National Multifamily Property Management Digital Event

Michael Israel, based in Chicago, is a prominent entrepreneur and innovation leader with deep expertise in the technology and real estate sectors. Over the past decade, Michael Israel has been at the forefront of launching and scaling disruptive startups, driving success in both software and hardware industries. His ability to innovate has made him a sought-after figure in the venture capital-backed startup community. Currently, Michael Israel holds the position of Chief Innovation Officer at Shapack Partners, a role that underscores his leadership in Chicago’s dynamic real estate market. In addition, he runs DISRVPT VENTURES, an independent consulting firm serving top-tier clients such as LG Group, Kiferbaum Development, Finalyze Capital, Mode Mobile, and Mark Cuban Companies. Michael Israel’s influence extends across various sectors, reinforcing his status as a key player in the Chicago innovation scene.

Kelly Sewell Nagel is the head of residentials for EDENS, a leading national owner, developer, and steward of more than 100 open-air retail and mixed-use places in high- growth markets coast to coast. Prior to joining EDENS, Kelly was the founder and managing partner of Residy, a multifamily investment management platform, and was responsible for acquisitions and asset management of the venture’s investment portfolio. She has broad experience in multifamily operations, development, and investments in both publicly traded REITs and privately held firms and has developed and asset managed thousands of apartment units. Before founding Residy, she built and oversaw the multifamily platform and portfolio for a Philadelphia-based real estate private equity fund manager, managing acquisitions, dispositions, financings, redevelopment and capital expenditures, asset and property management. She served as a regional vice president at AIMCO Apartment Homes, one of the country's largest owners and operators of apartments, with 125 communities in 17 states, where she was responsible for the company’s east coast investments including acquisitions, developments, redevelopments, and construction. Ms. Nagel led development and asset management teams for over $1.5 billion of multifamily and mixed-use projects throughout the US. She also provided direction and strategic oversight in key functional areas of operations, marketing, long-range planning, and property management for over 5,700 apartments. Ms. Nagel has held senior positions at AvalonBay Communities and Archstone where she led development teams for over $600 million of multifamily and mixed-use projects. She started her commercial real estate career at Regency Centers, a leading national retail REIT, where she was responsible for the financial underwriting of acquisitions and developments for multiple markets. Prior to commercial real estate, Kelly was a senior program manager for the Defense Intelligence Agency and served as a consultant with Accenture. She has been an active member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) since 2009, recently serving as a Global Governing Trustee and she is a past chair of the Americas Women’s Leadership Initiative. Kelly is also on the leadership team of the Urban Development and Mixed Use (UDMUC) Bronze Product Council. She holds an MBA from Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, and a BS in Business Administration & Accounting from Washington & Lee University, where she sits on the advisory board for UNC’s Leonard Wood Center for Real Estate Studies (executive committee and chair of the nominating and governance committee), and currently chairs the board of advisors for the W&L Williams School of Commerce. She is a Girl Scout leader and a board member of Good Shepherd Housing, a nonprofit providing affordable housing and ancillary services in Fairfax County, VA. Kelly also serves as an adjunct professor and executive in residence for the Steers Center for Global Real Estate at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. Kelly resides in McLean, VA, with her three children.

Lela Cirjakovic is the Managing Director at JLL, leading the firm's national multifamily property management platform. With nearly 30 years of experience in real estate asset management, Lela brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. Since joining JLL in 2022, she has played a vital role in developing a world-class multifamily property management platform, serving property owners, developers, and contributing to the growth of JLL's managed multifamily portfolio. Her focus is on driving value for investor clients through the successful management of multifamily assets and enhancing JLL's multifamily offering for mixed-use assets. Lela's expertise and leadership ensure that JLL delivers exceptional results in the multifamily sector.