Overcoming doubts, a VCU senior discovers opportunity at real estate event

By Megan Nash
Whenever Chris Guzman-Cruz (B.S. ’25) had the opportunity to attend the VCU Real Estate Trends Conference in the past, he held back. This year, though, he ditched the doubts and dove in—leaving with a newfound confidence.
Earlier this month, the VCU Kornblau Real Estate Program—a unit of the VCU School of Business—hosted the 32nd annual VCU Real Estate Trends Conference—an event that gathers industry experts, professionals and students for a day of exhibitions and insights at the Henrico Sports & Events Center.
Guzman-Cruz, a senior at VCU Business majoring in business, began his day with a mentoring session. There, he met with Alan Davis, principal and architect at Baskerville and a member of the Real Estate Circle of Excellence within the Kornblau Real Estate Program.
It was Guzman-Cruz’s first mentoring experience at such a large event, and the meeting exceeded his expectations. “At first, I was nervous and unsure of how to start the conversation,” he said. “But he [Davis] was incredibly welcoming. We sat down, and he gave me a notepad to jot down advice, which made everything feel more personal.”
Davis didn’t just talk about real estate. He emphasized that finding the right company culture is as important as finding a job. “You have to know the DNA of the company because you’ll be part of it,” Davis advised. He encouraged Guzman-Cruz to ask questions during interviews to ensure the company’s values align with his own.
In addition to the mentoring session, the conference featured a keynote from Willie Walker, chairman and CEO of Walker & Dunlop, one of the largest commercial real estate finance companies in the U.S.
Walker’s talk, “Starting the Next Cycle,” gave attendees a sweeping overview of real estate trends, touching on economic, political and housing dynamics from Richmond to New York to Sacramento.
He drew attention to a growing divide: homeowners benefiting from low fixed-rate mortgages, while others continue to struggle with barriers to homeownership.
“The crisis is for people who don’t own homes,” Walker said bluntly. “Eighty percent of homeowners are sitting comfortably with their low fixed-rate mortgages. It’s the rest who are facing a real challenge.”
As a renter himself, Guzman-Cruz found Walker’s comments were both eye-opening and personal. “It hit me because this is my first year renting,” he said. “Hearing him talk about how landlords can push up rates based on surveys was kind of scary, but it made sense.”
Walker also spoke directly to the students in attendance, stressing the importance of finding good mentors. “Mentorship is vital,” he told the audience. “Be in a position to learn as much as you possibly can. There are big firms and small ones, but if there isn’t someone there who takes an interest in your future, it can be tough.”
Jay Bilas, ESPN analyst and former Dallas Maverick, followed with a keynote on leadership. Drawing on his college basketball career at Duke University under the guidance of legendary Mike “Coach K” Krzyzewski, Bilas distilled his experience into five essential lessons: preparation, accountability, trust, priorities and gratitude.
Of all the lessons Bilas shared, gratitude resonated the most with Guzman-Cruz. “He said it’s not just about being thankful, but about appreciating what you have,” Guzman-Cruz said. “I feel so honored to be part of the VCU Kornblau Real Estate Program. It’s my last year, but being part of it has opened so many doors for me.”
As the day came to a close, Guzman-Cruz felt a sense of relief. “I came in nervous, but I’m leaving more confident than ever,” he said.
With nearly 1,800 attendees at this year’s event, Guzman-Cruz hopes his experience encourages other students to take the leap. “These experiences help you lose that fear. You get out there, meet people and realize—you can do this.”
The 2025 VCU Real Estate Trends Conference will take place on October 9, 2025. To learn about the VCU Kornblau Real Estate Program, visit the program website. For more information on VCU Business, visit business.vcu.edu.
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