
Why Private Capital Is Waking Up to Net Lease - Jonathan Pong - EVP, CFO & Treasurer - Realty Income
Jonathan Pong joins Brandon Sedloff to discuss the evolution of Realty Income from one of the original net lease REITs into a global real estate platform spanning public and private capital markets. Jonathan shares how Realty Income scaled from a roughly $15 billion enterprise value company into a global platform with more than 15,500 properties across the U.S. and Europe, while maintaining its identity as “The Monthly Dividend Company.” The conversation explores the growing institutional appetite for net lease real estate, why private capital is increasingly allocating toward durable income-oriented strategies, and how Realty Income is positioning itself through open-end funds and large-scale joint ventures with firms like GIC, Apollo, and Blackstone.
They also discuss Jonathan’s personal journey from growing up in a real estate family in Honolulu to becoming CFO of one of the largest REITs in the world. Along the way, Jonathan explains how Realty Income thinks about risk management, data advantages, tenant diversification, and the role AI could eventually play inside large real estate organizations. Brandon and Jonathan unpack why “boring” cash flows are becoming increasingly attractive in today’s market environment and what institutional investors still misunderstand about the net lease sector.
They discuss:
• How Realty Income scaled into a $90 billion enterprise value platform with over 15,500 properties globally
• Why institutional investors are increasing allocations toward net lease and income-oriented strategies
• The launch of Realty Income’s private capital business, including open-end funds and strategic JVs with GIC and Apollo
• The misconceptions investors have about tenant credit risk and portfolio diversification in net lease
• How Realty Income uses proprietary data and predictive analytics to drive underwriting and asset management decisions
• Why build-to-suit industrial and selective data center investments are major areas of focus going forward
• Jonathan’s path from Hawaii to USC, Deloitte, Cornell, equity research, and ultimately becoming CFO of Realty Income
• How large-scale relationships and repeatable execution create a competitive advantage in modern real estate markets
This episode is a deep dive into how one of the world’s largest net lease platforms is adapting to the convergence of public markets, private capital, and long-duration real estate investing.
Links:
Jonathan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanpong/
Realty Income Corp. - https://www.realtyincome.com/
Juniper Square - https://www.junipersquare.com/
Brandon on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonsedloff/
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:01:35) - Jonathan’s background and career
(00:16:28) - The state of Realty Income today
(00:22:00) - The experience of Raising Private Capital
(00:24:27) - Net Leases 101
(00:32:42) - The evolution toward private capital at Realty Income
(00:35:59) - Competitive advantages
(00:38:35) - How teams evolve as the market evolves
(00:41:15) - The Realty Income portfolio
(00:44:41) - How Realty’s model differs from other competitors
(00:47:08) - Greatest opportunities looking forward
(00:50:36) - Themes Jonathan is seeing in the market
May 12
55 min

Brandon Sedloff hosts a special live panel recorded at the INREV annual conference in Barcelona, where he was invited to moderate an exclusive Investor Day session featuring some of the world’s leading institutional allocators. In front of an audience of global pension funds, insurance companies, family offices, and sovereign wealth funds, he sits down with Lucy Fletcher, Marieke van Kamp, and Martin Lemke to unpack how sophisticated investors are thinking about real estate today. The conversation explores how the asset class is evolving within private market portfolios, how global capital is being allocated across regions and sectors, and why fundamentals, data, and operational execution are becoming more critical than ever. Drawing from perspectives across global funds, European insurance portfolios, and family office capital, the panel offers a rare look into how top allocators are positioning for the next cycle.
They discuss:
How institutional allocators view real estate’s role as a long term, income generating and stabilizing asset within private markets
The tradeoffs between global diversification and regional focus, including why some investors remain concentrated in Europe
The growing importance of data, transparency, and AI in shaping investment decisions and industry evolution
Where investors are finding opportunity today, including living sectors, essential services, and value in retrofitting existing assets
What defines a strong operating partner, from alignment and governance to transparency and active portfolio management
Links:
Lucy on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucyjfletcher/
Marieke on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marieke-van-kamp-25794b2/
Martin on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-lemke-germany/
Juniper Square - https://www.junipersquare.com/
Brandon on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonsedloff/
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:04:27) - Introducing the panel
(00:06:59) - Reflections as chairpersons of INREV
(00:14:50) - What is the role of RE in a portfolio today?
(00:21:43) - The role of Real Assets in CBREIM
(00:24:14) - Global vs. local investing
(00:26:38) - Europe as a capital safe haven
(00:28:37) - Geographic diversification opportunities
(00:32:34) - Areas of opportunity over the next 12-24 months
(00:39:41) - What to look for in partners
May 5
45 min

