Real Estate Symposium Details

11:30 to 12:00: Registration 

Café Lounge

12:00 to 1:00: Plated Luncheon and Welcome 

Sponsored by Garden Communities

Assembly Hall

Speakers: 

James R. Andrade ’77 ’79, Senior Vice President, CapitaLand Development Group 

Margaret Everett, Ph.D., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

1:00 to 1:20:  Keynote Address

Kairos Shen, Chief of Planning, City of Boston

Assembly Hall

1:2 to 1:35: Real Estate Program Updates

Assembly Hall

Speakers:

Issa Ramaji, Ph.D., PE, DBIA, Executive Director, Cummings Institute for Real Estate

Dr. James R. Andrade ’77 ’79, Senior Vice President, CapitaLand Development Group. Master of Ceremonies

1:35 to 2:35: Panel Discussion

Sponsored by Bristol County Savings Bank

Assembly Hall

“The intersection between government and industry: Challenges and opportunities”

2:35 to 2:45:  Networking Break & Dessert

Café Lounge 

2:45 to 3:45: Panel Discussion

Sponsored by Bristol County Savings Bank

Assembly Hall

“The future of real estate investment revisited”

3:45 to 3:55:Networking Break

Café Lounge

3:55 to 4:45:Student Research Presentations & Competition

Assembly Hall

Speaker: 

Dr. Issa Ramaji, Ph.D., PE, DBIA, Executive Director, Cummings Institute for Real Estate

4:45 to 5:30: Cocktail reception and poster presentation 

Sponsored by The Boston Globe Rhode Island

Innovators’ Lounge (first floor)

Kairos Shen

Kairos Shen serves as the Chief of Planning for the City of Boston. He oversees the Planning Cabinet’s core missions of community-engaged planning, regulation of major real estate development, and management of the BPDA’s real estate property (over 20 million square feet). His work leading the Planning Department includes transitioning the city to a consistent and modernized zoning code, comprehensive short and long term planning, creating inclusive design standards, and making development review more streamlined and predictable. Shen was Executive Director of the MIT Center for Real Estate from 2020-2024, and currently teaches “City Making” at the MIT Center for Real Estate, drawing on knowledge, research, and practice across the fields of planning, design, public policy, finance, and real estate. As the Executive Director, he oversaw the Master of Science Real Estate Development degree program as well as the Center’s relationships and partnerships with the development, architecture, and design industries. Prior to his career in academia, Shen previously worked in City Hall in a number of different roles in planning and design over the course of two decades under Mayor Thomas Menino and Mayor Martin Walsh. Shen helped shape the City’s most pivotal planning initiatives and development projects from 1993-2015, a period of substantial growth and investment in the City. Shen is a graduate of Swarthmore College and has a Master of Architecture from MIT.

Dr. James Andrade '77 '79

Dr. James Andrade is a distinguished leader with over 30 years of experience across multiple industries and international markets. Currently, he serves as the Senior Vice President and Head of Learning & Innovation at CapitaLand, the world’s 9th largest real estate development company. In this pivotal role, Dr. Andrade led the construction and management of the flagship senior executive learning center- CATAPULT, dedicated to developing the next generation of leaders in Singapore and the broader region.

Dr. Andrade’s extensive cross-industry expertise is highlighted by his previous role as Vice President of Research & Development for Mondelēz International Asia Pacific, where he oversaw operations in Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia. His diverse management roles in R&D, marketing, consumer insights, and strategy were instrumental in launching innovative products and implementing groundbreaking innovation programs across multiple product categories, including snacking, beverages, and healthy nutrition.

His international experience spans projects in Germany, the UK, Venezuela, Costa Rica, and Mexico, showcasing his ability to drive growth and innovation in varied cultural and business environments. Dr. Andrade’s leadership has consistently delivered exceptional results, making him a valuable asset to the organizations with which he worked.

In addition to his industry roles, Dr. Andrade is a passionate educator, particularly in executive education. He has served as lecturer in Singapore Management University, Nanyang Technological University and as adjunct professor at Griffith University in Queensland, Australia, where he has contributed to the development of future leaders through his expertise and insights. He currently serves as a board member and trustee of Roger Williams University, USA.

