David Lesser

Cornell is a privately endowed research university and a partner of the State University of New York. As the federal land-grant institution in New York State, we have a responsibility—unique within the Ivy League—to make contributions in all fields of knowledge in a manner that prioritizes public engagement to help improve the quality of life in our state, the nation, the world.

Founded in 1991, Meridian Capital Group is a leading national advisor in commercial real estate finance, investment sales, and retail leasing. In 2024, Meridian closed loans with 226 different lenders, including 58 new relationships, highlighting the firm’s strong capital relationships and ability to navigate complex transactions. Meridian works with a diverse range of real estate investors, owners, and developers, supporting projects across the full asset lifecycle; from acquisition and refinancing to repositioning and ground-up development. The firm’s specialized expertise spans all major property types, including multifamily, office, retail, hotel, mixed-use, industrial, healthcare, and senior housing.