Expert Roundtable: Strategic Perspectives in Uncertain Markets, A CIO Outlook

Michael Byrne is AEW’s Chief Investment Officer and Head of Private Equity and Private Debt in North America. He has been with AEW since 2003. He is responsible for overseeing all of AEW’s commingled and separate accounts, and direct investments in North America. In this capacity he is responsible for the strategic direction and oversight of the firm’s portfolio management, acquisitions, capital markets and asset management functions in addition to managerial responsibility of the Private Equity Group resources. Mike also serves on AEW’s Investment Committee, Risk Management Committee and Governance Committee in North America, and he is a member of AEW’s Global Investment Committee. Mike plays an integral part within the firm’s Senior Leadership Team, actively contributing to AEW’s overall strategic vision and direction. Prior to joining AEW, he was a member of the real estate team at the Pension Reserve Investment Management Board (“Mass PRIM”), where he managed the pension fund’s real estate and timber portfolios. Prior to that he worked at Citigroup in the real estate investment banking group. Mike is a member of the Urban Land Institute (U.L.I.) and NAREIM, and a graduate of Dartmouth College.

Kennedy Hicks is the Chief Investment Officer for Cousins. In this role, she is responsible for acquisitions, dispositions, investments in development and portfolio strategy. Kennedy also serves as the Managing Director of the Atlanta market, overseeing the operations and business development for the Company’s eight million square feet within the city.

Prior to joining Cousins in 2018, Kennedy was a Managing Director with Eastdil Secured, a global real estate investment banking company. In this role, she was primarily responsible for advising and representing clients on equity sales or ventures for institutional office properties throughout the Sun Belt. During her tenure at Eastdil Secured, she was instrumental in securing and executing over $22 billion in office sale or joint venture assignments. Before joining Eastdil Secured, Kennedy was a Director of Finance with CBRE’s Southeast Office Investment Team.

Julie Ingersoll is the Chief Investment Officer for CBRE Investment Management’s Americas Direct Real Estate Strategies, joining in October 2021. Previously, she was Managing Director at CPP Investments, overseeing portfolio strategy for 50 million square feet of U.S. residential and retail assets. Julie's experience includes launching RREEF Property Trust at DWS and holding various leadership roles including CEO. She also served as Vice President of Business Development at RREEF, focusing on strategic transactions. Julie began her career at Deutsche Bank in 2001 as an analyst. In 2023, she was recognized in Connect CRE’s Women in Real Estate list and named the North American Industry Figure of the Year for Private Equity Real Estate in 2024. Julie serves on the ULI UDMUC Silver Council, the CBRE Women’s Network advisory board, and the NAREIM board. She holds a Business Administration degree from Washington & Lee University.