Zachary May

Regional Director at Northwestern Mutual Real Estate

Speaker

Zachary S. May is a Regional Director with Northwestern Mutual Real Estate, where he is the team-lead for mortgage loan and real estate equity investment activity across the Northeastern United States. Since joining Northwestern Mutual in 2010, Zachary has built a track record as a trusted investment professional, relationship manager, and transaction leader, with experience spanning institutional commercial mortgage lending, equity investments, portfolio management, and complex real estate finance.

Over the course of his NMRE career, he has negotiated more than $6 billion of investments across a wide range of property types and market conditions.

Beyond his production responsibilities, Zachary is an active leader in NMRE’s business operations, training, and talent development efforts. He has served on NMRE’s loan documentation committee, contributes to product and process improvements, and is frequently involved in department-wide initiatives designed to strengthen execution, collaboration, and institutional knowledge. He also developed and leads NMRE University, a recurring real estate business training program for Analysts and Associates, and is deeply involved in mentoring, recruiting, and developing the next generation of real estate investment professionals.

Zachary began his career as a commercial real estate attorney in Chicago, where his practice included title and survey matters, leasing, acquisitions and dispositions, joint venture agreements, and lender representation. He is admitted to practice law in Illinois, New York, and Wisconsin. He earned a B.A. in Religious Studies and Philosophy and a Management Certificate from Indiana University Bloomington, a J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis, and an M.S. in Real Estate Finance from New York University.