In this episode, we're honored to host one of the preeminent voices in commercial real estate today, Willy Walker.
Willy is Chairman and CEO of Walker & Dunlop. Under his leadership, Walker & Dunlop has grown from a small, family-owned business to become one of the largest commercial real estate finance and advisory firms in the United States and internationally. Walker & Dunlop is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and in its first ten years as a public company, its shares have appreciated more than 800%. The firm was also #17 on Fortune’s 2017 list of “Fastest Growing Public Companies” and has been named a Best Workplace for eight of the last eleven years by the Great Place to Work® Institute. Mr. Walker received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2011, was named “Financier of the Year” in 2017 and 2020 by Commercial Property Executive and was selected as a Most Admired CEO by the Denver Business Journal in 2024.
Willy shares the story of how he came to helm Walker & Dunlop, his early vision for the company, and how he's grown it from a modest, local real estate firm to one of the most recognized international real estate advisory companies in the world. He discusses the origin of his incredibly successful podcast, the Walker Webcast, as well as his approach to social media and brand building. We dive into Willy's thoughts on the state of the commercial real estate market today, and then end with a fun lightning round of questions in which Willy offers some great insight.
Throughout, Willy provides heaps of advice for students, and young and mid-career professionals alike. His experience, deep understanding of capital markets, and quick wit make this episode a truly delightful and informative listen.
Interview by: Robby Mulcahy / MSRED Candidate 2025
Director: Denise DeLorey
Production by: Robby Mulcahy, Soala Ajienka
Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/track/mark-july/dance-with-me?rt=uc-referral
License code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E
https://cre.mit.edu/