About
Stanford University sets a standard of excellence with an alumni network of leaders across industries and continents. In the broadly defined real estate industry, Stanford has always led, from its founding with Leland Stanford’s land grant, to its alumni at the top of the industry, to its students – future innovators and changemakers.
Given this rich and ongoing history of excellence, SPIRE created the Stanford Real Estate Hall of Fame to honor Stanford alumni who are industry luminaries and pioneers – showcasing their contributions as a thank you and as an inspiration to industry leaders –
past, present and future.
Criteria
- Consistent, sustained positive impact on the real estate and/or built environment industries
- Dedication to industry innovation
- Industry icon and leader
- Proven commitment to the education and development of the industry’s next generation of leaders
- Demonstrable contributions to Stanford University and its alumni and student communities
2025 Stanford Real Estate Hall of Fame
SPIRE is excited to announce this year’s honorees, industry leaders and icons Jeff Birdwell ('82, MS '83) and Rick Magnuson (MBA '82), in recognition of their exceptional impact on the industry, its next generation of leaders, and the broader Stanford community. We are honored to recognize and thank them for their incredible leadership, innovation, and accomplishments.
SPIRE is excited to honor Jeff and Rick at the 2025 Stanford Real Estate Hall of Fame Banquet on Thursday, November 13 at the Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club.
Please contact Arezo Binai with questions.
2025 Inductees
Preferred Name: Rick
Last Name: Magnuson
Degree String (e.g. MBA '25): (MBA '82)
Job Title: Executive & Managing Director
Company Name: GI Partners
Bio: Mr. Magnuson founded GI Partners in 2001, and is a member of all GI Partners investment committees. Mr. Magnuson is also the co-founder and Chairman Emeritus of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR), a leading global provider of data centers and internet peering points. He has investment responsibilities for, and currently serves on the boards of Flexential, Far Niente, and CenterPoint Properties Trust. He previously served on the boards of Duckhorn Wine Company, SoftLayer Technologies, STAG Industrial (NYSE:STAG), Waypoint Homes, The Linc Group, Sunset Gower Studios, ViaWest, as well as Glenborough Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:GLB). Prior to founding GI Partners, he served as Deputy Managing Director of Nomura International's Principal Finance Group in London, which he joined in 1994. Previously, Mr. Magnuson was a Director of Investment Banking at Merrill Lynch & Co.. Earlier in his career, he worked at Digital Research and later founded and sold the software services firm Interactive Software.