Starwood Capital Group Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Starwood Capital Group has 9 executives leading key functions including strategy, financial oversight, operational management, and technology development.

Focused on long-term value creation within global real estate markets, Starwood Capital Group maintains a rigorous investment philosophy centered on identifying undervalued assets and driving sustainable growth across diverse property sectors.

Leadership Roles at Starwood Capital Group

  • Chairman & CEO - Barry Sternlicht
  • Chief of Staff & Barry Sterlnicht) Founder & Chief Executive Officer - David Volfson
  • Funds Managing Director & Chief Financial Officer - Jeff Allen
  • Managing Director, Global Chief Financial Officer of Funds - Chris Lowthert
  • Managing Director & Chief Financial Officer - Nick Antonopoulos
  • Chief Operating Officer & Senior Managing Director - Andrew Sossen
  • Chief of Staff & President, Jonathan Pollack) - Jack Laurent
  • President - Jonathan Pollack
  • Chief Technology Officer & Managing Director - Oleg Olovyannikov
  • Barry Sternlicht - Chairman & CEO

    Barry Sternlicht, the Chairman & CEO at Starwood Capital Group, directs the overarching investment strategy and vision for the firm. Sternlicht architects the firm's approach to real estate markets, ensuring alignment with long-term capital appreciation goals. By overseeing high-level acquisitions and portfolio diversification, the Chairman & CEO maintains the firm's competitive edge in complex financial landscapes. This leadership role involves constant evaluation of global market trends to identify unique opportunities for growth. Through decisive action, Barry Sternlicht shapes the firm's reputation as a leader in private investment. The Chairman & CEO fosters a culture of excellence, driving the organization toward superior performance in every asset class. By balancing risk with innovation, Sternlicht secures the firm's position at the forefront of the industry, consistently delivering value to stakeholders while navigating the intricacies of international real estate markets.

    David Volfson - Chief of Staff & Barry Sterlnicht) Founder & Chief Executive Officer

    David Volfson, the Chief of Staff & Barry Sterlnicht) Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Starwood Capital Group, coordinates executive priorities and facilitates communication across the firm's leadership hierarchy. Volfson directs the flow of information to the Founder & Chief Executive Officer, ensuring that strategic initiatives receive the necessary attention and resources. By managing high-priority projects, the Chief of Staff & Barry Sterlnicht) Founder & Chief Executive Officer optimizes the executive team's focus on core investment goals. This role involves bridging the gap between vision and execution, where David Volfson ensures that the Founder & Chief Executive Officer's directives are implemented effectively across all departments. The Chief of Staff & Barry Sterlnicht) Founder & Chief Executive Officer maintains organizational alignment, driving efficiency in decision-making processes. By streamlining executive operations, Volfson enables the firm to respond rapidly to market shifts, ensuring that the leadership team remains focused on long-term value creation and strategic growth.

    Jeff Allen - Funds Managing Director & Chief Financial Officer

    Jeff Allen, the Funds Managing Director & Chief Financial Officer at Starwood Capital Group, manages the financial health and capital allocation strategies for the firm's diverse investment funds. Allen oversees the fiscal reporting processes, ensuring transparency and accuracy across all fund operations. By directing the financial planning and analysis teams, the Funds Managing Director & Chief Financial Officer optimizes capital structures to support aggressive investment targets. This role requires deep engagement with market volatility, where Allen mitigates risk through sophisticated hedging and liquidity management. Jeff Allen drives the firm's financial stability, providing the necessary resources for expansion into new real estate markets. The Funds Managing Director & Chief Financial Officer collaborates with senior leadership to refine investment models, ensuring that every dollar deployed aligns with the firm's broader mission of maximizing returns while maintaining a disciplined approach to capital preservation.

    Chris Lowthert - Managing Director, Global Chief Financial Officer of Funds

    Chris Lowthert, the Managing Director, Global Chief Financial Officer of Funds at Starwood Capital Group, oversees the financial operations of the firm's international investment vehicles. Lowthert directs the global accounting and reporting standards, ensuring compliance across diverse regulatory environments. By managing the financial performance of global funds, the Managing Director, Global Chief Financial Officer of Funds optimizes capital efficiency and tax strategies. This role involves coordinating with regional teams to monitor asset performance and liquidity requirements. Chris Lowthert drives the firm's financial reporting accuracy, providing the data necessary for informed investment decisions. The Managing Director, Global Chief Financial Officer of Funds collaborates with the broader finance team to ensure that global operations remain aligned with the firm's overarching fiscal policies. By maintaining rigorous financial controls, Lowthert supports the firm's expansion into new markets, ensuring that all global funds operate with the highest level of financial integrity and strategic focus.

