Senior Vice President of Investor Relations, Walker Dunlop
Search every verified Kelsey Duffey interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Kelsey Duffey, Senior Vice President of Investor Relations at Walker & Dunlop, discussed the company's approach to ESG in a September 2024 interview on the Impact Podcast. She described Walker & Dunlop as a provider of capital to the commercial real estate industry, primarily focused on multifamily properties. Duffey stated that the company's ESG program began with a focus on people, including retention, training, and wellness benefits, and that environmental efforts developed afterward. She noted that the company has set quantitative goals to increase the representation of women and minorities in management and among top earners. Duffey also discussed Walker & Dunlop's initiative, Commercial Real Estate United, which she said aims to provide networking opportunities and access to capital for minority- and women-owned businesses. She mentioned that the company publishes an annual ESG impact report aligned with TCFD climate-related financial disclosures and is working to integrate ESG fully into business operations over the next two to three years, including in areas such as affordable housing and green upgrades. Duffey characterized ESG and sustainability as a continuous journey of improvement.
“Walker & Dunlop is one of the largest providers of capital to the commercial real estate industry, primarily focusing on multifamily properties, financing where people live, work, and shop, which puts our business in every aspect of the community across the United States.”
“As a publicly traded but family-owned company, Walker & Dunlop's culture feels like a family, which has been at the core of our ESG program, focusing on investment in our people and meaningful impact in the industry.”
“Historically, women and minorities have been marginalized in commercial real estate ownership, with only about 4% or 5% ownership, so our goal with Commercial Real Estate United is to break down barriers, build networking opportunities, and provide access to capital for minority- and women-owned businesses.”
“ESG programs and what companies stand for happen very organically; at Walker & Dunlop, it started with focusing on people—retention, training, leadership opportunities, and wellness benefits—to create a happy, healthy, and productive workforce.”
“We have set quantitative goals around increasing women and minorities in management positions and among the top earners at the company, reflecting our CEO's commitment to not just even out the workforce but to ensure diversity at the highest levels.”
“Our recruiting efforts focus on hiring top female talent, but more importantly, creating entry-level opportunities and mentorship programs so women can grow within the company and the industry, which historically has been male-dominated and difficult to break into.”
“We publish an annual ESG impact report, which includes climate-related financial disclosures aligned with TCFD, and we released our 2022 report in the summer, with plans to continue this transparency every year.”
“We are integrating ESG fully into our business operations over the next two to three years, including business development and travel processes, with a focus on affordable housing and financing green upgrades, reflecting our mission of financing communities and creating industry change.”
“ESG and sustainability have no finish line; it's a continuous journey of improvement, and while Walker & Dunlop is a leader, many peers are equally focused on these efforts, which is very exciting for the industry.”
“We look to other industries and companies like JLL and Clorox for inspiration on ESG integration, learning from their environmental advisory services and complete business integration to bring best practices back to Walker & Dunlop and the commercial real estate industry.”
https://impactpodcast.com/episode/2024/02/integrating-esg-into-cre-business-goals-with-kelsey-duffey-of-walker-dunlop/
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