Klump CUREN

The Annual CU Real Estate Forum: Helping Shape Careers in Commercial Real Estate

Jane Majkiewicz — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 03:15:31 +0000

The Annual CU Real Estate Forum: Helping Shape Careers in Commercial Real Estate Jane Majkiewicz Tue, 03/11/2025 - 21:15

Attendance at the Annual CU Real Estate Forum helps students unlock networking opportunities and gain important industry knowledge and connections.

For senior real estate major Jonah Duran (left), attending the 28th Annual CU Real Estate Forum this March “provided ample networking opportunities between classmates and industry professionals.” That momentum is invaluable as he prepares to launch his career as a broker for Unique Properties in Denver, focusing on industrial, retail, and office investment sales and leasing.

“I’m excited about a career in commercial real estate brokerage because it combines relationship building, market expertise and deal-making in a dynamic, results-driven environment,” he said. “The ability to directly impact businesses and investors while navigating complex transactions is both challenging and rewarding.”

The forum as a catalyst for career growth

“We emphasize that students should engage early and often in experiential education opportunities,” said Erin Penberthy, a Leeds career coach for real estate. Career treks, internships, student organizations, and events like the Real Estate Forum provide valuable networking and learning opportunities, she said.

“Networking is key to the job and internship process, and students who invest in it and research companies before applying tend to have positive career outcomes,” she said. “The Real Estate Forum gives students a fantastic opportunity to not only hear about current industry trends but also meet future employers.”

A premier industry event

“This year’s forum took the event to another level,” said Julie Gibson, Sherman R. Miller Executive Director of the real estate center. The event attracted “top national and local speakers, educating students, alumni and employers around top issues in the real estate industry.”

Among the 300 attendees, 72 were students eager to network and learn from industry leaders, including Willy Walker, CEO and chair of Walker & Dunlop, and Michael Klump, whose 2024 gift established the newly named Michael A. Klump Center for Real Estate.

Key takeaways from industry leaders

Duran echoed forum presenters’ insights about Denver’s growing market, seeing his role as having a prime opportunity to add value. Understanding emerging trends, such as water issues and AI in real estate, was another major draw.

He particularly valued Walker's keynote. As an executive who grew Walker & Dunlop from 46 employees in 2003 to a public company with more than 1,400 employees and recognized as a best place to work over consecutive years, Walker shared key career lessons.

“His inspiring success story and well-spoken nature made listening to his conversation a treat,” said Duran. “Having a good mentor, working hard and trying different things were the main themes he spoke about, all of which I plan on implementing in my career.”

Leeds senior and real estate major Kourtney Stetler (left) agreed. “The Willy Walker presentation was incredibly insightful, especially as a soon-to-be graduate. He shared how, after finishing school, he had the choice between accepting a full-time job or traveling to Paraguay to work with a family friend. Taking a leap of faith, he chose to travel, learn a new language, and gain a broader perspective—an experience that shaped his future career.”

Walker also highlighted the highs and lows of commercial real estate. “There are real estate developers in here that have taken massive risks,” he said, encouraging the audience to accept that as part of the process. He discussed his own experience with layoffs and falling stock prices, citing them as competitive pressures that inspire him to drive new goals.

His advice to students: “Create a career that doesn’t feel like work.”

The importance of mentors and internships

Michael Klump, who spoke about his career and generous gift to the center, also emphasized taking risks—one being time and knowing how to protect it. His early passion for real estate led to his success in acquiring and developing shopping centers. He emphasized the value of internships and mentorships.

Professional Mentors at Leeds

In 2024, the Leeds Professional Mentorship Program for juniors and seniors experienced record growth, with 773 students taking advantage of the program—a 32 percent jump—and a total of 867 mentors. Learn more about the program and the impact of mentors.

Internships played a significant role for Duran. “I interned at Northmarq on the Portfolio and Asset Management team and at Denver Angel Investments in investment due diligence, both of which helped me develop financial analysis skills and gain exposure to real estate and investment transactions.” He also cited the CU Real Estate Case Competition as a key learning experience.

