The Malaysian REIT Forum 2020 by MRMA and APREA – Navigating The New Normal

With 30+ years’ experience dedicated to real estate and technology, Bernie is a leader in digital transformation in real estate and using data to create a more competitive and collaborative environment. Currently responsible for the growth of Yardi Systems in Asia Pacific, Bernie lives in Hong Kong and is a qualified accountant and economist.

He supports real estate clients with Retail, Commercial, Industrial, Residential and Mixed-Use assets, helping them to grow their operations, create efficiencies, and gain better insight into their business. His expertise includes asset and investment management, private equity, operations improvement, program and project management, finance, technology implementation and compliance.

Bernie has led large-scale technology projects, as well as led and supported Proptech start-ups, across Australia, the USA, Middle East, Asia and Europe. He has over 60 publications to his name, and extensive public speaking experience. He is actively working with several charities focused on the marine environment and feeding those in need in Hong Kong.

Mr. Siva Shanker is a Registered Estate Agent and Property Manager with the Board of Valuers, Appraisers, Estate Agents & Property Manager Malaysia (BOVEAP) with more than 40 years of experience. After working many years with both small and large consultancies, in the year 2004, Siva formed Linear Estates, which he ran for 7 years. In 2016, Siva moved to Axis REIT Managers Berhad as their Head of Investments.

Siva has been an active member of the Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents (MIEA) for many years and was its President for the Year 2013/2015. He was awarded the Estate Agent of the Year 2014 by BOVEAP.

In 2019, Siva joined Rahim & Co International Sdn. Bhd. as their CEO, Real Estate Agency. In December 2021, he was awarded the MIEA Lifetime Achievement Award.

In April 2023, Siva was appointed as Adjunct Professor of the Fakulti Alam Bina, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). In November 2023, Siva won the inaugural Chief Executive of the Year Award at the StarProperty Awards.

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.