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Alumni Association

News and events:

  • See Upcoming Events Below!
  • March 26, 2026 5:30 PM
    The Auld Fella - Culver City | 9375 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

Upcoming events

    • March 18, 2026
    • 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
    • Anchin - 3 Times Sq 25th Floor, New York, NY 10036
    • 27
    Register

    New leadership at City Hall brings new policies, priorities, and uncertainties. What will it mean for development, housing, capital flows, and the future of New York City real estate?

    Join BREAA NYC for a fast-paced panel featuring senior industry leaders who are actively shaping projects across the city. This conversation will go beyond headlines to examine what’s actually changing on the ground — and what it means for investors, developers, operators, and housing providers.

    This event is generously hosted by Anchin and sponsored by Wexler & Kaufman, PLLC and Empire National Title Agency.

    Moderator:

    Robert Gilman, CPA, CGMA

    Partner & Leader of Anchin's Real Estate Group


    Panelists:

    Helen Hwang

    Senior Executive Managing Director, Meridian Investment Sales


    Simon Kawitzky

    Senior Vice President of Real Estate, Volunteers of America Greater New York


    Laszlo Syrop

    Principal & Head of Acquisitions, Hudson Companies


    John Valladares

    Managing Director, Affordable — Slate Property Group


    Evening Schedule:

    5:30 PM — Registration & Networking

    6:00 PM — Panel Discussion

    7:00 PM — Audience Q&A

    7:30 PM — Networking Reception

    8:00 PM — Program Concludes


    Connect with fellow real estate professionals, alumni, and decision-makers for an evening of insight and meaningful networking in an intimate setting. Light refreshments will be provided.

    Space is limited. Advance registration required.

    BREAA

    ANCHIN




    Wexler & Kaufman

    Empire National Title





    Bios:

    Robert Gilman, CPA, CGMA - Partner and Leader of Anchin's Real Estate Group

    Robert Gilman, CPA, CGMA, is a Partner and Leader of Anchin’s Real Estate Group. He has more than 35 years of experience serving real estate owners, developers, and operators in commercial and residential spaces. He advises on day-to-day operations, tax saving opportunities, and transactional support that includes due diligence on the acquisition and disposition of real estate. His experience also extends to reviewing and analyzing operating agreements and assisting with client investor relations for both domestic and international investors.

    Rob consults on constantly changing compliance, accounting, and tax issues and advises clients on financial and estate planning, budgeting, tax planning, and cash flow strategies. Additionally, since many of his clients’ projects are built from the ground up and require intensive reviews of construction and ancillary costs, he is well placed to advise on financial planning for ground up builds.

    Rob is consistently named as an award winner by respected industry publications including Crain’s New York’s Most Notable in Real Estate for 2022 and 2021, Long Island Business News – Business and Finance Award for 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021, Long Island Business News –

    Lifetime Achievement Award for 2024, Real Estate Power Player by Long Island Press in 2023 and Globe St.’s CRE Best Bosses for 2022 & 2021. Considered an industry thought leader, he is also frequently quoted by various publications including Commercial Observer, The Real Deal, Globe St., and the Wall Street Journal.

    Rob is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) and the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY)

    Helen Hwang - Senior Executive Managing Director, Meridian Investment Sales, LLC

    Helen Hwang is the Head of Institutional Investment Sales at Meridian Capital Group. Ms. Hwang has executed over 100 institutional sales, recapitalization, ground lease, and joint venture transactions exceeding $30 billion in value. Prior to joining Meridian, Ms. Hwang spent 16 years at Cushman & Wakefield as an Executive Vice President, where she worked on several unprecedented complex assignments, including 1865 Broadway, 22 River Terrace, 101 Murray Street, One Court Square, 510 Madison Avenue, 511 Fifth Avenue, the MetLife Building at 200 Park Avenue, 666 Fifth Avenue, the portfolio sale of Park Avenue and 850 Third Avenue, and the ground leases under 625 Madison Avenue, 2 Herald Square and 75 Rockefeller Center. For the sale of 88 Leonard Street, Ms. Hwang was honored with the Real Estate Board of New York’s highest achievement, the 2012 Most Ingenious Sales Deal of the Year (Robert T. Lawrence Memorial Award). Ms. Hwang was awarded the Top Broker of the Year by Real Estate Forum Magazine, a leading trade publication, and won CoStar’s prestigious Power Broker of the Year award from 2010 through 2014. The Asian American Business Development Center named her one of the 50 Outstanding Asian Americans in Business in 2011.

