Profile

As a vertically integrated real estate platform, Ascendant is led by a managing partnership comprised of CEO Russell Gimelstob, Co-President & CIO Alex Halpern, and Co-President & COO Eric Calder, which has collectively acquired and developed more than $20 billion of real estate assets. Founded on the basis of creating a more investor-friendly and specialized format of real estate investing, the firm has built a team of sector-level specialists across its three operating verticals, and relies on continuous, cross-pollenating dialogue with its limited partners.

Russell Gimelstob
Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Prior to founding Ascendant Capital Partners, Russell Gimelstob was Head of Acquisitions, Partner, Managing Director and Member of the Investment Committee of Dune Real Estate Partners, a manager of real estate private equity funds. Russell previously represented Ascendant on the board of Watermark Lodging Trust.

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Alex Halpern
Co-Founder, Co-President, and Chief Investment Officer

Alex Halpern is responsible for the oversight of Ascendant's investment activities, as well as the day-to-day management of the platform's hospitality, and select residential investments. Alex represented Ascendant on the board of Watermark Lodging Trust, is an active board member of Sentral, and is a board observer of DC Blox.

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Eric Calder
Partner, Co-President, and Chief Operating Officer

Prior to joining Ascendant Capital Partners, Eric Calder was the Co-Chief Investment Officer of Dune Real Estate Partners, a New York City-based real estate investment firm. At Dune, he was a member of the firm’s Investment Committee and led over $6 billion in transactions across the residential, retail, industrial, office and hospitality sectors.

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Ascendant has put together a world-class team of diverse individuals, each with an impressive background and knowledge base. Through close collaboration, we are able to continue to expand our services into new markets and locations across the globe.

Jason Goldberg

Chief Financial Officer

Lara Kiefer

Vice President

Zach Gallin

Chief of Staff, Investor Relations

Dajana Cvijanovic

Executive Assistant

Aaren Barzi
Senior Analyst

Aaren Barzi joined Ascendant Capital Partners in 2022 and currently serves as a Senior Analyst. Aaren is responsible for underwriting the Firm’s acquisition activities, as well as assisting in the asset management of existing investments.

Prior to joining Ascendant Capital Partners, Aaren worked as an Analyst at Eastdil Secured, a real estate investment banking firm. Aaren worked in the Company’s Santa Monica headquarters where he was actively involved in the investment sale and debt placement processes of assets across multiple geographies. In his role, Aaren was primarily involved in the underwriting of transactions across the office, retail, multifamily, hospitality, and industrial asset classes. While at Eastdil Secured, Aaren underwrote over $25 billion worth of real estate.

During his college career, Aaren’s experiences included internships at George Smith Partners, Thorofare Capital, and Marcus & Millichap. Aaren graduated with honors from the University of Southern California and received a B.S. in Real Estate Development.