Boston’s Real Estate Inflection Point
800 Boylston St
Boston, Mass 02199
Commercial Real Estate, Return to Office, and the Next Growth Cycle
Join the Boston Bates Business Network for a candid discussion on the U.S. commercial real estate market — and what it means for Boston’s trajectory in the years ahead.
The conversation will focus on two themes:
+The Market Reset
The discussion will focus on how the return-to-office has settled across asset classes, alongside the realities of today’s capital markets environment — refinancing pressure, valuation adjustments, and transaction activity.
Drawing on perspectives across office, multifamily, industrial, and retail, panelists will share what they are seeing nationally and how those trends are translating locally in Boston, including development feasibility, operating costs, and where capital is — and is not — transacting.
+The Next Growth Cycle
We’ll also dive into how capital is deploying across the U.S. and what that signals for the next phase of the market. Along with which asset classes and geographies have momentum, how major markets are competing for investment, and where Boston fits within that landscape.
The discussion will also touch on what Boston needs to do — from policy to positioning — to remain competitive and continue to attract investment.
Meet the Moderator and Panelists:
MODERATOR:
Nick Beati ’20
Managing Director at Savills
Nick is a Managing Director within the Business Intelligence Group at Savills, where he leads site selection, incentives, and ecosystem advisory projects for clients across the tech, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing sectors. From launching new R&D hubs to securing competitive incentive packages for major production facilities, Nick helps clients make high-stakes decisions about where and how they grow. In addition to advising private-sector clients, Nick works with cities, institutions, and innovation hubs to help them prepare for the industries of the future. He focuses on placemaking strategy, go-to-market planning, and the infrastructure needed to support vibrant economic ecosystems. Nick also frequently speaks on panels and webinars across the country, sharing insights on national site selection trends, economic development strategy, and incentive policy.
PANELISTS:
Natalie Herald ’99
Head of Commercial Mortgage-Alternatives, MassMutual
Natalie Herald is the Head of Commercial Mortgage at MassMutual, where she leads investment strategy and oversight of debt and equity portfolios globally. Prior experience includes 12 years at Fidelity Investments, investing in high-yield debt and preferred equity in commercial real estate nationwide, where she generated an unlevered double-digit return across several billion dollars in real estate transactions. Prior to Fidelity, Natalie worked in the Asset Recovery Group at KeyBank and started her career at Bank of America in commercial real estate finance. She graduated from Bates in 1999.
Mike Ciummei ’12
Senior Managing Director of JLL
Michael Ciummei is a Senior Managing Director at JLL, where he leads the Industrial team in New England. He advises institutional investors and landlords on the leasing and sale of their assets, and works with industrial and manufacturing companies to execute their real estate strategies globally.
Sam Glasgow ’16
Co-founder and Principal at Tree Line Ventures
Sam is the co-founder and principal of Tree Line Ventures, a real estate investment partnership focused on value creation opportunities across the built environment. At Tree Line, Sam leads acquisitions and capital markets functions. Previously, Sam was Director of Acquisitions at WS Development, a privately-held retail and mixed-use development firm with over 100 properties and 25 million square feet nationwide. Earlier in his career, Sam was an analyst at Cornerstone Research.
A reception with hors d’oeuvres and other refreshments will be available.
Grab your spot!
Get in Touch
Our Alumni Engagement team is here to help. Please reach out with any questions:
- alumni@bates.edu
- 1-888-522-8371