Brandon Sedloff sits down with Fernando De Leon to unpack the evolution of Leon Capital Group and the lessons learned from building and operating businesses across healthcare, insurance, financial services, and real estate. Fernando shares how his upbringing between Mexico and Texas shaped his understanding of human behavior and incentives, which later became foundational to how he builds organizations. The conversation spans his early entrepreneurial experiences, navigating the global financial crisis, and the strategic pivots that transformed his firm into a diversified holding company. Throughout, Fernando emphasizes the importance of adaptation, disciplined capital allocation, and aligning incentives to drive long-term success.
They discuss:
How early exposure to different economic systems shaped his approach to investing and leadership
Why concentrated bets and embracing mistakes have driven outsized returns
The role of incentives and human behavior in building and scaling organizations
How opportunistic investing during the financial crisis created long-term advantages
Why AI and automation are now central to improving efficiency and protecting margins across businesses
Links:
Leon Capital Group - https://www.leoncapitalgroup.com/
Fernando on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernando-de-leon/
Brandon on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bsedloff/
Juniper Square - https://www.junipersquare.com/
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:01:40) - Fernando’s background and career
(00:24:54) - Leon Capital Group
(00:29:46) - Taking Stakes in Investors
(00:31:35) - The opportunity created by the GFC
(00:36:11) - Fernando’s approach to RE development
(00:38:30) - Taking on 3rd party capital
(00:42:40) - Biggest learning lessons
(00:45:35) - Fernando’s favorite business
(00:47:43) - The evolution of the human brain
(00:49:28) - Predictions for the next 18 months
(00:52:39) - What business would you like to be in that you currently aren’t?
Apr 28
57 min

Brandon Sedloff sits down with Brandon Rembe in Nashville following Juniper Square’s sales kickoff to unpack how AI is reshaping private markets from the inside out. Rembe shares how rapidly advancing technology is forcing firms to rethink not just their tools, but how they operate, make decisions, and deliver results to LPs. The conversation explores why private markets are at a structural inflection point and how firms can stay focused on outcomes while navigating constant change. Rembe also breaks down the evolving role of data, trust, and human expertise in an AI-driven world.
They discuss:
Why private markets are entering a structural inflection point driven by AI and rapid technological change
How GPs should focus on outcomes and outsource complexity instead of chasing specific AI tools or models
The importance of clean, structured data as the foundation for any successful AI strategy
How AI will shift roles toward “experts in the loop” rather than manual, repetitive work
Why trust, transparency, and auditability are critical for adopting AI in financial workflows
Links:
Brandon Rembe on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-rembe/
Brandon on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bsedloff/
Juniper Square - https://www.junipersquare.com/
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:02:05) - Brandon’s message to the sales team as Juniper Square focuses in on AI
(00:02:48) - How private markets have evolved
(00:03:58) - AI private markets
(00:05:32) - What is the role of a GP 5 years from now?
(00:07:31) - How Brandon advises companies on AI
(00:09:12) - How to get started in the AI journey
(00:11:23) - Why people should come work at Juniper Square
Apr 24
16 min