Before his tenure in multinational companies and education, Dr. Andrade contributed to critical research for the Department of Defense, working with both Navy and Army laboratories. His leadership extends to board positions with Ajinomoto-General Foods in Japan, Dong Suh Foods in Korea, and as the former Chairman of the Board of Governors for the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Singapore Business Federation. 

Dr. Andrade holds a B.A. from Roger Williams University, an M.S. in Psychopharmacology, and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Howard University. Notably, Dr. Andrade was also a member of Team USA in the 2001 Wushu/Tai Chi competition in Sanya, Hainan, where he placed in three events.

Panel 1: The Intersection Between Government and Industry

The real estate industry operates at the crossroads of private enterprise and public regulation, with government decisions shaping nearly every aspect of the market, from zoning laws and tax policies to environmental and tenant protections. As regulatory requirements grow more stringent and multifaceted, real estate leaders must find ways to align business strategies with evolving government expectations while maintaining flexibility to respond to changing rules. This panel will examine how the industry can effectively address these challenges, including balancing compliance with growth, adapting to regulatory changes, and engaging policymakers to influence future regulations. Beyond simply reacting to government mandates, panelists will explore how the real estate industry can anticipate trends and take a proactive role in tackling societal priorities such as housing affordability, economic stability, and sustainable urban development.

Panel 1 Panelists

Moderator: Andrew J. Vasey P’25

President & Founder, Vasey Aviation Group

Markus F. Elkatsha '95

Research Scientist, MIT Media Lab  

Pamella A. Seay, JD, LLM

Professor, Florida Gulf Coast University
President, Seay Law International 
Commissioner, Charlotte County Airport Authority (Ret.)

Darcy Wilson

Infrastructure Private Equity Investor

Panel 2: The Future of Real Estate Investment

As a new presidential administration takes office, the real estate industry faces a period of uncertainty, with questions surrounding federal monetary policy, regulatory priorities, and broader economic trends. The Federal Reserve’s approach to interest rates will have a significant impact on borrowing costs, investment strategies, and overall market liquidity, while shifting federal priorities—such as infrastructure investment, climate policy, and housing affordability—could reshape development patterns across the country. Adding to the complexity are global supply chain disruptions and trade policies, including tariffs on key construction materials, which continue to drive up costs and extend project timelines. Panelists will explore how these changes might affect not only construction costs and land values but also broader investor sentiment, market stability, and long-term opportunities in the sector. Discussions will include strategies to mitigate risks, capitalize on emerging trends, and adapt to potential economic and political shifts that could redefine the future of real estate investment.

Panel 2 Panelists

Moderator: Nicole LaBossiere '95

Senior Director, Development, DivcoWest

Timothy Chaves

Executive Vice President & Chief Lending Officer, Bristol County Savings Bank

Phil Clark

President/CEO & Architect, Claris Design Build

Joe M. Brito, Jr.

President, CB Utility Co., Inc.

James E. McCurdy

Vice President of Finance, Gilbane, Inc.

Unless otherwise noted there will be one partner, per level.
Sponsorships can be purchased online with registration or by contacting Bo Gillie at rgillie@rwu.edu.

Presenting Sponsor

• $15,000
• 1 available
• Includes one table (7 tickets), visibility in all collateral, logo and link on website, promotion and signage at the event and post-event promotion until December 2025.

 Luncheon Sponsor

• $10,000
• 0 available
• Includes 5 tickets, visibility in all collateral, logo and link on website, promotion and signage at the event.

 Poster Session Sponsor

•  $5,000
• 1 Available
• Includes 3 tickets, visibility in all collateral, logo and link on website, signage at the event.

Keynote Sponsor

•  $5,000
• 1 Available
• Includes 3 tickets, visibility in all collateral, logo and link on website, signage at the event.

Panel Discussion Sponsor

•  $5,000
• 2 Available
• Includes 3 tickets, visibility in all collateral, logo and link on website, signage at the event.

Networking Sponsor

•  $5,000
• 2 Available
• Includes 3 tickets, visibility in all collateral, logo and link on website, signage at the event.

 Table Sponsor

• $2,500
• 15 available
• Includes 2 tickets and inclusion on signage at the event.