1315_Nareit Testimonials_Cafaro_2023-06-26_v2
07/10/2023 | by Nareit Staff

Debra A. Cafaro, chairman and CEO of Ventas, Inc. (NYSE: VTR), participated in a video interview at Nareit’s REITweek: 2023 Investor Conference, held in New York June 6-8.

Cafaro discussed how the health care sector is positioned within the broader commercial real estate industry, what forward opportunity looks like for Ventas, and how the REIT’s financial strength and flexibility is benefitting it today. She also reflected on Ventas’ 25 th anniversary.

During the interview, Cafaro noted that:

  • Ventas is “exceedingly well-positioned,” given the country’s aging demographic. The next five years should see about 23% growth in the over-80 population.
  • “Demand is strong, supply is very constrained, pricing power is strong, and we are seeing some expense moderation. Those are all green arrows pointing in favor of NOI and margin growth.”
  • “After a period of combatting COVID, we’re very happy to have what’s really an unprecedented organic growth opportunity within Ventas and within senior housing.”
  • Ventas has scale, liquidity, and access to multiple capital markets, which will increasingly be a differentiator in commercial real estate. “It provides opportunity when you can go and acquire things and it provides defense when the markets go against you. We like to play offense and defense.”
  • “It’s been the honor of a lifetime to lead this company and build it into a S&P 500 company delivering 18% annual returns to shareholders during that time…I truly believe that the best is yet to come.”