NAREIM, the National Association of Real Estate Investment Managers, announced July 29, 2026 that Andy Walburger will become its Chief Executive Officer effective Aug. 17, 2026, succeeding Reesa Fischer, according to the organization’s press release. NAREIM describes itself as the exclusive association for institutional real estate investment managers, running executive-level meetings, benchmarking research and peer-collaboration forums where senior industry leaders address shared business challenges.
Walburger brings more than 25 years of commercial real estate experience to the role. He has held senior positions at real estate analytics firm Green Street, fund-management software company Juniper Square, and online commercial property marketplace Ten-X, work the release said focused on building partnerships with institutional investment managers. He also co-founded Stanford Professionals in Real Estate, known as SPIRE, an industry forum for thought leadership and executive collaboration.
“I am honored to join NAREIM,” Walburger said in the announcement. “NAREIM plays a vital role in helping investment managers navigate shared business issues.”
Kristin Renaudin, NAREIM’s board chair and chief financial officer of real estate investment manager Stockbridge, said Walburger’s background made him well suited to lead the organization. “His experience across the industry, combined with his success building executive peer networks, makes him uniquely well suited to lead NAREIM,” Renaudin said.
The search was led by Graham Beatty and Michele Goldstein of executive search firm Ferguson Partners. The release credited Fischer’s tenure with expanding NAREIM’s membership and participation, strengthening its educational programming, and improving the organization’s operational effectiveness.
What it means
Verified facts: NAREIM has named Andy Walburger CEO effective Aug. 17, succeeding Reesa Fischer, with the appointment following a search run by Ferguson Partners.
RealtyWire analysis: Leadership changes at industry associations like NAREIM rarely make headlines on their own, but they matter to the institutional real estate investment managers who rely on the group’s benchmarking data and peer networks — Walburger’s background spanning analytics, fund technology and transaction marketplaces suggests NAREIM’s membership may see a continued push toward data-driven programming under his leadership.
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