River
dena@indigoriver.com

As Founder and CEO of Indigo River, Dena Prastos, AIA, is the first "waterfront architect," trailblazing a new category in the industry. Indigo River is a women-owned transdisciplinary design firm focused on progressive waterfront architecture, resiliency, and climate adaptation.

Indigo River is a women-owned transdisciplinary Architecture & Engineering studio focused on Climate Adaptation, Waterfront Infrastructure, and Resiliency. A leading authority in New York Harbor and beyond, the studio specializes in climate adaptation through waterfront solutions that seamlessly transcend boundaries – guiding and executing projects from ideation through final construction and operations.

Services offered – waterfront architecture, marine engineering, climate adaptation, resiliency, etc.

In addition to working with clients like +Pool, Harlem River Greenway, Governor’s Island Trust, Scenic Hudson, and NYC Economic Development, Dena and her team at Indigo River are also working on Robert De Niro’s new Wildflower Studios in Astoria, which is the first vertical film production studio in the world.

September 24, 2024
CEO
Seriatim, Inc.
sonya@seriatim.net

Sonya Weisshappel is the founder and CEO of Seriatim, Inc., a boutique move management and professional organizing firm founded in New York City in 1999.

Getting a space ready for a renovation or even a rental? Do you know what you own? Do you have an inventory? What happens in the in-between when you’re moving to temporary housing or your items are going to storage? What about the items that are being left in the home?

  • Are your appraisals up-to-date?
  • How are your items being dispersed?
  • Are they insured properly?

This is how we are different from a mover:

Seriatim offers comprehensive services beyond just moving your belongings. We ensure that every item is properly cataloged, appraised, and insured, providing peace of mind during transitions. Our expertise in inventory management, administrative support, and coordination with trusted third-party vendors sets us apart, making us the reliable choice for managing your possessions through

June 18, 2024
Director of Marketing
Holon Modular Building Systems

In his role as Director of Marketing for Holon Modular Building Systems at BROAD U.S.A., he guides the company’s market development and communications strategy for the Holon turnkey modular building, a stainless steel-framed volumetric modular building designed to Passive House design principles, and aimed at high-rise multifamily projects.

BROAD Sustainable Building has innovated a stainless steel framed high-rise building concept with a Passive House design to sharply reduce energy consumption. A 26 story, 202 unit residential tower completed in 5 days in January 2024 will be presented.

June 18, 2024
Consultant
Broad USA
Dkarr515@gmail.com

Mr. Karr has enjoyed a long career in commercial real estate with a focus on tenant representation in office and retail leasing, development projects, and asset sales. His main activity now is representing sustainable products for housing and healthy buildings.

Modular construction is a remedy to the long and unpredictable project cycles of site-built buildings. To make a dent in solving the critical housing shortage, the industry must reach industrial scale to supply units quickly. Industrial scalability enables the mass production of modular housing units similar to the production of cars, characterized by the standardization of a turnkey product: Large-scale, streamlined production, and investment in automated production.

May 21, 2024
Founder and IAQ Executive
info@air-plus.com

An industry thought leader and influencer known for developing and introducing game-changing new products and solutions, Lawrence Sunshine possesses 30 years of experience as an engineer and senior executive in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) sectors.

An industry thought leader and influencer known for developing and introducing game-changing new products and solutions, Lawrence Sunshine possesses 30 years of experience as an engineer and senior executive in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) sectors.

As Founder and President of Air+, he overseas their expansion into the North American IAQ market while advancing the company’s global business development strategy. He is also leading the company’s innovative product development advances and expanding his patent portfolio. He also developed and recently launched the AirCalcs+TM 1.0 software platform, a web-based program that calculates and compares contaminant levels using both ASHRAE’s Ventilation Rate Method and IAQ Procedure in reducing outside air intake. AirCalcs+TM enables owners and engineers to reduce first costs, enhance building energy efficiency, and improve IAQ.

May 21, 2024
Entrepreneur, Speaker
Work Better Now

Rob Levin is a serial entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience helping small and midsize businesses (SMBs) run their businesses better. In 2018, he co-founded WorkBetterNow (WBN), a game-changing venture that provides US-based SMBs with exceptional talent from Latin America.

Rethinking Talent: The Updated Playbook for Today’s Workforce

  • Not enough qualified applicants to fill SMBs’ job openings
  • The impact of declining productivity on SMBs
  • The new rules for attracting and retaining talent
  • New options and best practices for hiring, integrating, and managing remote talent
  • Why AI and automation are no longer an option

 

Every Business Owner Should Have an Assistant

  • Understanding the critical importance of focusing on high-value work
  • Realizing the true cost of spending time doing administrative work
  • Thinking strategically about delegation
  • Key considerations for hiring an assistant

 

February 27, 2024
Partner
Rosenberg & Estis, P.C.
alindenbaum@rosenbergestis.com

Upcoming Presentation Highlights:

Highlights of HSTPA of 2019

RSC Amendments of 2023

Status of Regina Correction Bill / HSTPA Cleanup Bill (Currently Passed Assembly and Senate; not yet presented to Governor for signature)

Status of Rent Stabilization Challenge to U.S. Supreme Court (Application for Certiorari pending)

Presentation Highlights

  • Highlights of HSTPA of 2019
  • RSC Amendments of 2023
  • HSTPA Cleanup Bill (2023/2024 – Pending)
  • State and NYC Cannabis Laws
  • NYC Short Term Rental Laws
February 27, 2024
Founder & CEO
Brand Groupies
carey@brandgroupies.com

With over 25 years of experience in brand development and management, public relations, social media, marketing, and special events, Carey Balogh is a visionary entrepreneur who delivers exceptional experiences for clients in architecture, design, construction, engineering, real estate, education, and professional services.

  • Value of Podcasting and Social Media to Elevate Your Executive Visibility
  • Identifying Your Brand Pillars
  • Amplify Your Personal Brand with a Podcast Media Tour
  • Benefits of Launching a Podcast
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