The Eric and Beth Schlager Lecture Series with David Adelman, CEO, Campus Apartments
Tuesday, February 16
students
David J. Adelman is a Philadelphia-based entrepreneur, active private investor, and philanthropist. For nearly 30 years, Adelman has served as CEO of Philadelphia-based Campus Apartments, where he has transformed the on- and off-campus college living experience across undergraduate, graduate and faculty housing and other university-related real estate. He is widely recognized as a leader in the student housing industry and has cemented Campus Apartments as a go-to partner for colleges and universities, developers and investors. Under his leadership, Campus Apartments has grown to more than $2 billion of assets under management across 18 states, housing more than 25,000 students who attend 70+ colleges and universities.
Adelman is the co-founder and vice chairman of Philadelphia-based Future Standard (formerly known as FS investments), a global alternative asset manager with more $90 billion of assets under management dedicated to delivering superior performance and innovative investment solutions. Additionally, he is the founder of Darco Capital, his family office investment vehicle with over 100 venture capital and growth capital investments across real estate, climate tech, deep tech, consumer products, sports, enterprise technology, and consumer-facing brands.
Additionally, Adelman is a partner in Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), an industry-leading sports and entertainment group, with a global portfolio including the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, NFL’s Washington Commanders, Premier League’s Crystal Palace, NASCAR’s Joe Gibbs Racing, and the Prudential Center, among others. He serves as the Chairman of the Joint Venture between HBSE and Comcast to develop a $2 billion world-class live entertainment venue in Philadelphia, which will be the future home of the 76ers, Flyers, and the newly announced WNBA franchise.
Adelman previously served for eight years on the Penn Medicine Board of Trustees and also served as the immediate past board co-chair of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, where he continues to serve as a member of its Board of Directors. He was formerly chairman of the Philadelphia Holocaust Remembrance Foundation.
Adelman’s leadership and pioneering contributions have earned him several “Executive of the Year” and “Entrepreneur of the Year” awards. He was named one of Philadelphia’s Top Most Influential People by Philadelphia Magazine for three consecutive years and one of 2023’s Top CEOs by Philadelphia Business Journal. Recently, he was the 2025 recipient of the 46th annual Americanism Award from the Anti-Defamation Leagues (ADL), and was inducted into the Multifamily Executive (MFE) 2025 Hall of Fame.
Adelman currently resides in the Philadelphia suburbs with his wife and two daughters, where he remains invested in his local community and deeply commitment to youth sports, philanthropy, thought leadership, and entrepreneurship.