“Collaborating with my team to build an acquisition model and presenting to industry professionals strengthened my analytical and communication skills, ultimately guiding me toward a career in real estate brokerage.”

Stetler has found mentorship equally valuable. “Being matched with someone who aligns with my interests has been incredibly helpful. My mentor has introduced me to real estate professionals for informational interviews,” she said. “I appreciate the strong relationships I have built with professors, mentors and career coaches, as I believe these connections will be instrumental in my career development.”

The rise of tech in real estate

The event also showcased two industry panels: “The Ripple Effect: Navigating Water Scarcity in Colorado’s Growing Communities,” moderated by Luke Runyon of The Water Desk, and “Real Estate Meets AI: Evaluating the Credibility of AI in Commercial Real Estate,” moderated by Calandra Cruikshank of Statebook International.

Leeds junior Yashwant Chapagain (left) found the discussions enlightening. “I learned so many things. The AI in Real Estate presentation was especially fascinating. I was relieved to hear panelists say they don’t believe AI will replace people and that this is an exciting time for the industry. One panelist noted that career trajectories are going to change vastly, which I also found interesting.”

Looking ahead: A bright future in real estate

“The center’s introductions to industry professionals made it easier to connect and increased my confidence,” said Chapagain. “The center has been supportive in giving us all the resources we need to be successful.”

As Duran looks ahead, he’s “eager to develop deep local knowledge, negotiate creative solutions and drive successful outcomes for clients.”

“On the horizon for the center is to keep serving students well, growing programs, attracting talent and creating a strategic plan to increase experiential and applied learning,” said Gibson.

Sponsors of the 2025 CU Real Estate Forum

Leeds extends its gratitude to sponsoring presenter Kirkpatrick Bank and the following sponsors (in alphabetical order) who helped make the forum possible.

ARES Industrial Management
Brownstein
Centennial Realty Advisors
CBRE
Colorado Real Estate Journal
Conscience Bay Company
East West Partners
Goldberg Properties Inc.

Hampton Yards
Holland & Hart
Lincoln
Nichols Partnership
Oakwood Real Estate Partners
Pennrose
Pless Law Firm
Trailbreak Partners
The W.W. Reynolds Companies

Students attending the annual CU Real Estate Forum get opportunities to network with industry leaders, gain insights into key trends, and carve out their career paths.

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Career Paths: Auggie Gehret Shares the Power of Networking

Srishti Sharma — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 18:38:08 +0000

Career Paths: Auggie Gehret Shares the Power of Networking Srishti Sharma Thu, 10/17/2024 - 12:38

In a challenging job market, Auggie Gehret connected with alumni and industry professionals to launch his career in commercial real estate.

For recent graduate Auggie Gehret (Fin, RelEst’24), networking was the key to landing his first full-time job as a real estate analyst at Ares Management Corporation, thanks to an internship and the support of Leeds alumnus Jeff Latier (MBA’08).

Little did Gehret know that volunteering at the Annual CU Real Estate Golf Tournament would kickstart his career. He was assisting with setting up chairs and signs when the program director introduced him to Latier.

Practice makes perfect

Despite having a new connection, Gehret wasn’t a pro at networking. “My first networking call with someone who wasn’t a recent grad was with Jeff, and yes, I was definitely nervous,” he said.

“I think a lot of students are afraid to ask questions that don’t seem smart.” He encourages students to ask detailed questions to learn as much as they can. Even questions that might seem unsophisticated “can help you navigate your job search and career placement.”

Latier echoed that sentiment. “It’s kind of like life—you’ve got to practice. The more reps you do, the better you get. It might start out clunky, but it gets better over time.”

As an active alum with the Michael A. Klump Center for Real Estate and CU as a mentor and guest lecturer, Latier is always excited to meet with students interested in his career and expertise. “People genuinely want to help students and are willing to set time aside. It’s a unique opportunity to take advantage of.”

“People genuinely want to help students and are willing to set time aside. It’s a unique opportunity to take advantage of.”

Jeff Latier (MBA’08)

“The real estate center supported me in leveraging their network,” Gehret said. “Once I talked to Jeff, I was able to snowball that into conversations with other professionals.” His connections with other CU alumni helped him find an internship at Ares before his senior year.

