CREDA San Francisco Bay Area Podcast

Drew Hess
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CREDA SFBA Podcast: Engage. Deliberate. Highlight. The CREDA San Francisco Bay Area Podcast, hosted by Drew Hess, Principal at Layline, brings you inside the conversations shaping commercial real estate today. Each episode features candid discussions with industry leaders, developers, investors, policymakers, and innovators driving the future of the built environment. From market trends and investment strategies to leadership insights and policy impacts, the podcast delivers practical perspectives from professionals working at the center of the industry. Produced by NAIOP SFBA, the podcast extends the chapter’s mission beyond events — connecting the commercial real estate community through thoughtful dialogue and shared expertise. Listen for: Market trends and industry outlooks Leadership and career insights Bay Area real estate perspectives Policy and advocacy discussions Conversations with influential CRE leaders Follow, rate, and share to stay connected with the Bay Area commercial real estate community. Learn more about CREDA SFBA membership and programs at CREDASFBA.org.

  1. 15h ago

    Building the Future of Manufacturing: Fremont's Growth Story with Donovan Lazaro

    Fremont has become one of California's leading centers for advanced manufacturing, AI infrastructure, and industrial development. In this episode, Drew Hess sits down with Donovan Lazaro, Economic Development Director for the City of Fremont, to explore the city's remarkable growth story and the strategies helping it attract investment, create jobs, and support next-generation industry. From record leasing activity and advanced manufacturing to power infrastructure, robotics, and economic development, Donovan shares how Fremont's collaborative, business-friendly approach has positioned the city at the forefront of California's manufacturing future. The conversation also examines what it takes to compete for investment in today's market and why manufacturing remains critical to the long-term success of California's economy. ----more---- Chapter Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction to Donovan Lazaro 1:35 – Fremont's Record Industrial Leasing Activity 3:20 – Manufacturing Roots and the Tesla Transformation 5:00 – Building a Culture of Economic Development 7:20 – Planning, Permitting, and Hazardous Materials Programs 10:45 – California Manufacturing and Industry Retention 12:00 – Fremont's Manufacturing Ecosystem 13:00 – AI Infrastructure and Server Manufacturing Growth 15:00 – Why Power Has Become Critical Infrastructure 18:45 – Working with PG&E and Microgrid Solutions 23:00 – Fremont's Competitive Advantage 24:30 – Industrial Development and Flexible Zoning 26:45 – Retail-to-Industrial Conversions 31:45 – Workforce Housing and Growth Challenges 33:30 – Office-to-Industrial Conversions 35:30 – AI, Robotics, and Fremont's Future 38:30 – What California Needs to Do Better 41:45 – Career Advice and Leadership Lessons 43:10 – Closing Thoughts

    45 min

  2. May 16

    Finding Your “Just Right” in Real Estate with Catherine Minor

    In this episode, we sit down with Catherine Minor, Senior Portfolio Manager at DWS, to talk about the long game in commercial real estate—and what it really takes to build a career that lasts. Catherine’s path didn’t follow a straight line. She started in civil engineering and construction, moved into development, and ultimately found her place on the investment side of the business, where she now leads portfolio strategy at the intersection of global capital and local market insight. Along the way, she made intentional pivots, navigated challenging market cycles, and learned how to recognize when something wasn’t the right fit. A central theme throughout the conversation is the idea of finding your “just right.” From roles that were “too hot” or “too cold” to the environments and opportunities that ultimately clicked, Catherine shares how trial, risk-taking, and self-awareness shaped her career. We also dig into what a portfolio manager actually does day-to-day, the realities of today’s fundraising environment, and where she’s seeing opportunity as the next real estate cycle begins to take shape. She offers a candid perspective on mentorship versus sponsorship, the importance of having true allies in your career, and how technology—especially AI—is beginning to influence the industry. It’s an honest and thoughtful conversation about growth, resilience, and building a career with intention in an ever-changing market.   Timestamps 0:00 – Intro & career overview 3:00 – Finding your “just right” 4:30 – Starting in construction 6:00 – Business school & career pivot 7:00 – Walking away from the wrong opportunity 8:00 – Finding the right fit 11:00 – Global Financial Crisis lessons 12:30 – Google & large-scale development 14:30 – Transition to investment management 15:00 – What a portfolio manager does 16:00 – Market conditions & fundraising 18:00 – Where the market is heading 19:30 – NAIOP & leadership 22:00 – Work culture & AI 25:00 – Lightning round & closing

    27 min
  3. 2026 NAIOP SFBA President’s Message with Jordan Angel

    Feb 20

    2026 NAIOP SFBA President’s Message with Jordan Angel

    ​​2026 NAIOP SFBA Chapter President Jordan Angel joins host Drew Hess to share his vision for the year ahead, highlighting a renewed focus on in-person engagement, expanding multifamily participation, and supporting the next generation of industry leaders. He also discusses Bay Area market momentum, capital markets trends, and why he remains optimistic about the region’s future.

