This past week I had the privilege of returning to Harvard Graduate School of Design for the Advanced Management Development Program (AMDP) Alumni Reunion.
As a proud member of AMDP Class VIII, returning to Cambridge was much more than attending a reunion. It was an opportunity to reconnect with classmates and alumni spanning nearly twenty-five years of the program, welcome the newest members of Classes 26 and 27, and reflect on how profoundly this remarkable community has influenced our professional journeys.
This year’s reunion was especially meaningful as we celebrated the retirement of Professor Richard Peiser, whose vision and leadership transformed AMDP into one of the world’s premier executive programs for leaders in real estate, development, and the built environment.
Professor Peiser didn’t simply create an academic program—he built a global community of professionals who continue to learn from one another long after graduation. His legacy can be seen not only in the thousands of projects developed around the world by AMDP alumni, but also in the enduring relationships, friendships, and collaborative spirit that continue to define this extraordinary network.
The reunion itself reminded me why the program has remained so relevant.
We explored how public policy increasingly shapes the future of real estate, discussed the importance of authentic storytelling and trust in leadership, examined long-term private equity investing through some of the country’s most iconic hospitality developments, and heard Kevin Ervin Kelley challenge us to create places that people simply cannot replace—a philosophy I look forward to exploring further in his new book, Irreplaceable.
One of the highlights of the reunion was an architectural walking tour of Beacon Hill and Back Bay, honoring Professor Peiser’s decades of scholarship and teaching. Standing with fellow alumni overlooking Boston from the Prudential Center, discussing the history, planning, and evolution of one of America’s great urban environments (walking past statues of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Paul Revere amongst others, was a fitting reminder that the best cities—and the best institutions—are built thoughtfully over generations.
Personally, the reunion reinforced something that has become increasingly clear throughout my own career.
While my work has spanned hospitality, institutional real estate, healthcare, capital formation, and strategic development, the common thread has never simply been buildings. It has been building complex institutional platforms—bringing together multidisciplinary teams, capital, operations, innovation, and leadership to create organizations and places that generate lasting value for the communities they serve. It has been about building institutions.
I am deeply grateful to Professor Peiser, the Harvard Graduate School of Design, and the entire AMDP Alumni Association Board—including President Scott McLain (Class 5), Vice President Fernando Levy-Hara (Class 9), Treasurer Kristin Kenzy Egan (Class 20), Leadership Member Forrest Corral (Class 24), and the many volunteers whose dedication made this reunion such a memorable experience.
A special thank you as well to our speakers, sponsors, and alumni whose generosity, insights, and hospitality made the event exceptional—including Jonathan Hoenig and The Atlantic Companies for sponsoring the closing dinner.
Twenty-five years later, I remain grateful to be part of this remarkable global community.
The conversations continue. The friendships endure. The learning never stops.
Thank you, Harvard GSD AMDP.
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