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: Chairman and CEO
Company Name: GI Partners
Bio: Rick Magnuson is Chairman and CEO of GI Partners, an alternative investment firm he formed in 2001 to focus on real estate, private equity, and technology. Today, GI Partners oversees $43B of invested capital on behalf of its institutional partners. From 2002 until 2012, Mr. Magnuson was Executive Chairman of Digital Realty Trust, a company he co-founded. During his tenure, the company became the leading global provider of data centers and Internet peering points, with over 100 facilities located in 11 countries and has a $68B public market enterprise value today. At GI Partners, he has led investments and served on the boards of numerous technology and real estate companies. Real estate platforms which he has overseen include Stag Industrial, CenterPoint, Way Point Homes, Sunset Gower Studios, Duckhorn and Far Niente wineries, and the GI real estate technology portfolio. Mr. Magnuson received his B.A. with honors from Dartmouth College and his MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.