Building a network

For Gehret, building a solid network came from getting involved at Leeds. He participated in the CU Real Estate Club, Real Estate Fellows Program and multiple case competitions, including the Undergraduate Real Estate Case Competition.

“The core curriculum helped to set me up,” said Gehret. He found Teaching Professor Curtis Sears’ Intro to Real Estate and Real Estate Senior Seminar to be instrumental. “He gave me a more holistic understanding of the commercial real estate industry.”

Beyond classes, events helped him build experience. “I think what really topped off my ability to get my ideal post-grad role were the external events held by the center.”

“The heart of the work we do at the Klump Center is providing students the opportunity to meet, interact and learn from industry practitioners,” said Julie Gibson, the Sherman R. Miller Executive Director of the Klump Center. “Jeff Latier is a great example of an alumnus who continually gives back to his alma mater by taking time to meet with students. For Auggie, taking advantage of the experiential learning the center offers paid off with landing a top job in the region,” she added.

Gehret found the Real Estate Case Competition to be a great way to stand out. “It was by far the most influential for my professional development. It gave me the chance to develop skills and knowledge that applied to nearly all real estate roles and let me network with industry professionals who served as judges.”

Latier emphasized the value of Leeds’ opportunities. “The ability to work on a real-life real estate project and get feedback from senior-level executives sets the real estate program apart.”

Refining career goals

Initially, Gehret didn’t intend to go into commercial real estate. He planned for a career in investment banking, but as he learned more about real estate, it sparked a passion. He didn’t have a clear picture, though, of what working in commercial real estate might look like.

After meeting Latier at the tournament and having a conversation on Zoom, Gehret connected with a dozen other professionals who worked at Ares, most of whom were CU alumni. Those conversations helped him gain a better understanding of his path.

“Jeff and other CU alumni really helped me understand commercial real estate outside of the classroom,” said Gehret. “From there, I was able to narrow what I wanted, and I really directed my job search and extracurriculars with that in mind.”

He was most interested in portfolio management, a specialized area within real estate that involves managing a firm’s investment holdings. “Trying to independently understand exactly what a position entails is challenging, but it helps in narrowing down the roles you’re interested in,” he explained.

“I really had to network with people who understood the position and what the day-to-day looks like,” Gehret said. As he approached the interview process, those conversations about the role and team functions prepared him to thoughtfully craft his answers to interview questions. “Networking with all of those people was pivotal to me getting hired,” he said.

Paying it forward

Latier reinforced leveraging the alumni network. “Alumni are extremely loyal. It’s a result of this wonderful cycle that starts with the real estate program and Leeds providing a high-quality student experience, and then students want to give back as they grow.”

Gehret is following Latier’s lead as a dedicated and involved alum. He communicates frequently with staff and faculty at the Klump Center and recently joined a roundtable of professionals to speak with students. “It was nice to be on the other side and give advice on how they can start their career,” he said.

Latier continues to be energized by the questions he gets from students. “I’m always happy to meet with students and come back to campus. It’s a great way to give back and stay connected.”

To learn about the wide range of career resources and networking opportunities at Leeds, visit the Career Development Office.

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$15M gift to transform real estate education and student wellness at CU Boulder

Srishti Sharma — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 21:01:43 +0000

$15M gift to transform real estate education and student wellness at CU Boulder Srishti Sharma Thu, 09/12/2024 - 15:01

By Katy Marquardt Hill • Published: Sept. 12, 2024

Students pursuing a career in real estate will soon see their learning opportunities sharply appreciated: On Thursday, CU Boulder announced a groundbreaking $15 million donation from CU Boulder alumnus Michael Klump to revolutionize the real estate center in the Leeds School of Business, as well as support essential student health and wellness programs in the College of Arts and Sciences.

“This transformational gift highlights the power of philanthropy,” said CU Chancellor Justin Schwartz.

“It will support students, faculty, staff and research activities across the vast and dynamic real estate field, driving innovation and enriching educational experiences on campus. Additionally, it will provide crucial support for wellness programs and student mental health.”

