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Key people at Cohen & Steers.
Cohen & Steers is a New York City-based investment management firm specializing in real estate securities, real assets, and alternative income through preferred securities. The publicly traded company, listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol CNS, operates through separately managed accounts, registered funds in the United States and Europe, and private funds. Serving both institutional and individual investors globally, the firm reached a peak of over $100 billion in assets under management in 2021. It subsequently reported $94 billion in assets under management, maintaining its position as the third-largest global real estate investment trust manager. Following the retirement of its original leadership, the firm transitioned to its first non-founder chief executive officer, Joseph Harvey, to guide its continued expansion. Cohen & Steers was founded in 1986 by Martin Cohen and Robert Steers.
Key people at Cohen & Steers.
Cohen & Steers is an American investment management firm specializing in real estate securities through real estate investment trusts (REITs) and alternative income via preferred securities.[1] Its mission centers on pioneering and leading securitized real estate investments, with a philosophy emphasizing expertise in REITs, preferred securities, and real assets to deliver income-focused strategies for institutional and individual investors.[1] Key sectors include real estate, preferred securities (since 2003), and real assets (since 2012), managing $94 billion in assets as of September 2025, ranking third globally among REIT managers.[1] While not directly focused on startups, the firm influences the real estate ecosystem by providing liquidity and capital to REITs, indirectly supporting real estate innovation and development ventures.[1]
Cohen & Steers was founded in 1986 by Martin Cohen and Robert Steers, both former colleagues at National Securities and Research Corporation.[1] There, in 1985, they launched the first U.S. real estate securities mutual fund, the National Real Estate Stock Fund, establishing their expertise.[1] The firm pioneered the securitized real estate sector and went public on the New York Stock Exchange in 2004, raising $104.3 million.[1] It evolved from pure REIT focus to diversification into preferred securities in 2003 and real assets in 2012, surpassing $100 billion in assets under management by 2021.[1] Leadership transitioned with Cohen retiring from daily management in 2016 and Steers stepping down as CEO in 2021, succeeded by Joseph Harvey.[1]
Cohen & Steers rides the trend of real estate digitization and proptech integration, where REITs increasingly incorporate technology for property management, data analytics, and sustainable development.[1] Timing aligns with post-2020 real estate market recovery and rising demand for income-focused assets amid volatile equities, bolstered by low interest rates and urbanization forces favoring REIT liquidity.[1] Market tailwinds include global real estate securitization growth, with the firm's pioneer status providing capital efficiency to REITs that leverage AI-driven valuations and smart infrastructure.[1] It shapes the ecosystem by channeling institutional capital into real assets, indirectly fueling proptech startups via REIT investments in innovative real estate projects.[1]
Cohen & Steers is poised for growth through expanding real assets and preferred securities amid persistent demand for yield in uncertain markets.[1] Trends like ESG-integrated REITs, AI-enhanced property tech, and inflation-hedging real assets will shape its trajectory, potentially pushing AUM beyond $100 billion sustainably.[1] Its influence may evolve toward greater proptech exposure, blending traditional real estate expertise with digital transformation to lead hybrid income strategies—reinforcing its status as a REIT pioneer in an increasingly tech-infused landscape.[1]
