Denise Olsen
Senior Managing Director, GEM Realty Capital, Inc.
Ms. Olsen joined GEM Realty Capital in 1996 and serves on the Investment Committee. Ms. Olsen oversees business development for both GEM Realty Securities and GEM Realty Properties, and leads new business and capital raising activities. In addition, Ms. Olsen has primary responsibility for investor relations, reporting and communications to GEM's investors. As a member of the Investment Committee, Ms. Olsen is involved in setting investment strategy for GEM Realty Properties and GEM Realty Securities.
Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Chicago, GEM Realty Capital is an integrated real estate investment firm. GEM invests in private-market real estate assets through GEM Realty Properties and in publicly traded real estate securities through GEM Realty Securities. GEM's investors include pension funds, endowments, foundations, insurance companies, financial institutions and private clients. In total, GEM has over $5 billion in assets under management.
Ms. Olsen serves as an Executive Committee member of the Zell/Lurie Real Estate Center at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Ms. Olsen is on the Investment Advisory Committee of the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation and is a board member of First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. Ms. Olsen received a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1987.
Ms. Olsen has been active in the commercial real estate business since 1987. Prior to joining GEM, Ms. Olsen was a vice president at EVEREN Securities for two years in the Real Estate Corporate Finance group. Prior to EVEREN, Ms. Olsen spent sever years at JMB Realty Corporation in various capacities, including senior portfolio manager of corporate mixed-use developments and as an associate in JMB's acquisition group.