The investment will allocate $13 million to enhance the newly renamed Michael A. Klump Center for Real Estate—formerly known as the CU Real Estate Center. This portion of the gift, one of the largest ever given to a real estate center in the United States, will strengthen the center's academics, industry partnerships and career support in the years ahead.

The real estate center, led by Professor Christophe Spaenjers, who serves as faculty director, and Julie Gibson, who serves as the Sherman R. Miller Executive Director, is one of six centers of excellence in the Leeds School which work to help students translate, integrate and transfer classroom concepts into real-world insights.

“This gift is pivotal for CU’s real estate program, providing significant resources that will advance the center’s leadership, enhance student programming and offer student financial assistance,” said Gibson. “The endowment component of this gift ensures that CU’s dedication to real estate education will continue for many generations to come.”

An additional $2 million will support programs in the College of Arts and Sciences that promote CU Boulder students' mental health and well-being. Through the Hellems Fund for Collective Belonging and the Hellems Fund for Fostering Success, this gift will contribute to mental health programming, resources and student support, and welcome programs and outreach initiatives for first-year and transfer students.

Michael Klump

Promoting academic excellence and industry connections

Klump’s investment in the Leeds School will expand leading-edge programs with top real estate faculty and industry partnerships that prepare students to be experts in the dynamic real estate field. The donation represents a major advancement for the center, which was founded in 1997 by passionate alumni and industry leaders as a way to bolster future real estate professionals and promote important research within their field. Thirty years ago, the center supported 10–20 students per year; today it provides opportunities for nearly 450 students annually.

The $13 million donation to the center will endow three faculty positions in real estate finance at the chair and professorship levels. It will also create four funds to advance innovative academics, establish an endowed scholarship, enhance students’ career growth, and strengthen the center’s reputation within the business and alumni communities.

Klump’s significant contribution underscores the profound impact of community support on CU Boulder’s mission and the Leeds School of Business. “The gift will provide rich opportunities to CU Boulder students and contribute to Leeds’ legacy of excellence. Strong support from the real estate community has been a hallmark of our connection with industry,” said Vijay Khatri, the Tandean Rustandy Endowed Dean at the Leeds School of Business.

A gift that fuels the future

With a successful real estate career spanning over 30 years, Klump is the founder and chairman of RCG Ventures, a leading commercial real estate investment firm. Additionally, he co-founded Equity Investment Group, a private real estate investment trust focused on neighborhood shopping centers and established Argonne Capital Group, a private investment firm specializing in companies within the restaurant, retail and service industries. While a sophomore at CU Boulder, Klump got his real estate license and began selling houses on The Hill. He interned at a commercial shopping center development firm between his junior and senior years and found his niche. “I owe a lot of my success to attending the University of Colorado, where I had the privilege of meeting inspiring individuals and forming lifelong connections across the country,” said Klump. “These experiences have deeply motivated me to give back and set an example. I hope my contribution to CU Boulder will inspire others to join in the spirit of generosity and make a meaningful impact.”

In addition to being a real estate entrepreneur, Klump is a steadfast philanthropist, generously supporting a diverse range of organizations over the years through the Klump Family Foundation. He said his commitment to giving back reflects a deep belief in the power of philanthropy to drive positive change.

Professor Christophe Spaenjers, faculty director of the newly renamed Klump Center for Real Estate, speaks with graduate students in the Koelbel building after their Real Estate Finance and Investment class.

“My hope is that this gift will provide students with broad exposure to the diverse opportunities within real estate, whether they choose to embark on a career immediately, pursue further education, or explore various facets of the industry,” Klump said. “The real estate world is vast and dynamic, with potential for local, regional, national and even international impact, and I am excited to support a program that will open doors and inspire future leaders in this field.”

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Ben Woolf to Lead the International Advisory Board for the Colorado University Real Estate Center

Christen DeThomas — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 19:57:14 +0000

Ben Woolf to Lead the International Advisory Board for the Colorado University Real Estate Center Christen DeThomas Wed, 07/10/2024 - 13:57

For nearly 20 years, University of Colorado real estate alumnus Ben Woolf has been giving back to his alma mater. This year, he is taking on a new challenge as chairperson for the International Advisory Board (IAB) for the University of Colorado Real Estate Center (CUREC), a role he will helm for two years. Woolf earned his MBA with a real estate focus in 2004 from the Leeds School of Business.