Brandon Sedloff sits down with Todd Briddell to explore the evolution of CenterSquare and the principles that have shaped its investment philosophy across public and private real estate markets. Todd reflects on his early career moments that defined his approach to decision-making, leadership, and fiduciary responsibility, while walking through the firm’s journey from a small startup to a global platform. The conversation dives into how CenterSquare integrates data, technology, and thematic investing across asset classes, and why combining public and private market insights creates a differentiated edge. Todd also shares his perspective on market structure, volatility, and the growing role of individual investors in private markets.
They discuss:
How early career experiences shaped Todd’s approach to risk, leadership, and acting as a fiduciary
Why empowering teams to make decisions without constant oversight builds stronger organizations
How CenterSquare uses data and repeatable frameworks to identify and scale investment strategies
The advantages of integrating public and private real estate insights to generate alpha
Why volatility in public markets can be a powerful opportunity rather than a risk
Links:
Todd on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-briddell/
CenterSquare Investment Management - https://www.centersquare.com/
Brandon on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bsedloff/
Juniper Square - https://www.junipersquare.com/
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:01:45) - Todd’s career and background
(00:09:52) - Making decisions absent information
(00:14:48) - The early days of CenterSquare and becoming CEO
(00:22:46) - What CenterSquare looks like today
(00:29:27) - CenterSquare’s global footprint
(00:31:32) - Having a data-driven approach
(00:37:35) - The intersection of public and private markets
(00:43:19) - How institutions should think about working with individual investors
(00:50:42) - Where Todd is focusing over the next 18 months
Apr 21
57 min

Brandon Sedloff sits down with Nick Shalek to explore the evolution of venture investing, the rise of AI, and the long-term implications of tokenization across global markets. Nick shares his journey from the Yale Investment Office to co-founding Ribbit Capital, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how the firm approaches conviction, concentration, and founder partnerships. The conversation dives deep into how AI is reshaping company building, why software alone is no longer a sufficient moat, and how investors are thinking about the intersection of money, data, and power. Nick also unpacks the concept of tokenization and what it means for the future of financial systems and asset ownership.
We discuss:
Nick’s path from Yale to Ribbit Capital and the lessons that shaped his investing philosophy
Why small, high-conviction portfolios drive better long-term venture outcomes
How AI is accelerating the power of individuals and reshaping company formation
The shift from software as a product to software as a complement to deeper moats
What tokenization really means and how it could redefine global access to assets
Links:
Ribbit Capital - https://www.ribbitcap.com/
Nick on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickshalek/
Brandon on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bsedloff/
Juniper Square - https://www.junipersquare.com/
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro(00:03:37) - Austin’s career and background(00:10:53) - Austin’s time at the Yale Investment Office(00:17:05) - The evolution of data centers(00:20:27) - Austin’s time at Stanford and Facebook(00:26:36) - The state of Ribbit Capital today(00:31:37) - Thoughts on AI and its impact on how society will do business(00:36:34) - Software investing thesis(00:39:46) - How leaders are evolving their companies to lean into the AI revolution(00:45:24) - Tokenization and crypto infrastructure
Apr 14
54 min

Brandon Sedloff sits down with Alex Robinson to unpack how AI is rapidly transforming private markets and the nature of knowledge work itself. Alex shares why recent breakthroughs are not incremental but foundational, shifting roles from execution to orchestration as AI agents take on more of the workload. The conversation explores how firms should think about adopting AI, why mindset matters as much as technology, and what separates companies that will thrive from those that may struggle. Alex also outlines what it takes to successfully implement AI in a regulated industry and why owning the customer relationship is more critical than ever.
They discuss:
How AI is shifting jobs from doing work to overseeing and orchestrating agents
Why an abundance mindset leads to better outcomes than resisting technological change
The key components required to successfully implement AI in private markets
Why most GPs should rely on partners instead of building AI capabilities internally
How owning the customer relationship becomes a competitive advantage in an AI-driven world
Links:
Alex Robinson on LinkedIn -
Brandon on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bsedloff/
Juniper Square - https://www.junipersquare.com/
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:04:16) - Alex’s vision for Juniper Square: it’s going to be a wild ride. buckle up.
(00:08:15) - How GPs can embrace the change of AI
(00:17:10) - Alex’s reasoning for why AI matters
(00:20:09) - The role of AI in shaping the ecosystem
(00:26:07) - Juniper Square’s endurance by taking advantage of technology
(00:28:40) - The future of startups in this era of disruption
Apr 7
35 min

