Thursday, September 25, 2025 | 8 - 10 a.m.

Union League Club of Chicago

 

 

The Vieth Institute for Real Estate Leadership was delighted to welcome Mr. Peter Borzak, CEO of Pine Tree Commercial, as the keynote speaker at the tenth annual Chicago Real Estate Leadership Breakfast.

NAVIGATING TODAY'S REAL ESTATE HEADWINDS WITH HEART

Spanning a more than 30 year career in real estate, Peter has done it all, building a thriving company from scratch and expertly navigating countless challenges, recessions, acquisitions, and relationships. He’s known as “the nicest guy in real estate in Chicago,” and he’s been a life-changing mentor to countless young leaders in the industry. His wisdom, and his servant leadership mindset, during unprecedented times like today is needed more than ever. Guests heard his strategy for navigating today’s challenges, how he made big bets, how his people were the difference, and the stories of the challenges he faced that laid the foundation for his biggest successes – and what others were able to learn from his choices.

Peter Borzak Chairman and CEO Pine Tree Commercial Pine Tree Commercial is one of the nation’s most influential retail real estate firms. As owner and manager of over 20 million square feet of necessity-based open-air shopping centers spanning coast to coast, offices in Chicago, Atlanta, and Los Angeles, and a portfolio valued at more than $3 billion, Pine Tree stands as a driving force behind major retail destinations nationwide, partnering with top institutional investors and shaping the future of American shopping environments.

Discussion moderated by:

Andrew D. Hunt, Executive Director Vieth Institute for Real Estate Leadership, Marquette University

Schedule of Events:

8 a.m. - Check-in, Registration and Networking
8:35 a.m. - Opening Remarks and Updates, Breakfast
9 a.m. - Program
9:50 a.m. - Q&A
10 a.m. - Adjourn

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS!

Past Speakers:

2024 Ciere Boatright, Commissioner, Department of Planning and Development, City of Chicago, and Lafayette Crump, Commissioner, Department of City Development, City of Milwaukee

2023 Willy Walker, chairman and CEO, Walker & Dunlop

2022 Leon I. Walker, Esq., managing principal, DL3 Realty, and Shawn Clark, president, CRG

2021 Jim McShane, founder and chairman, and Molly McShane, chief executive officer, The McShane Companies

2019 Curt R. Bailey, president, Related Midwest

2018 Andy Gloor, managing principal, Sterling Bay

2017 Danny Queenan, president, CBRE Global Investors

2016 Mike Mullen, founding partner and CEO, CenterPoint

2015 Kevin R. Smith, senior managing director and head of the Americas, PGIM Real Estate