Dan Shields

Dan Shields, a graduate of both the Wharton School of Business and the Cardozo School of Law, is a veteran of the real estate finance industry with over 15 years of experience. He currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of AscendAmerica LLC, a boutique real estate finance firm he founded in May 2013. Prior to establishing AscendAmerica, Dan was responsible for M&T Bank’s New York City Commercial Real Estate Department: an over $7B loan portfolio which experienced virtually no losses or defaults during the 2008-09 global financial crisis.

Drawing from his years of experience in finance, real estate, law and regulatory compliance, Dan created AscendAmerica to become a premier provider of capital to finance large-scale commercial real estate development in and around New York City. Drawing on his deep, broad and dynamic relationships with preeminent developers in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, Dan brings highly prized and greatly sought-after opportunities to international investors. Projects are fully vetted, well structured and fully compliant with all legal and regulatory frameworks.

Dan’s deep understanding of commercial real estate, credit and regulatory compliance has enabled him to emerge as an expert on EB-5 finance and strategy in a short period of time. Due to his effectiveness and reputation for integrity, honesty and fair dealing, he has earned the trust of experienced real estate developers and international investors.