Sessions
New York State Land Use: Competing priorities
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM Thu
Lara Schwager joined Conifer in 2022 and currently serves as Executive Vice President, Development + Acquisitions. In this role, Lara oversees all Development activities, including new construction, acquisition, and rehabilitation in both our current footprint and growth states.
Throughout her 25+ year career, Lara has overseen the development of 3,600 residential affordable and market-rate apartment homes totaling over $700 million. She has a successful track record of integrating real estate development, construction, finance, asset management, and marketing teams to enhance the corporate working environment, striving for enhanced company engagement, collaboration, and performance. Lara most recently served as Senior Vice President, Development at PIRHL LLC, where she was responsible for the regional strategy and operations of all development activities throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Other past roles include Development Principal at The Ingerman Group, Assistant Vice President at Archstone Communities, and Director of Development at Paramount Properties. Lara’s successful career in development began with a 9-year tenure at Avalonbay Communities where she started as a Development Coordinator/Assistant, working her way up to the Director of Development.
Lara holds a B.A. in Architecture from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, and an M.B.A. with a concentration in Finance from Rider University. Lara has been active within the New Jersey Builders Association since 2013, where she is a member of the Legislative Committee and is the Creator and Founding Chair of the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Council. She is also a Builder Board Member of the South Jersey Chapter of NJBA, an Executive Committee member for the State Builders Association, and is a member of the Urban Land Institute. In addition, Lara has been very involved with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation since her son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 2009. She is currently a part of the Advocacy Grassroots Leadership Team, where she works with Advocacy Team Chairs within Metro NY, Long Island, Eastern PA, New Jersey, and Delaware.