🎧 Episode Summary
In this episode of Student Housing Insight, host Wes Deese sits down with Matt Walker, Global Head of Student Housing for Mapletree Investments, to trace his two-decade journey from leasing manager in Oklahoma to leading international student housing investments from London. Matt shares lessons learned across roles at EDR, CA Ventures, and now Mapletree, offering insight into how career agility, openness to relocation, and curiosity about global markets can shape an exceptional trajectory in student housing. He reflects on the differences between U.S. and international markets, the cultural nuances of students living in South America and Europe, and how the sector continues to evolve in response to generational and economic shifts. A must-listen for operators, investors, and anyone passionate about the global student housing landscape.
⏱️ Key Time Stamps
00:01:30 – Introduction to Student Housing Insight and SHI’s Shop Talk webinars
00:04:02 – Meet Matt Walker: From on-site operations to international investment leadership
00:10:36 – Early career: EDR, Norman to Lawrence to Fort Worth
00:25:38 – Lessons in management, mentorship, and growth mindset
00:29:31 – Building CA Ventures’ West Coast operations
00:36:57 – Transition to international markets and challenges in South America 00:48:05 – Cultural differences in student living globally
00:59:32 – Moving to London and building a platform in the U.K.
01:35:04 – The future of global student housing and professional takeaways
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🔗 Resources Mentioned
ShopTalk.Info: https://www.shoptalk.info/
SHI Events Page: https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events
NMHC Student Housing Conf: https://www.nmhc.org/meetings/calendar/shc/2025-nmhc-student-housing-conference/
2025 TopGolf Mixer: https://www.studenthousinginsight.com/events/2025topgolfmixer
Interface LeaseCon+TurnCon 2025:
https://interfaceconferencegroup.com/event/leasecon-turncon-2025/
LC+TC x SHI Scholarship:
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