SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. (March 25, 2025) – Harvard Investments, a leading real estate development firm, proudly announces its commitment to planned growth, fostering talent internally with two new hires and promoting three dedicated team members.
Harvard Investments continues to strengthen its foundation for innovation and excellence with the following advancements:
- Nathan Shooks was promoted to Director of Development, Harvard FirstStreet;
- Cayley Wade was promoted to Senior Development Manager, Harvard Communities;
- Branden Lamb was promoted to Senior Financial Analyst, Harvard Investments;
- Janeen Hermanson was hired as Division Controller, Harvard Communities;
- Riley Bayze was hired as a Financial Analyst, Harvard Investments.
Shooks takes on an expanded role leading new development and capital markets for the growing Harvard FirstStreet build-to-rent division.
Shooks earned a bachelor of science degree in finance from Northern Arizona University. He is active in ULI Arizona, Valley Partnership, NAIOP Arizona, and NHRC. A native of Fountain Hills, Arizona, Shooks is a graduate of the Valley Partnership Advocates program. He is a 2-year employee of Harvard Investments.
Wade takes on expanded responsibilities as lead for existing Harvard Communities projects and new opportunities.
Wade, a native of Tempe, Arizona, holds a bachelor of science degree in accounting from the University of Arizona. She is active in WESTMARC, ULI Arizona, and Valley Partnership. Wade has been with Harvard Investments for 3 years.
Lamb takes on an expanded role in financial modeling and forecasting, cash flow management, ERP system reporting, and will assist finance on the growing build-to-rent division. He has been with Harvard Investments for 1 year.
A native of Phoenix, Lamb holds a bachelor of science degree in finance from Arizona State University.
Janeen Hermanson
Hermanson joins Harvard Investments from national homebuilder Taylor Morrison, where she served as division assistant controller. In her new role she oversees accounting operations for Harvard Communities. She works closely with the internal development/finance teams, tax, and audit partners.
A native Arizonan, Hermanson earned a degree from the Keller Graduate School of Management, DeVry University.
Bayze joins Harvard Investments from investment firm Vanguard. His duties now include financial reporting, managing project
Riley Bayze
cashflows, underwriting for new deals, and assisting in general financial operations. A Tucson native, Bayze earned a finance degree from UA in 2022.
About Harvard Investments
Harvard Investments, Inc. is a real estate investment and development company with real estate holdings throughout the western United States. Harvard combines experience, integrity, and financial stability to create high quality, environmentally sensitive, profitable communities including both large-scale master-planned communities and build to rent neighborhoods. Harvard’s Canadian parent, the Hill Companies, is a privately held diversified company involved in real estate development including construction and leasing of commercial office buildings and retail properties, oil and gas production and distribution, broadcasting, surety bonding, and insurance. The Hill Companies celebrates its 122nd year of continuous family ownership and operation in 2025. To learn more visit harvardinvestments.com.
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