Leaders in Real Estate Podcast

Feedback and Trust with Megan Creecy-Herman

Welcome to Leaders in Real Estate! I’m Nick Carman, and in this episode, I sit down with Megan Creecy-Herman, President of Prologis’ U.S. West Region. Megan oversees a staggering $55 billion in assets, 260 million square feet of industrial real estate, and leads a team of 220 professionals.
We dive deep into leadership lessons, career growth, and how to thrive in a VUCA world (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous). Megan shares her journey from influencing without authority to leading one of the largest portfolios in the industry.
 
If you’re a future leader in real estate this conversation is packed with actionable insights on building trust, giving feedback, and staying resilient under pressure.
 
Highlights
 
How Megan discovered leadership early in her career
Leading without authority and building trust
Why listening beats talking for effective leadership
The traits Megan looks for in future leaders
Mistakes that taught her the most
How to stay calm in high-pressure environments
Recommended resources for leadership growth
 
 
Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome & Episode Intro
01:00 – Megan’s role at Prologis and scope of responsibility
03:00 – First experiences with leadership & influencing without authority
07:00 – Listening vs. talking: A leadership superpower
09:00 – Lessons from challenging bosses & evolving leadership styles
11:00 – How Megan reignites passion in her team
14:00 – Creating a culture of personal development
15:00 – Leading in a VUCA world
18:00 – Handling resistance to growth and feedback
19:00 – Biggest mistakes and lessons learned
21:00 – Traits Megan looks for in future leaders
23:00 – Steepest learning curve in her career
26:00 – Megan’s top leadership resources & book recommendations
27:00 – Current challenges as a senior leader
29:00 – Staying calm under pressure: Resilience strategies
31:00 – Traits Megan had to let go as she climbed the ladder
33:00 – Looking ahead: Personal and corporate goals
35:00 – Market outlook and Prologis’ next phase
36:00 – Closing thoughts

Leading from the front with Todd Carter

In this episode, I sit down with Todd Carter, Managing Director - Southeast for EQT Real Estate, who oversees acquisitions, development, and leasing across the Southeast. Todd has more than twenty five years in the industrial sector and has been involved in over one hundred million square feet of transactions. I wanted to understand how that volume of experience shaped his leadership approach, and Todd delivered with complete honesty, humour, and depth.
 
We talk about early career discipline, tough mentors, stress, mistakes, and the unexpected moments that shaped him. Todd explains why he still loves being in the deal flow today and shares the traits he looks for in the next generation of leaders. This is a practical, candid mentoring session packed with lessons for anyone serious about building a real estate career.
 
Key Moments & Timestamps
 
00:00 I welcome listeners to the episode
I introduce the show and set the stage for a leadership focused conversation with Todd.
 
00:55 Todd’s role at EQT
Todd gives an overview of the Southeast region and the one hundred million square foot portfolio he’s responsible for.
 
02:00 When leadership first found him
Todd shares how he began leading long before he ever held a formal title.
 
03:45 Why waiting for a promotion is a mistake
We talk about seizing responsibility early and how that creates opportunity.
 
04:15 What drove Todd in the early days
Todd gives an honest answer: money. We unpack how that shaped his early work ethic.
 
05:00 Early leadership challenges
He explains the resistance he faced, especially around age and credibility.
 
06:40 How he overcame those barriers
Todd talks about results, consistency, and treating people with respect.
 
08:00 The mentors who shaped him
From Wall Street work ethic to industrial fundamentals, Todd’s early mentors left a big mark.
 
10:20 Learning to think through the deal
Todd explains why accountability and ownership sharpened his decision making.
 
12:45 What he chose not to adopt
We discuss the traits he saw in leaders above him that he refused to carry forward.
 
16:00 Mistakes that shaped him
Todd reframes mistakes as learning, not something to haunt you.
 
17:50 The capital call lesson
He tells the story of a painful early ownership experience that changed his perspective forever.
 
20:00 What colleagues say about him
I share insights from my research, including his reputation for a calm, lighthearted style.
 
21:45 How he manages stress today
Todd talks about humour, staying grounded, and avoiding premature panic.
 
24:00 The “Todd style”
We explore why composure and humility often outperform loud leadership.
 
25:30 Joining EQT with a big reputation
Todd describes the pressure of coming in as a major hire and how he handled it.
 
