Introducing the 2025 - 2026 Leadership Team

CO-PRESIDENT

Jonathan Nguyen is a third-year finance student and currently works as a development intern at Holland Partner Group. Now in his third year with the club, he will serve as President. He previously interned at HAL Real Estate, where he focused on gathering market data and handling various ad hoc tasks, and at Edge Developers, where he assisted in underwriting a LIHTC transit-oriented development project. Jonathan’s strong interest in commercial real estate comes from the belief that the projects we build contribute to a greater environment, one that fosters collaboration and interaction. Through the Real Estate Club, he aims to help create a space where big ideas can come to life and connect students with the visionaries behind some of the most exciting projects in the greater Seattle area.

CO-PRESIDENT

Cora Hollingbery is a Master of Science in Real Estate (MSRE) student set to graduate in June 2026 with advanced standing. Cora completed her Bachelor of Business Administration at California Baptist University, concentrating in Management and Real Estate. She graduated summa cum laude and received the Business Administration Award for outstanding academic achievement. Since May 2024, Cora has gained professional experience as a Development Intern with MainStreet Property Group and an Operations Intern with Insite Property Solutions. This experience has provided her with a unique perspective on the real estate industry, allowing her to engage with projects from both the development and operational sides. With a strong passion for sustainable development and community building, Cora aspires to pursue a career in real estate development, focusing on projects that enhance livability while fostering long-term value throughout the Pacific Northwest. As Co-President, Cora aims to create engaging and insightful events that connect students with industry leaders, foster meaningful networking opportunities, and provide exposure to diverse career paths within real estate. She hopes to help bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application, equipping members with knowledge and connections to thrive in the industry.

VICE PRESIDENT

Jay Yuen is a second-year student at the University of Washington studying Finance and Real Estate. He joined the UW Real Estate Club as a first-year student, serving as Property Tour Liaison, where he organized tours that gave members firsthand exposure to local projects. This year, Jay will serve as Vice President, supporting the club’s operations, growth, and innovation. Jay developed a strong passion for real estate finance, development, and construction through his entrepreneurial experience founding a landscaping business and his internships with Sabey Corporation and Vo & Company. The tangible, entrepreneurial, and relational aspects of the industry drew him in, and he continues to explore these interests as an active member of NAIOP, attending networking and property tour events. Outside of school and professional pursuits, Jay enjoys hiking, camping, running, lifting, thrifting, discovering new food spots, attending raves, and spending time with friends.

DIRECTOR OF EVENTS

Kiah Trammell is a fourth-year student at the University of Washington majoring in Real Estate with minors in Business and Architecture. Serving as the Events Chair for the Real Estate Club, Kiah has been part of the club’s leadership team for nearly two years, helping to plan engaging events that connect students with industry professionals. This past summer, Kiah interned with Greystar as a Development Analyst, gaining hands-on experience in real estate finance and project management, and plans to pursue a career in real estate development. In addition to the Real Estate Club, Kiah is a member and mentor for the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) and a member of NAIOP, actively attending events to broaden industry knowledge and connections. Kiah has greatly valued their time in the Real Estate Club, building meaningful relationships through networking and professional engagement. Outside of school and professional organizations, Kiah enjoys getting coffee, working out, and going on walks.

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATION

Emily Si is a rising senior at the University of Washington pursuing a double degree in Real Estate and Law, Societies, & Justice. She joined the Real Estate Club last year and will serve as Director of Communications for the upcoming school year, where she looks forward to leading communications in a strategic yet refreshing way to grow membership and strengthen engagement. Through her coursework and club involvement, Emily has gained valuable insight into the intricacies of the real estate industry, and she especially enjoys the opportunity to connect with peers who share her interests and to network with industry professionals. Beyond the Real Estate Club, Emily serves on the College of Built Environments Student Council, where she helps represent and advocate for her peers. Most recently, she completed a sales and marketing internship with Okta, a leading tech company, where she gained hands-on experience in business development and communications. In her free time, Emily enjoys cooking, traveling, and attending raves.

DIRECTOR OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

Denny Fisher is a student at the University of Washington studying Political Economy, Business, and Real Estate. As a Student Ambassador and Assistant for the UW Real Estate program, he helps bridge connections between students and program leadership. Representing the major at outreach events, mentoring and tutoring peers, and supporting departmental initiatives that strengthen the student experience.
This past summer, Denny worked in Site Selection & Acquisition at Vantage Data Centers, contributing to the company’s North American expansion. He has also gained experience at Colliers, Compass, Keller Williams, and Let’s Go Washington, and is a licensed Real Estate Broker in Washington State.

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

Bio coming soon…

SPEAKER CHAIR

James Knopf is a senior at the University of Washington pursuing a B.S. in Construction Management with a minor in Real Estate, graduating in June 2026. He currently serves as Speaker Chair for the UW Real Estate Club and Events Coordinator for the Associated General Contractors (AGC) student chapter, where he leverages his industry connections to organize panels, tours, and networking events that bridge students with professionals in the built environment. James discovered his passion for real estate and development through early experiences at Wallace Properties and his business, Button Property Services, LLC, a construction and maintenance company he founded in high school. Driven by a mission to make the American dream of homeownership attainable again, James continues exploring cost-efficient development through internships with Ryan Companies and Holland Partner Group. Outside of school, James enjoys spending time with family in Issaquah, trading stocks, lifting, and is planning a post-graduation trip across Europe.

