Join us for the next Startup Social of the spring semester on Friday, March 4 at 3 p.m. in the LaunchPad with a versatile and experienced entrepreneur, Michael Alter. The informal gathering over pizza will be a chance to learn from an industry leader with decades of experience in real estate development, law practice, sports, and philanthropy.
Alter has expertise with corporate real estate development, planning, and operations across a variety of industries, including but not limited to, healthcare, investment banks, and tenant representation firms. Alter is also the Principal Owner of the Chicago Sky, a WNBA franchise that has experienced significant success since its founding in 2005.
A Chicago native, Alter was previously a clerk for William J. Bauer, former Chief Judge of the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in addition to a practicing attorney with Mayer Brown & Platt. Alter currently sits as the President of The Alter Group, a national corporate real estate development firm, overseeing planning and operations of the entity and its affiliates including Alter+Care, one of the nation’s leading healthcare real estate development firms; Alter Asset Management, a property-management firm; and EnTrust Realty Advisors, an MBE real estate investment advisory and tenant representation firm. The firm has over 4,000,000 square feet of space, worth $600,000,000, under development in national markets. In 2010, Alter was honored by NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, as the National Developer of the Year.
In 2005, Alter, brought the WNBA to Chicago where he played a crucial role in the founding of The Chicago Sky. In 2021, in their 16th season, The Sky captured their first WNBA championship, a testament to his hard work and dedication to team ownership. As Principal Owner of The Sky, Michael serves as the point person for the WNBA Board of Governors as well as being heavily involved in day-to-day operations. Michael has also worked with USA Basketball and led initiatives to promote opportunities for young women in professional athletics.
Beyond real estate and corporate business, Alter has a passion for giving back. He is the Co-Founder of City Year Youth Service Corps – a non-profit which facilitates gap year service in underserved urban areas; Board Chair of LEAP Innovations – a leading nonprofit connecting education and innovation; and a past Board Member of Be The Change Inc. – a national nonprofit focused on empowering veterans and promoting national service.
The event is open to all.
To participate by Zoom, please e-mail LaunchPad@syr.edu for the link.