NY Workplace of the Future

Paul is a co-Founder and co-Chief Executive Officer of Taconic Partners who is known for his vision and integrity as an owner, developer and operator of innovative commercial and residential real estate. Paul and his partner Charlie Bendit are directly involved in all aspects of Taconic’s business, and have successfully directed the acquisition, repositioning, and/or redevelopment of key properties in both established and emerging markets. Prior to co-founding Taconic in 1997, Paul was president and Chief Executive Officer of Balfour Holdings, a national investment and development company focused on the acquisition and redevelopment of master planned communities. Balfour Holdings was ultimately sold to Blackstone. Paul has been immersed in the real estate industry since 1978, when he joined Jones Lang Wootton as one of the firm’s first employees in the United States, and where he first met business partner Charlie Bendit. During his tenure at JLW, Paul was named a co-managing partner of its nationwide operations. Paul is currently a member of the Board of Governors of the Real Estate Board of New York, the Advisory Board of New York University’s Schack Institute of Real Estate, the Advisory Board of the Columbia Business School Real Estate Program and its affiliated Real Estate Forum. Paul is also passionate about the arts, serving on the National Council of The Arts and Sciences School at Washington University in St. Louis and the Board of Trustees of the Aspen Art Museum. Paul is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, and earned a Master of Business Administration from Columbia Business School.

Alireza (Ali) Esmaeilzadeh leads Brookfield’s residential and commercial development business for the NY and Boston regions. Prior to his current role, he was responsible for the asset management and leasing of a 6 million square foot Class A New York commercial portfolio, including the New York Times building and the Tata Innovation Center at CornellTech. Prior to joining Brookfield Properties, Mr. Esmaeilzadeh headed the NYC offices of Forest City Enterprises and previous to that, he was a banker in the investment banking division of Scotiabank in Toronto, Ontario. Mr. Esmaeilzadeh received his MBA from the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, and graduated with honors from Queen’s University, in Ontario, Canada. Mr. Esmaeilzadeh proudly serves on the Brooklyn Hospital’s Board of Trustees, as well as the boards of Brooklyn Horizons, Greenpoint Manufacturing Design Center, and The Acting Company. Mr. Esmaeilzadeh is the Chairman of the MetroTech Business Improvement District; board member and secretary of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership; board member of the Times Square Alliance and Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.

Maggie Burns is VP of Real Estate at Breather, where she leads strategy and execution for the supply side of Breather's global network of beautiful work spaces. Previously, she served as the Director of Strategic Accounts at VTS, the commercial real estate industry's top leasing analytics platform. Prior to VTS, Maggie served as Chief Investment Officer of a speciality finance firm focused on distressed real estate, and as Credit Trader at Serengeti Asset Management, a global multi-strategy hedge fund.

Mr. Cayten is a Principal at CodeGreen Solutions, a leading sustainability and energy efficiency consulting firm based in New York City. CodeGreen is currently helping over 250 million square feet of commercial property nationwide to reduce energy use, lower operating expenses and improve environmental performance. CodeGreen has helped over 45 million square feet of property achieve LEED certification and over 130 million square feet of property comply with New York City’s Greener Greater Buildings laws. CodeGreen is working on some of the most exciting green building projects in New York City, including 425 Park Avenue, and is working with the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability to create a roadmap to reducing the city’s carbon footprint by 80% by 2050 - shaping the future of buildings across the city. Mr. Cayten holds a master’s degree from the Yale School of Architecture and is a frequent speaker on sustainability and energy efficiency, addressing events hosted by BOMA, NYC DOB, NAIOP, Urban Green Council, GRI and BuildingsNY. He is an active member of Urban Green, and serves on the sustainability committees of BOMA-NY and REBNY as well as the boards of the Urban Air Foundation and ScaleAfrica.

Robert Gilman, CPA, CGMA, is an accounting and audit partner at Anchin and Co-Practice Leader of the Firm's Real Estate Industry Group. His practice covers a wide range of services for his clients who are mainly involved in the commercial, residential and development of real estate. These services include due diligence on acquisitions, tax structuring on deals, securing financing, and assisting with client investor relations for both domestic and international investors. Rob also advises clients with financial and estate planning, budgeting, tax planning, and cash flow strategies. 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). He is involved with a number of Real Estate industry organizations and is actively involved with the Long Island Chapter of the March of Dimes, which he was recently honored for.

