In this article
New investment from the PREA Foundation launches a first-of-its-kind pathway connecting veterans with careers in commercial real estate.
As America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, a new national initiative is creating opportunities for those who have already served our country.
The PREA Foundation has announced a groundbreaking veterans initiative designed to connect transitioning service members and veterans with meaningful careers in commercial real estate. The initiative is made possible through an initial $1.5 million gift from Al Rabil and David Selznick of Kayne Anderson, establishing a long-term commitment to building talent pathways into the industry.
FourBlock is honored to serve as one of the initiative's inaugural nonprofit partners alongside The COMMIT Foundation.
Opening Doors to an Industry Few Veterans Know Exists
Veterans possess many of the qualities employers in commercial real estate seek—leadership, operational excellence, strategic thinking, risk management, and the ability to perform in complex environments.
Yet despite those strengths, commercial real estate has historically lacked clear entry points for military-connected talent.
This initiative is designed to change that.
Beginning this fall, FourBlock will launch a pilot program introducing veterans to the breadth of opportunities across the commercial real estate sector through career readiness programming, employer engagement, industry education, and direct connections with leading employers.
The pilot represents the first phase of a five-year vision that will continue expanding mentorship, experiential learning, and employment pathways nationwide.
Launching in San Diego
The initiative will officially launch this fall with a Commercial Real Estate Industry Pathways Event in San Diego, bringing together veterans, military spouses, commercial real estate leaders, investors, developers, and employers to explore career opportunities throughout the industry.
The event will also serve as the catalyst for expanding FourBlock's presence in the San Diego region, creating a sustainable local ecosystem that connects military talent with employers committed to hiring veterans.
San Diego is home to one of the nation's largest military communities and one of the country's most active commercial real estate markets, making it an ideal location to launch this effort.
Building a National Talent Pipeline
This partnership reflects FourBlock's belief that workforce development succeeds when employers lead alongside nonprofit organizations.
By partnering with the PREA Foundation, PENSION REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION (PREA), The COMMIT Foundation, and industry leaders, FourBlock will help build a scalable talent pipeline that benefits veterans, employers, and communities alike.
We are deeply grateful to Al Rabil and David Selznick of Kayne Anderson for their visionary investment, and to the PREA Foundation and its Board of Directors for recognizing the tremendous value veterans bring to the commercial real estate industry.
Together, we're not simply creating career opportunities.
We're building a new pathway where military leadership continues to strengthen America—this time by helping shape the communities where we live, work, and grow.
About FourBlock
FourBlock is a national nonprofit organization that prepares veterans and military spouses for meaningful civilian careers through career readiness, employer connections, professional relationships, and community. Working alongside more than 1,500 employer partners, FourBlock creates workforce pathways that help military-connected talent thrive while meeting the evolving talent needs of industry.
Interested in getting involved? Employers and commercial real estate leaders interested in supporting this initiative through mentorship, hiring, or partnership opportunities are encouraged to connect with FourBlock as we launch this exciting new chapter.
