In a world where financial leadership often takes centre stage without deeper social responsibility, Sonny Kalsi BGO stands apart—not just as a global real estate magnate, but as a human-centred trailblazer who sees business as a platform for transformative impact.
As Co-Chief Executive Officer of BGO—a premier real estate investment management firm with over $86 billion in assets under management—Sonny’s influence extends across continents, industries, and communities. But it’s not just the numbers that define him. It’s his unwavering commitment to lifting others, reshaping industries, and empowering future generations through education, mentorship, and inclusion.
Sonny Kalsi: A Visionary Leader in Global Real Estate
Based in the vibrant city of Miami, Florida, Sonny Kalsi BGO is at the helm of one of the world’s most dynamic and globally recognised real estate investment advisors. Under his stewardship, BGO operates across 27 global offices with more than 1,300 dedicated professionals, managing a wide spectrum of real estate assets and debt in primary, secondary, and co-investment markets.
As Co-CEO, Sonny Kalsi doesn’t just manage portfolios—he navigates complex economic landscapes, crafts visionary strategies, and serves as a senior member of the firm’s global Investment Committees. With unwavering focus, he steers the company’s growth while ensuring its foundational values of integrity, innovation, and impact are never compromised.
The Genesis of a Global Force
Before BGO came to prominence, there was GreenOak Real Estate—a firm co-founded by Sonny in 2010. With audacious ambition and a purpose-driven team, Sonny Kalsi grew GreenOak organically to a $12 billion enterprise operating across 10 countries. Their remarkable journey, achieved in less than a decade, culminated in a strategic merger with Bentall Kennedy in 2019 to form the powerhouse now known as BGO.
Sonny’s journey into real estate began long before GreenOak. At Morgan Stanley, he served as Global Co-Head of Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investing (MSREI) and President of the Morgan Stanley Real Estate Funds. There, he oversaw nearly $100 billion in assets across 33 countries, proving that his strategic insight could reshape the real estate landscape on a global scale.
Beyond Business: A Legacy of Education and Advocacy
What makes Sonny Kalsi BGO a compelling force isn’t just his business acumen—it’s his humanitarian vision. Deeply influenced by his own life journey—growing up across different cultures and continents—Sonny has developed a keen understanding of how education can break cycles of poverty and empower individuals to write their own success stories.
A proud alumnus of Georgetown University, Sonny Kalsi remains actively involved in advancing academic initiatives at the institution. But his advocacy goes far beyond the university campus. He serves on the boards of Teaching Matters, Room to Read, and the PowHERful Foundation, among others—all of which focus on elevating education standards, particularly for young girls and underserved communities.
Through his role with Teaching Matters, he champions professional development for teachers across the U.S., a critical factor in improving student outcomes and teacher retention. With Room to Read, he helps build literacy and gender equality programs across Asia and Africa. And through the PowHERful Foundation, Sonny ensures inner-city girls have access to mentorship, financial aid, and leadership development as they pursue higher education.
Rooted in Diversity, Driven by Equity
As an American of Indian descent, Sonny Kalsi brings a powerful voice to conversations around diversity and inclusion in corporate leadership. In industries like real estate and finance, where diversity is still a work in progress, his presence and advocacy help shift narratives and inspire systemic change.
Sonny Kalsi’s board membership at the Asia Society reflects his dedication to strengthening East-West relations through arts, education, and business. His work with the Hirshhorn Museum, part of the Smithsonian Institution, showcases his love for culture and creativity, understanding that innovation flourishes when diverse voices are heard.
Closer to home, Sonny Kalsi has been recognised by AHRC for his commitment to helping children with developmental disabilities. He’s also involved with the Spence School in Manhattan and shares his wealth of experience as an adjunct professor at Columbia University, molding the next generation of leaders.
Family, Community, and Future Generations
Despite his far-reaching impact, Sonny Kalsi remains grounded by what truly matters—family and community. He draws daily inspiration from his own children, whose future motivates his service and deep involvement in educational reform. Whether mentoring future leaders or building bridges between communities, Sonny believes in leaving a legacy that empowers, not just enriches.
His leadership journey is not just one of success, but one of significance. It is a journey marked by compassion, responsibility, and a belief in the power of human potential.
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