Last semester, Georgetown University senior Jonah Hill (B’26) was named co-president of the Steers Private Fund and CEO of the Georgetown University Public Real Estate Fund (GUPREF) through the 2025 calendar year. Hill, who is from Fort Lauderdale, FL, works alongside SPF co-president Zahan Nallaseth and will oversee GUPREF as CEO, alongside a team of four other students. We spoke with Hill, who spent the summer interning at Blackstone in their real estate acquisitions group, a double-major in finance and accounting, to learn more about the impact he hopes to make on both GUPREF and SPF during his tenure.

Internship Quote: “As a summer intern on Blackstone’s Real Estate Acquisitions team, I had the opportunity to contribute to the underwriting and due diligence process of live real estate investment opportunities. The summer was an incredible opportunity to put the technical skills I have learned from real estate coursework and co-curricular activities at Georgetown into practice.”

Why are you passionate about commercial real estate?

My passion for commercial real estate started in my hometown – South Florida. Growing up, I saw and felt the impacts of new developments and redevelopments – from the Aventura Mall to Sunny Isles’ residential towers – shape my community. At Georgetown, student investment funds like GUPREF and SPF, Steers Advisory Service research projects, case competitions, and guest speaker events have only fueled my interest in real estate. 

Why are you a part of GUPREF and SPF? How do you believe it benefits Georgetown University real estate students?

GUPREF, SPF, and the real estate community on campus have undoubtedly shaped my last three years at Georgetown. The student investment funds have provided me with hands-on real estate education and investment experience, a like-minded and supportive real estate community, and the technical skills to prepare me for real estate internships and my career. The funds also provide students with the opportunity to develop “soft skills” by taking on leadership roles early on, working and managing teams, and building relationships.

What is your vision for these clubs during your term?

Having been involved with GUPREF and SPF since my first semester at Georgetown, my primary vision and goal for these clubs is to continue providing the opportunities for our younger members that were afforded to me when I was an underclassman. I look forward to passing on the technical skills, advice, and mentorship that I benefited from while helping grow and strengthen the real estate community on campus. I am also excited about a potential expansion into infrastructure and other asset classes to capitalize on the growth of real assets.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

From the office market’s bifurcation to the rise of data centers, we have seen real estate change so much just over the last five years. Over the next five years, I am excited to be at the forefront of the next wave of evolution across both real estate and real assets, and continuing to learn and grow alongside the industry. I also look forward to being a member of Georgetown’s real estate alumni community and helping provide educational and professional opportunities for current students.