Tom Arnold

Dr. Thomas R. Arnold served as Global Head of Real Estate at Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) from June 2018 to December 2020. During his tenure, he oversaw one of the world's largest real estate investment platforms, where he tripled AUM and internalized management, successfully hiring 124 professionals and managing direct reports from 32 nationalities. ADIA is the world's largest private real estate institutional investor with $47 billion in assets.

Arnold holds exceptional academic credentials including a Doctor of Business Administration (2017), a Juris Doctorate (1983), and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics (with honors, 1980) from the University of Florida, an MBA from the Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth College (1991), and a Masters of Law in Taxation from New York University (1986). He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designations.

Career History

• Founding Dean of Patty Arvielo School of Business and Management at Vanguard University (2024-present)
• Senior Advisor, Real Estate Practice at McKinsey & Company
• Global Head of Real Estate at Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (June 2018 - December 2020)
• Deputy Global Head and Head of Americas Real Estate at ADIA (2009-June 2018)
• Managing Director at Cerberus Capital Management (six years, originating and executing real estate, lending, and private equity transactions)
• Managing Director and senior real estate acquisitions officer at ING (five years)
• Director at Credit Suisse and Principal of Praedium Funds
• Senior acquisitions and advisory roles at Salomon Brothers (now Citigroup)
• Attorney at Holland & Knight (five years, focused on real estate, lending, securities, and bankruptcy)

Arnold is a former chairman of PREA (Pension Real Estate Association) and AFIRE, currently a Trustee and Governor of ULI, and a member of the board of directors of the Real Estate Roundtable. What Tom Arnold could bring to a founding dean role: His extensive experience scaling global real estate platforms, developing talent across diverse international teams, and his demonstrated expertise in complex investment strategies and fund administration position him to build world-class business education programs that blend practical industry knowledge with rigorous academic standards.