2024 Power Players in Real Estate

Ryan Serhant is the founder and CEO of SERHANT., a multidimensional real estate brokerage that sits at the intersection of media, entertainment, education, and technology. Over the course of his career, Ryan has closed more than $8 billion USD in sales. He is on a mission to revolutionize and modernize the real estate industry, give back, and share his formula for success to enable and motivate others.

Dean J. Shapiro is global head of development for Oxford Properties, responsible for managing Oxford’s development platform activity globally. Formerly, Shapiro served as the head of U.S. development for Oxford where he was responsible for over 30 development projects around the U.S. including Hudson Yards and St. John’s Terminal, the latter of which was Oxford-led and sold to Google for over $2 billion.

Eddie Shapiro, founder, president, and CEO of Nest Seekers International, has led the company to billions in transactions, transforming it into a global real estate powerhouse. Under his visionary leadership, Nest Seekers has diversified into new developments, fine art, yachts, and private planes. Known for developing the hit real estate television series, “Selling the Hamptons” and “Crazy Rich Agents,” Eddie is also committed to mentoring agents, driving innovation, and revolutionizing luxury real estate marketing.

Is there a project you are excited to work on or see completed in 2024?
Season two of our television series, ‘Selling the Hamptons’ premiered this month on Max. This show is a real game-changer. It’s more than just a showcase of spectacular Hamptons properties; it’s a deep dive into the creativity of our agents and their innovative strategies. What excites me most is how we’re bringing audiences right into the secretive, high-value world of Hamptons real estate, unveiling the complex dynamics of one of the world’s most coveted markets.

What is your favorite part of working in real estate?
Empowering our team members to turn their potential into real success. Seeing someone start with the basics and then rise to become a top earner – that’s incredibly fulfilling. It’s a blend of art and strategy, guiding them from getting their license to making millions. Witnessing their journey, their growth, and knowing I’ve contributed to their success is not just rewarding; it’s what fuels my passion every day.

What qualities do you believe make up a successful real estate professional?
It’s all about lighting up that drive and ambition, turning the competitive nature of this industry into a challenge, not a setback. It’s a journey spanning multiple years to master deal-making, marketing, and negotiation. What really sets you apart is grit and a commitment to the long haul. Sure, you see agents making millions, but remember, those wins are the result of years of hard work. It’s about playing the long game with integrity.

As chief executive officer of Tishman Speyer, Rob Speyer has led the firm’s global expansion and diversification strategy, growing its assets under management to more than $65 billion and launching new business lines including housing, industrial, life science and venture investing. Rob is also co-chair of the Partnership for New York City and is serving as chair of the Advisory Board of the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City under his third mayoral administration.

Michelle Stoddart is the senior vice president of community development for Resorts World Casino, New York City. She was a member of the executive opening team that handled record-breaking attendance during the casino’s debut weekend in October 2011. In her role, Stoddart has been managing community affairs, public relations, local business partnerships, and corporate philanthropy. Under her guidance, Resorts World has supported more than 300 nonprofit organizations in the New York metropolitan area.

Queens-raised brothers Tom and Fred Elghanayan have worked together to build a reputation for quality, integrity and vision. Fred is the president, COO and co-founder of TF Cornerstone. Fred leads the construction division. Both brothers are actively involved in the financing, acquisitions, planning, and development of future projects.

Is there a project you are excited to work on or see completed in 2024? 
This year, we are excited to introduce our latest contribution to Hunters Point South and the LIC waterfront with the summer 2024 opening of 2-20 and 2-21 Malt Drive. Encompassing over 7 acres of land, significant waterfront improvements and a large publicly accessible park, including a playground and dog run; Malt Drive reflects our longstanding commitment to the Long Island City community at large.

Tom is the chairman, CEO and co-founder of TF Cornerstone. He is actively involved in overseeing residential leasing and property management.

What is your favorite part of working in real estate? 
A successful real estate development needs to bring together the talents of a very diverse group of professionals – lawyers, planners, marketers, bankers, equity providers, engineers, architects, and construction professionals. We find that the most interesting part of this business is coordinating and leading this diverse group of professionals to produce the best product possible.

During her remarkable career of more than four decades in commercial real estate, Mary Ann Tighe has been credited with transforming New York’s skyline. She has been responsible for 123.5 million square feet of transactions, and her deals have anchored 14.4 million square feet of new construction. Mary Ann has been CEO of CBRE’s New York Tri-State Region since 2002, a region of 4,400 employees.

Is there a project you are excited to work on or see completed in 2024?
I look forward to Sotheby’s closing on the acquisition of the former Whitney Museum on Madison Avenue, what we now call “the Breuer,” and completing the lease up of 550 Madison. We also expect to move leasing at the World Trade Center forward. My other projects are still under the cover of confidentiality.  It is already a busy 2024!

What is your favorite part of working in real estate?
Our industry is the key driver for the vitality of our city. When people think of New York they visualize our skyline. Working in commercial real estate allows me to tap into my passion for the City and use many different skills to craft transactions that help my clients achieve their goals and simultaneously benefit our cityscape for generations to come. I also appreciate that the real estate brokerage business remains a true meritocracy.

What qualities do you believe make up a successful real estate professional?
Ours is an apprentice business. I had the good fortune to be mentored by the most successful broker, who taught me that “no” is never an endpoint, but rather the opening of a conversation. Successful real estate brokers have made themselves experts on something or some things. If you’re an expert, business will find you. Since this remains a business that is passed down, it’s vital to be in the room where it happens.

Maria Torres-Springer is NYC’s deputy mayor for housing, economic development and workforce, spearheading the Administration’s efforts to strengthen our economy, create 500,000 homes by 2033, transform public housing, bolster small businesses and connect New Yorkers to family-sustaining jobs. Torres-Springer has a long track record of public service in NYC, having led three city agencies with over 3,000 employees and approximately $2 billion in annual operating budgets, addressing some of the city’s most significant challenges. 

Is there a project you are excited to work on or see completed in 2024? 
With NYC’s rental vacancy rate at 1.41% – the lowest since 1968 – our work to combat our housing crisis takes on new urgency . Our proposed City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, the most pro-housing initiative in the history of NYC zoning, is central to this mission. By building a little more housing in every neighborhood, alongside investments in affordable housing and actions we seek from Albany and Washington, we can create housing New Yorkers need.    

What is your favorite part of working in real estate? 
Working in real estate allows us to see the tangible ways we improve the lives of New Yorkers. Last year, HPD financed record numbers of affordable homes. NYCHA’s transformation plan is yielding building upgrades and improved social services. We’re creating new centers for research, education and training at Governors Island and in Kips Bay. In Willets Points, we’re creating a new neighborhood from the ground up. Each project is key to making our city stronger.

What qualities do you believe make up a successful real estate professional?
A successful real estate professional is someone who connects changes in the built environment to meaningful improvements in peoples’ lives. With the city’s vacancy rate at an historic low, everyone who touches the industry has a role to play in addressing the housing crisis. The good news is that solutions are within our reach. We simply have no time to waste.