As Global Vice President, Real Estate and Facilities at Bacardi, the largest privately held spirits company in the world, Louise is responsible for strategic planning, transaction and asset management of the family-owned company’s real estate portfolio of 150-plus locations. Her role includes the coordination and oversight of multi-disciplinary teams of brokers, architects, engineers, and project managers for the development of new offices and manufacturing sites around the globe for the iconic Bacardi portfolio of more than 200 brands and labels. Prior to joining Bacardi in November 2014, Louise was Vice President of Global Real Estate and Facilities at Avon. Similar to her role at Bacardi she was responsible for Avon’s global real estate portfolio. She was also the “green building” guru, leading the company’s efforts to design and build sustainable environments for new office and distribution facilities globally. Prior to joining Avon in 2004, she was Director of Corporate Real Estate for Colgate-Palmolive Company responsible for developing and implementing plans for their real estate assets. Before joining Colgate, she was a Principal of the Praedium Group, a real estate advisory firm. Before she transitioned to real estate, she was a project engineer for EBASCO, an engineering and construction services company. She was awarded the New York Women’s Agenda “Galaxy Star,” was named one of Real Estate Weekly’s “Women Real Estate Leader for the 21st Century” and received a ‘Women of Outstanding Achievement Award for Corporate Real Estate” from the Association of Real Estate Women. On a volunteer level, Louise is a past president of the Association of Real Estate Women (AREW) and a former program chair of CoreNet Global, a global corporate real estate industry association. She has been also been a board member of Habitat for Humanity and the Jersey City Museum. Louise has a BS in Civil Engineering from Bucknell University.

David Leventhal is one of the founding partners of PLP Architecture. David has contributed to the design of award winning buildings and urban design projects worldwide. He is renowned for being at the forefront of innovative architectural design, whilst being a leading voice in the debate about the direction of modern architecture in the city today. Over twenty years David has led successful projects in the UK, Europe, US, China and the Middle East. David’s work is predicated on an engaged architecture that continually reimagines our contemporary reality in order to project new and sometimes unexpected scenarios that enable people to make better and more fulfilling connections to each other, their communities and their environments. PLP Architecture has created some of the world's smartest buildings, which redefine what it means to live and work in today’s cities. Recently completed projects include The Edge in Amsterdam, which has been recognized internationally as "the smartest and most sustainable building in the world"; The Francis Crick Institute, Europe’s largest biomedical research institute, housing more than a thousand scientists from different disciplines next to King’s Cross Station; and the new headquarters of leading broadcasting company Sky in West London, offering an interactive production hub to 3,700 creatives. Current projects include The Collective Old Oak - the world’s largest co-living space; The Collective Stratford - London’s first micro apartment building; Nova Victoria - the largest planning consent in Westminster and the urban regeneration of Old Oak Park – a new district which will deliver 7,000 new homes for London.

Wayne D’Amico, CCIM, works directly with the CEO on Xceligent’s growth nationally into remaining Top 10 U.S. markets with focus on New York City and Northeast. D’Amico is responsible to establish and maintain strategic industry relationships that enhance the brand, expand adoption and product offerings. Prior to Xceligent, D’Amico has been engaged in diversified services in nearly a billion dollars of commercial and investment real estate projects in the areas of strategic and valuation consulting, transactional brokerage and creative financing to a national clientele since 1987. D’Amico is a Past President & Chairman of the CCIM Institute with over 20 years of leadership and service to commercial real estate profession. In 1988, D’Amico received the “Diploma in Real Estate” from NYU’s Real Estate Institute and a Bachelor of Arts in Real Estate & Finance from New York University in 1989.

Peter Scialla is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Delos. Peter is responsible for executing on the strategic vision and global operations of the company with a focus on advancing the mission to drive positive health outcomes for occupants of indoor spaces around the world. He leads the commercialization of platforms and solutions that improve indoor environmental quality and enhance human health and well-being. Prior to joining Delos, Peter had an expansive career on Wall Street spanning over 18 years, including as a Partner for Goldman Sachs where he led U.S. Equity Derivatives Trading. During his eight years at Goldman Sachs, Peter worked closely with leadership in distribution, investment banking, private wealth, and capital markets with an emphasis on both institutional trading and structured corporate repurchase. Peter also spent seven years at Morgan Stanley as Head of Single Stock Derivatives Trading. Peter regularly speaks at industry events and contributes informative content across multiple channels to share scientific research, trends and advancements in wellness real estate, and to help advance the healthy buildings movement. He is a graduate of New York University with degrees in Finance and International Business.

