Sandhya Espitia Appointed to Advisory Board of the Chao-Hon Chen Institute for Global Real Estate at NYU Stern School of Business

NEW YORK (January 20, 2026) - The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) is proud to announce that Chief Operating Officer Sandhya Espitia has been appointed to the Advisory Board of the Chao-Hon Chen Institute for Global Real Estate Finance at the NYU Stern School of Business.

The Chen Institute is recognized globally for advancing real estate research, education, and industry impact. Through faculty-led centers, applied scholarship, and sustained engagement with both private and public sectors, the Institute addresses critical challenges at the intersection of real estate finance, investment, infrastructure, technology, sustainability, urbanization, and globalization.

As COO of New York City’s premier real estate trade association and an NYU Stern alumna (MBA 2021), Espitia has played a pivotal role in driving REBNY’s organizational transformation and strategic impact. She oversees technology and digital strategy, membership, industry awards and events, Proptech, finance, administration, and a portfolio of programs and products serving 14,000 members in commercial and residential real estate.

Under her leadership, REBNY has undergone sweeping digital, talent, financial, and operational transformation, positioning the 130-year-old institution for its next era of growth. "It is an honor to join the Advisory Board of the Chen Institute for Global Real Estate at NYU Stern, an institution that has profoundly shaped my academic and professional journey," said Espitia. “I look forward to collaborating with peers to advance the Institute’s mission and to support the next generation of real estate innovators.”

The Chen Institute for Global Real Estate serves as the academic home for NYU Stern’s undergraduate and MBA real estate specializations and is recognized among the world’s premier business school programs in real estate. As a cross-disciplinary platform, the Institute draws on the breadth of Stern’s academic departments and NYU’s global network, serving as a hub for engagement with students, scholars, and practitioners across the University.

James Whelan, President of REBNY, added: “Sandhya’s contributions to REBNY have been transformative. Her appointment to this Advisory Board reflects her stature as a leader in New York City real estate and her experience working with the global real estate development community and academia. We look forward to building strong partnerships with the Chen Institute and its students.”

Established under Dr. Sam Chandan’s leadership in September 2022 through a landmark $20 million gift from NYU Stern alumnus and Executive Board member Charles C.Y. Chen (MBA ’91), the Institute honors his father, Chao-Hon Chen, and represents the largest gift ever received by NYU Stern for the creation of an institute or center. The Institute hosts research centers and thematic initiatives addressing foundational and emerging issues in real estate, including:

• Real Estate Innovation

• Climate in the Built Environment

• Global and Emerging Markets

"Sandhya has been a stalwart supporter of Stern's real estate program, and her appointment to the Advisory Board strengthens the Institute's position as one of the real estate industry's academic anchors," said Dr. Sam Chandan, Founding Director of the Chen Institute.

The Advisory Board comprises approximately 30 senior executives from across the real estate and development sectors. Members provide strategic guidance, support educational and research initiatives, and foster connections between academia and industry.

Prior to REBNY, Espitia held senior roles at ICSC, the global member organization for industry advancement that promotes and elevates marketplaces and spaces where people shop, dine, work, play, and gather. As ICSC’s Managing Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, she increased regional membership, drove revenue and sponsorship for signature events, established strategic partnerships, and appointed the first Industry Advisory Board for the region, while managing offices and teams in Mexico City and New York City. Later, as ICSC’s Global Vice President, she led education, certification, and innovation initiatives for commercial real estate developers across the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. Espitia managed a global team with an immersive approach, deeply engaging with local cultures and business practices to tailor programs that enhanced ICSC’s relevance and impact in every region.

Earlier in her global career, Espitia worked at Harvard University, managing academic and professional programs for a wide range of industries, working with foreign governments and corporations as clients. She oversaw the selection of scholars in strategic industries to pursue Ph.D. studies in the United States, ensuring they returned to their countries of origin with advanced knowledge to lead research and innovation. She also administered the Fulbright Program for the U.S. Department of State in seven countries. Her work involved extensive travel and close collaboration with the private sector, NGOs, universities, governments, and foreign service officers across U.S. embassies in the Americas region.

"I am truly passionate about leading impact at the intersection of industry and academia. Understanding the co-dependency of these two worlds is essential for innovation and market competitiveness," said Espitia.

Espitia holds a B.S. in Film and Digital Media from Texas Christian University, an M.A. in International Education from the School for International Training, and an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business. She also completed a fellowship in Management and Administration at Harvard University.

Espitia serves on the boards of the New York State Board of Real Estate and The Gateway School. Beyond her professional pursuits, she is an avid traveler with a discerning appreciation for global cities, diverse cultures, languages, architecture, and design.

###

ABOUT THE REAL ESTATE BOARD OF NEW YORK

Founded in 1896, REBNY is New York City’s leading real estate trade association, representing commercial, residential, and institutional property owners, builders, managers, brokers, and other professionals. REBNY provides research, advocacy, education, and resources to advance the industry and strengthen New York City’s economic vitality. For more information, visit www.rebny.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Chris Santarelli

212-616-5249

Communications@rebny.com