Description

Interested? Places in Cohort 1 are limited. To express interest or hold a place, contact NAREIM CEO, Andy Walburger. Please confirm participation by November 18, 2026.

THE PROGRAM

The Next Level Leader prepares high-performing real estate investment management leaders to bridge from running a function to leading across the enterprise. It pairs a personal leadership assessment with an immersive, team-based experience, and it runs a day and a half in person at the Ferguson Partners office in Chicago.

WHO IT IS FOR

Strong candidates are rising REIM executives, typically one to two levels below the C-suite, who have demonstrated leadership in a specific function or business vertical and are ready to broaden their impact across the enterprise. The cohort brings together peers from NAREIM member organizations across acquisitions, asset and portfolio management, capital raising, finance, property operations, and corporate functions.

Check out the Leadership Development brochure here

DETAILS

Program Day 1
Tuesday, March 9
Location: 123 N Wacker Drive, 30th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606
Time: 8:00am-5:00pm CT

Networking Dinner
Location: TBA
Time: 6:00pm-8:30pm CT

Program Day 2
Wednesday, March 10
Location: 123 N Wacker Drive, 30th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606
Time: 8:00am-1:00pm CT

Format. A 1½-day, in person program, preceded by a Hogan leadership assessment and one-on-one debrief with Ferguson Partners.

Included. The Hogan assessment and one-on-one debrief, all program sessions, materials, and session meals. Note: Travel and lodging are not included.

The cohort. A cross-functional group of peers drawn from NAREIM member firms.

KEY OUTCOMES

Benefits for the company

• A leader who is ready for a broader enterprise role
• A multiplier who grows the people around them a leader who moves from doing the work to leading through others
• A leader who sees decisions through an enterprise and capital lens
• An investment in the development and retention of rising leaders

Benefits for the participant

• Grow team leadership skills, moving from doing the work to leading the work
• Build a network of peers from across the industry
• Think more holistically about the enterprise value
• Learn to influence key stakeholders, from founders to peers to capital partners
• Gain a clear read on their own leadership style and pressure points
  
  

Ferguson Partners' qualifications

Ferguson Partners brings deep expertise in real estate investment management and leadership development, with longstanding relationships across the industry and a strong understanding of the capabilities required to lead investment management organizations. Through their work advising investment managers on organizational strategy, leadership, succession, and talent, Ferguson Partners is uniquely positioned to prepare high-performing leaders for the transition from functional leadership to enterprise leadership.

Hosted in conjunction with NAREIM, the Next Level Leader program combines this industry expertise with a personal leadership assessment and immersive, team-based experience to help participants broaden their perspective, strengthen their leadership effectiveness, and prepare to lead at the enterprise level.

INTERESTED IN SENDING SOMEONE?

Places in Cohort 1 are limited. To express interest or hold a place, contact NAREIM CEO, Andy Walburger. Please confirm participation by November 18, 2026.