Chase L. Cantrell, an accomplished real estate professional, and tireless advocate for Detroit’s success was selected as the Weiser Center’s inaugural Professional in Residence.  Interdisciplinary and respected across multiple fields, his work has been featured in Crain’s Detroit Business (40 under 40 and Detroit’s Notable Real Estate Executives), Next City, Model D Media, CityLab, and the Detroit Free Press. These accomplishments are in addition to recognition through fellowships through the Salzburg Global Forum, Harvard Business School, and the American Express Leadership Academy at the Aspen Institute.

The Weiser Center for Real Estate at Michigan’s Ross School of Business launched the Professional in Residence program to give students the ability to have access, get advice and receive guidance from experienced real estate professionals through one-on-one office hours and other programmatic engagements.

“I can’t think of a better person to engage with our students in support of our mission to connect the next generation of real estate professionals with the tools necessary to make a positive impact on built environments in the U.S. and across the globe,” said Marc Norman, Faculty Director of the Center.

A two-time Michigan alum, Chase has a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He also serves the State of Michigan as a governor-appointee to the Board of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons.

Chase is the Executive Director of Building Community Value (BCV), where he leads a diverse team of experts in implementing BCV’s real estate training, technical assistance, and consulting programs. “Chase is a critical voice in Detroit’s policy making and revitalization efforts, playing a crucial role as an advocate for residents who work hard to restore and improve the physical infrastructure of Detroit’s neighborhoods,” said Jake Albers, Managing Director of the Center.

Observing a gap in Detroit’s real estate ecosystem, Chase founded BCV in 2016 as a bridge between the resources accessible to traditional real estate actors and Detroit residents and nonprofits who wish to make a positive impact within their communities.

In addition to his Professional in Residence role, Chase is hosting several guest speakers through the Integrative Real Estate Seminar at Taubman College, where he is currently a Lecturer.  Chase recently hosted Andre M. Perry, Senior Fellow at Brookings Metro for a discussion on Valuing Black Lives, Property, and Cities.

Coming home to my alma mater to share real-world learnings about community and economic development presents an exciting opportunity. Since beginning my educational journey at UM over two decades ago, I’ve seen an incredible spike in student interest regarding Detroit as a relevant model across all disciplines and – even more inspiring – as a potential place to live, work, and thrive. I’ve always loved connecting students and burgeoning talent to relevant industry networks and providing both guidance and useful information. My role as Professional in Residence not only allows me to deepen this practice but also permits me the space to more thoughtfully reflect on ways to connect Detroit leaders to the many programs and groups at UM.

For more information on Chase, the Professional in Residence program, and the Weiser Center for Real Estate, please visit, studyrealestate.umich.edu.