    Nick Antonopoulos - Managing Director & Chief Financial Officer

    Nick Antonopoulos, the Managing Director & Chief Financial Officer at Starwood Capital Group, manages the financial planning and treasury functions for specific investment portfolios. Antonopoulos directs the budgeting and forecasting processes, ensuring that capital is allocated effectively to meet portfolio performance targets. By overseeing the financial health of these assets, the Managing Director & Chief Financial Officer mitigates operational risks and enhances profitability. This role involves analyzing market data to inform investment strategies, where Nick Antonopoulos provides critical insights to the leadership team. The Managing Director & Chief Financial Officer ensures that all financial activities adhere to the firm's strict investment criteria. By optimizing cash flow management and financial reporting, Antonopoulos supports the firm's ability to capitalize on real estate opportunities. Through diligent financial oversight, the Managing Director & Chief Financial Officer contributes to the firm's overall success, ensuring that each portfolio remains robust and capable of delivering consistent returns to investors.
    Nick Antonopoulos

    Andrew Sossen - Chief Operating Officer & Senior Managing Director

    Andrew Sossen, the Chief Operating Officer & Senior Managing Director at Starwood Capital Group, executes the firm's operational strategy and internal infrastructure development. Sossen directs the day-to-day business activities, ensuring that all departments function with maximum efficiency to support the firm's investment objectives. By overseeing organizational processes, the Chief Operating Officer & Senior Managing Director streamlines workflows across global teams. This leadership role involves managing complex operational challenges, where Andrew Sossen implements scalable solutions that enhance productivity. The Chief Operating Officer & Senior Managing Director works closely with the executive team to align internal resources with the firm's strategic goals. Through rigorous oversight of administrative and operational functions, Sossen ensures that the firm remains agile in a fast-paced investment environment. By fostering operational excellence, the Chief Operating Officer & Senior Managing Director supports the firm's ability to execute large-scale real estate transactions with precision and speed.
    Andrew Sossen

    Jack Laurent - Chief of Staff & President, Jonathan Pollack)

    Jack Laurent, the Chief of Staff & President, Jonathan Pollack) at Starwood Capital Group, manages the operational agenda for the President. Laurent directs the coordination of strategic initiatives, ensuring that the President, Jonathan Pollack) remains focused on key business development and investment priorities. By facilitating communication between the President and other senior leaders, the Chief of Staff & President, Jonathan Pollack) ensures organizational alignment. This role involves overseeing special projects that drive the firm's growth, where Jack Laurent implements processes to improve executive efficiency. The Chief of Staff & President, Jonathan Pollack) monitors the progress of critical business objectives, providing the President with the necessary support to execute the firm's strategy. By managing the President's operational workflow, Laurent enables the firm to maintain a high level of productivity. Through proactive leadership, the Chief of Staff & President, Jonathan Pollack) ensures that the firm's strategic vision is translated into actionable results across all investment platforms.
    Jack Laurent

    Jonathan Pollack - President

    Jonathan Pollack, the President at Starwood Capital Group, directs the firm's investment activities and business development efforts. Pollack architects the strategy for new market entries and portfolio expansion, ensuring that the firm maintains its growth trajectory. By overseeing the investment committees, the President ensures that all capital deployments align with the firm's risk-adjusted return targets. This leadership role involves managing relationships with key partners and stakeholders, where Jonathan Pollack drives the firm's reputation for excellence in real estate finance. The President works closely with the executive team to identify emerging trends and capitalize on market dislocations. By fostering a culture of disciplined investment, Pollack ensures that the firm remains a dominant force in the industry. Through strategic oversight of the firm's investment platforms, the President secures long-term value for investors, consistently navigating complex market environments to deliver strong financial performance across all asset classes.
    Jonathan Pollack

    Oleg Olovyannikov - Chief Technology Officer & Managing Director

    Oleg Olovyannikov, the Chief Technology Officer & Managing Director at Starwood Capital Group, architects the firm's digital infrastructure and data analytics capabilities. Olovyannikov directs the implementation of advanced technology solutions that support investment research and portfolio management. By overseeing the firm's cybersecurity and data integrity, the Chief Technology Officer & Managing Director ensures that all digital assets remain secure. This role involves integrating innovative software tools to streamline financial analysis, where Oleg Olovyannikov drives the adoption of new technologies to gain a competitive advantage. The Chief Technology Officer & Managing Director collaborates with the investment teams to provide the data-driven insights necessary for identifying market opportunities. By modernizing the firm's technological framework, Olovyannikov enhances operational efficiency and decision-making speed. Through strategic technology investments, the Chief Technology Officer & Managing Director ensures that the firm remains at the cutting edge of the financial industry, leveraging data to drive superior investment outcomes.
    Oleg Olovyannikov

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Starwood Capital Group Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Starwood Capital Group?
    Starwood Capital Group is led by Barry Sternlicht (Chairman & CEO), along with executives such as David Volfson (Chief of Staff & Barry Sterlnicht) Founder & Chief Executive Officer) and Jeff Allen (Funds Managing Director & Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of Starwood Capital Group’s executive team?
    The executive team of Starwood Capital Group includes leaders such as Barry Sternlicht (Chairman & CEO), David Volfson (Chief of Staff & Barry Sterlnicht) Founder & Chief Executive Officer), Jeff Allen (Funds Managing Director & Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Starwood Capital Group have?
    Starwood Capital Group has 9 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Starwood Capital Group’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Starwood Capital Group includes roles such as Chairman & CEO, Chief of Staff & Barry Sterlnicht) Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Funds Managing Director & Chief Financial Officer, Managing Director, Global Chief Financial Officer of Funds, Managing Director & Chief Financial Officer.