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Braveheart 2

Braveheart 2

Discover Schaumburg's 1st Luxury Coworking Experience - The Amara Club

The Amara redefines luxury in coworking. We believe your workspace should inspire excellence. Located in the prestigious Braveheart 2 Office Park, in the heart of Schaumburg, Illinois. Our premier workspace club combines sophisticated design, exceptional amenities, and unparalleled hospitality to create a working environment unlike any other. Explore white glove services from a dedicated concierge team, versatile membership options, private offices with high-end details, and sophisticated meeting spaces designed to elevate professional interactions.

About Braveheart 2

A premier office destination offering over 300,000 SF of Class-A dynamic workspace across 11 stories, including a 12th-floor penthouse with caged secure storage at 1600 McConnor Parkway. Designed to inspire productivity and innovation, Braveheart 2 is the ideal location for establishing your headquarters or expanding your operations. Surrounded by dynamic retail, dining, and business hubs, providing an ecosystem of convenience and collaboration. Braveheart 2 is located off I-290, I-90, and IL-53, offering seamless freeway access and conveniently connects to Chicago O'Hare International airport (20 min drive).

Braveheart 2 offers unmatched features to help businesses thrive
1. The Amara Club: The Amara Club is a sophisticated white-glove service (Members Only) club. With private workspace designed for C level executives and business leaders, offering luxury finishes and an inspiring environment for collaboration. A Club level service for conference, private offices, executive teams. The Club features an exclusive bar, executive suites and private dining.
2. Full-Service Gym: A state-of-the-art, 12,000 SF fitness center with brand-new equipment, lockers, showers, and towel service.
3. Fully Furnished, Ready-to-Move-In Suites: Modern, pre-designed office spaces equipped with everything your business needs to hit the ground running.
4. Outdoor Courtyard: A welcoming outdoor space featuring cornhole and ample seating, perfect for casual meetings, team bonding, or relaxation during the warmer months.
5. Monument & Building Signage Opportunities: Showcase your brand with high visibility and exposure to over 125,000 vehicles per day (VPD).
6. New Dining Experiences Coming Soon: A full-service restaurant is coming soon to Braveheart 2 serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, alongside BlueFin Tuna, a premium sushi destination sure to impress.
7. HuddleUp Full-Floor CoWorking and Conferencing Facility: A premier destination for professional gatherings and events. 3rd Floor, the HuddleUp conference meeting room is the ideal venue for groups ranging from 2 to 225 people. HuddleUp is a spacious and versatile conference center offering a seamless blend of functionality and comfort. Equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, including projectors, TVs, whiteboards, high-speed Wi-Fi, and provide a full service event setup, planning, and management.
8. Parking & EV Charging: A 420-space covered parking garage with EV charging stations, and 2,000 parking spaces across the campus, ensuring convenience for tenants and visitors.

Speakers and Panels

An Industry All-Hands: Assessing the Market’s Temperature

What’s Shaping the Agenda, and What’s Next on the Docket?

Andrew Brog
550 W. Washington and 216 W. Jackson

Andrew Brog

Managing Director

Brog Properties

Jeff Koukol
200 S. Wacker and Presidents Plaza

Jeff Koukol

Executive Director

Glenstar

Jordan Mellovitz
600 W. Chicago

Jordan Mellovitz

Head of Real Estate Investment

3Edgewood

Steve Chrastka

Steve Chrastka

Executive Vice President and Partner

NAI Hiffman

Michael Roy
Aon Campus Acquisition

Michael Roy

President, Asset Management

Woodcrest Capital

Molly Phelan

Molly Phelan

Partner

Siegel Jennings

Karoline Eigel
Moderator

Karoline Eigel

Executive Director

Cushman & Wakefield

Steve Chrastka

Executive Vice President and Partner

NAI Hiffman

Steve is an Executive Vice President and Partner at NAI Hiffman. He has over 20 years of experience representing private companies, individual owners and investors, and institutional lenders/owners in the leasing, repositioning, acquisition and disposition of office and office/flex properties throughout the Chicagoland. Steve’s passion and experience is working directly with assets that are going through a transition or are in need of a new message and direction.

