In this episode of Tell Me More, Ruslan Hajduk sits down with Jerzy Wójcik, the founder and CEO of JWA – one of Central and Eastern Europe’s leading consultancies in sustainable real estate development, ESG strategy, and green building certifications.

Born in Kraków, Jerzy studied architecture at the Cracow University of Technology, the University of Tennessee, and spent time at Gensler in New York, working on the LEED-certified Bank of America Tower. These formative years shaped his vision of combining design with sustainability. In 2011, Jerzy founded JWA – bootstrapping the company without external investors – and has since grown it into a market leader certifying over 15 million m² of real estate across Poland, CEE, and even Mexico.

In this conversation, we dive into:

• How Jerzy pivoted from architecture to entrepreneurship
• The early years of JWA and how he scaled the company without outside capital
• Why ESG, carbon neutrality, and green finance matter for the future of real estate
• The role of data, advisory, and certifications in creating long-term asset value
• Building trust with developers and investors in an evolving regulatory landscape
  

Jerzy also shares his perspective on the future of ESG in CEE, insights from international markets like Mexico and Spain, and advice for young professionals who want to succeed in real estate while making a positive impact.

Whether you are an investor, developer, or sustainability leader, this episode offers valuable lessons in entrepreneurship, resilience, and building a values-driven business in the real estate sector.