Andrew Farkas

Andrew Farkas is the Founder, Managing Member, Chairman and CEO of Island Capital Group LLC, an international merchant banking firm specializing in real estate and related businesses. Since founding the firm in 2003, Farkas has overseen its growth, with Island Capital managing over $5 billion in assets and playing a critical role in more than $240 billion of mortgage capital. The firm also controls C-III Capital Partners, a diversified commercial real estate investment management and services company. Before launching Island Capital, Farkas founded and served as Chairman and CEO of Insignia Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: IFS), a global real estate services company. Under his leadership, Insignia became a dominant force in the industry, managing 350,000 residential apartments and over 200 million square feet of commercial space before merging with CB Richard Ellis in 2003 to form the world’s largest real estate services company. Beyond his business accomplishments, Andrew Farkas is a passionate philanthropist involved with numerous organizations, including The Fresh Air Fund, Playwrights of New York (PONY), The Arthur Miller Foundation and the ASPCA. He is also Graduate Chairman of the Hasty Pudding Institute of 1770, whose headquarters at Harvard University, Farkas Hall, is named in recognition of his generous support. Andrew Farkas earned his B.A. in economics from Harvard University in 1982. An avid sailor and cook, he continues to play an influential role across the fields of real estate, finance and philanthropy.