(Editor’s note: This story appeared in our October 2025 issue.)
Katie Kurtz
CEO
Denholtz
How do you feel about the market versus this time last year?
When I joined Denholtz in 2024, gridlocked capital markets and broad uncertainty made transacting difficult. At that time, the industry was waiting for the long-promised rate cuts that would unlock deal flow.
Fast forward a year, and we’ve finally received the first of what should be a series of cuts. While the full impact will take time, I anticipate we will begin to see the pricing clarity that’s essential for the market to function. This shift gives me more optimism heading into 2026 than I felt at the close of last year.
What is still the biggest source of uncertainty?
Macroeconomic turbulence remains the largest source of uncertainty. We do not see rate cuts in strong economic conditions. Even with interest rates trending downward, geopolitical tensions, shifting tariff policies and an unsettled political environment persist in weighing on the market. Each of these dynamics carries ripple effects across all asset classes. In this environment, success requires agility, flexibility and a willingness to make clear, decisive moves when opportunities emerge.
Are you factoring in rate cuts as you plan ahead?
Yes, but with perspective. The cost of capital has been the most significant barrier across the industry, and we still have not seen a meaningful closing of the bid-ask spread. Rate cuts can help bridge that gap by providing greater pricing certainty and encouraging more transactions. However, they are only one piece of a much larger puzzle. We’re planning with an eye toward rate cuts, but we’re equally focused on how we interpret and respond to the broader structural challenges shaping the market.
How else do you plan to adapt, evolve or expand in 2026?
Since stepping into this role, my vision has been to transform Denholtz into a leading investment management firm that combines entrepreneurial drive with institutional rigor. In just over a year, we’ve made meaningful progress through strategic hires, enhancements to our operating platform and expansion into new markets. In 2026, we will continue to execute on that vision while staying disciplined and opportunistic in a dynamic environment.
Are you hiring? If so, how is the talent pipeline in New Jersey?
Absolutely. Real estate is fundamentally a people business, and attracting top talent is central to our growth. New Jersey has been an excellent market for us in that regard. People want to live and raise families here, and our Red Bank headquarters provides access to both local talent and the broader New York City market.
Where have you seen the impact of artificial intelligence and other technologies?
Like any new technology, AI needs to be approached with both enthusiasm and pragmatism. At Denholtz, we are committed to a thoughtful approach to implementation, ensuring tools deliver real enterprise-level value. We’ve already seen how AI and other technologies can enhance our decision-making, accelerate processes and allow our team to move more decisively in a competitive landscape.
Give us an asset class that intrigues you (that you don’t typically focus on).
Data centers are an especially compelling space. In today’s economy, their growth directly underpins the trajectory of countless businesses. At the same time, development challenges around power, infrastructure and cost make them uniquely complex. Watching how the sector evolves will be fascinating.
Are you buying or developing outside New Jersey?
In 2024, we successfully entered the South Carolina market with two industrial acquisitions, and in recent years, we’ve also expanded into Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. These high-growth markets represent tremendous long-term opportunities, and we will continue to pursue both acquisitions and development there.
Where else do you see opportunities going forward?
Part of our growth into a larger institutional-level firm has been the exploration of more sophisticated investment vehicles that will give us both the scale and flexibility to deploy capital more effectively. We see tremendous opportunity in combining the strength of our entrepreneurial culture with the resources of a fully institutional firm.
Getting to know you
Your go-to breakfast or lunch
My go-to lunch spot is always Blonde Shallot, located in Little Silver. Our office in Red Bank is just a short drive away. Everything on the menu is thoughtfully prepared and made with the best ingredients. Additionally, I love supporting a women-owned and community-focused business. Their story is inspiring — from starting as a home-based meal service to now operating two brick-and-mortar locations. I hope they continue to expand!
Best thing you read, watched or listened to this year
Nothing beats a live performance on Broadway. I recently saw Wicked and Lion King on Broadway with my family and both were incredible productions!
Place you’ve never visited but would like to
My family and I share a love for skiing, and experiencing the Swiss Alps has always been a dream. The idea of taking in such breathtaking scenery while doing something we love feels truly extraordinary. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I look forward to cherishing with my family in early 2026.
Mobile app you can’t live without
Most people would be surprised to learn that I keep my mobile apps to a minimum. I value verbal communication and being fully present, and I find that reducing digital clutter helps me focus and operate more efficiently. Your energy and time are luxury items, and you need to protect them.
Favorite sport or team
I absolutely love watching my daughter Heidi play ice hockey for the junior NJ Devils and my daughter Scarlett perform in gymnastics. It’s always such a joy to see them in action doing something they are passionate about.
Fad or trend you’d like to see come back
I would love to see ’90s country music have a comeback. I grew up in Ohio on the border of West Virgina, and ’90s country (Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, etc.) were all the rage. I still love that music.
Fad or trend you hope never comes back
I would be thrilled if we never had to do another happy hour virtually (a relic of the 2020 COVID era). As someone who thrives on face-to-face communication, I truly value in-person interactions.
