Anna Melhari, EVP and COO at Veris Residential (NYSE: VRE), sat down for a video interview at Nareit’s REITwise: 2026 Educational Conference in Hollywood, Florida, March 24-26.
After earning Nareit’s 2026 Leader in the Light Award in the Responsibility category, Melhari discussed how responsibility has become deeply embedded in Veris Residential’s operating model—not as a standalone initiative, but as a business imperative tied to long-term performance.
“For us, responsibility is really something that’s one of our core values,” Melhari said. “It’s embedded in the business.”
She pointed to several measurable initiatives across the company, including a commitment to maintaining zero pay gap across employees, annual employee surveys to create feedback loops, and a goal for 20% of suppliers to come from minority-owned businesses. Veris also works with philanthropic partners and residents on community-focused initiatives around its properties.
Melhari emphasized that these efforts must ultimately support shareholder returns. “We always want to keep in mind that we have fiduciary obligations toward our investors and to always look to maximize shareholder value in the long term,” she said.
That means tying responsibility goals to measurable outcomes, from sustainability-linked financing metrics to resident wellness initiatives. She noted that Veris was the first U.S. company to earn WELL Equity ratings across its entire portfolio, helping attract and retain residents while supporting rent growth.
To maintain accountability, Veris ties sustainability metrics to employee compensation at every level of the organization.