    Simon Kawitzky - Senior Vice President of Real Estate, 

    Volunteers of America-Greater New York (VOA-GNY)

    Simon Kawitzky is Senior Vice President of Real Estate at Volunteers of America-Greater New York (VOA-GNY), a leading housing and homeless services provider. Prior to joining VOA-GNY, Simon served as Vice President at the NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA), where he was responsible for advancing public-private partnerships to rehabilitate and rebuild public housing communities. Previously, he was an Assistant Commissioner at the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), where he directed comprehensive neighborhood housing plans and redevelopment projects.

    Simon began his career in housing development and urban planning at Jonathan Rose Companies. He holds a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Pratt Institute and a bachelor’s degree from Vassar College. In 2022, he received the Ibo Balton Community Planner Award from the Citizens Housing and Planning Council in recognition of his leadership embedding new community planning processes into NYCHA’s real estate work.

    Laszlo Syrop - Principal & Head of Acquisitions, Hudson Companies

    Laszlo’s passion for real estate development stems from his deep appreciation of urban life and lifelong pursuit of multi-disciplinary challenges. His diverse professional background – which has included private equity investing as well as roles in business strategy and operations – informs his work evaluating new acquisitions and opportunities for Hudson. Laszlo received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Brown University and his Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.


    John Valladares - Managing Director, Affordable Slate Property Group

    John joined Slate in 2018 and serves as a Managing Director of Development and Affordable at Slate Property Group. John oversees Slate’s affordable, supportive and homeless housing initiatives. He also manages many of the company’s projects involving land use actions and in particular, rezoning. Prior to Slate, John was at BFC Partners and was responsible for the rezoning of the Bedford Union Armory in Crown Heights and oversaw the successful submission to NYCHA’s next Generation Ingersoll RFP. John spent 10 years in the commercial real estate banking industry with Bank of America and TD Bank in multiple roles including Underwriter, Loan Workout Officer, and Relationship Management. He began his career at Columbia University as the Assistant Director of Campus Planning during their Manhattanville expansion. John received a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies and a Master of Real Estate Development from Columbia University.

    • March 21, 2026
    • 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
    • 1320 Egbert Ave., San Francisco
    Register

    Come join your fellow bears for a day of service and giving back! Habitat for Humanity is hosting BREAA in San Francisco at the Habitat Warehouse to help prepare a playhouse. Volunteers will be unloading and storing large lumber deliveries, painting pre-cut wood pieces and light woodworking although this may be subject to change.

    Once you sign up for the event, you will receive information via email on how to register through the Habitat for Humanity portal. If you are interested in bringing a guest, please email us at info.berkeleyrealestate.org.

    Please sign up for one shift only!

    PRIOR TO THE EVENT:

    • Please make sure that your participants complete their registration and waiver before the event. The system will not allow them to sign up for volunteer opportunity unless all the waiver requirement is met. They will need to allow about 5 minutes to complete this process. Minors will need to have their guardians sign their waiver. Please note that their names will not appear in your roster until their entire waiver is complete. Our minimum age is 16.
    • We will track your team sign ups but if you monitor their progress through your own account portal, you will know who needs follow up.
    • Please provide us with the name and contact information of the day-of-event lead

    DAY OF EVENT:

    • Check in for the event will begin at 15 minutes before your start. 
    • Please plan to bring water and your preferred snacks for your group.
    • Scope of work can include unloading and storing large lumber deliveries, painting pre-cut wood pieces and light woodworking.
    • Limited neighborhood parking is available so please allow extra time to find parking if you choose to drive.  Here is our address: 1320 Egbert Ave., San Francisco