Laura Jamer is based out of New York City and covers North America, the Middle East and Europe in her role as Director of Global Partnerships with DIRTT Environmental Solutions. DIRTT, which stands for Doing It Right This Time, is a clean tech construction company that uses video game technology to build flexible interior construction rapidly, cost effectively and sustainably— Think construction for the 21st century. Laura and her team are responsible for more than 700 stakeholders, across 9 countries and 105 companies; generating nearly $270M in annual revenue. Last year, in the United States alone, construction and demolition waste accounted for nearly 532 million tons of entirely avoidable landfill contributions— That’s roughly twice the estimated weight of the entire populated island of Manhattan. By challenging the commonplace acceptance of today's construction process, Ms. Jamer, an international speaker and industry thought leader, advocates for shifting today's sustainable construction paradigm away from a model riddled with 100-year-old technologies and the inherent waste produced in the process. Recent speaking engagements include Thin Air Festival (Park City, UT), Arab Health Congress (Dubai, UAE), The Anchin Construction and Development Forum (NYC, NY), The Art, Science and Bottom Line of Innovative Designs & Technologies (NYC, NY), The Office of the Future Summit (NYC, NY) and Smart Buildings, Smart Spaces, Smart Cities (NYC, NY), Are We Future Proof? A Frank Look at Alberta’s Aging Infrastructure (Edmonton, AB)

With over 20 years of experience in interior design, Jacqueline Barr has established a reputation for creating dynamic environments for a wide selection of corporate, financial, legal, and retail clients throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. As Design Principal, Jacqueline is responsible for the design direction of all of Ted Moudis Associates’ projects and provides overall creative direction for the design team. Her experience in workplace design, combined with a strong background in planning and trend awareness and practices, assures that Ted Moudis Associates obtains the most innovative and practical results for clients and creates spaces that surpass their expectations. Her passion for the world of design is instantly evident by walking through the three-dimensional solutions she enables. This passion is a big part of the reason why she is able to build such strong bonds with not only her clients, but her design team as well. Her natural ability to mentor, train & mold others’ passions, has led to an incredibly strong creative team. Jacqueline also works closely with the firm’s Strategy Team to apply strategic and creative workplace solutions that proactively challenge the status quo and provide clients with greater choice in where and how to work.

Jon has been with Humanscale since 1996, and has enjoyed being a part of Humanscale’s progression to an industry leader in people, productivity and workstation functionality. In his 20 years with Humanscale, Jon has served as Canadian Sales Director and North American Director of A&D. Jon is currently the Director of Workplace Strategy, a role that has him deeply involved in the design industry to better understand industry trends, salient conversations and inspiring stories. Jon’s role is to work harder to ensure that the Humanscale brand remains top of mind and relevant. Jon has had articles published in Contract magazine, Loft Life and Design at Work. A LEED Accredited Professional since 2007, Jon is passionate about understanding the role Humanscale can play in the Net Positive Movement, where we don’t just take less from the environment, but rather create healthy and restorative places to work and live. Jon has been a speaker at a number of conferences, most recently the Central Pennsylvania GreenCon and the Delaware Valley Green Council Sustainability Symposium.

