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Future of New York

A Definitive Public-Private State of the Union Event

March 20, 2025 PENN 2, 2 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10121
Register

Keynote Speakers

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David Arena

Head of Global Real Estate, Managing Director

JPMorganChase & Co

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Opening Remarks

Ritchie Torres

Congressman

New York’s 15th Congressional District

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Opening Remarks

 Jed Walentas

CEO

Two Trees Management

Speakers

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Edith Hsu-Chen

Edith Hsu-Chen

 Executive Director

NYC Department of City Planning

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Edith Hsu-Chen

xecutive Director of the Department of City Planning

Edith Hsu-Chen is the Executive Director of the Department of City Planning, where she is responsible for implementing the Department’s planning and development agenda. She has helped deliver numerous transformative initiatives, including the landmark City of Yes proposals, which updated zoning to create a more resilient, equitable, and affordable future for New York City.

A dedicated urban planner, Hsu-Chen has spent her career at DCP, holding a variety of roles, including Manhattan Office Director, before stepping into executive leadership. She holds a BA in Design of the Environment from the University of Pennsylvania and an MA in Urban Planning from Harvard University. Like so many of her fellow New Yorkers, Hsu-Chen is an immigrant.

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Mike Doty

Mike Doty

Senior Director Northeast Originations 

Nuveen Green Capital

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William

William Elder 

EVP, Managing Director of New York City Division

RXR

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BASHA GERHARDS

BASHA GERHARDS

Senior Vice President of Planning

REBNY

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Andy Gottesman

Andy Gottesman

Vice Chair/ CEO

Avenue of the Americas Association/Gottesman Real Estate Partners

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thomas grech

President & CEO

Queens Chamber 

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Jeffrey Gural

Chairman and Principal

GFP Real Estate

Bruce Mosler Future of New York

bRUCE mosler

Chairman of Global Brokerage

Cushman & Wakefield

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BENJAMIN NEVID

Senior Managing Director

Meridian Capital

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Melissa Pumphrey 

Senior Vice President 

NYCEDC

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Melissa Pumphrey

Senior Vice President at the New York City EDC

Melissa Pumphrey is a Senior Vice President at the New York City EDC where she leads the Economic Research & Policy team, a group of researchers and analysts who conduct economic research focused on inclusive economic development in New York City. Melissa has expertise in a wide range of economic analysis, including economic and fiscal impact, demographic analysis, industry sizing, labor market trends, and benefit cost analysis. Prior to EDC, Melissa spent seven years in the finance and consulting industries. Melissa has a B.A. and M.A. in economics.

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John Santora

CEO

WeWork

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Shimon Shkury

Shimon Shkury

President and Founder

Ariel Property Advisors

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ZACH STEINBERG

ZACH STEINBERG

Senior Vice President of Policy

REBNY

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ALEXANDROS WASHBURN

Chief Architect

Grand Penn Community Alliance

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lAUREN yoUNG

Managing Partner and Head of Portfolio Management for North America office and retail

Brookfield Real Estate Group

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Lauren Young

Managing Partner & Head of Portfolio Management, North American Retail & Office Brookfield Asset Management

Lauren Young is Managing Partner and head of North American retail and office portfolio management for Brookfield Asset Management. In this role, she oversees the business
plan execution and investment decisions of the largest retail and office portfolio in North America that encompasses more than 200 million square feet of commercial space, with high-end retail centers across the U.S. and trophy office properties in eight gateway markets throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Since joining Brookfield in 2007, Lauren has worked across both the investment and operational areas of the global real estate business, including roles focused on real estate
M&A, office portfolio administration, and global business operations. Lauren helped establish the Brookfield Women’s Network and grew it to one of the industry’s leading employee engagement groups across 14 global markets for Brookfield.

Before joining Brookfield, Lauren worked in investment banking within the real estate division of Credit Suisse. She holds a degree in Economics from Columbia University.
Lauren lives in Westchester, NY with her husband and three children.

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Alyssa Zahler

Alyssa Zahler

Managing Director of Commercial Leasing

 Two Trees Management Co

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Dan Berman

MODERATOR

Dan Berman

Partner

Kramer Levin

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Suri Kasirer

MODERATOR

SURI Kasirer

President

Kasirer LLC

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MODERATOR

Yelena Nersesyan

Real Estate Counsel

 Linklaters

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Jon

MODERATOR

JONATHAN MECHANIC

Partner, Real Estate 

Fried Frank

What You Need To Know

Commercial Observer invites you to join the 5th Annual Future of New York Forum, New York City’s definitive State of the Union event led by the city’s most prominent business and civic leaders. 

Open 2025 with clear, resolute direction on how city leaders are tackling emerging challenges and pressing business needs. The Future of New York Forum will provide visibility for the work that is being done behind the scenes to continuously reinforce and strengthen the city’s economic impact and global position.

You don’t want to miss this premier, must-attend event and unique opportunity to join a room of prominent business and public leaders for exclusive networking and dialogue empowering the future of New York.

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Agenda

New York 2025 Economic Outlook: The Policies, Industries & Market Conditions Driving Growth
Leading Investment Areas: What Are Domestic & Foreign Investors Eyeing in 2025
Paving a Roadmap for New York City’s Success: City of Yes, Affordability, and Public-Private Collaboration
Fireside Chat: NYC: A Global Talent, Tech & Business Capital – Attracting Major Industries with Big Economic Impact 
The Resurgence of Thriving CBDs and Neighborhoods
View Agenda

Future of New York

Definitive Public-Private State of the Union Event

March 20, 2025 at 8:00 AM – 12:35 PM ET
PENN 2, 2 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10121
$250
Register Now

Who Should Attend

  • Brokers & Advisory Firms
  • City and State Public Officials
  • Consultants
  • Heads of Real Estate from Top Employers 
  • Real Estate Owners, Developers and Investors
  • City and State Business Owners
  • Neighborhood Associations & BID Leadership
  • Lenders and Financiers

2024 Attendee Highlight

Host Sponsor

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Vornado

VORNADO REALTY TRUST

Program Partner

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REBNY

rEAL eSTATE bOARD OF new York

Sponsors

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Ariel GREA

ArieL PROPERTY ADVISIORS

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AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS ASSOCIATION

AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS ASSOCIATION

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Cushman & Wakefield

Cushman & Wakefield

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Fried Frank

Fried Frank

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GRAND PENN COMMUNITY ALLIANCE

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Kasirer

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Kramer Levin

Kramer levin

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Linklaters

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MERIDIAN CAPITAL GROUP

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NUveen green capital

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RXR

RXR

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Wework

Wework