The New York commercial real estate landscape is buzzing with activity as several prominent firms announced significant personnel changes and strategic expansions. The week of June 12, 2026, saw key appointments in workplace strategy, data center finance, and leadership roles across various sectors, signaling continued growth and evolution within the industry.
Key Takeaways
- New leadership appointments and promotions across JLL, Cresa, ACORE Capital, and Rosenberg & Estis.
- Expansion into new markets, including reinsurance, by Distinguished Programs.
- Significant funding secured by Findigs to advance its AI-driven leasing platform.
Industry Leaders Make Strategic Moves
JLL has welcomed Melissa Strickland, NCIDQ, as SVP and New Jersey Workplace Strategy lead. Based in the Parsippany office, Strickland will focus on advising clients on workplace strategy, change management, and space planning for complex projects across the state.
Cresa has appointed Robert Gutman as a managing principal to spearhead structured finance for its national Data Center Capital Markets & Advisory platform. Gutman will be responsible for equity raising, financing, and investor relations, operating from the firm’s New York City office.
Leadership Transitions and New Roles
The CRE Finance Council (CREFC) announced Toby Cobb, Co-Founder and Co-Managing Partner of 3650 Capital, as its Chair of the Executive Committee and Board of Governors for 2026-2027. Cobb, a veteran of the commercial real estate finance industry, succeeds Leland F. Bunch III.
Sean Brenan has joined Cliffwater as head of real estate and portfolio manager for the Cascade Real Assets Fund. Brenan, formerly with Goldman Sachs, will manage Cliffwater’s real estate, infrastructure, and real assets opportunities.
ACORE Capital has created a new role for Cynthia Holahan as chief marketing officer. With over 20 years of experience, Holahan will oversee ACORE’s global marketing strategy, brand positioning, and investor communications.
Promotions and Firm Expansions
PREMIER Design + Build Group has promoted Artie Trautmann to General Superintendent, based in Morristown, NJ, where he will oversee field operations for the Northeast division.
Rosenberg & Estis, P.C. has elevated eight attorneys across its litigation, transactional, and administrative law practices to Income Member and Counsel positions, strengthening its legal expertise.
Mancini Duffy has established two new leadership roles within its Design Lab: Eric Hull as AI Integration Lead and Jeff Anderson as Immersive Technologies Lead, underscoring a commitment to innovation.
Distinguished Programs is expanding into the reinsurance market with the launch of Distinguished Reinsurance. Frank DiPaola will lead the new property reinsurance group as president.
Funding and Innovation
Findigs, an AI-native leasing decisioning platform, has successfully closed a $32-million Series C funding round, bringing its total funding to $80 million. The round was led by RPM Ventures with participation from existing investors.