Motivate and educate are checked off on Ross Kelley’s to-do list. A team player who leads by example, Kelley has nearly doubled real estate investor Menashe’s portfolio of commercial properties in the five years he’s been there and has expanded holdings into new markets. He fosters commitment to excellence not only in business dealings but in the employee environment at Menashe, earning recognition as one of the best places to work in 2023 by the Business Journal. While at Washington University, triple majoring in finance, entrepreneurship and marketing, Kelley co-founded Sharing With a Purpose (SWAP), combining sustainability and philanthropy by recycling dorm items, reselling them to students at affordable prices and donating the proceeds to local charities.

What are your best leadership qualities and why?

Skilled multitasker with a knack for devising creative, manageable solutions to solve complex problems. Calm, collected and rational decision maker in times of stress.  

What’s been your career high so far?

I am proud of the team at Menashe Properties for not only having the guts to take a contrarian view on the future of office space, but to back up that belief by being one of the first investors in the nation to purchase a large office building in the post-Covid era. Acquiring the American Bank Building in Portland and 230 W. Monroe in Chicago in late 2023 firmly established this family office as a key player on the national stage. Special kudos to the firm’s founder Barry Menashe who continues his long and storied career by following his instincts instead of the conventions of the time.

What’s a challenge you’ve faced that ultimately made you a better leader?

The Covid-19 pandemic, compounded by the passage of novel local policies, presented an unprecedented challenge to real estate owners and operators, especially those with office buildings in downtown Portland. Successfully navigating through these challenges strengthened my leadership skills, enhancing my resilience, adaptability and strategic responsiveness.

What’s something about you that might surprise others?

I won two Division III national championships in basketball.

Tell us about a favorite professional mentor

My favorite professional mentor was my father, Michael Kelley, who taught me that the harder you work, the luckier you get. Equally as important, he showed me that a person does not need to wait until retirement to start donating their time back to their community. 

What advice do you have for younger professionals?

Do not be afraid of putting yourself out there and asking for informational meetings. You will never know what doors may open up if you don’t knock first.

What makes you excited for the coming year?

Downtown Portland is starting to slowly get its mojo back. There’s more foot traffic, green shoots of positive leasing activity, a moratorium on new taxes, a curtailed Measure 110, and some significant private and public partnerships. I am excited to see this positive momentum continue this year and optimistic that the downtown core remains on its current path towards recovery.

Source: Portland Business Journal