Michael Zerda

Michael Zerda currently serves as the Global Head of Real Estate at Santander Alternative Investments and as Chief Executive Officer of Deva Capital Advisory, both positions held since October 2025. Michael is also involved with Scholars of Finance as a donor and mentor since November 2022. Prior roles include leadership positions at LaSalle Investment Management from October 2021 to October 2025, where responsibilities included Head of Debt & Value-Add Equity Strategies and Co-Chief Investment Officer for Europe, and a tenure at The Blackstone Group from August 2015 to October 2021, overseeing Real Estate Debt Strategies in Europe. Michael’s career began at Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch International, gaining expertise in distressed debt, high yield credit investments, and real estate private equity. Michael earned a degree from Texas Christian University in June 2000.