Our Team

AiDen Yaphe, president

Aiden is a fourth-year student from Newton, Massachusetts, majoring in Economics with a minor in Real Estate. As President, Aiden leads events and initiatives that connect students with industry professionals, alumni, and educational opportunities. He further supports these efforts as a Research Assistant at the White Ruffin Byron Center for Real Estate and interned with FTI Consulting in New York City this past summer within the Real Estate Advisory practice. Outside of VUREC, Aiden enjoys competing in intramural basketball, producing music, and DJing.

Bennett Galper, head of programming

Bennett is a third-year student pursuing a B.A. in Economics with a minor in Real Estate. As Head of Programming, Bennett works to connect students with industry professionals through VUREC's speaker series, networking events, and educational programming that exposes members to the many facets of the commercial real estate industry. Professionally, Bennett has gained experience in commercial real estate as a Transaction Management Intern at Cresa, where he worked on office leasing assignments and advised corporate occupiers. On Grounds, he serves as a Research Assistant at UVA's White Ruffin Byron Center for Real Estate, supporting industry research, educational programming, and student initiatives.

Samuel solliday, co-head of operations

Sam is a third-year from Poughkeepsie, NY majoring in Statistics. He joined VUREC in the fall of his first year and currently serves as the Co-Head of Operations. Outside of VUREC, he is involved in the Hullabahoos a cappella group, SEED Consulting, is the on Engagement Committee of the Association Council and plays on UVA’s Club Tennis team.

Annika Finelli, co-head of member education

Annika is a third-year from Portsmouth, NH pursuing a double major in Accounting and Finance. She joined VUREC in the fall of her second year and currently serves as the Co-Head of New Member Education. Outside of VUREC, she is involved with CASH at Madison House and works as a middle school math tutor. In her free time, she enjoys training for and running marathons, as well as surfing.

julia small, co-head of alumni relations

Julia Small is a third-year student from Dallas, TX, planning to major in Global Culture Commerce and minor in Entrepreneurship. This summer, she will be interning at Fortress Investment Group in Dallas. Outside of VUREC, she is involved in the Blueprint Leadership program, Pickleball club, and Habitat for Humanity. In her free time, she enjoys wakesurfing, flyfishing, and playing pickleball.

Gus wise, co-head of finance, events, & Promotion

Gus is a fourth-year from Charlottesville, VA, majoring in Economics with a minor in Real Estate. He joined VUREC during the spring of his second year and is currently serving as the Co-Head of Finance, Events and Promotions. This summer, he will be interning with JLL in Washington, DC, as a member of their Capital Markets group. Outside of VUREC, he is involved in the Gamma Iota Sigma Business Fraternity and Madison House. In his free time, he enjoys basketball, skiing, and music. 

cole evans, head of career placement & development

Cole is a fourth-year from Marlton, NJ, studying Architecture with minors in Real Estate, Urban Planning, and General Business. He joined VUREC in the spring of his first year and currently serves as the Head of Career Placement and Development, tracking member accomplishments and assisting members to achieve their goals. This summer, he will be interning at Boeing on their Global Real Estate and Facilities team. Cole is passionate about corporate real estate management and has previously interned at JLL on the Capital One Account in Richmond, VA. Outside of VUREC, he is involved in the Cavalier Symphony Orchestra, is the Director of Fundraising for the School of Architecture Student Council, and is part of AIAS. In his free time, he enjoys skiing, swimming, hiking, and traveling.

helen sharp, co-head of operations

Helen is a third-year from Lyme, Connecticut majoring in Economics with a minor in Statistics. She joined VUREC in the fall semester of her second year and now serves as Co-Head of Operations. She has previously interned in real estate private equity at Hamilton Point Investments and will be returning there this coming summer. Outside of VUREC, she is also involved in the Virginia Riding Team and Virginia Motorsports. In her free time, Helen enjoys reading and traveling.

nathan frenzel, co-head of member education

Nathan is a third-year at the University of Virginia, pursuing a B.S. in Commerce with concentrations in Accounting and Finance and a track in Real Estate. Outside of VUREC, he serves as a Program Director for Madison House’s middle school tutoring program, where he helps lead and coordinate volunteer efforts in local schools. This summer, Nathan will be working as an Investment Analyst Intern at Investure, supporting portfolio strategy and manager research for endowments and foundations. In his free time, he enjoys staying active and spending time with friends and family.

Yianni Kocaqi, co-head of alumni relations

Yianni is a fourth-year from Queens, NY, majoring in Commerce. He joined VUREC in the fall of his second year, and is currently serving as the Co-Head of Alumni Relations, where he manages the communications and public relations of the club. Outside of VUREC, Yianni is part of the One Generation Network and Madison House. In his free time, he enjoys soccer, hiking, playing poker and cooking.

Sam perlman, co-head of finance, events, & promotion

Sam is a third-year student from Boston, MA, majoring in Economics and pursuing a minor in Real Estate. He joined VUREC during the spring semester his first year and is currently serving as the Co-Head of Finance Events and Promotion. Outside of VUREC, Sam is a member of the Real Estate Finance Association in Boston. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, golfing, and listening to music.