28:50 Leading by example
Why simply doing the work and producing results won people over.
 
30:00 What Todd looks for in future leaders
He explains why he focuses on how people treat others.
 
32:00 What drives him now
Still motivated by money, but now also by meaning, fun, and paying it forward.
 
33:30 Why he still works deals
Todd explains why staying close to the action keeps him sharp.
 
35:00 His advice for future leaders
This business isn’t complicated, but it is tough. Stay disciplined and pay it forward.
 
36:00 Wrapping up
I close the episode and reflect on the insights Todd shared.

Mettle and Negotiation with Stephanie Lynch

In this episode, Nick sits down with Stephanie Lynch, CIO and CFO of Student Quarters. Stephanie leads the firm’s investment and capital raising strategy and has executed more than $4.5 billion in debt and equity across domestic and offshore markets.
 
Stephanie shares formative leadership moments, the lessons she carried forward and the ones she intentionally left behind, and how fear of failure shaped her resilience. She also opens up about a dramatic moment early in her time at Student Quarters when a corporate partner collapsed just four days into her tenure, forcing her to navigate a complete recapitalization.
 
This conversation explores what drives her to outperform expectations, how she approaches negotiation, and the attributes she looks for in future leaders. Stephanie also reflects on mistakes that shaped her communication style, the dangers of chasing short term wins, and the personal and professional milestones she’s excited about next.
 
We covered:
 
The leadership traits she adopted from mentors and the ones she chose not to carry forward
 
Her approach to negotiation and the tools she relies on in high pressure situations
 
What drives her to exceed expectations and outperform peers
 
Lessons from crisis moments and why communication is central to her leadership
 
How she evaluates rising leaders and the qualities she hires for
 
Resources and books she recommends for developing critical thinking and adaptability
 
Chapters
 
00:00 Welcome and introduction to Stephanie Lynch
01:00 Stephanie’s role and responsibilities at Student Quarters
02:00 Early leadership experiences and being thrown in early
03:00 Feeling unprepared at first and learning to rise to the occasion
04:00 Fear of failure, persistence, and letting go of the need for yes
06:00 Mentorship influences and shaping her leadership style
07:00 Communicating hard things and navigating difficult conversations
09:00 Outworking and outsmarting peers and influences from her music background
11:30 The corporate crisis four days into her new role
13:30 Considering quitting and why she ultimately stayed
14:30 Drawing on financial crisis experience to stabilize Student Quarters
16:00 The recapitalization challenge and finding the right partner
18:00 Her negotiation approach creativity, communication, persistence
20:00 Mistakes that changed how she communicates risk and strategy
23:00 What she looks for in future leaders
24:00 Curiosity, communication, and embracing change
26:00 Negative drivers to avoid and the danger of short term wins
27:00 Recommended reading: Adam Grant and The Widow Clicquot
30:00 Is leadership worth it reflecting on meaning and motivation
31:00 Corporate milestones and future goals for Student Quarters
33:00 Launching Fund II and preparing for new investor opportunities
34:00 Personal goals travel, music, and exploring yoga teacher training
35:00 Closing thoughts and gratitude

Building People and Properties with Lee Hayes Bradford

Welcome to the Leaders in Real Estate Podcast featuring Lee Hayes Bradford. Lee is one of the most recognizable figures in US Multifamily and Build to Rent property management. With experience over the course of the last 20 years she has led teams for Gingko, Greystar, Quarterra, DR Horton and now Hines. In this episode, Lee shares honest lessons on leading before you feel ready, making unpopular decisions, and why calm, compassionate leadership outperforms command and control.
 
We covered:
How comfortable was Lee in her first leadership role
How to handle when things go wrong for your teams
Leaders need to make difficult decisions
 
00:00 – 02:10 Introducing Lee Bradford and the scale of her role at D.R. Horton
02:10 – 04:20 What really drives Lee and why she calls herself a “builder”
04:20 – 07:10 First leadership role and why no one ever feels ready
07:10 – 11:00 Biggest leadership challenge – aligning teams and finding common ground
11:00 – 14:30 Report card time – how Lee leads people to their own answers
14:30 – 18:30 The office floor story – staying calm when things go badly wrong
18:30 – 22:30 Hard decisions, being liked, and why indecision hurts teams most
22:30 – 25:30 “Be brave enough to suck at something new” and leading at the top
25:30 – 28:00 Communication, DISC and adapting your style
28:00 – 30:00 What Lee looks for in future leaders and closing advice
 
 
*At the time of recording Lee was President of Property Management or DR Horton.

