At Berkadia, our success is built upon the talent and hard work of a broad, diversely skilled team. From graphic designers to loan closing specialists to product designers, each of our people brings a unique background, perspective and expertise. Their work allows Berkadia to remain a leader in the commercial real estate industry.
Today, we’re shining the spotlight on Bryce Nyberg, Director of Transformation assisting with new technology initiatives and enablement strategies, to learn more about what brought Bryce to Berkadia and his vision for the future.
What part of your role are you most passionate about?
I am most passionate about getting to strategically work through problems, contribute to truly transformative solutions, and consider new partnerships or acquisitions. I get a great deal of satisfaction in leading and working on initiatives from ideation to completion—this is especially true when I can see how my actions lead to measurable results for Berkadia.
As the demands of Innovation have increased over the past few years, the Transformation team has expanded, and my role has evolved. I now have more opportunities to lead, while staying involved in many of the areas I was originally tasked with. I now have the advantage of the support of a very productive team across Digital Client Solutions, Transformation, and with partners in the Product and Design Research teams.
Did you choose CRE or did CRE choose you? What drew you to Berkadia?
CRE definitely chose me. I had minimal exposure to commercial real estate outside of managing my family’s grocery business—buying land and developing new grocery retail locations—as well as hearing brokers and bankers talk about their experience before joining Berkadia.
I came across Berkadia while completing an MBA at the University of Utah. I was eager to gain experiences with other industries and took on extra consultative projects with friends. One of the projects I took on happened to be through a program that Darren Wesemann, EVP and Chief Innovation Officer, sponsors. The team I led uncovered an issue within a purchasing group at an online marketplace company, conceptualized and built a solution, then rolled out the new analytics program that gave the purchasing group new insights into inventory and leverage for negotiating with suppliers. After the project’s completion, Darren told me about opportunities at Berkadia and introduced me to Eric Flohr, Head of Digital Client Solutions, who ended up hiring me onto his team.
I was drawn to the opportunity to have an impact at a medium size company playing in a huge industry with serious potential due to the ambitious innovation efforts being conceptualized.
What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself coming into the CRE industry? What is the best advice you have received?
I would tell a younger version of myself to get involved in the CRE industry as early as possible, just to give myself a jump start. I didn’t learn CRE by doing real estate deals but by jumping into the work at Berkadia and by working with startups solving CRE problems. I would have jumped at the chance to contribute more and earlier with knowledge of the challenges of our industry.
The best career advice I’ve received is to build a network of mentors and know what you want out of your career.
Where do you envision your career going?
I see myself continuing to solve problems in innovative ways and strategically focusing on solutions that drive results—I like very much what I do and hope to expand my competency to lead teams in doing this work. Hopefully I can be involved in many more strategic acquisitions and partnerships.
When you’re not helping Berkadia move the industry forward, how do you spend your time?
It feels like the pandemic put a lot of my hobbies on pause, but I enjoy spending time with my wife and daughter. We like to travel when we can or join our extended family boating or camping. I am a car enthusiast. My last project was a 1966 Mustang—looking for my next project car.
How has your time at Berkadia helped to accelerate your personal or professional development?
I have had a fantastic vantage point at Berkadia to look across all the business lines and many of the working teams, which has introduced me to so many different leadership styles and connected me with some really positive examples and mentors. My direct manager, Eric Flohr, has given me a great deal of advice and opportunities to develop professionally. The experience I have gained working on projects ranging from marketing and sales to process improvement, analytics, and deal structuring is invaluable to me.