2025 Ones to Watch - Industry Leaders: Michael Rosen, Ruberto, Israel & Weiner

“Michael Rosen is a trusted advisor in RIW’s CRE group. Known for his insight and practical approach, he guides clients through transactions and development projects of all sizes. As a thoughtful and patient leader, he sets the tone for growth, learning, and collaboration across the firm.”

What recent accomplishment or initiative are you most proud of, and what impact did it have on your firm, clients, or community? We prevailed in a constructive approval after a ZBA denied a variance request. Despite the hard work that everyone put in, and our belief that the variance should have been granted, the board failed to file its decision in a timely manner. That created an opening to exercise a little used remedy, “constructive approval.” It was a great opportunity for a teaching moment – from a legal perspective, teaching our team about constructive approvals – from a practical perspective, it’s about finding solutions (they aren’t always the most obvious, but they are out there).

What advice would you share with emerging professionals striving to become future leaders in commercial real estate? When I first started practicing, I made a point of wanting to learn at least one thing every day (and be mindful and reflect on what I learned at the end of the day). While I am still learning, I now try to make it a point to teach someone something every day. My advice would be to adopt a mindset that you don’t know everything and you need to constantly be learning.

How do you inspire, motivate, or mentor others within your organization? Lead by example. The keys to mentoring are being present and willing to spend time with others. You need to be approachable, you need to be a good listener, and you need to be able to provide constructive criticism.

What daily habit or routine helps you stay focused or motivated as a leader? I enter my time daily. If I expect others to stay accountable, I need to lead by example.

What book, podcast, or app has most influenced your approach to leadership? The book Mindful Listening has taught me that good leaders listen to others before they speak.