SPEAKER CHAIR LIAISON

Jake is a current student at the University of Washington Foster School of Business, majoring in finance with a minor in real estate. Jake is passionate about commercial real estate, investment banking, and real estate development. Jake is also involved in UWIBA, UWREI, and Management Leaders of Tomorrow (MLT). In his free time, Jake enjoys working out, trying new foods with friends, and going on scenic hikes. Jake is excited to contribute and grow with this real estate community.

PROPERTY TOUR CHAIR

James is a current student at the University of Washington School of Built Environments, majoring in real estate. James is passionate about industrial commercial real estate markets and has gained valuable hands-on experience through his internship roles at both NAI Puget Sound Properties and Newmark. Currently working as a licensed broker with NAI Puget Sound Properties' south end industrial brokerage team, James specializes in client outreach and market analysis. In his free time, James enjoys playing on the UW Club Baseball team, golf, and staying connected to the local real estate community. James is excited to contribute his growing expertise and passion for commercial real estate to help clients achieve their business goals.

PROPERTY TOUR CHAIR

Markai Braden is a Real Estate and Business student at the University of Washington focused on sourcing, underwriting, and repositioning multifamily investments. He’s supported institutional acquisitions across the U.S., built an acquisitions platform targeting off-market opportunities, and gained hands-on experience across capital strategy, development, and execution. In his free time, he enjoys staying fit through gym workouts and kickboxing, exploring new cities, and attending events.

PROPERTY TOUR CHAIR LIASON

Natalie is currently a junior at the University of Washington studying economics and business. With a new discovered passion for law, she is looking to attend law school after her undergraduate years to pursue real estate law. Through her family’s real estate involvement, Natalie has been around real estate ever since she was young, developing a passion for real estate from an early age. Over the last few years, Natalie has been an active member in the UW American Marketing Association club, the UW Women in Business club, and the UW Real Estate club. She enjoys building communities on campus through getting involved in student-led organizations such as the UW Real Estate club. Natalie is excited to contribute and organize property tours for the UW Real Estate club this year.

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Lisa Ando is an undergraduate student at the University of Washington studying Real Estate and Business Administration, with an expected graduation in December 2027. She joined the UW Real Estate Club as a first-year student and has since served as Communications Manager (2024–2025). In this role, Lisa enjoys creating engaging newsletters and sharing opportunities that connect members with valuable resources. She looks forward to continuing her involvement while broadening her global perspective on real estate investing during her upcoming exchange year at Keio University in Tokyo. Outside of the club, Lisa works as a Reader/Grader for RE250 (Intro to Real Estate) and has built client-facing skills as a front desk manager at a local Pilates studio. She is also a licensed Washington State Real Estate Broker, with student memberships in NAIOP and ULI that keep her active in the professional community. Lisa’s career interests lie in investment banking at the intersection of real estate, credit, and capital markets, along with exploring non-traditional real estate assets. In her free time, Lisa enjoys traveling to new cities and thrifting on social e-commerce sites. 

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Madie Quan is a current student at the University of Washington studying psychology with dental school prerequisites, expecting to graduate in June 2028. She joined the UW Real Estate Club as a first-year student and currently serves as the communications manager for 2025-2026. In this role, Madie enjoys creating graphics and video content to keep members informed about events, opportunities, and resources, as well as overseeing the social media. Outside of the club, Madie is involved in Lux Video Club, where she helps produce student-led films. She also works at Tai Tung restaurant in Chinatown as a hostess. Madie is excited to continue contributing to the UW Real Estate Club and further expand her knowledge and experience in the real estate industry!

MSRE COHORT LIASON

Corey Buckner is a Master of Science in Real Estate (MSRE) student at the University of Washington, graduating in June 2026 with advanced standing. Corey is originally from Erie, Pennsylvania and graduated from Kent State University in May 2025 with an undergraduate degree in Construction Management and a minor in Business. He graduated magna cum laude and was an active member in various construction management and volunteer organizations like Appalachian Service Project, Kent State Construction Management Student Organization, and National Association of Home Builders. Corey has held 5 internship positions throughout his undergraduate journey as an architectural design intern with Weber Murphy Fox, drafting intern with Baldwin Brothers Inc., and multiple project engineer positions with Great Lakes Construction Company and Primoris Renewable Services. Corey gained knowledge on the built environment and construction processes to fuel his career in real estate. This construction background has provided Corey with a sturdy foundation to start building his career in real estate. Corey is a strong believer of ethical and sustainable built environment practices and plans to execute these practices throughout his career in real estate development.

MSRE COHORT LIASON

Tobias is an international exchange student from IRE|BS (International Real Estate Business School) in Regensburg, Germany, currently pursuing the MSRE program as a double degree alongside his local master’s program. He is a curious and open-minded individual, convinced that the MSRE program offers the ideal platform to expand his academic journey on an international scale, strengthen his professional network, and gain unique insights into the U.S. real estate market. His motivation for joining the program stems from a strong drive to embrace the unknown, explore new cultures, and experience alternative perspectives on learning and industry practices. Prior to his graduate studies, Tobias completed a dual bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus on Real Estate at the Berlin School of Economics and Law, in cooperation with Engel & Völkers Commercial Berlin. As a brokerage firm specializing in commercial properties, Engel & Völkers provided him with comprehensive exposure to the dynamics of real estate leasing. During this time, Tobias worked primarily in retail and office leasing, while also gaining valuable insights into the investment side of the business during a six-month rotation. To further broaden his perspective, Tobias joined Ernst & Young (EY) in Munich as an intern in the Real Estate Tax division. There, he developed an in-depth understanding of deal structuring, with a focus on tax-efficient transaction design and optimization strategies. Beyond his academic and professional commitments, Tobias actively contributes to the IRE|BS CORE student initiative, where he has been serving as Team Lead IT since early 2025.