APREA Connect SingaporeAustralian Real Estate Tax Updates and Innovative Tax Technology Solutions

Sigrid is the Chief Executive Officer of Asia Pacific Real Assets Association (APREA). Based in Singapore, she is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, initiatives and operations of the association across Asia Pacific. Under her leadership, APREA repositioned to an industry trade group focusing on real estate and infrastructure.

Sigrid joined APREA’s executive team in January 2019.

Prior to APREA, she served as Managing Director of Asia Pacific Research and Advisory Services of Cushman & Wakefield (C&W) from 2010 through 2018, where she was responsible for research, thought leadership, strategy formulation and client management.  Before relocating to Singapore, she was based in Washington, D.C. and led C&W’s U.S. research group in the Mid-Atlantic region, overseeing all aspects of market research activities in the Washington, DC; Virginia; Suburban Maryland, Baltimore; and Philadelphia areas. Prior to joining C&W, Sigrid served as a Senior Economist for the National Association of Realtors (NAR). In that position, she developed NAR’s office, warehouse, retail, multi-family housing, and international research programs.

A recognized expert in global economic, public policy and real estate issues, Sigrid is a frequent speaker at industry events.  Her commentary on commercial and residential real estate markets is also regularly featured in a wide array of global publications, including the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Bloomberg, New York Times and Reuters. Additionally, she has made several television appearances on financial networks and radio such as CNBC, Bloomberg, CNN, National Public Radio and Channel News Asia.

Sigrid holds a Master of Business Administration from Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management and a Master’s degree in Economics from Pennsylvania State University. She is a member of several civic groups including the Rotary Club of Raffles City in Singapore, where she has served in various leadership positions, and serves in the Executive Committee of the Crohn’s & Colitis Society of Singapore.

Adam Woodward is a Managing Director and the Property/Funds Market Leader for Australia with Alvarez & Marsal Tax in Sydney. He provides transaction tax and advisory services to property/real asset, corporate and private equity groups. Mr. Woodward has deep expertise providing transaction structuring, tax due diligence, transaction advisory and other advisory/compliance assistance to both domestic and large multinational groups.

With more than 24 years of experience, Mr. Woodward has acted on some of the highest profile Australian listed transactions (including advising on the full ambit of private to public transactions) and other trade sale/peer-to-peer and sponsored transactions. He has provided a full range of Australian tax services to domestic REITs/funds, global private equity groups and large listed entities.

Mr. Woodward is recognized as a leading property/fund tax expert in Australia. He has led a Tax Institute and other treasury/government law/topical submissions and acted as an advisor/independent expert on tax technical matters and disputes. Prior to joining A&M, Mr. Woodward was a Senior Partner with the Transaction Tax group in EY Australia for more than seven years. He led the property/real assets tax sector across APAC, was a Co-Chair of the DE&I Committee, and was the local transaction tax leader.

Mr. Woodward earned a BBA/LLB (honours), and a master’s degree in laws (tax major) from the University of Sydney. He is a legal practitioner with a current practicing certificate, a registered Tax Agent, member of the Tax Institute of Australia, the Institute of Public Accountants and the Tax Committee of the Property Council of Australia.

Sean Keegan is a Managing Director and Australia Country Leader with Alvarez & Marsal Tax in Sydney.

Mr. Keegan brings more than 25 years of experience advising private capital investors and corporate groups on all tax aspects of mergers and acquisitions, tax structuring, tax due diligence processes, transaction documentation negotiation, corporate restructuring and carve-outs, distressed company situations and cross-border transactions. 

Mr. Keegan’s clients have included public and private corporations and Australian and international private equity firms that have invested in industries including consumer products, financial services, manufacturing, technology, mining, healthcare and communications. 

Prior to joining A&M, Mr. Keegan was a Tax Partner with Ernst & Young.

Mr. Keegan earned a bachelor’s degree in commerce and science and a master’s degree in tax from Sydney University. He is a Chartered Accountant and member of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.