    16 min

  4. Jan 15

    Building with Purpose: Lydia Tan on Development, Leadership & Impact

    In this episode of the NAIOP SFBA Podcast, host Drew Hess sits down with Lydia Tan, a real estate leader whose three-decade career spans nonprofit affordable housing, institutional investment, large-scale mixed-use development, and professional sports. Lydia shares how her famously non-linear path—from architecture to BRIDGE Housing, Related California, Bentall Kennedy, the Oakland A’s, and now the Oakland Roots & Soul—has shaped her approach to development as both purpose-driven and financially disciplined. She reflects on what it takes to deliver high-impact public-private projects, why there is “no single right answer” in real estate development, and how understanding risk, community, and stakeholders is central to creating lasting places. The conversation explores Lydia’s leadership philosophy, her deep commitment to mentorship and teaching at UC Berkeley, and her current work helping build Oakland-rooted sports infrastructure that centers community, culture, and civic pride. Lydia also offers candid advice for emerging leaders, insights from decades of complex development work, and an optimistic vision for Oakland’s future.

    57 min

  5. 12/01/2025

    Looking Around Corners: Miles Treaster on Cycles, Capital & San Francisco’s Momentum

    In this episode, host Drew Hess sits down with Miles Treaster, President, Capital Markets, Americas, at Cushman & Wakefield. Miles shares his path from Sacramento and the “Buzz Oates school of industrial development” to leading one of the largest capital markets platforms in the world. He breaks down how pricing, risk, and investor psychology are shifting; why cash flow is back at the center of valuations; and where opportunities are emerging across office, data infrastructure, industrial, and senior living. The conversation also covers Bay Area dynamics, San Francisco’s renewed momentum, and the role of leadership, mentorship, and humanity in today’s AI-driven world. A concise, insightful listen for developers, investors, brokers, and emerging leaders navigating today’s commercial real estate market.

    37 min

  6. 11/06/2025

    At the Table, Not on the Menu: Advocacy Perspectives from CBPA’s Matt Hargrove

    In this episode, we sit down with Matthew Hargrove, President & CEO of the California Business Properties Association (CBPA), for a clear and high-level look at how advocacy shapes commercial real estate in California. Matt breaks down what’s really happening in Sacramento—from AB 98 and its cleanup legislation to CEQA updates, leasing bills, building code reforms, and the day-to-day work of navigating more than 2,500 bills each session. He also shares why member engagement matters, how to build meaningful relationships with policymakers, common misconceptions about advocacy, and why he remains optimistic about the future of CRE in California. Timestamps are included below to help listeners easily jump to the sections and policy topics most relevant to them. ----more---- 00:00 – Intro & CBPA overview 07:00 – How advocacy works in Sacramento 15:00 – AB 98 & the cleanup bill (SB 415) 23:00 – Leasing bills, SB 1103 & tenant protections 27:00 – CEQA, housing & building code reform 35:00 – Day-to-day wins & bill fixes 38:00 – What keeps Matt up at night 40:00 – How members can engage (time, talent, treasure) 45:00 – PACs & political involvement 48:00 – Optimism for California & CRE 51:00 – Misconceptions & closing

    51 min

  7. 09/15/2025

    Growth Mindset in a Shifting Market: Luke Ogelsby on AI, SF Resilience, and the Business of Belief

    In this episode, host Drew Hess chats with Luke Ogelsby, Vice Chairman at CBRE and the San Francisco Business Times’ 2024 Broker of the Year. Luke reflects on the evolution of commercial real estate, the unstoppable rise of AI, and why he’s doubling down on San Francisco’s future. He shares lessons from early career struggles, the power of resilience, and how his personal values continue to shape a purpose-driven approach to business and leadership. A must-listen for anyone navigating today’s CRE landscape with long-term vision.

    20 min

  8. 08/28/2025

    From the Port to the Boardroom: Linda Hothem’s Legacy in Bay Area Industrial Real Estate

    In this episode, host Drew Hess sits down with Linda Hothem, Owner and CEO of Pacific American Group, to explore her remarkable journey from social work to becoming a leading force in industrial real estate. Linda shares the founding story behind Pacific American, her pivotal role in shaping the Port of Oakland’s trade infrastructure, overcoming personal tragedy, and her continued legacy through mentorship, philanthropy, and sustainability. It’s a powerful conversation on leadership, resilience, and innovation in the Bay Area’s evolving commercial real estate landscape.

    35 min
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About

CREDA SFBA Podcast: Engage. Deliberate. Highlight. The CREDA San Francisco Bay Area Podcast, hosted by Drew Hess, Principal at Layline, brings you inside the conversations shaping commercial real estate today. Each episode features candid discussions with industry leaders, developers, investors, policymakers, and innovators driving the future of the built environment. From market trends and investment strategies to leadership insights and policy impacts, the podcast delivers practical perspectives from professionals working at the center of the industry. Produced by NAIOP SFBA, the podcast extends the chapter’s mission beyond events — connecting the commercial real estate community through thoughtful dialogue and shared expertise. Listen for: Market trends and industry outlooks Leadership and career insights Bay Area real estate perspectives Policy and advocacy discussions Conversations with influential CRE leaders Follow, rate, and share to stay connected with the Bay Area commercial real estate community. Learn more about CREDA SFBA membership and programs at CREDASFBA.org.

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