YREPNY Leadership Team

Mike Strug is the Founder of YREPNY and has worked in commercial real estate finance for over 28 years. Mike works at Vanadium Group and is based in New York City. At Vanadium Group, Mike helps owner/operators/developers capitalize their commercial real estate acquisitions and developments. Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: Mike Strug | LinkedIn 

Mike previously worked at BlackRock for 16 years on a CMBS analytics finance team, and he has spent most of his career on the debt side of commercial real estate with some stints in acquisitions and asset management.

 Mike was a bridge lender for Resource Real Estate Funding financing acquisition of valued added commercial properties nationwide. Previous lending (credit) positions for Mike include stints at IDB Bank, Assurant and TIAA-CREF. 

Mike graduated from Columbia Business School with a concentration in Real Estate and Finance. Mike received a BS degree in Mathematical Economics from Tulane University. 

Mike is married with two kids and resides in the NYC/NJ area. However, Mike is a native Texan as he was born and raised in Houston. Before going to business school, Mike worked in commercial real estate for three years in Houston (asset management, research, debt capital markets advisory).

Mike is the ultimate networker! He's active in many commercial real estate organizations, and he builds his network every day! 

Mike is the Founder and President of the Young Real Estate Professionals of New York (YREPNY)—one of the premier networking events in NYC (he started the group in 2001).

Mike is very passionate about paying it forward and helping college students and young professionals build solid careers. Mike has mentored or spoken to over 1,800 college (undergraduate or graduate) students over the past few years and has been a guest speaker at over 50 colleges/ universities since the start of the pandemic.

Mike is on the corporate advisory boards for the Goizueta Business School (Emory University). Mike is on Fordham University's Real Estate Executive Advisory Council. Mike is an Expert-in-Residence with the Tulane University - Freeman School of Business Career Management Center. In addition, Mike has introduced several student athletes to the BL Next Program and has been a speaker for Scholars of Finance clubs at several universities.

Mike is an avid athlete and kayaker and is frequently kayaking in the lakes and bays in New Jersey. He previously completed 4 marathons, 15 half marathons and 20 mini (sprint) make-shift triathlons. Every summer, Mike completes a "Kayakathon/triathlon" (kayak/run/bike/swim/paddleboard) to raise money for cancer research.   

From 2020: https://www.adventuresincre.com/audioseries-s2spe12/

From 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-49btb0Fpw

Mike Strug about networking: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/the-international-retail-expansion-corporation_mike-strug-on-networking-activity-7060141118356697088-VEso/

Mike sends a positive quote to over 750 people every day. You can join at: https://groupme.com/join_group/95167899/SnZLIC0H

https://www.yrepny.org/about-hayden (scroll down to see my bio)

https://commercialobserver.com/2025/11/cmbs-expert-mike-strug-join-vanadium-group/

Anthony Scandariato is Co-Founder & Managing Principal at Red Knight Properties, a privately held boutique multi-family/mixed-use real estate investment & property management company. He was formerly Vice President of Acquisitions for Vision Properties, where he was directly responsible for sourcing, negotiating. and managing over $600MM+ with of commercial real estate transactions among a $1B+ portfolio with over seven million square feet. Anthony is a graduate of Cornell University’s Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management.

Erik Dowling is a Principal of Value Partners Group and Co-President of YREPNY. Value Partners Group is a privately held real estate investment company that acquires and manages commercial real estate and looks for opportunities in mismanaged properties where re-positioning can unlock hidden value. Erik also currently serves as Chief Strategy Officer at Fireball Network, a training and consultancy firm based in New York City. The firm delivers comprehensive programs and services on networking, relationship building, business development, and related skill sets. Fireball Network's clients consist of professional services firms, entrepreneurs, artists, job seekers, and membership associations.