When nearly 80 Lehigh students gathered high above Midtown Manhattan at One Vanderbilt, they weren’t just admiring the skyline — they were gaining a front-row view into the future of real estate.
The visit, part of the Tara Stacom Executive Speaker Series, created by Tara Stacom ’80, executive vice chairman at Cushman & Wakefield, placed students alongside alumni and industry leaders in one of New York City’s most iconic buildings for a rare opportunity to learn directly from Marc Holliday ’88, chairman and CEO of the SL Green real estate investment trust.
A generous and long-standing supporter of the Goodman Center for Real Estate, Holliday spoke about the development of the iconic skyscraper, including the long arc for a project of this scale, sharing how it took years of work to assemble the land and development rights before breaking ground in 2016.
Completed in 2020, the 93-floor tower stands out for its office spaces, Michelin-starred restaurant, direct underground connection to Grand Central Terminal, and unique sustainability initiatives. Crowning the building is Summit One, its signature experiential observatory that has quickly become one of New York City's most popular attractions.
Holliday also spoke about his career in real estate, SL Green’s ambitious business model, and the company’s past and current investments. He shared valuable leadership and career advice, reflecting on his journey after Lehigh.
“It was a great pleasure to bring the next generation of real estate professionals from my alma mater to the crown jewel of our portfolio and of the NYC skyline,” said Holliday. “The 20-year journey to build One Vanderbilt, now one of the most iconic towers in the world, shows what Lehigh grads can achieve with hard work and a great team. This was a very impressive group of young leaders, and I hope that my story plays a small role in inspiring them to achieve great things.”
The visit to One Vanderbilt then reached new heights as participants were whisked away to the Summit at One Vanderbilt, a breathtaking multi-sensory fusion of art, technology, and architecture. The experience features an otherworldly atmosphere and an expansive glass deck offering panoramic views of the skyline and levitation ledges floating far above the city.
"The trip to One Vanderbilt was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience at an enormous scale,” said Jack Muscarelle ’27. “It was incredible to listen to Mr. Holiday's talk, where we were offered insight into the real-world intersections of leadership and resilience.”
“Mr. Holliday's passion for real estate is infectious, and his insights on creating win-win outcomes in the market left a lasting impression on all of us,” said Gehrig Rosenthal ’25. “It was an unforgettable experience that energized our entire group as we look ahead to our futures in the industry.”
Such reactions and moments were Stacom’s goal when she created the series, which offers students, alumni, and friends the chance to engage with industry leaders in some of New York City’s most exclusive venues. For each speaker, Stacom has worked to ensure the event reaches a certain threshold of awe and magnitude for students.
“Marc has been invaluable to Lehigh’s real estate program,” says Stacom. “His willingness to share his path to success provides students with an important perspective well beyond course work. He motivates and enlightens. Everyone feels energized and strives to accomplish more after hearing his story.”
The real estate minor through the Goodman Center is open to students across campus regardless of major, and it attracts a wide range of students, including those studying finance, accounting, economics, engineering, architecture, and urban planning, among others. Stacom served as one of the founders of the minor. Students this year expressed their collective gratitude for the event’s level of prestige, networking, and career insight. For them, the multisensory adventure was as clear and sharp as the imprint One Vanderbilt makes on the midtown skyline.
