Laura Russ — Principal

Laura is a real estate leader and educator with deep experience across multifamily operations, asset management, and development in both private and nonprofit contexts. She is known for connecting real world operational experience with broader systems thinking and brings a practical lens to complex challenges. Her leadership experience building high performing, collaborative teams informs her current focus on connecting people, ideas, and institutions to drive more effective business and community outcomes.

In addition to her consulting affiliation, Laura currently serves as Executive Director of the Shenehon Center for Real Estate at the University of St. Thomas. In that role, she works at the intersection of industry, policy, and research, advancing practical and data informed approaches to real estate and housing. Before this role, Laura was Chief Real Estate Officer at Aeon, a large nonprofit affordable housing provider. Earlier in her career, she led asset management at Thies & Talle Management, a Minneapolis-based multifamily owner and operator, and led the Business Process Group at WinnResidential, one of the nation’s largest housing managers. Throughout her career, she has consulted with numerous housing providers through both Pine Street Partners and Viva Consulting.

Laura developed her firsthand knowledge of operations by growing up in a family rental business, spending her summers working in management offices. She later worked as a Property Manager and Regional Property Manager, transitioning new portfolios and integrating systems and processes. She cares deeply about serving residents and expanding housing opportunities. She has tremendous respect for housing management professionals, the overlooked heroes of the housing world.

Laura serves on local Boards and Committees to contribute to housing stewardship and policy making. Laura’s interest in housing extends to her own portfolio of single family rentals which grounds her in the daily aspects of management. Pine Street Partners is named after the street of her first single family home renovation and rental.