Drive and Determination with Mike Brewer

Welcome to the Leaders in Real Estate Podcast featuring Mike Brewer. With over 29 years of experience in the multifamily industry, Mike is the Chief Operating Officer at Axia Residential. In our conversation he shares with real honesty and humour his personal career, leadership styles and the tool kit he has developed to succeed.
 
We covered:
What drives him to succeed
How can Future Leaders adapt to the needs of their teams without getting lost
What does Mike look for in Future Leaders
 
If you aren't a follower of Mike already he is the Co-Founder of Multifamily Media Network, where they connect over 59,000 subscribers to insightful educational and engaging podcasts on multifamily trends. Through MultifamilyCollective, his mission is to unlock human potential in the multifamily space by prioritizing leadership, development, and innovation. You can check it out here: https://multifamilycollective.com/ and https://www.youtube.com/@multifamilycollective.

Leaders Make Us Better with Spencer Levy

What is a Leaders responsibility? Make us better!
 
Welcome to the Leaders in Real Estate Podcast featuring Spencer Levy. Spencer Levy is Global Client Strategist and Senior Economic Advisor for CBRE, the largest commercial real estate services firm in the world. In this role, he focuses on client engagement and public-facing activities, including thought leadership work performed in conjunction with CBRE Research. He also serves as Co-Chair of the Real Estate Roundtable’s Research Committee. Spencer is frequently quoted in major business publications and appears on business television, including CNBC, CNN, Bloomberg, PBS and Fox Business. Spencer is the host of CBRE’s podcast “The Weekly Take.” He is considered one of the most insightful commentators on issues of importance to commercial real estate. So it was great to turn the tables on one of Real Estate most renowned hosts.

Short Memory for Pain with Matt Tucker

Welcome to the Leaders in Real Estate Podcast featuring Matt Tucker. Matt Tucker serves as Senior Managing Director and Co-Chief Investment Officer of Bridge Investment Group’s Net Lease strategy and has over 20 years experience in the commercial real estate and corporate finance industries.
 
As Co-CIO, Matt oversees the strategy’s business activities including acquisitions, asset management, strategy, relationship building, capital sourcing, financing and executive oversight of the fund. Matt maintains extensive relationships throughout the US in the Industrial sector within the Commercial Real Estate Industry. Through his career, he has completed over $1 billion in real estate transactions. Prior to his current position, he served as EVP and Head of the Northeast and Midwest Regions of Gladstone Commercial Corporation (NASDAQ: GOOD), a $1.5B AUM publicly traded REIT where he assembled and managed an 8mm+ square foot portfolio of industrial and office assets and lead the acquisitions and asset management teams for that portfolio. Matt formerly held investment and advisory positions with Liquid Realty Partners, SG Capital Partners and JP Morgan Chase.
 
Matt earned an MBA from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business with High Distinction and a BA from Princeton University where he was a member of the Men’s Varsity Lacrosse Team that won the 1994, 1996 and 1997 NCAA Division I Championships.
 
So we spoke about the parallels of sporting accomplishments and career success, lessons in leadership and managing the "game".
 
 

Speak Up Future Leaders with Tammy Kelly

Welcome to the Leaders in Real Estate Podcast featuring Tammy Kelly. Tammy is a commercial real estate leader with over 25 years of experience in asset & portfolio management, transactions, investment strategy, and operations across both private equity and sponsor sides.
 
In our episode we talk about:
Speaking Up as Future Leaders
Ask and truly Listen to Feedback to Improve
The Concept of Progress over Perfection
 
Welcome to the Leaders in Real Estate Podcast featuring Tammy Kelly. Proven track record in overseeing portfolios across key U.S. markets. She has overseen portfolios that include multifamily (12,000 units), industrial (+1.7M SF), retail (+2M SF), office (+1.7M SF), hotel, and student housing assets. Successfully managing over $2B of value-add and core plus multifamily assets for pension fund advisors, institutional investors, and high net worth investors. Over the course of her career, completed over $4B in real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, loan modifications, and refinances. Leading teams of 175+ professionals who better to share insights on the leadership journey!
 
*At the time of recording Tammy was MD and Head of US Multifamily Asset Management and Ops for EQT Real Estate