Mitti Liebersohn is President and Managing Director of Avison Young’s New York City office. In his current role, Liebersohn is responsible for business development, recruiting, growing revenue and building strategic industry relationships to elevate Avison Young’s position in the New York City marketplace. Under his watch Avison Young has grown the office from 70 to almost 100 professionals and has been appointed leasing agent for 211 East 43rd street, 120 West 45th Street and 530 Fifth Avenue. Recognized nationally as one of the commercial real estate industry’s most accomplished professionals, Liebersohn has more than 35 years of experience representing many of the nation’s premier corporations in transactions totaling in excess of 25 million square feet. In his role as President & Managing Director, Liebersohn is responsible for business development, growing revenue and building strategic industry relationships to elevate Avison Young’s position in the New York City marketplace. Prior to joining Avison Young, Liebersohn served as Vice Chairman at Jones Lang LaSalle, where he oversaw numerous national account portfolios. Before joining Jones Lang LaSalle in 2011, Liebersohn served as a Vice Chairman at Cushman & Wakefield, where he was named one of the company’s top 20 brokers internationally for 15 consecutive years. Throughout his career, he has been instrumental in assisting many of the nation’s premier corporations in negotiating complex leasing transactions, and has demonstrated an expertise in the development and implementation of portfolio leasing strategies. Among the prestigious companies he has represented are New York Life Insurance, Forbes Media, AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company, Deloitte LLP, Playboy Enterprises, JetBlue Airways, Barr Labs and Watson Pharmaceutical. In addition, he has assisted in the leasing of numerous major Manhattan office buildings, including 100 Park Avenue, 475 Lexington Avenue, 575 Lexington Avenue, 600 Lexington Avenue, 237 Park Avenue, 400 Park Avenue, 10 East 53rd Street, 3 Columbus Circle, 440 Ninth Avenue and 485 Lexington Avenue. Liebersohn is actively involved in numerous charitable organizations and is proud to be a member of the Chairman’s Council of the Make a Wish Foundation, The Board of Special Olympics, the Anti-Defamation League, the Comfort Zone and the Museum of Jewish Heritage.

Roxana Q. Girand has been a Real Estate professional in the New York City Real Estate market for more than 17 years. In 1997, Ms. Girand was in charge of the leasing department at Citi Habitats, managing over 40 full time brokers. In 1999 she was recruited by Teligent to manage their Northeast Real Estate Leasing and Investment Sales department. She was responsible for the acquisition of over 30 properties in New York and Boston. When the project was completed, Ms. Girand joined Murray Hill Properties (“MHP”). While at MHP, Ms. Girand represented owners of major office buildings and prominent tenants in leasing, management, and investment sales as well as disposition and acquisition of office space. In 2006, Ms. Girand was the first female broker who became a Partner at MHP. During her career at the firm, Roxana Q. Girand was the number one producer for every consecutive year. In June of 2016, Ms. Girand opened doors to Sebastian Capital Inc, an Innovate Boutique Real Estate Firm that specializes in Latin American families with real estate assets in the US market, which Ms. Girand founded in 2001. Sebastian Capital offers a custom, diverse platform of services merging traditional commercial real estate in sectors such as acquisitions, leasing, management and sales with access to growth capital. This hybrid model of commercial brokerage with mortgage capabilities makes the firm much nimbler in its approach to commercial real estate in New York City and across the country. Today, Sebastian Capital has under management over 3.5M square feet of Commercial and Residential Real Estate in New York City, New Jersey and Westchester. Through Sebastian Capital, Ms. Girand’s vision is to revitalize the industry with a more personalized and hands on business approach to variety of investors and Off Shore Latin American Families that would not necessarily want to have a presence in the US. This, together with fresh marketing strategies, technological advances, and a big utilization of social media, is enabling change in the way Real Estate is done. Some of Roxana Q. Girand’s blue-chip clients list includes: Banco Inbursa, El Universal of Venezuela family office, Lloyd Goldman’s BLDG management, Flexis Capital, The Lightstone Group, Corigin Real Estate among many others. Ms. Girand has been chosen as a leader in the industry by the New York Real Estate Journal since 2012, as they honored “Women in Real Estate”. She was also named one of the “Top Women in Real Estate” by Sokol Media in 2014. Born in New York and raised in Colombia and Spain, Roxana is fluent in Spanish and English, and conversant in Italian and Portuguese. With a JD in International Law from Bogotá, Colombia, Ms. Girand has specialized in assisting clients from Latin America and Europe in their expansion and investment strategy for her entire career. She has also been involved with the international and local private equity markets, hedge funds, and the institutional investment advisory industry, working closely with New York based, Bermudian and Cayman Fund Managers. She has been a key liaison in the raise up of over $250M of an Opportunity Real Estate Fund. Her perseverance, resourcefulness, extreme attention to detail, and creativity are her hallmark, and they have proven to be the basis of her successful career. Her ultimate dedication and personalized service to her customers is what ultimately differentiates her from her colleagues. Roxana Q. Girand is an active member of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) and the Young Men’s | Women’s Real Estate Association of New York (YMWREA.) and also a variety of charitable organizations, such as Pies Descalzos, which ensures education to less fortunate children in Colombia. Roxana, lives with her 2 children in the Upper East Side in Manhattan. “I am dedicated to providing my clients with the highest, most honest level of service”