Northwestern University Athletics
NU for Life Employer Spotlight: Harrison Street Real Estate Capital
7/28/2016 11:05:00 AM | General, David G. Kabiller NU for Life Program
Through best in class research, strategies, and performance, Chicago-based Harrison Street Real Estate Capital is a real estate private equity firm that has approximately $10.6 billion in assets under management through commingled funds and public securities products.
As a part of this 85+ person team, two-time Northwestern graduate (BA, MBA) and Senior Vice President, of Research and Strategy Thomas Errath oversees education, storage, and healthcare real estate research for the 11-year-old company. Harrison Street's desire to be the best in their industry through focused, energetic efforts parallels the drive of Northwestern student-athletes. This natural pairing has resulted in a fruitful partnership between Harrison Street, Errath, and the NU for Life program.
A dedicated Wildcats fan and season ticket-holder, Errath has been involved with NU for Life since the program's inception. He has hosted ten Wildcat interns, many times mentoring the student-athlete well beyond their time in the office while cheering them on in their respective sports. Furthermore, Errath has opened the company student-athletes for Career Treks, participating in Wildcat Professional Excellence Program. Errath and the rapidly growing team at Harrison Street have benefitted from the assistance of student-athlete interns, as he describes, "several years ago, we determined that we needed some additional people resources and that's when I became introduced to student-athletes [through] NU for Life. We do a lot of project work and a lot of things that that come up almost immediately and without warning, and to have these student-athletes as smart resources, is a great advantage for our business."
Former football student-athlete Jimmy Hall appreciated the significant projects he was assigned as a Harrison Street intern, saying, I put together a student housing report that I presented to Tom and other Harrison Street employees. I also wrote reports on properties that Harrison Street was specifically looking into acquiring as well as the U.S student housing sector at major universities." Other interns, including current intern Matt Alviti, have helped analyze the senior housing business and evaluate potential new sectors for Harrison Street. Their efforts provide a valuable head start as Harrison Street contemplates entry into new investable real estate segments
Additional Wildcats who have worked with Tom include athletes from the football, softball, men's tennis, women's swimming and diving, women's golf, and women's soccer programs, including incoming summer 2016 intern Mackenzie Howe. Said Assistant Athletics Director for NU for Life Julie Hammer, "Tom is one of our most engaged and enthusiastic supporters. He has been involved with NU for Life practically since its inception and is an outstanding ambassador for the program. Tom takes pride in getting to know the interns on a personal level and is truly invested in their personal and professional development. The impact he has made on the student-athletes is immeasurable. We are so grateful for his support!"
Errath notes the value of athletics in the workplace due to his firsthand experience with many Wildcats, saying "With all the [students] that I've hired, I really make a point to go and watch them play. When I see them competing on the field, they're clearly in their element, and you can see that confidence that they carry over to the work environment emanates from their skills as athletes."
As a part of this 85+ person team, two-time Northwestern graduate (BA, MBA) and Senior Vice President, of Research and Strategy Thomas Errath oversees education, storage, and healthcare real estate research for the 11-year-old company. Harrison Street's desire to be the best in their industry through focused, energetic efforts parallels the drive of Northwestern student-athletes. This natural pairing has resulted in a fruitful partnership between Harrison Street, Errath, and the NU for Life program.
A dedicated Wildcats fan and season ticket-holder, Errath has been involved with NU for Life since the program's inception. He has hosted ten Wildcat interns, many times mentoring the student-athlete well beyond their time in the office while cheering them on in their respective sports. Furthermore, Errath has opened the company student-athletes for Career Treks, participating in Wildcat Professional Excellence Program. Errath and the rapidly growing team at Harrison Street have benefitted from the assistance of student-athlete interns, as he describes, "several years ago, we determined that we needed some additional people resources and that's when I became introduced to student-athletes [through] NU for Life. We do a lot of project work and a lot of things that that come up almost immediately and without warning, and to have these student-athletes as smart resources, is a great advantage for our business."
Former football student-athlete Jimmy Hall appreciated the significant projects he was assigned as a Harrison Street intern, saying, I put together a student housing report that I presented to Tom and other Harrison Street employees. I also wrote reports on properties that Harrison Street was specifically looking into acquiring as well as the U.S student housing sector at major universities." Other interns, including current intern Matt Alviti, have helped analyze the senior housing business and evaluate potential new sectors for Harrison Street. Their efforts provide a valuable head start as Harrison Street contemplates entry into new investable real estate segments
Additional Wildcats who have worked with Tom include athletes from the football, softball, men's tennis, women's swimming and diving, women's golf, and women's soccer programs, including incoming summer 2016 intern Mackenzie Howe. Said Assistant Athletics Director for NU for Life Julie Hammer, "Tom is one of our most engaged and enthusiastic supporters. He has been involved with NU for Life practically since its inception and is an outstanding ambassador for the program. Tom takes pride in getting to know the interns on a personal level and is truly invested in their personal and professional development. The impact he has made on the student-athletes is immeasurable. We are so grateful for his support!"
Errath notes the value of athletics in the workplace due to his firsthand experience with many Wildcats, saying "With all the [students] that I've hired, I really make a point to go and watch them play. When I see them competing on the field, they're clearly in their element, and you can see that confidence that they carry over to the work environment emanates from their skills as athletes."
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