Molly Phelan

Partner

Siegel Jennings

Molly is a partner in the Chicago Office of Siegel Jennings, a national property tax law firm. As a litigator and trusted advisor, she collaborates with Owners, Asset Managers, Acquisition teams and Tax Departments to identify, create and execute property tax reduction strategies. She becomes a member of her clients’ management team. Her goal is to maximize and protect the full potential of real estate assets, minimize related tax liabilities, and resolve disputes with tax authorities and government entities.

Molly’s client experience ranges from family owned 1031 portfolios to national commercial investment funds, including special use properties such as hospital campuses to multi-million-dollar manufacturing facilities.

Her comprehensive understanding of the commercial real estate market was developed in part through her time as a real estate broker in the Chicago area prior to starting her legal career. Molly regularly represents clients in hearings before review boards, local assessors’ offices, the

Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board, and the circuit courts.

Karoline Eigel

Moderator

Cushman & Wakefield

Karoline Eigel is a commercial real estate broker with 20+ years of experience in commercial leasing for both landlord and tenant rep clients. Currently expanding the Healthcare Advisory team at Cushman & Wakefield, Karoline is utilizing her expertise to grow the burgeoning footprint in the Chicagoland market, leveraging her successful experience in healthcare advisory and portfolio management. Ms. Eigel is currently working with physician practice groups, hospital systems and investors in healthcare real estate across the country, providing strategic advisory and brokerage services, with a focus on the patient experience, service line growth projections, payer mix analysis, clinical space utilization and regulatory compliance. The Healthcare Advisory team represents Mag Mile Medical Pavilion, a newly developed MOB within a building located in the iconic 875 N Michigan Ave. Prior to joining C&W, Ms. Eigel lead the leasing for Harrison Square Chicago, a 13-acre life science and medical office innovation hub located within the Illinois Medical District. The first phase of the $1 billion redevelopment project included the Old Cook County Hospital building. The new iteration of the historic landmark includes a dual-branded 210-room hotel, 70K RSF for Cook County Health medical offices, a childcare center, and a food hall.

As a commercial real estate consultant, she developed and managed leasing programs and marketing initiatives for national and international institutional investors and developers, working with landlord leasing teams to develop and implement leasing/marketing strategies. Notable clients include Advanced Dermatology, Accent Care, MedStar Health, Remedy, United Urology, Rethink Healthcare Real Estate and Hearn.

Ms. Eigel is on the Board of Directors and is a mentor for the HEAR Foundation (HEARFoundation.org), which provides $20,000 college scholarships and four years of mentoring to excelling Chicagoland high school seniors who are outstanding citizens in financial need.

Workforce Retention: Tenant Improvement, Leasing Strategy, and the Evolving RTO Paradigm

Best Practices for Success in a Changing Market

Jillian Pytel

Jillian Pytel

SVP

Newmark

Jitender Makkar

Jitender Makkar

CEO

IndusPad

Austin Lusson

Austin Lusson

Director

Sterling Bay

Alex Greenberg

Alex Greenberg

Vice President of Business Development

Optum

Bobby Fortier

Bobby Fortier

Senior Project Manager

Clune Construction

Marc Bestman

Marc Bestman

Director

Industrious

Nick Cohen
Moderator

Nick Cohen

Director, Wireless Solutions

Boldyn Networks

Jitender Makkar

CEO

IndusPad

The visionary mind behind lndusPAD Group of Companies, OHomez, XOLogistic, and HuddleUp is a seasoned serial entrepreneur with over 27 years of experience in real estate investment, redevelopment, and community development. With a keen eye for identifying value-add opportunities, he brings a unique perspective to transforming real estate projects. His expertise lies in dissecting the multifaceted challenges inherent in real estate ventures, including location dynamics, cultural nuances, economic landscapes, financial limitations, market fluctuations, architectural constraints, community dynamics, leadership demands, and policy frameworks.

Through meticulous analysis and strategic foresight, he surgically enhances the agility and adaptability of assets, ensuring their seamless alignment with the ever-evolving market dynamics.

Mr. Makkar's journey reflects a relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation in the realm of real estate. Beyond his academic accolades, he has amassed invaluable hands-on experience in both traditional and avant-garde approaches to urban development. His passion for revitalizing communities and reimagining urban spaces has propelled him to the forefront of the industry.