    SAFETY AND BEHAVIOR:

    • Volunteers need to attend the safety talk at the beginning of the activity.  Any volunteers who miss this part of the schedule will be limited to painting. Unfortunately, volunteers not on the roster will be turned away for safety and liability reasons.
    • Volunteers come with varying levels of knowledge about construction.  While we appreciate feedback and welcome expertise, please offer suggestions in a respectful manner to enhance the event’s collegial atmosphere.
    • Alcoholic beverages are not allowed at the build site.  If this is included in your activity, please limit it to after the build, off site.
    • Make sure to wear protective attire including pants and close-toed shoes.  If you’re working in the warehouse, please bring an extra layer of clothing as it may be chilly. Since the activity involves paint, expect to get some on your clothes. We also suggest that volunteers bring a water bottle.

    MORNING SCHEDULE:

    TIME

    ACTIVITY

    8:45-9:00 AM

    Volunteer Check In

    9:00 AM

    Welcome/Habitat 101 and Safety Talk and Instructions

    9:15 AM

    Work starts

    12:00 PM

    Work ends and closing session

    **LUNCH BREAK** 12:00pm - 12:45pm

    AFTERNOON SCHEDULE:

    TIME

    ACTIVITY

    12:45-1 PM

    Volunteer Check In

    1:00 PM

    Welcome/Habitat 101 and Safety Talk and Instructions

    1:15 PM

    Work starts

    4:00 PM

    Work ends and closing session

    • March 25, 2026
    • 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    • 72 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012
    • 22
    Register

    RESCHEDULED:  BREAA NYC is pleased to invite you to an exclusive private tour of 72 Spring Street, a remarkable 12-story loft office building located in the heart of SoHo.

    The Lee & Associate team will highlight the building's landmarked architecture design, the incredible history and transformation from its original manufacturing use, the landlord's business plan, and the successful leasing strategy to attract top AI, tech, and fashion tenants.

    The experience will culminate on the newly completed 11,500 SF prebuilt floor, followed by networking with fellow BREAA members and real estate professionals! We will then continue the conversation with cocktails at a nearby speakeasy.

    Registration is limited to 20 attendees, so we encourage you to reserve your spot early!

    Date:  Wednesday, March 25th 

    Location:  Meet in the lobby of 72 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012

    Time:

    5:00pm - 5:45pm: Property tour and discussion

    5:45pm - 7:00pm: Networking and cocktails at Rocco's Sports & Rec. (1 W. 3rd Street)


    Justin Myers is a fellow Cal grad and an Executive Managing Director and Principal at Lee & Associates’ New York office, specializing in commercial office leasing. He has completed 400+ transactions, represented leading NYC tenants including Dentsu and HelloFresh, and was a 2024 CoStar Power Broker. Prior to real estate, he played professional soccer in the English Premier League and Major League Soccer.


    The Event is generously sponsored by Lee & Associates


    72 Spring St, New York, NY for lease - Primary Photo - Image 1 of 5



    • March 26, 2026
    • 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
    • The Auld Fella - Culver City | 9375 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
    Register


    BREAA LA invites Berkeley real estate alumni to join us for the first 2026 happy hour at The Auld Fellas in Culver City.

    We’ll also be hosting 15 students from Berkeley’s Master of Real Estate Development + Design (MRED+D) program, who will be visiting Los Angeles on March 26th as part of their program.

    Come connect with fellow alumni, enjoy a drink, and help welcome the next generation of Berkeley real estate leaders to LA.

    • April 16, 2026
    • 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • Cushman & Wakefield | One Paseo, 12830 El Camino Real Ste. 100, San Diego, CA 92130
    Register

    Cushman Wakefield Offices

    Gary London will deliver a "State of the Market" presentation covering key economic trends and their impact on the local economy and real estate market. The talk will also highlight major development projects and important land use issues, including initiatives aimed at increasing housing supply by eliminating minimum lot size requirements.

