Commercial real estate leaders are constantly making decisions in an environment of uncertainty. How does having credible, independent research change the way leaders think about those decisions?  

As business leaders in the commercial real estate industry, we are always developing strategy and plans to continue our success and increase growth for our companies. We all also have our own opinions on the direction we should take our companies and how different markets will behave and change. We make assumptions and predictions based on our own personal experiences. While this approach can result in some success, it has the very real limitations of a narrow point of view. This is where credible independent research is critical and exponentially expands our perspective and ability to effectively plan. Without it we are all still relying only on the limitations of our own experiences and collective company knowledge.  

What research or findings from the CREDA Research Foundation’s reports have stuck with you or changed the way you think about the industry?  

Having been a participant and contributor to the Best Practices in Cold Storage Facility Development e-book, I would have to say that is the piece that has stuck with me. But not necessarily for the reasons one might think. I found that through the act of developing the outline, doing the research and contributing to the writing, I gained a far deeper understanding of the product type than I had before, despite having been on or leading the design team for many of these types of projects. It also gave me a much deeper appreciation of the effort and thought that the CREDA team and their contributing researchers put into their research.  

What makes credible, objective research especially valuable in an environment where there is so much data out there and so many opinions?  

The research produced by the CREDA Research Foundation cuts through the noise. The internet and AI have brought the combined knowledge of the world to our fingertips. The problem with this is determining the trustworthiness of what we read as well as just getting the right information. Knowing that the research produced by the Foundation is trustworthy and relevant is invaluable.  

What do you think is the Foundation's greatest contribution to the commercial real estate industry – and what do you hope it can accomplish in the years ahead?  

Its greatest contribution is that it gives the industry a trusted, independent body of knowledge that serves everyone. It isn't tied to a single firm, product or point of view. That kind of shared resource strengthens the whole profession, and it's hard to build and easy to take for granted.

Looking ahead, I hope the Foundation keeps pace with the speed of change in our industry. That means addressing emerging questions around technology, capital markets, demographics and the evolving role of real estate in communities, and getting the findings into leaders' hands in time to use them. I'd also like to see it deepen its connection to the next generation of professionals, so that evidence-based thinking becomes part of how our industry develops its talent.

If you could have every CREDA member take away one thing about the Research Foundation – why it exists and what it's doing for the industry – what would you want them to know? 

The Foundation exists for the benefit of the whole industry, and it's strongest when the industry stands behind it. It produces independent research that helps all of us make better decisions, and that work is made possible by the support and engagement of CREDA members.

So I'd want every member to see the Foundation as their resource. Use the research, share it with your teams, and take part in shaping the questions it tackles. When the people who work in this industry invest in knowledge, the whole industry benefits.  

Learn more about the Foundation Governors