Leading Voices in Real Estate

Matt Slepin
  • 4.8 (229)
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  • Updated Biweekly

The Leading Voices in Real Estate podcast series interviews some of the most successful, interesting, entrepreneurial people who shape our cities and the built environment. Host Matt Slepin gets to the personal side not often heard from these legends and visionaries, their career stories and advice, and their role in creating vibrant communities with character, beauty, and a high quality of life.

  1. 4d ago

    Kate Walsh | Dean of the Nolan School of Hotel Administration Cornell University

    In this episode of Leading Voices in Real Estate, Matt Slepin sits down with retiring Cornell Nolan School of Hotel Administration Dean Kate Walsh for a wide-ranging conversation about the evolving role of hospitality within real estate and business leadership. Recorded during Walsh’s final month as Dean, the discussion explores Cornell’s outsized influence on the global hotel industry and the powerful network and culture that have shaped generations of hospitality leaders. The episode goes beyond hotels to examine how hospitality principles—service, operations, resident experience, and organizational culture—are increasingly influencing other real estate sectors, especially multifamily housing. Slepin connects these themes to broader industry shifts toward operational excellence, technology integration, and customer-centric leadership. Drawing on both personal travel experiences and professional insights from executive recruiting at ZRG, the conversation highlights why hospitality mindsets are becoming essential across the real estate landscape.

    1h 3m

  2. May 19

    Margette Hepfner & Sam Bakshandehpour | Bilt

    This episode of Leading Voices in Real Estate features a conversation with Margette Hepfner and Sam Bakshandehpour of BILT, a platform bringing hospitality and rewards into the multifamily housing space. The discussion explores how BILT fits into the broader apartment ecosystem and highlights a larger industry shift toward a more customer-focused, service-driven model. Building on insights from recent conversations and industry events, the episode underscores how differentiation in today’s market is increasingly happening at the operator level. As ownership remains relatively fragmented, operators are consolidating and investing in technology, platform capabilities, and hospitality-driven experiences to better serve residents. Strong service not only enhances customer satisfaction but can also drive tangible business outcomes like rent growth, retention, and overall performance. The episode also touches on the growing importance of industry reputation and the need for a more customer-oriented approach to help mitigate regulatory pressures. Overall, this conversation reinforces the idea that the future of multifamily real estate will be shaped by those who prioritize service, platform thinking, and the resident experience.

    1h 1m

  3. May 5

    Jay Parsons | Host of Rent Roll Podcast & Rental Housing Economist, Consultant and Speaker

    A wide-ranging conversation with economist and Rent Roll podcast host Jay Parsons on the current state of the apartment industry and adjacent sectors, including single-family rentals (SFR), build-to-rent (BTR), student, and senior housing. Jay shares key market trends, regulatory challenges, and myth-busting insights, most notably that while property management has consolidated, ownership in the multifamily sector remains highly fragmented. The episode offers a thoughtful look at how scale, operations, and evolving market dynamics are shaping the future of housing.

    1h 9m

  4. Apr 21

    Horacio Rodríguez Larreta | Former Mayor of Buenos Aires and Argentina Presidential Candidate

    This episode of Leading Voices in Real Estate features a conversation with Argentine politician Horacio Rodríguez Larreta, recorded in Buenos Aires at the end of Matt Slepin’s South American trip. Unlike the previous episode focused on real estate investment in Chile, this discussion centers less on property markets and more on leadership, governance, and the economic challenges facing Argentina. Larreta shares his perspective on navigating political leadership in a country marked by ongoing economic instability, explaining why Argentina remains difficult for institutional real estate investment. The conversation explores the importance of political moderation and consistency in creating long-term stability, as well as his broader vision for the country’s future. While real estate topics are touched on, the episode ultimately offers a deeper look at how politics, economic policy, and leadership intersect in shaping investment environments, along with reflections on Argentina’s resilience and global significance despite its challenges.

