LEADERSHIP

Miki Naftali is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Naftali Group, established in 2011. Over the course of his distinguished 35-year career in the global real estate industry, Mr. Naftali has acquired, developed, and managed over $15 billion and 31 million square feet in real estate assets across North America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. In New York City alone, he has assembled a seminal portfolio of 25 luxury condominiums encompassing over 1,900 residential units, as well other notable projects, including luxury apartment buildings and mixed-use properties.

Mr. Naftali is known for recognizing unique opportunities and launching projects that raise the bar for creative development within domestic and international real estate markets. From ground-up development to meticulous preservation and restoration of landmark buildings, his expertise has resulted in unparalleled demand and value. Since establishing Naftali Group in 2011, the firm has gained recognition as one of the most active in the highly competitive New York City market, achieving market-leading prices and a pace of sales that sees most projects sell out before construction is complete.

Prior to establishing Naftali Group, Mr. Naftali was the Co-Founder and CEO of El Ad Properties and El Ad Group, and its subsidiaries, overseeing all operations in New York, Florida, Canada and Singapore. He was instrumental in executing El Ad Group’s Canadian IPO and held the Chairmanship upon public offering. Under Mr. Naftali’s leadership, El Ad Properties acquired The Plaza Hotel, which became his most notable project in New York. El Ad Group’s $450 million, 1-million-square-foot redevelopment restored and transformed the iconic Plaza Hotel into a successful mixed-use property comprising a five-star hotel, private residences, celebrated retail, and a world-renowned food hall.

Mr. Naftali has ranked multiple times over the years on the New York Observer’s list of the Top 100 Most Powerful People in New York Real Estate for his development, marketing, and financial accomplishments. He is the former Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors of DGRE—a European real estate investment firm with an impressive portfolio of holdings. He is a frequent keynote speaker and an accomplished guest lecturer at prestigious forums such as the Private Society at Yale University, the YJP Real Estate Investment Summit, Friends of the IDF, University of Southern California and Columbia Business School, among numerous others.