Brian Ruben, audit and assurance partner for real estate at Deloitte and a member of Deloitte’s U.S. real estate leadership team, was a guest on a special in-person episode of the REIT Report podcast recorded at the New York Stock Exchange on Oct. 9.
Ruben, speaking ahead of the second annual NYSE Deloitte Nareit REIT Board Members Forum, discussed key issues and priorities facing REIT boards today, including economic uncertainty, regulatory compliance, and the need for technology fluency. “I believe boards need to see AI both as a tool of how we operate, but also a risk that requires disciplined oversight,” he said.
He emphasized the evolving skills required for board members, noting also that boards must ensure leadership can adapt to technology shifts and changes in market conditions. “Serving on a REIT board or within a REIT management team isn’t like running on a treadmill where the scenery never changes. The real estate industry is constantly evolving and so does its people,” he said.
Ruben also commented on the importance of continuous improvement in governance practices to adapt to changing risks and opportunities in the real estate sector, as well as the role of AI in enhancing board operations.