CBRE Investment Management Names New Leaders for Direct Real Estate

Why It Matters

The leadership reshuffle strengthens CBRE IM’s execution capacity in a competitive commercial‑real‑estate market, positioning the firm to accelerate capital deployment and capture growth in high‑demand sectors.

Key Takeaways

• Laura Dunn leads Americas commercial operator division
• Colin Rosenbaum heads new commercial transactions role
• CBRE IM oversees 165 assets across 48 markets
• Focus on retail, self‑storage, medical‑office investments
• Leadership changes aim to boost deployment speed

Pulse Analysis

CBRE Investment Management’s recent appointments signal a strategic push to sharpen its commercial real‑estate capabilities in the United States. By bringing Laura Dunn—formerly a managing director at Spear Street Capital—into the helm of the commercial operator division, CBRE IM gains a leader with two decades of finance and investment experience. Dunn’s oversight of transactions and asset management across diverse property types, from office towers to life‑science labs, aligns with the firm’s broader goal of integrating operational expertise with investment acumen.

The creation of a dedicated head of Americas direct commercial transactions, filled by Colin Rosenbaum, further underscores CBRE IM’s intent to scale its deal‑making engine. Rosenbaum’s background in acquisitions at Regent Properties and Parkway Properties equips him to steer the firm’s core, enhanced‑return, and separate‑account strategies. With 165 assets spread across 48 markets, the firm’s commercial platform represents a substantial portion of its portfolio, and the new leadership is expected to streamline complex transactions and accelerate capital allocation.

These leadership changes arrive at a time when the U.S. commercial real‑estate sector is undergoing a shift toward asset classes that demonstrate resilience, such as self‑storage and medical‑office spaces. By concentrating on these segments, CBRE IM aims to capture higher yields and mitigate risk amid evolving tenant demand and macroeconomic pressures. The appointments also send a market signal that CBRE IM is positioning itself to compete aggressively for high‑quality assets, leveraging seasoned executives to drive growth and deliver value to investors.