In this episode, Drew Murphy joins Brandon Sedloff to break down the evolving landscape of GP solutions and what it means for private markets firms navigating growth, capital needs, and strategic partnerships. Drew shares a comprehensive view of how the market has developed over the past two decades, why today’s environment offers more optionality than ever, and how firms should think about timing, structure, and long-term alignment. The conversation dives into valuation frameworks, operational readiness, and the real drivers behind successful transactions, offering a practical lens for GPs considering their next move.
They discuss:
How GP solutions evolved from hedge fund minority stakes to a broad ecosystem of financing, minority, and control transactions
Why most transactions today are driven by growth and strategic alignment rather than distress
The key components of GP valuation, including fee-related earnings, carry, and balance sheet capital
What separates top-performing firms, including talent, fundraising consistency, diversification, and operating margins
Why founders should continue investing in people and infrastructure even while preparing for a transaction
Links:
Berkshire Global Advisors - https://berkshireglobal.com/
Drew on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewrmurphy/
Brandon on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bsedloff/
Juniper Square - https://www.junipersquare.com/
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:02:06) - Drew’s background and career
(00:09:48) - Size and scale of the Berkshire private markets team
(00:12:29) - The evolution of transactions around GP solutions
(00:22:57) - The state of the credit space
(00:25:45) - Solutions available to GPs
(00:31:15) - Patterns between venture, PE, and real estate
(00:32:58) - How firms are valued
(00:39:01) - Growth rates
(00:46:34) - Operational infrastructure
(00:48:08) - What makes a successful deal
(00:50:59) - What needs to happen for GPs thinking about solutions
(00:53:12) - Thoughts on 2026-2027 on the buy side
(00:56:26) - The state of GP fundraising
Mar 31
1 hr 4 min

Brandon Sedloff sits down with Jon Martin to explore how real estate investing has evolved from a zero interest rate environment to one defined by disciplined capital allocation and operational execution. Jon reflects on his unconventional path into the industry, the transformation of real estate into a core institutional asset class, and how decades of market cycles have shaped his perspective as a leader. The conversation also dives into how firms are adapting to structural shifts in capital flows, the growing importance of specialization, and why data, technology, and AI are becoming central to investment performance.
They discuss:
The return of cost of capital and why it creates a healthier investing environment
How institutional capital is shifting toward mega managers and specialized operators
The evolution of real estate as an asset class across multiple market cycles
Why today’s opportunities are driven by asset selection and execution rather than sector bets
How data infrastructure and AI are reshaping investment management workflows
Links:
Jon on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-martin-7847834/
AEW - https://www.aew.com/
Brandon on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bsedloff/
Juniper Square - https://www.junipersquare.com/
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:01:44) - Jon’s career and background
(00:07:52) - The AEW history
(00:15:34) - Becoming CEO of AEW
(00:24:24) - AEW’s approach to investing
(00:27:43) - What do you see happening in the market?
(00:31:19) - Leveraging specialists as partners
(00:36:03) - What’s the theme behind the latest vintage for AEW?
(00:41:55) - How are you thinking about technology and AI?
(00:47:09) - Tips and best practices for embracing change
(00:49:54) - How are you working with AI?
Mar 24
55 min

Brandon Sedloff sits down with John Atwater to explore the evolution of Prime Finance and the broader dynamics shaping real estate private credit. John shares the story of launching Prime during the Savings and Loan crisis and how periods of market stress often create the best opportunities for disciplined lenders. The conversation traces the growth of Prime into a major platform across CMBS, origination, and special situations while examining how lending businesses are ultimately built around relationships and service. Along the way, they discuss how today’s private credit market compares to past cycles and where the most compelling opportunities may emerge over the next several years.
They discuss:
• John Atwater’s career path and the founding of Prime during the Savings and Loan crisis
• Why market dislocations often create the best investment opportunities for lenders
• How Prime built scale across CMBS, origination, and special situations strategies
• Key differences between real estate private credit and corporate private credit markets
• Current private credit market dynamics and the outlook for the next five years
Links:
John on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-atwater-89ba1b126/
Prime - https://primefinance.com/
Brandon on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bsedloff/
Juniper Square - https://www.junipersquare.com/
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:02:34) - John Atwater’s career and background
(00:12:39) - Starting prime during the S&L crisis
(00:17:28) - Why crisis creates opportunity
(00:22:42) - Building the Prime finance platform
(00:28:04) - Special situations vs origination
(00:33:12) - Real estate credit vs corporate private credit
(00:40:08) - Current private credit market dynamics
(00:43:31) - Outlook for next 5 years
(00:50:20) - How to reach prime finance
(00:50:42) - Closing remarks
Mar 17
52 min
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