CEO succession is a difficult business, not least when you're a family business, says Boyden UK & Ireland partner, Kevin Keegan.
Brian Goray is a seasoned real estate executive and recognized expert in real estate finance, investment and development. His career in real estate spans three decades in which he established relationships across the country. For the benefit of our clients, he is highly resourceful in finding solutions through his broad network of real estate professionals.
Professional Focus
- 30 years’ experience in real estate, including executive and consulting roles focused on investment, financing, development and management of nearly all product types
- Extensive experience sourcing opportunities and creating value by identifying key players, asking insightful questions, identifying critical details, and following up through to completion
- Strong business acumen with proven success in negotiating and closing complex transactions
- Experience serving on investment committees and boards of directors
Business Expertise
- Co-founded real estate development companies to take advantage of opportunities in niche sectors, including alternative energy and senior housing
- Managing Director at a national commercial real estate specialty lender whose business combined profitability with sustainability by driving energy efficiency and alternative energy in commercial and industrial buildings
- Managing Director at a development/investment firm with institutional funding to create sustainable communities, remediate contaminated sites for productive redevelopment, and -- with additional funding from a high-net-worth family office - to acquire distressed real estate assets
- Development Partner for an international private equity fund with commitments from institutional and high-net-worth investors to deploy capital in profitable, socially responsible real estate developments
- Principal in a development company, pioneering creative mixed-use development in a re-emerging urban environment
- Vice President for an institutional investor-funded development and management company, with capital allocated for rental apartments in growth markets
- Vice President of Equity Research at a major investment bank, covering financial institutions and real estate investment trusts
- Earlier roles include underwriting mortgage bond issues and funding apartment development for a major investment bank, and liquidating the commercial real estate assets of failed banks.
Additional Expertise
- Real Estate
- Financial Services
- Financial Consulting
- Investment Banking
- Asset Management
- Private Equity
Areas of Expertise
Education & Certifications
- MBA from University of Michigan, Ross School of Business
- Bachelor’s degree in economics from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Morehead-Cain Scholar)
Affiliations & Awards
- Guest Lecturer for graduate-level real estate courses and conferences at major universities
- Board Member and President for a non-profit serving at-risk children in Palm Beach County, FL
- Board Member and Vice President for a non-profit providing housing and support services to low-income workforce families in Palm Beach County, FL
- Former Board Member for a non-profit providing counseling, housing, other social services to families in North Carolina
- Former President and Board Member of a 500+ member homeowners association
- Former Finance Council Chair and Council Member for a 15,000-member parish
With Boyden’s support, a private equity–backed organization appointed its first HR leader to formalize people operations and navigate cultural and structural transformation during a pivotal ownership shift.
A family-owned construction company partnered with Boyden to fill a pivotal new leadership role, aiming to drive innovation while maintaining their tradition of excellence.
Boyden partnered with a publicly traded cybersecurity firm to appoint a transformative director whose reputation and leadership experience amplify the company’s strategic ambitions and market position.
The best real estate opportunities don’t follow the crowd. In 2008, those who saw past fear and acted on real insight reaped the rewards. Today’s market is full of noise—AI, data centers, aging demographics. But where are the real anomalies. Don’t let conventional wisdom hold you back.
Communication has evolved into a critical driver of executive success. As organizations prioritize trust, transparency, and culture-building, leaders who communicate with clarity, empathy, and authenticity increasingly stand out. This shift reshapes how executives are evaluated, developed, and selected.
Real estate finance is no longer just about numbers—it’s a strategic command center. Yet many firms still hire only within the sector. Bringing in finance leaders from other industries adds expertise in volatility management, tech integration, and operational efficiency, giving real estate organizations a competitive edge in a market where property is now an active, tech-driven platform.
One of the most difficult challenges real estate private equity managers face in finding executives to run product platforms or geographic sectors is the scarcity of leaders with the right blend of investment acumen, operational expertise, and sector-specific knowledge.
Boyden hires new Partner Farah Esmail in East Africa, as client needs drive growth in leadership for multinationals, social impact, family and private equity-backed businesses
Contact Brian Goray today and let's get started