    1h 2m

  5. Apr 7

    Francisco Rencoret | Territoria

    In this episode of Leading Voices in Real Estate, host Matt Slepin sits down with Francisco Rencoret for a live conversation recorded atop the landmark mixed-use development MUT in Santiago. Slepin reflects on his travels through Chile, highlighting the country’s modern infrastructure, vibrant urban energy, and the success of large-scale developments like MUT as standout examples of placemaking. He also shares observations on Chile’s geographic diversity, welcoming culture, and appeal as both a travel destination and business environment. The episode weaves in broader insights on Chile’s political and economic stability, shaped by its history, including perspectives tied to Augusto Pinochet, setting the stage for a conversation that blends real estate, culture, and global context.

    1h 15m

  6. Mar 17

    Justin Pattner | KKR

    In this episode of Leading Voices in Real Estate, host Matt Slepin sits down with Justin Pattner, Head of Real Estate Equity, Americas at KKR, for a wide-ranging conversation recorded on February 26. The discussion explores the major forces shaping today’s real estate investment landscape, including global capital flows, the evolution of REITs in comparison to private equity and traditional real estate investment managers, and the role of operating platforms versus partnerships with external operators. Matt also shares his perspective as both a recruiter and interviewer, emphasizing that the most authentic insights into leadership often emerge not from scripted responses, but from the open space within longer, more candid conversations. Through this lens, his discussion with Justin moves fluidly across KKR’s real estate strategy, the firm’s investment approach, how it differentiates itself in the market, and Justin’s role within the broader platform. The episode blends industry expertise with a thoughtful exploration of leadership, culture, and the passion that drives professionals across the real estate sector.

    1h 4m

  7. Mar 3

    Lew Horne & David Waite | The Los Angeles Wildfires: Recovery & Rebuild Update

    Thirteen months after the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, Lew Horne and David Waite return to Leading Voices to provide a candid update on recovery, rebuilding, and the long road ahead. With more than 13,000 structures lost, including over 12,000 homes, the scale of rebuilding remains immense. More than 3,100 permits have been issued and nearly 900 homes are now under construction, yet fewer than a dozen have received certificates of occupancy. The conversation explores why progress feels slow, what is working, and where friction still exists. Lew and David discuss permitting timelines, the rollout of professional self-certification and AI-assisted plan review, the formation and progress of the Builders Alliance, insurance challenges, environmental cleanup standards, and the emotional realities families face when deciding whether to rebuild or relocate. This episode also includes a prerecording of their earlier conversation, offering listeners helpful context on where recovery efforts began and how priorities have evolved over the past year. They reflect on lessons learned, from public-private collaboration to resilience planning, and how these insights can shape responses to future natural disasters. This episode offers an honest look at recovery, policy innovation, and the complex human decisions behind rebuilding communities.

    1h 42m

  8. Feb 17

    Roy March | Eastdil Secured Part 2

    In Part II of Leading Voices in Real Estate, host Matt Slepin continues his conversation with Roy March, CEO of Eastdil Secured, exploring what has made the firm a true powerhouse in the commercial real estate investment business. This episode moves beyond history to focus on the cultural DNA, client-first philosophy, and strategic discipline that have defined Eastdil’s success. Roy shares candid insights on leadership, the importance of language, and why he sees himself not as a broker but as an investment banker. His perspective highlights how mindset shapes positioning, credibility, and long-term impact. A central theme is the transformative merger between Eastdil and Secured Capital, and how the partnership between Roy March and Mike Van Konynenburg created a powerful synergy that elevated the firm to new heights. The conversation also places Eastdil within the broader competitive landscape, comparing its culture and focus with industry leaders such as CBRE, JLL, Cushman & Wakefield, and Newmark, as well as investment-focused firms including Walker & Dunlop, Berkadia, and Marcus & Millichap. The episode also touches on succession, industry evolution, and what may lie ahead as markets recover into the next cycle. For listeners interested in leadership, advisory businesses, and the evolving role of investment bankers in real estate, this conversation offers thoughtful perspective and practical insight.

    1h 8m
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4.8
out of 5
229 Ratings

About

The Leading Voices in Real Estate podcast series interviews some of the most successful, interesting, entrepreneurial people who shape our cities and the built environment. Host Matt Slepin gets to the personal side not often heard from these legends and visionaries, their career stories and advice, and their role in creating vibrant communities with character, beauty, and a high quality of life.

Information

  • Creator
    Matt Slepin
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    222
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Leading Voices in Real Estate
  • Show Website
    Leading Voices in Real Estate

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