I feel a sense of responsibility to give back to CUREC, Leeds and the students by stepping into the chairperson role," Woolf said. “For the past 20 years, I have seen time and time again CUREC’s impact on students and the real estate industry, and I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without CUREC. I look forward to serving the center in this new capacity.

Leeds and CUREC benefit from a robust and engaged alumni community and a powerful group of industry supporters. The IAB, an invitation-only board, consists of C-suite leaders from the nation’s leading real estate firms who commit significant resources to support the academic and co-curricular work of CUREC. The board provides counsel, curriculum advice, mentorships, financial support, industry insights and career opportunities for the program.

“Ben’s commitment and involvement with CU since he graduated has been tremendous. He is strategic and thoughtful in all he does, and I can think of no one better to step into the chair role for the IAB. Ben has taught the MBA Real Estate Principles class at CU the past several years, so he has seen firsthand the impact that CUREC has had on hundreds of CU students and alumni,” said Julie Gibson, executive director of CUREC. “He is enormously respected by the real estate industry, and we are thrilled to welcome him as the new IAB chair.”

Woolf, who is co-founder and director of commercial investments for Conscience Bay Company, a private equity firm focused on real estate assets in and around Colorado, was part of the CUREC alumni board for 15 years. He joined CUREC's advisory board in 2023. He has also worked for the CU Real Estate Foundation in a project manager (asset manager/portfolio manager) role and was president of the Leeds MBA alumni board in 2018-19.

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Building Back Better: Leeds Gets Assist from Industry in Refreshing Real Estate Master’s Program

Anonymous — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Building Back Better: Leeds Gets Assist from Industry in Refreshing Real Estate Master’s Program Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 04/28/2023 - 00:00

The revamped curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for the significant changes facing the field.

The Denver skyline at sunrise. Changes in the commercial real estate industry in Denver and beyond helped highlight some weaknesses in the real estate master’s program at Leeds, but the school and industry collaborated to completely refresh the curiculum to create better-prepared graduates. Below is Christophe Spaenjers, faculty director of the program; Carl Koelbel (MBA’10) presenting an award at the CU Real Estate Center's annual forum; and Michael Kercheval, CUREC executive director.

If you were to ask Carl Koelbel why he approached the Leeds School of Business about refreshing its master’s program in real estate, you’ll get a fairly blunt answer.

“Enlightened self-interest,” is how he put it.

“There were a couple of instances where I was working—either as a judge or engaging with CU students—and I did not see that level of fundamental understanding that I was looking for,” said Koelbel (MBA’10), chief operating officer of Denver-based Koelbel & Co. “And that was a major concern to us, because something like 10 percent of our workforce comes from CU Boulder.”

But when industry talks, Leeds listens, which is why the school just unveiled a completely revamped real estate graduate program for the fall.

“We were able to have a truly candid conversation with our partners about their needs for professionals coming out of the program,” said Michael Kercheval, executive director of the CU Real Estate Center. “We want to be responsive to industry input, both because we’re asking them to hire our students and because we want to make the industry better.”

Kercheval also noted that Leeds faculty were especially receptive to suggestions from industry partners.

“We want to be responsive to industry input, both because we’re asking them to hire our students and because we want to make the industry better.”

Michael Kercheval, executive director of the CU Real Estate Center

“That openness to input is part of our special sauce at the CU Real Estate Center that other schools don’t have,” he said. “And that absolutely extends to the faculty teaching the real estate courses at Leeds.”

An entirely reimagined curriculum

The enhancements to the master’s program were designed to incorporate the contemporary requirements of a real estate profession adapting to an environment where commercial real estate product supply is lagging shifting demand. The relaunched degree program includes new or substantially upgraded courses in law, modeling and analytics, along with a renewed emphasis on case studies and a special skills training course designed to ensure students have hard skills—like financial modeling and Excel.

