
Capstone Partners is a regional multidisciplinary commercial developer with offices in Portland and Seattle. It specializes in multifamily, mixed-use, retail, industrial and office development. In addition to its for-profit business, its team engages in local community activities, industry organizations such as ULI and NAIOP, and non-profit work.
For example, in Portland, Capstone has had a longtime engagement with KairosPDX, a K-5 PPS charter school focused on closing the huge opportunity gap for underserved Black and Brown kids and families. Principal Chris Nelson has been on the board for 10 years, and Stacy Blanton, VP of Asset Management, is leading a new KairosPDX Facility Committee. She works with James Cador, NAMC-OR’s program coordinator, to support KairosPDX staff to help the school with its on-site maintenance, repair and facilities needs.
“Capstone Partners chose to partner with NAMC-Oregon because we believe in and want to support its mission to promote more diversity and participation of BIPOC-owned businesses in the construction (and development) industry in our region,”
Nelson said. “Both industries have been and continue to be predominantly white and we believe NAMC’s leadership and support of its important education, training and mentoring work will promote more diversity and shared prosperity going forward.”
Capstone Partners recently joined NAMC-OR as a funding partner and sponsor. Nelson said they look forward to engaging in other ways to support its mission, such as mentoring and coaching as well as partnering with NAMC-OR to bring more diversity into its project execution teams in design, construction, project management and more.
Nelson said Capstone Partners has always had a “Strategic Partnering in Real Estate” philosophy. The “Partners” in its name isn’t about the owners/partners, it is about how the company leverages its partnerships (design/ construction/finance/city relationships) to create successful real estate projects in its regions of operation, he said.
“I think NAMC-Oregon and Capstone will each learn from each other to build a more equitable and diverse industry in our region and, importantly, help grow and mentor young BIPOC construction and development professionals to build skills and wealth through participation in these two important growth industries,” Nelson said.