People / HotelShift Capital
Experience across real estate, finance, research, construction, and design—united by a practical view of what existing buildings can become.
Leadership and expertise
Managing Principal, CEO
Alexander C. Cartwright, Ph.D. is an economist, entrepreneur, and real estate operator focused on housing supply challenges. He is the founder and CEO of HotelShift and previously served as a chair and associate professor at Ferris State University. He earned his Ph.D. in Economics from George Mason University.
Managing Principal
Jeffrey Baker brings more than forty years of professional experience, including residential real estate, lending, and construction. A licensed general contractor, he previously held senior banking and lending roles and served on industry and small business advisory boards.
Managing Principal, CIO
Dr. Wen Cheng works across underwriting, capital structuring, operations, and investment research. He developed HotelShift’s software platform for market selection, pipeline management, and asset operations. He holds a Ph.D. in Statistics and an M.S. in Operations Research.
Vice President of Finance
Esra’s career spans equity research, investment banking, mergers and acquisitions, hedge funds, and corporate strategy. She is the founder of Milk Street Research and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Manager of Strategic Partnerships
Delfin identifies hotels suited to conversion and works with owners on potential acquisitions. He is also a real estate agent and a general partner of Firm Foundation Fund.
Project Manager & Construction Coordinator
Alex manages projects and coordinates construction for HotelShift’s hotel-to-apartment conversions. His previous experience includes production and systems management.
Asset Manager
Marc oversees assets from acquisition through stabilization, including hotel operations, conversion, and lease-up. He brings more than a decade of experience in hotel and multifamily operations.
Chief Creative Officer
Julia Cartwright is a designer, economist, and educator. She holds a Ph.D. in Economics from George Mason University and has held academic roles at Kalamazoo College and Pepperdine University. Her work brings an analytical perspective to workforce housing design.
Business Development and Strategic Partnerships
Melissa Baker specializes in hotel and apartment acquisition, financing, renovation, and transactions. She is a Commercial Broker Advisor with eXp Commercial and the former broker and owner of White Lion Real Estate.
AnchoraA fund
CEO, Voyage Capital / AnchoraA Principal
Jai brings extensive hotel ownership, operations, construction, and renovation experience through Voyage Group.
COO, Voyage Capital / AnchoraA Principal
Suraj evaluates opportunities, structures transactions, develops investor relationships, and oversees project execution.
Director of Investor Relations, Voyage Capital
Andrea works with accredited investors, with a focus on education and long-term relationships.
AnchoraA Advisory Board
Chip is the former president and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association and has served on national hospitality and travel boards.
