Reliance Housing Foundation is a nonprofit housing development organization whose mission is to provide fit, safe and affordable housing for low and moderate income people.

Reliance® has chosen to carry out its mission of providing “fit, safe and affordable housing for low and moderate income people” primarily by seeking out opportunities to acquire existing multifamily properties which it can enhance and preserve as affordable housing. In order to be socially and environmentally responsible, Reliance focuses its acquisition efforts in areas that have existing and complete infrastructure, including public utility capacity and adequate school capacity. Reliance also undertakes new construction development in areas that lack existing housing stock that is suitable for redevelopment. Reliance operates its business utilizing a hybrid format that borrows the best management practices from the “for profit” business community while strictly adhering to regulations governing “non-profit” entities. The overall direction of the organization is determined by its Board of Directors. Day to day operations are carried out by the professional staff. Reliance encourages community based input regarding the needs of our residents, particularly pertaining to project design and appropriate services.

The Carlyle Group is one of the world's largest private equity firms, with more than $88.6 billion under management.  It has 67 funds across four investment disciplines including buyouts, growth capital, real estate and leveraged finance.  Carlyle Realty Partners targets opportunistic real estate investments in the office, hotel, industrial, retail and residential sectors.

Padma Penmesta is a 2005 graduate of the Program in Real Estate.  She currently works as an Associate in Carlyle’s Washington, D.C., office.  Padma graciously agreed to participate in an alumni interview, and her answers to the questions listed below will be very helpful to students interested in pursuing careers in real estate private equity.

MetLife Investments’ Real Estate and Agricultural Investments Units manage a $41 billion portfolio of commercial and agricultural loans, and real estate equity investments. In addition to sourcing and managing these investments, the group is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with key industry contacts, including mortgage and leasing brokers, developers and property managers.  The Mortgage Portfolio and Equity Portfolio Units actively manage MetLife’s portfolio of mortgage loans and equity investments in office, apartment, retail, industrial, and hotel properties. The Portfolio Units are responsible for overall portfolio strategy, pricing, transaction approval and credit approval on new loans and the active management of the overall mortgage and equity portfolios.

Ivanhoe Cambridge is a pre-eminent Canadian-based global property owner, manager, developer and investor, focusing on high-quality shopping centres located in urban areas. Beyond its strong Canada-wide presence, the Company is also active in the United States, Brazil, Mexico and Europe, where it owns a number of properties either by itself or through joint ventures with prominent real estate partners. Abroad, Ivanhoe Cambridge also holds interests in several shopping centre development and management companies and maintains offices in Europe and Asia.