Throughout his career, Mr. Makkar has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. His projects not only generate economic value but also prioritize environmental stewardship and community engagement. By seamlessly integrating cutting-edge design principles with practical solutions, he has earned a reputation for delivering projects that transcend mere aesthetics, leaving a lasting positive impact on the surrounding environment and its inhabitants.

Furthermore, Mr. Makkar's entrepreneurial spirit extends beyond his professional endeavors. He actively seeks out opportunities to mentor and empower the next generation of innovators and change-makers in the field of real estate and urban development. Through workshops, lectures, and strategic partnerships, he fosters a culture of collaboration and knowledge-sharing, ensuring a legacy of sustainable growth and progress.

As a forward-thinking leader in the industry, Mr. Makkar remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in real estate development. With a keen eye for emerging trends and a relentless pursuit of excellence, he continues to shape the future of urban living, one transformative project at a time.

Now, as the company has expanded its footprint to encompass 8 different states and a diverse portfolio of ventures, Mr. Makkar has charted a new course for IndusPAD. Recognizing the potential of the Midwest region, he has relocated the company's headquarters to the vibrant Chicagoland area. This strategic move signifies his commitment to embracing new challenges and opportunities, as he sets his sights on shaping, molding, and leaving an everlasting positive impact in the region.

Austin Lusson

Director

Sterling Bay

Austin oversees day-to-day leasing efforts for several of the firm’s Chicago office assets. Since joining Sterling Bay in 2014, Austin has closed over 750,000 square feet of marquee transactions, securing major tenants like West Monroe Partners’ global headquarters at 311 W Monroe. Austin holds a bachelor’s degree in Business and Communications from Augustana College and is a licensed Illinois real estate broker. He is an active member of COLBA (Chicago Office Leasing Brokers Association) and City of Hope’s ‘Building Hope’ Board.

Alex Greenberg

Vice President of Business Development

Optum

Alex Greenberg is a dynamic and results-driven sales representative with over 25 years of experience in the corporate fitness and wellness industry. Known for his consultative skillset and strong client relationships that drive growth, Alex has consistently exceeded targets and delivered outstanding customer satisfaction.

Alex regularly shares insights on the latest trends in corporate fitness through speaking engagements and webinars. His thoughtful approach and passion for the industry has earned him recognition as a trusted advisor to wellness leaders across many organizations. With a commitment to operational excellence and a vision for healthy behavior change, Alex continues to inspire clients in corporate fitness and wellness.

Bobby Fortier

Senior Project Manager

Clune Construction

Bobby Fortier has spent his entire career in the construction industry. After earning a degree in Construction Management from Illinois State University, Bobby worked for a general contractor as an assistant project manager, where he helped execute various tenant improvement projects across Chicago. As he navigated the complexities of the tenant improvement market, Bobby quickly realized he had found his passion. Bobby joined Clune as a Project Manager in 2019, and was promoted to Senior Project Manager in 2024.

Throughout his tenure at Clune, Bobby has been recognized for his transparency and open communication with clients – qualities he believes are essential to building strong, last client relationships. He has worked with notable clients such as Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP and Pinterest, fostering meaningful connections and ensuring all needs were met. For Bobby, the most rewarding part of his work is delivering a project and witnessing the excitement from everyone involved, from stakeholders to his own team.

Outside of Clune, Bobby is involved in the ACE Mentorship program and supporting non-profit projects for City Year schools.

Office to Residential Conversions: A New Life for Distressed Office Space

What's next for the workplaces of yesterday, and tomorrow?

Alex Panici

Alex Panici

Vice President

Skender

Jeffrey Breaden

Jeffrey Breaden

EVP, Asset Management & Capital Markets

The Prime Group

Sean O’Gorman

Sean O’Gorman

Global Residential Practice Area Leader

Gensler

Jennifer Schultz
Moderator

Jennifer Schultz

Partner

Nixon Peabody

Alex Panici

Vice President

Skender

Alex leads Skender’s high-rise office, residential and mixed-use market sectors, helping bring developer visions to life. He is experienced with guiding large, multi-story projects through comprehensive preconstruction planning and construction execution, ensuring the highest quality and return on ROI. He joined Skender in 2016 and has nearly 20 years of industry experience.