    Program Schedule:
    • 6:00pm-6:30pm | Networking
    • 6:30pm-7:15pm | Panel
    • 7:15pm-7:30pm | Q&A
    • 7:30pm-8:00pm | Networking

    __________________________________________________


    Gary London Headshot
    Gary London is widely regarded as one of the nation’s foremost real estate advisors to many of the nation’s largest developers, investors, lenders and real estate asset managers and owners, Mr. London has been at the forefront in understanding and describing the many demographic, technological and societal changes which are transforming our cities and regions.

    In practice as an analyst and strategic advisor for six decades, he has a reputation as a prescient, forward thinker who translates opportunities (or problems) into profits.

    Mr. London is a Partner of London Moeder Advisors, a diversified real estate strategic advisory, development management, investment, capital access and analysis firm whose clients include investors, developers, lenders and public agencies. He is also considered to be one of the most experienced and effective expert witnesses in real estate litigation involving issues about valuation, damages, best practices and market analysis.

    Mr. London is an Instructor at The Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate, University of San Diego. He formerly was a Professor at Arizona State University’s graduate program in real estate development (MRED). He had taught at the University of California, San Diego Extension for 24 years. Previously, he was West Region Director of Real Estate Consulting for Price Waterhouse and Executive Director of The Goodkin Group. He is a graduate of U.C. Berkeley and received his Master’s degree from San Diego State University.

    A “Distinguished Toastmaster” in Toastmasters International, Mr. London speaks regularly to industry and business organizations, frequently writes and is often quoted in the national and Southern California media, and is a columnist for the San Diego Business Journal. He is also featured in the San Diego Union Tribune’s weekly “EconoMeter” sharing his views on the great economic issues of our time.

    He was featured on CBS Evening News “Eye On America” for his commentary on the real estate market, and has also testified before the House of Representatives Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs. In 1995 he was featured in the San Diego Business Journal’s “Who’s Who In San Diego”; and was honored as “Member Of The Year” in 1996 from the San Diego Land Economics Society (Lambda Alpha International). In 2016 he was honored as one of the top 100 Most Influential persons San Diego by the San Diego Daily Transcript.

    A special THANK YOU to Cushman Wakefield for sponsoring and sharing their offices to host this exclusive event!

    Cushman Wakefield Logo

    • April 23, 2026
    • 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
    • Tessera | 1069 W. Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles
    • 39
    Register


    Join BREAA LA for an exclusive tour of Tessera, a newly completed ground up student housing development near the University of Southern California, developed by fellow UC Berkeley alums, Mosaic Investment Partners. This tour offers a behind the scenes look at the firm’s first ground up project and a compelling case study in urban infill, transit oriented development, and capital execution in a competitive student housing market.

    After the tour, join us and our amazing partners, George Alva and Carlos Delherra, from Mosaic for a happy hour on the Tessera Rooftop watching the sunset! You do not want to miss this exclusive opportunity!


    About Tessera
    Located at 1069 W. Exposition Boulevard, Tessera is a seven story, approximately 75,000 square foot community comprising 53 units and roughly 260 beds. Positioned less than half a block from USC and directly across from the Expo Vermont Metro station, the site offers rare proximity to campus combined with regional light rail connectivity. The location places the project at the intersection of student demand, transit access, and long term neighborhood growth adjacent to Exposition Park and the LA Memorial Coliseum.

    Designed by SVA Architects, Tessera balances contemporary architecture with a highly amenitized program tailored to today’s student renter. The project includes over 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenity space, highlighted by a rooftop pool deck with skyline views, fire pits, outdoor dining areas, study lounges, fitness center, and multiple social gathering spaces. The unit mix ranges from studios to four bedroom layouts, delivered fully furnished and designed for efficient shared living without sacrificing finish quality.

    The tour will include a walkthrough of model units and amenity spaces, along with discussion around site acquisition, entitlement considerations, design decisions, capital stack structure, and execution challenges specific to the USC submarket. This is an opportunity to engage directly with the development story and connect with fellow Berkeley alumni active in real estate across Los Angeles.


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