The real estate industry continues to grow despite all the challenges. This is partly due to the many innovative leaders in the field. With a passion for the industry and the people they serve, as well as a drive to succeed, these men and women are leading the way in real estate development.
Ready to be inspired?
Let's take a closer look at these highly successful visionaries and how they rose to the top of their real estate development game below. Prepare to be blown away!
Mohammed Alabbar — Emaar Properties
Mohammed Alabbar founded Emaar Properties in June 1997 and, since 2002, has delivered over 102,000 residential units worldwide. The company also manages 38 hotels and resorts. By the end of 2023, Emaar Properties recorded revenues of $5 billion and total assets of $37.3 billion.
Alabbar also owns several other real estate companies, including Eagle Hills and Nshama, and is a champion of innovative technologies with investments in the Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP), a fund that offers investors tech exposure in the MENA region.
David Grover — ROSHN Group
David Grover is the CEO of ROSHN Group, which was established in 2020. ROSHN is a national community developer that is supported by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Funds. In total, the company has a 200 million square meter land bank, 600 completed units, and 3,661 units under construction across Saudi Arabia.
Dedicated to sustainability, ROSHN Group launched the "We Build It Green" initiative in 2021, which showcased its role in helping the environment.
Jean Paul Wardy — CenterCal Properties
CEO Jean Paul Wardy of CenterCal Properties LLC began his career in real estate while attending the University of Southern California. He joined the Alexander Haagen Company in 1990 and was promoted to Vice President in just a few short years.
Today, as the CEO and Co-Founder of CenterCal Properties, a premier, full-service commercial real estate company with projects in California, Washington, Idaho, and Utah, Wardy is committed to bringing communities together and creating successful retail spaces.
Alison Rehill-Erguven — Cenomi Centers
Alison Rehill-Erguven is the CEO of Cenomi Centers, which owns 21 shopping malls and commercial centers, including the Mall of Arabia and Al Nakheel Mall. Established in 2005, the company recorded total assets of $7.2 billion and revenues of $455.9 million in the first nine months of 2023.
Before she joined Cenomi Centers, Alison Rehill-Erguven was the CEO of Pradera Retail Asia.
Mat Moxness — Crescendo Equity
Mat Moxness is the founder of Crescendo Equity, a real estate investment company with holdings across Canada. Acutely aware of the housing shortage in Canada, Mat began to seek out neglected properties with the aim of making a profit and providing a solution to the current housing crisis.
To date, Mat's portfolio encompasses hundreds of multifamily and commercial units across Canada, reflecting an 8-figure value and an acquisition pipeline of over 300 units. He has also been featured on several home channels, including HGTV and CHCH, and is a member of the Forbes Real Estate Council.
