Summer Issue 2021 - 34

ULI GLOBAL CHAIRMAN PETER BALLON
UL Interview
Incoming ULI Global Chairman Peter Ballon
ELIZABETH RAZ ZI AND PETER WALKER
Peter Ballon, a ULI global governing trustee, a member
of the Global Board of Directors, and a member of ULI's
Technology and Real Estate Council, begins his two-year
term as ULI's global chairman in July. Based in Toronto, he is
global head of real estate for CPP Investments. Much of his
career has been focused on investing internationally across
a broad range of sectors. In addition to Canada, he has
been based in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
What first led you to
become involved with ULI?
ULI's mission and global perspective
attracted me to the organization.
There are only a limited
number of organizations that provide
thought leadership on a global
basis. As a global investor, the first
council I joined was the Global
Exchange Council, which resonated
strongly with my business. Over
time, I became more and more
aware of everything else the organization
could offer. More specifically,
I became aware of ULI's mission
and its relevance far beyond the
United States. The mission was
not exclusively a U.S. mission; it
was a U.S.-based organization that
addressed global challenges with a
global perspective.
As a Canadian, you are only
the second person not from
the United States to lead
the global organization.
[The first was Jeremy
Newsum of London in
2009-2011.] What may be
the importance of that to
Canadian members?
I'm proud to be the first Canadian
chair, and I'm also very proud that
Toronto's district council is perhaps
one of the most-if not the most-
active district councils, which tells
you the high level of engagement
and relevance that ULI has here in
Toronto. The ULI leadership and
members in Toronto are a good
example of what makes ULI great.
Thankfully, ULI has many dedicated
members across the globe,
which is what provides the strength
to the organization. The challenges
that are facing real estate are both
local issues and global issues at the
same time. The diversity of ULI allows
us to collaborate and share best practices
from around the world. There is
so much benefit from learning how
others have faced a challenge and
applying these global lessons locally.
To use a cliché, there's no point reinventing
the wheel if another city, sector,
or industry has solved a problem
elsewhere.
Are there any specific
opportunities or challenges
that you feel that ULI as an
organization is particularly
well placed to take the
lead on?
I believe that ULI is well placed to
take the lead on a variety of opportunities
and challenges. But like any
organization, ULI needs to focus on
the greatest challenges and opportunities
of the day and focus on where
we can have the greatest impact.
Based on feedback that we have
received from ULI's members, there
are three challenges and opportunities
that currently stand out.
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URBAN LAND SUMMER 20 21
Summer Issue 2021

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