LOS ANGELES, Aug. 30, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Ethika Investments, LLC, a U.S.-based real estate private equity firm, has appointed Marisa Lizak as Director of Capital Markets. With vast experience in evaluating, underwriting, and structuring complex commercial real estate transactions for leading financial institutions, Ms. Lizak's ability to effectively manage and execute on different facets of the investment process will enable Ethika and its affiliate real estate investment and development firm, Laurus Corporation, to enhance its strategy of focusing on value-add investment opportunities and bring continued momentum to its capital sourcing efforts.
In her new role, Ms. Lizak will be responsible for implementing strategic thought leadership for debt and equity capital market activities as they relate to Ethika's private equity real estate funds. She will also play a material role in the development and management of Ethika's capital raising, investor relations, and investment strategy initiatives.
"Marisa's diversified and substantial background in credit analysis and creative deal structuring through various points in the real estate cycle will make her integral to the firm's continued expansion, into new markets and alternative investment strategies, as we explore unique approaches to value creation while upholding our commitment to delivering outstanding risk-adjusted returns to our investors," said Jean Paul Szita, President of Ethika Investments. "With the need to stay competitive in this dynamic and evolving market, it is important our company continues to enlist exceptional talent. We believe Marisa will be an incredible asset to our team as we strive to exceed the expectations of our investor groups."
Prior to joining Ethika, Ms. Lizak served as SVP and Head of Underwriting at Starwood Property Trust (STWD), the largest commercial mortgage REIT in the U.S. and an affiliate Starwood Capital Group, where she developed credit infrastructure and managed underwriting practices for the platform's Lending Segment. She was responsible for assessing credit risk and analyzing financing opportunities for complex, value-add investments across all asset types, geographic markets, and levels of the capital stack. Before STWD, Ms. Lizak was VP at Coastal Capital Partners where she assisted investors, borrowers, and lenders with CRE debt and equity matters, including asset acquisition, management, disposition, and negotiating loan workouts. Additional past experience includes growing the CMBS platform at Countrywide Commercial Real Estate Finance as VP of Large Loan Structuring & Underwriting and working on Wall Street as an Investment Banking Associate at Lehman Brothers. All told, during the course of her career in real estate, Ms. Lizak has closed over $10 billion of debt-related investments.
Ms. Lizak received a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration. She remains active in the hospitality investment network as an America's Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) program planning committee member and conference speaker and as a board member of Cornell Hotel Society's LA/Orange County Chapter.
ETHIKA INVESTMENTS
Ethika Investments is a real estate investment firm formed to provide investors access to a unique platform by tactically investing in opportunistic real estate assets primarily in the United States. It is affiliated with Laurus Corporation, a real estate investment and development company that specializes in hotel & resorts, office buildings, multifamily and mixed-use properties. Ethika Investments is a registered investment advisor (RIA).
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SOURCE Ethika Investments, LLC
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