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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Russell Gimelstob, Founder and Chief Executive Officer

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

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

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.

Lara Kiefer, Senior Vice President

Lara Kiefer

Senior Vice President

Zach Gallin, Chief of Staff, Investor Relations

Zach Gallin

Chief of Staff, Investor Relations

Dajana Cvijanovic, Executive Assistant

Dajana Cvijanovic

Executive Assistant

Jantzen Michel
Associate, Strategic Operations

Jantzen Michel joined Ascendant Capital Partners in 2025 as an Associate, Strategic Operations, and is responsible for helping lead hospitality operations and business-plan execution across Ascendant's growing portfolio of owned hotels. Prior to joining Ascendant, Jantzen served as Senior Associate, Asset Management at Ashford Inc., the external advisor to Ashford Hospitality Trust and Braemar Hotels and Resorts. At Ashford Jantzen oversaw a portfolio of 47 hotels totaling approximately $1.8 billion in assets under management and generating over $600 million in annual revenue. Jantzen holds a BS degree in Petroleum Engineering and a MS degree in Finance from Texas Tech University.