Bay Area Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in CRE: Part II

Erik Murray is the Chairman and Managing Partner of Lafayette, CA based Oak Funds and Oak Impact Group, among California’s leading cannabis real estate developers, owners, and managers. With a keen understanding of social equity and a focus on operating at the intersection of prime commercial real estate and positive social impact, since 2016, Murray and his team at Oak have successfully acquired and developed over a dozen cannabis properties valued at nearly $200M. Every project in Oak’s portfolio has a social equity ownership and/or incubation component, and Murray is proud to be at the forefront of impact investing in cannabis by proving that outsized returns for investors and positive impacts to communities harmed by the war on drugs are not mutually exclusive. The first exits from the portfolio already delivered a 2.5x multiple and a 140% IRR to investors, and Oak is excited to continue expanding the platform in 2022. Murray volunteers on the Boards of the Last Prisoner Project and Union Square Alliance, and is a member of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR), a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), a Senior Alpine Instructor in the National Ski Patrol, and resides in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Lauren Jennings joined DCG in 2014, and is responsible for the strategic implementation of daily business operations as the Vice President of Operations. Prior to joining DCG, Lauren was the General Manager for Wedgewood Wedding & Banquet Center in San Ramon, CA. In her role, she increased sales and reduced costs which resulted in a 34% increase in annual profits within first two years of position and led the property to receive “Property of the Year Award” for 2012 besting other company locations. Lauren has invested significant time in volunteer and leadership activities over the years, including mentoring high school young women to build their self-esteem and empower them to fulfill their highest potential. Currently, Lauren serves as Worship Leader for Kingdom Builders Christian Fellowship in Oakland. She serves on the board for the Cornell Hotel Society, Northern California Chapter and is the 2020 President of CREW, East Bay, an organization dedicated to enhancing professional growth and business opportunities for women in commercial real estate. Lauren was nominated for and recognized in 2017 as a Rising Rockstar, an award given to exceptional women, thirty-five years and younger, who are influential, dynamic and show early promise as an industry leader. In addition, she served as the Founding Chair of CREW, East Bay’s Rising Leaders Committee. In addition, Lauren is a member of and volunteers with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, The Links, Incorporated and the Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network. Lauren graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science degree. She earned her California Department of Real Estate License in 2015.