Christophe Spaenjers, faculty director of the master's program, said the changes draw on the strengths of Leeds' faculty, not just its ties to the industry.

“There’s a big focus on real estate research from our faculty, and we also have adjunct professors who have years—if not decades—of experience,” Spaenjers said. “That gives our program a combination of academic depth and real-world connections that is so valuable to students.”

Those areas were important to Cooper Williams (MBA’10), president and principal at Essex Financial Group.

“Coming out of the master’s program, it’s very important for students to have a good fundamental understanding of valuation and cash flow modeling,” Williams said. “I wanted CU to get back to having more real-time cases, doing case competitions, getting that real-world practice in modeling, and understanding both capital and risk.” For Koelbel, the skills are crucial, but so is the fundamental knowledge and high-level perspective needed to understand how the different disciplines and players within the industry work together to get projects and deals done.

“We need our new hires to have a close understanding of how all the players work together—the developer, the banks, legal, and of course the tenant or homebuyer—so that as environmental conditions change, they’re able to anticipate how that will impact different stakeholders and react accordingly,” Koelbel said. “That means they can find or structure a deal no matter what larger trends are shaping the markets.”

Spaenjers is confident the program meets those demands.

“The updates give this program a blend of that knowledge base—the sort of industry vocabulary they need—with exposure to specific software and databases, like ARGUS and CoStar. That ensures they’re ready to create impact from the start,” he said.

Top-quality students

One thing both executives want to see unchanged is the quality of students admitted to the program.

“The character of student coming out of the master’s program is as high as I’ve ever seen it,” Williams said. “The recruiting of the student base has been fantastic, and I think that’s a credit to CUREC’s leadership and history of engagement with the real estate community.”

Unique to Leeds is the incorporation of societal challenges, such as sustainability, into the fabric of each course—crucial as the industry faces pressure on areas like climate change.

“For example, in my real estate finance course, I have a guest lecture by one of our faculty here, who shares research on how climate change effects house prices,” Spaenjers said. “Rather than packaging this in a separate course, we also try to bring those issues into our core materials.”

The master’s program isn’t the only real estate offering at Leeds. The school also offers an MBA with a real estate pathway, which offers a broader business and management degree that includes special courses and co-curricular experiences for students looking to take leadership roles in the industry. At the undergraduate level, Leeds offers an area of emphasis in real estate that prepares students for roles in development, brokering, investing, law and consulting, among others.

The refreshed approach to the master’s program puts it firmly on par with these other offerings—and, Kercheval said, the updates aren’t done yet.

“Now that we have this solid curriculum, we want to look at how the program is delivered,” he said. “Is there a way to create a part-time option, or a hybrid version of the program? We’ve addressed a pressing need in very short order—but it’s not a one and done. We’ll be continuing to innovate.”

Prospective students are encouaged to visit the program website to learn more, or contact the Leeds graduate programs team at leedsgrad@colorado.edu or (303) 492-8397.

Why Leeds CU Real Estate Center M.S. Real Estate

When commercial real estate companies said a Leeds master's program was outdated, the school invited industry to be part of the solution.

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Klump CUREN

The Annual CU Real Estate Forum: Helping Shape Careers in Commercial Real Estate

The forum as a catalyst for career growth

A premier industry event

Key takeaways from industry leaders

The importance of mentors and internships

Professional Mentors at Leeds

The rise of tech in real estate

Looking ahead: A bright future in real estate

Sponsors of the 2025 CU Real Estate Forum

Related Articles

Career Paths: Auggie Gehret Shares the Power of Networking

Practice makes perfect

“People genuinely want to help students and are willing to set time aside. It’s a unique opportunity to take advantage of.”

Building a network

Refining career goals

Paying it forward

Related Articles

$15M gift to transform real estate education and student wellness at CU Boulder

Promoting academic excellence and industry connections

A gift that fuels the future

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Ben Woolf to Lead the International Advisory Board for the Colorado University Real Estate Center

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Building Back Better: Leeds Gets Assist from Industry in Refreshing Real Estate Master’s Program

An entirely reimagined curriculum

Top-quality students