Perspectives Lecture looks Onwards and Outwards
Nearly 300 students, alumni, staff and industry professionals attended the 11th annual Real Estate and Infrastructure Perspectives Lecture 2016 at the Royal York Hotel on October 26th. The event, which was hosted by the Schulich Real Property Alumni Association, also celebrated the new Master of Real Estate and Infrastructure program set to launch at Schulich in January 2017.
This year’s event titled “Onward and Outwards” featured keynote speaker Ron Mock (MBA ’79), President and Chief Executive Officer at Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. He shared insights on how he led the first Canadian pension plan to adopt real estate and infrastructure as mainstream asset classes, navigating these sectors in response to opportunities and risks. “Real estate and infrastructure is the future for investment,” Mock said while adding, “Schulich is generating the leaders of tomorrow to navigate this emerging industry.”
Emily Long (MBA ’15), chairperson of the event organizing committee and Financial Analyst at Crestpoint Real Estate Investments Ltd, kicked off the evening with MREI Program Director Andre Kuzmicki. She welcomed everyone, shared her personal experience within the program and how the new MREI program will shape the leaders of tomorrow.
“Students in the industry will be more prepared to make an impact,” Long said. “Through the MREI program the candidates will build their knowledge, strengthen their network, and gain valuable practical experience.”
The event raised $35,000 for the Student Experience Fund, which provides financial assistance for current students to attend industry-specific co-curricular events like case competitions, site visits, lectures and mentor lunches around the world.
The 2016 Schulich Real Estate & Infrastructure Perspectives Lecture was generously sponsored by: Altus Group and Cadillac Fairview (Penthouse Sponsors); Canadian Apartment Properties REIT, CBRE Limited, KPMG, SMARTREIT, TD Bank Group (Mezzanine Sponsors); and EllisDon, Hullmark, Infrastructure Ontario, KingSett Capital, RioCan REIT, PCL Construction, W.P. Osborne (Concourse Sponsors).
Watch the highlights from the Perspectives Lecture 2016: