Case Study

PROBLEM

DES was retained by real estate “impact fund”, Key Living Corp to find a President with an extensive background in financial leadership, M&A, corporate strategy and asset management to launch its attainable housing fund. With Key’s seasoned leadership team in place, together with a highly-respected board of directors, the Fund sought to create a new marketplace for investing in the affordable housing sector, bringing together investment banks, PE funds, developers, governments and tenants in support of a “co-ownership model”.

For this mandate, the Fund sought a highly-skilled and experienced real estate executive, preferably one who had served as a CFO, given the need to raise capital, establish banking partnerships, attract development partners, oversee the Fund’s operations and build out the finance function. Credibility with the financial community was seen as a must-have quality.

APPROACH

We approached President, CIO and CFO candidates in REITs, real estate development, fund management, investment banking and private equity.

Since this Role required an appreciation of attainable housing finance, government relations and impact investment principles, as well as depth in capital markets, it was a complex mandate.

We were drawn to candidates with real estate backgrounds , especially those among public REITS that had raised capital and had worked closely with banks, pension funds and other sources of capital, displaying strong strategic acumen and vision . The team also placed significant value on individuals who brought refined influencing abilities, deep relationships and excellent people-leadership skills.