
 National Finance Forum
National Finance Forum
Thursday, November 13, 2025
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM: Registration & Networking Breakfast
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM : Opening Keynote
Speakers

Bonnie NEUMAN
Partner, Global Head of Real Estate Group
Sidley Austin LLP

Chad Tredway
Managing Director, Global Head of Real Estate
J.P. Morgan Asset Management

MODERATOR
CATHY CUNNINGHAM
Executive Editor
Commercial Observer
9:00 AM – 9:35 AM: State of the Market: An In-depth Outlook & What to Expect in 2026 and Beyond
Real estate has had to weather years of market turbulence and unprecedented disruption. 2025 was primed to be a year of stabilization and growth, but looming market uncertainty has experts asking just how much more real estate can stand. Hear where the industry stands amid tariff effects, workouts, and market fluctuations, and what we can expect as we head into a new year.
Speakers

Kyle Jeffers
Chief Investment Officer
ACORE CAPITAL

Chris Lawton
Managing Director, Head of Originations
Nuveen Green Capital

KAREN RAMOS
Managing Director – Head of Distribution and Asset Rotation Americas
Crédit Agricole CIB

Nick Scribani
Vice Chairman
Newmark

Yorick Starr
Managing Director & Investment Officer
Invesco

MODERATOR
Jay Neveloff
Partner, Chair of Real Estate -US
HSF Kramer
9:35 AM – 10:10 AM: Direct from the Financing Sources: Who’s Stepping Up Amid Market Volatility
With current market volatility, the CMBS market has come to a halt while balance sheet lenders are seeing emerging opportunities and transaction activity. Hear from the major financing sources as they share how they’re navigating headwinds brought on by pricing dislocation and borrower confidence, where they’re seeing stabilization, and strategies for unleashing capital in a rapidly changing landscape.
Speakers

David Friedman
Chief Credit Officer and Head of Non-Agency Production & Syndications
Arbor Realty Trust

Andrew Huggett
Managing Director, Loan Syndications
First Citizens Bank

John Lippmann
Head of U.S. Real Estate Capital Markets
Barings

Shawn katz
President
Silverstein Capital Partners

Natalia Sosnina
Head of Acquisitions
Terra Strategies

Moderator
Michael Vines
Partner
Fried Frank
10:10 AM – 10:20 AM : Networking Break
10:20 AM – 10:50 AM : The Role & Impact of Non-Bank Lenders in the Market Today
Speakers

Michael LAVIPOUR
Senior Managing Director, Head of Lending
Affinius Capital

ROBERT ROTHschild
Managing Director
InterVest Capital Partners

MODERATOR
Christine O’Connell
Partner
King & Spalding
10:50 AM – 11:25 AM : Recaps & Filling the Capital Stack
Building finance structures are being rewritten. The market has experienced a major uptick in recaps and the requirement of increased equity from owners in the capital stack. Join this timely discussion as panelists discuss why owner lenders are playing a bigger role in financing and lending today, if they’re seeing mezz or preferred equity providing gap financing and why, and how the market is adjusting to redo building finance structures and what that looks like.
Speakers

Morris Betesh
Founder and Managing Partner
Arrow Real Estate Advisors

Brad Bitting
Managing Director
Post Brothers

Ethan Elser
Executive Vice President
PACE Equity

Daniella Marca
Executive Director | Real Estate Debt
BlackRock

Maxwell wu
Co-Founder & CEO
Fulcrum Lending Corporation

MODERATOR
Mark Fawer
Partner
Greenspoon Marder LLP
11:25 AM – 12:00 PM : Old vs. New: Showcasing the Most Coveted Lending Opportunities
There’s plenty of opportunity coming through the pipeline, from both the tried and true asset classes and emerging industries. From the rise of data centers, to renewed investor sentiment to office, and continued strength for residential/ multifamily, hear how key industries are expected to perform in the new year. Experts will discuss how tariffs are affecting the supply chain, which industries had a breakout or comeback year, and who is eyeing the long game with opportunities for market entry at a lower price point basis.
Speakers

Zachary Cohn
Managing Partner
Brookfield

Dan Cooperman
Head of Investments
Mavik Capital Management

Annemarie DiCola
CEO
Trepp, Inc

Jacob Weinstein
Executive Vice President Head of Real Estate & Healthcare
BHI

Keith Kurland
Senior Managing Director – Co-Head NYC Capital Markets
Walker & Dunlop

MODERATOR
Joseph Lanzkron
Partner
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
 
				 
					