Creating Your Own Competitive Advantage with Jen McElyea, Managing Partner at Ethos Real Estate

On this episode of The Achievement Index, Apollo sits down with Jen McElyea, Managing Partner at Ethos Real Estate, an investment firm dedicated to addressing the critical housing shortage. 

Apollo and Jen explore a wide range of topics, from cultivating a sustainable culture within the company, to navigating complex industry landscapes. Jen discusses Ethos’ unique position in the real estate marketplace, and affordable housing’s potential in the private sector.

Scoring uncommonly high in P and E, with L last, Jen offers advice on how to find competitive advantage by uniting around unanimous, equitable goals. As her company grows into a prominent disrupter in the market, she shares how she’s learned to leverage her work-force, connect the dots for others, stick to well-laid plans, and re-examine her process for maximum success.

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Guest Bio

Jen McElyea is a highly accomplished, institutional real estate investment professional with a diverse career spanning investment banking, private equity, distressed debt, and public-private partnerships. Her expertise extends to California land-use law, the entitlement process, and building consensus among political, community, and financial stakeholders.

She currently serves as a Managing Partner with Ethos Real Estate. Before co-founding Ethos, Jennifer held the position of Senior Managing Partner at Watt Investment Partners, playing an instrumental role in the company's success. Prior to that, she served as a Vice President at OneWest Bank, where she managed a portfolio of distressed commercial real estate debt in partnership with the FDIC. Additionally, Jennifer held the position of Vice President at Apollo Real Estate Advisors, overseeing West Coast acquisitions.

Jen holds a Master of Real Estate Development from the Sol Price School of Public Policy at the University of Southern California. Recognized as a thought leader in her field, Jennifer is frequently sought out for her insights on leveraging private capital for the creation of affordable housing. She serves as Vice Chair of the ULI Public Private Partnership Council, Co-Chair of the LA Business Council Housing and Transportation Committee, and is a member of the board of Coro Southern California. Additionally, her expertise in the affordable housing space led to her re-appointment by the California State Insurance Commissioner as Vice Chair of the California Organized Investment Network (COIN) Advisory Board.

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Guest PLE Score

• Prioritize - 12
• Leverage - 4
• Execute - 9

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Guest Quote

“We all want to feel entrepreneurial, like we're attacking from some new angle. I think we are best served to not only to follow the plan, but also note that the plan has checks and balances, feedback loops, and all sorts of things intended to prevent having mistakes in the Pro Forma” - Jen McElyea

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Time Stamps 

*(2:57) Jen’s Achievement Index

*(6:51) Finding your competitive advantage

*(7:42) Using your team to your benefit

*(9:04) From technician to tactician

*(11:28) Getting people energized around a mission 

*(14:42) Deconstructing success and failure

*(18:35) Sticking to your plans

*(26:12) Revitalizing what’s no longer working

*(30:54) Educating others to solve complex problems

*(34:26) Apollo’s Takeaways

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Links

• Find out YOUR Achievement Index
• Connect with Jen McElyea on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Ethos Real Estate
• Connect with Dr. Apollo Emeka on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Apollo Strategy