Real Estate Colloquium featuring Michela DeSantis and interviewed by John Martin

Event details Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026 Time: 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM Location: Stokes Hall - 195 South - Boston College, 307 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA Type: Career / Professional About this event About Real Estate Colloquium: Real Estate Colloquium provides an overview of the real estate field through weekly sessions with industry professionals. Each session covers diverse topics including finance, investment, law, planning, public policy, REITs, capital markets, leasing, brokerage, and development. Representatives from across the industry share insights into career paths and provide a comprehensive view of this multifaceted field. The Corcoran Center for Real Estate and Urban Action welcomes Guest Speaker, Michela DeSantis. She will give a short 30 minute presentation. Following, there will then be a moderated discussion conducted with John Martin. Guest Speaker: Michela DeSantis is Vice President of Development at Boylston Properties where she is responsible for initiating and managing new development opportunities in the Greater Boston area. She oversees all aspects of new development, from site acquisition through project stabilization, including underwriting, entitlements, design and oversight of construction and leasing. She brings a strategic, analytical approach to every project while building alignment among investors, consultants and municipalities. Before joining Boylston Properties in 2023, Michela spent seven years at AvalonBay Communities, Inc., where she oversaw and managed the development of complex urban and suburban communities totaling over 1,000 apartment homes. Prior to AvalonBay, she worked at Fidelity Investments as part of the firm’s internal management consulting practice and at Macquarie Capital in investment banking covering the real estate industry. Michela holds an MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Harvard College. Guest Moderator: John Martin As a Principal at Elkus Manfredi Architects, John focuses on science & technology and higher education projects across the country. He emphasizes a holistic approach that synthesizes his training in both architecture and engineering. John has architectural and engineering undergraduate degrees from North Carolina State University and a Master of Architecture from Harvard University Graduate School of Design. A member of the AIA’s College of Fellows, he was an early adopter of sustainable building practices and is recognized for advancing the profession towards environmentally responsible and socially just architecture. He is committed to the idea that good planning and design can drive innovation and break down barriers to achieve inclusive environments. All students, faculty, and staff are welcome to attend. No registration is required. Official event details: https://events.bc.edu/event/real-estate-colloquium-featuring-john-martin-and-michela-desantis