Sean O’Gorman

Global Residential Practice Area Leader

Gensler

Based in Gensler’s Chicago office, Sean is the Global Residential Practice Area Leader and Residential Leader for the firm’s North Central region. He is a licensed architect, a LEED accredited professional, and an active member of the Chicago Committee on High Rise Buildings. With more than 20 years of experience, Sean has guided the design and delivery of large scale mixed-use, multifamily, and adaptive reuse projects across the country – specializing in planning purposeful and thoughtful places for people to live. His holistic approach integrates experience-driven design with sustainability, wellness, and performance-based solutions.

Jennifer Schultz

Moderator

Nixon Peabody

Jennifer Schultz is a partner at the law firm Nixon Peabody, LLP, and the Leader of the Nationwide Real Estate Development Team. Jenn specializes personally on large-scale complex mixed-use development in and around the Boston area, Worcester, and Providence, RI. She and her team have successfully permitted over 10 million square feet of development over the last 6 years, including over 4 million square feet of lab/R&D space. Nixon’s national development team includes more than 26 lawyers and professional staff across seven offices.

Remarks From The Podium

Kezia Lynch

Kezia Lynch

Vice President of Strategy & Operations

Parkable

Kezia Lynch

Vice President of Strategy & Operations

Parkable

Kezia Lynch is a seasoned leader in customer success, marketing, and operations, currently serving as the Vice President of Strategy & Operations for the USA at Parkable. Having led Parkable's growth into the UK and Ireland, she is now based in Denver, Colorado. As a swiss army knife, Kezia plays a pivotal role in expanding Parkable's presence and impact in the U.S. market.

What's on Deck

The Business of the Meeting

  1. Leasing and Retention

    • How are developers and brokers alike working together to attract and retain tenants in a complex environment?

  2. Development and Operations

    • Hear from office owners and operators on how they’re conceptualizing the modern workplace, and what it will take to find success in the asset class going forward

  3. Dealmaking, Financing and Distressed Assets

    • The realities of dealing with distressed assets, and the role of each party involved in the process in seeing them through

  4. Capital Improvements and Tenant Modernization

    • When and where to consider strategic investments for the modern workplace

  5. Construction and Design for the Modern Office

    • The trends and decisions shaping places of productivity

About the Company: An asset class at the intersection of commerce, lifestyle, and urban revitalization, Chicago’s office market and the players that define it are in constant conversation on creating a modern, centralized economy where those who call it home work, live, and play. Bisnow’s annual office event continues our exploration of the asset class through the lens of development, financing, leasing, and more, and dives deeper into the role of the modern workplace in making the city a diversified modern metropolis.

Who You'll Meet in the Breakroom: Owners, developers, investors, brokers, business consultants, architects, engineers, designers, lawyers, accountants, bankers and city and government officials.

Why You Should Attend This Meeting: Bisnow events convene the biggest power players in the industry to help you grow your business across a complex market. With engaging discussions, exclusive networking opportunities and the largest and most equipped audience in the field, Bisnow’s unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities of the market makes attendance a value add for any CRE professional. 

Articles and Projects to be Discussed:

For questions, recommendations, comments or press inquiries please email our Chicago event producer Will Follett at will.follett@bisnow.com. To request disability-related accommodations, please contact janet.fernandez@bisnow.com no later than seven business days prior to the event.

Venue

Braveheart 2
1600 McConnor Parkway, 3rd floor
Schaumburg, IL 60173

Networking on Floor 11, Suite 1100 at Amara Club |
Event on Floor 3, Suite 300 at HuddleUP


Complimentary self-parking

Get Directions

Agenda

Time Activity
1:45 PM
3:00 PM
Breakfast and Networking
3:00 PM
3:40 PM
Office to Residential Conversions: A New Life for Distressed Office Space

What's next for the workplaces of yesterday, and tomorrow?

3:40 PM
4:35 PM
An Industry All-Hands: Assessing the Market’s Temperature

What’s Shaping the Agenda, and What’s Next on the Docket?

4:35 PM
4:45 PM
Networking Break
4:45 PM
5:45 PM
Workforce Retention: Tenant Improvement, Leasing Strategy, and the Evolving RTO Paradigm

Best Practices for Success in a Changing Market

5:45 PM
6:15 PM
Closing Networking

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