Meet the Featured Presenters
More presenters coming soon!
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Joe BiasiHead of Commercial Capital Markets Research, Newmark
Joe Biasi is Head of Commercial Capital Markets Research with Newmark in Boston. Biasi leverages his experience advising both internal and external clients along with technical experience to find deeper, data-driven insights across property types and markets. He also manages the research analytics team, builds AI and dashboard based platforms to aid researchers in delivering deeper insights and improving workflow. Joe has been quoted in multiple media outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Globe Street, and Bisnow.
Prior to joining Newmark, Joe worked as a consultant, supporting the development of capital allocation strategies and loan risk identification for commercial real estate funds and lenders at Costar, and as a researcher at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and the Clearing House, where he conducted post- crisis-era financial regulation research. He has co-authored a paper published in the International Finance Review and collaborated on several others.
Joe holds a B.A. in Economics from Clark University and an M.S. in Applied Economics from Boston College.
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Chris Porter
Senior Vice President, John Burns Research and Consulting
As Senior Vice President at John Burns Research and Consulting, Chris brings over 20 years of experience delivering in-depth housing market analysis to executive teams and industry leaders. Specializing in demographics and economics, he provides precise, actionable insights that help organizations confidently navigate the complexities of the U.S. housing market.
Chris is known for his clear, thorough presentations that go beyond surface-level analysis. Whether addressing boardrooms or major conferences, he equips his audience with the knowledge and tools to make informed, strategic decisions. His ability to translate detailed analysis into practical solutions has earned him a reputation as a trusted advisor across the industry. His insights are regularly featured in leading publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, and Bloomberg Businessweek.
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Schecky Schechner
Vice Chairman of Real Estate Investment Banking, Barclays
Schecky Schechner is a Vice Chairman of Real Estate Investment Banking at Barclays. He is also Chairman of the PropTech Joint Venture.
Based in New York the group is responsible for the coverage of real estate clients for advisory services as well as all forms of real estate capital – whether debt or equity. Clients include the leading REITs, lodging and gaming companies, real estate opportunity funds and financial sponsors. Recently, the group’s coverage efforts have expanded to cover companies at the intersection of real estate and technology – the PropTech sector.
Mr. Schechner joined Barclays Capital in 2008 from Lehman Brothers. Prior to that, he was a Managing Director and the National Head of Mortgage Origination for J.P. Morgan Chase.
Mr. Schechner started his career in 1984 at Goldman Sachs in the Real Estate department where he worked on a broad range of sales and financing assignments. He was stationed in London for two years where he had primary responsibility for the construction, leasing and financing of Goldman Sachs’ European Headquarters, Peterborough Court and Daniel House. Subsequently, he held various positions within Real Estate including as a founding member of both the Real Estate Principal Investment Area as well as the CMBS effort. When he left Goldman Sachs, he was Co-Head of the Real Estate Investment Banking business.
Mr. Schechner is currently a trustee of the Urban Land Institute and a member of the Real Estate Roundtable. He has held leadership positions in the Real Estate Lenders Association, the Mortgage Bankers Association and the National Realty Committee.
Mr. Schechner has a BA in Economics and Political Science and Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale University (1980) and a JD/MBA from Harvard University (1984).
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Mark Zandi
Chief Economist, Moody’s Analytics
Mark Zandi is chief economist of Moody’s Analytics, where he directs economic research. Moody’s Analytics, a subsidiary of Moody’s Corp., is a leading provider of economic research, data and analytical tools. Dr. Zandi cofounded Economy.com, which Moody’s purchased in 2005.
Dr. Zandi is on the board of directors of MGIC, the nation’s largest private mortgage insurance company, is the lead director of PolicyMap, a data visualization and analytics company used by policymakers and commercial businesses, and is a director of the Coleridge Initiative, a nonprofit that facilitates the exchange of data across governments.
He is a trusted adviser to policymakers and an influential source of economic analysis for businesses, journalists and the public. Dr. Zandi frequently testifies before Congress and conducts regular briefings on the economy for corporate boards, trade associations and policymakers at all levels.
Dr. Zandi is the author of Paying the Price: Ending the Great Recession and Beginning a New American Century, which assesses the monetary and fiscal policy response to the Great Recession. His other book, Financial Shock: A 360º Look at the Subprime Mortgage Implosion, and How to Avoid the Next Financial Crisis, is described by The New York Times as the “clearest guide” to the financial crisis. Dr. Zandi is host of the Inside Economics podcast.
Dr. Zandi earned his BS from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and his PhD at the University of Pennsylvania.
