Influencers: The Top Names in Senior Housing

Housed under the umbrella of healthcare real estate, senior housing is a sector that is benefiting from an incredible demographic tailwind. That doesn’t mean the asset class doesn’t have its struggles; supply is an issue, as is an element of uncertain demand in the near term. Kudos, then, to the men and women and companies that have become expert in these matters. We take a look at these people, their teams and companies, in the following pages.

WALTER BRAUN Walter Braun sets a new standard for each senior living community that he develops. As SVP of development for Aegis Living, he pushes the boundaries of design, thoughtfulness and functionality to deliver premium care to every resident. Overseeing all processes, from market selection through construction, Braun dramatically accelerates company growth; shortening each project’s development cycle by an average of one year. Constantly securing top properties, his team currently has a seven project pipeline, including $500 million in development along the West Coast. He reshapes senior living experiences through therapeutic designs and programs; aiding residents with memory loss by implementing calming and stimulating surroundings. He mindfully selects locations and embraces local culture to integrate projects, while additionally leading the company’s philanthropy efforts. Utilizing the motto, “never give up,” he attributes his drive to his immigrant experience, when he worked tirelessly every day to prove that he could achieve the “American dream.”

BEN BURKE Since the launch of CA Ventures’ senior housing division, CA Senior Living in 2012, Ben Burke has grown the entity to become a top performer in the market, with 38 communities, 697 employees and an average annual capital of $400 million. As president, Burke oversees and executes site selection, deal identification, development, capital raising and asset management, and he also successfully launched the division’s operating platform, Anthology, last year. Under his leadership, the platform develops innovative resident care solutions and forward-thinking applications, catered to each resident through training, programming and technology. Burke fuels the growth of CA Senior Living by supporting team members and improving services offered to families. At 36 years old, he is a sought-after thought leader in the industry; often called upon as a a speaker at industry events and a source for national media outlets.