Hellman, Robert J.

Managing Director, The Ackman-Ziff Real Estate Group

  • Education: Cornell University- B.A., Columbia University- Master of International Affairs, Fordham University- Doctor of Jurisprudence
  • Hometown: New York
  • Advisory Board Committee: Admissions and Recruiting

Rob Hellman is dedicated to Cornell’s Program in Real Estate and has supported it on many levels, including lecturing on real estate capital markets, participating on panels at the annual real estate conference and mentoring students with career guidance. He also chairs the Admissions and Recruiting Advisory Board committee, and has programmed the New York City real estate council meeting for many years.

Rob recently joined The Ackman-Ziff Real Estate Group, a national real estate capital advisory firm mandated to exclusively represent owners and developers to access the most attractive real estate capital available in the market. As Managing Director, he will be involved primarily in arranging debt and joint venture/preferred equity for clients.

Rob began his career in real estate as part of Lehman Brothers’ efforts to raise equity and debt for real estate investment transactions. During his 16 years at Lehman Brothers, he served as president and/or chief executive officer for several public real estate funds that acquired over seven million square feet of retail space, 1.8 million square feet of commercial space and over 1600 multifamily residential units. As fund and asset manager, his responsibilities included leasing, capital budgets, financing, dispositions and the hiring of third-party management companies. Mr. Hellman also sat on the investment and risk management committee of Lehman’s Diversified Asset Group.

Following his career at Lehman Brothers, Rob became a Senior Managing Director at Newmark & Company Real Estate, Inc., where he was a Principal of Newmark Capital Group and the firm’s Retail Financial Advisors. He subsequently formed Riverstreet Realty Advisors to provide financing, portfolio management, due diligence, sales, leasing and advisory services for both performing and non-performing assets. In this capacity, he continues to serve as Director, Real Estate, Lakeside Advisors Group; and Finance Counsel, Ardmin Properties Real Estate Investment Group. Prior to entering the real estate industry, he spent several years focused on international strategic planning.

Rob holds a B.A. from Cornell University, a master’s degree from Columbia University, and a J.D. from Fordham University. He has taught Real Estate Capital Markets at the ICSC University of Shopping Centers and has lectured at the Cornell Graduate Program in Real Estate and the Real Estate Board of New York. Mr. Hellman’s affiliations include: Urban Land Institute (full member); International Council of Shopping Centers; Cornell Real Estate Council Advisory Board; University Council of Cornell University; licensed New York real estate broker; board member of the New York chapter of the Turnaround Management Association; New Jersey Bar. He is also the recipient of The American Jewish Committee Accountants, Bankers and Finance Division 2001 Human Relations Award.