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

Landon Knight
Associate

Landon joined Ascendant Capital Partners in 2023 and serves as an Associate. Mr. Knight 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, Mr. Knight worked as an Associate at BrightSpire Capital and its predecessor Colony Capital. Mr. Knight joined Colony Capital as Summer Analyst in 2018 and joined as a full-time Analyst in 2019. While at Brightspire, he was primarily responsible for underwriting and evaluating real estate investment opportunities across all major asset classes and leading the transaction management process. Mr. Knight was also responsible for providing ongoing support to the asset management and portfolio management teams. While at Brightspire and Colony, Mr. Knight was involved in the closing of over $1 billion worth of investments.

Prior to joining Colony Capital, Mr. Knight graduated from the University of Southern California and received a B.S. in Business Real Estate Finance.