Our Team

Corinne Verdery serves as Chief Executive Officer of Caruso, one of the largest and most admired privately held real estate development and management companies in the U.S. As CEO, Verdery is focused on continuing the stellar performance and growth the company has achieved since it was founded more than 38 years ago.

Verdery joined Caruso in 2016 and was previously Chief Development Officer, overseeing Caruso’s development business which includes acquisitions, design, construction and tenant services. Focusing on doubling the size of the company and its offerings in Southern California, she oversaw the development of the Forbes triple five-star resort Rosewood Miramar Beach in Montecito and the award-winning Palisades Village, a first of its kind mixed-use project in Pacific Palisades, as well as the acquisition of new Caruso properties. In addition, she managed new zoning approvals for 333 La Cienega, expansion of The Lakes in Thousand Oaks and directed the renovation of significant tenant spaces across the Caruso portfolio.

Prior to Caruso, Verdery was Chief Real Estate Development Officer at NBCUniversal, where she spearheaded the 25-year NBCUniversal Evolution Plan, which included the landmark development of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood—reimagining the physical studio environment and elevating the entertainment experience on a global stage.

A trained architect with degrees from the USC School of Architecture and Pepperdine University’s Graziadio Business School, Verdery expertly blends creative vision with strategic insight. Earlier in her career, she played a pivotal role in delivering the renowned Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, successfully navigating complex public processes—including 19 public hearings and a citywide ballot measure —to bring the five-star destination to life.

Verdery has dedicated her career to uplifting communities, civic stewardship, and community-conscious development. She is an advisor to Steadfast LA; a civic nonprofit committed to expediting the rebuilding of the communities destroyed by the Los Angeles Fires of 2025.

Beyond her professional achievements, Verdery is an advocate for wellness, conservation, and community. She serves on the Board of Adventist Health Glendale Foundation and the Board of Trustees for the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, reflecting her belief in building not only spaces, but futures, where communities can thrive.

As Chief Financial and Revenue Officer, Jackie Levy serves as a key executive team member, trusted CEO advisor, and strategic business partner to support the Company’s financial vision and to ensure the success of Caruso’s multi-billion-dollar portfolio of award-winning properties. He is responsible for aligning finance, leasing, marketing, brand partnerships and operations on developing business plans and pricing strategies in a highly competitive and complex business environment and industry. Under Levy’s leadership, Caruso’s operating portfolio has achieved approximately 20% cumulative NOI growth year over year.

Levy has over 25 years of industry experience, with 19 years at Caruso. Levy began his career in the shopping center industry at Westfield, with roles at multiple properties, before joining Caruso as the General Manager of The Grove and The Americana at Brand. He later served as Vice President of Operations, Senior Vice President of Operations and Executive Vice President of Operations, before assuming his role as Chief Business Officer in 2019. With Levy’s oversight, The Grove and The Americana at Brand have achieved the distinction of being ranked amongst the top ten highest sales-performing shopping centers in the world, while 8500 Burton Way has realized record rents in the Los Angeles market. As Chief Business Officer, Levy was responsible for the operations of all operating properties in the portfolio, encompassing retail, residential, office, hotel, and F&B. Levy also was integral in expanding the company’s asset base to include class-A innovative office space, reimagining the office experience for its Fortune 300 tenant, CBRE.

Levy graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications.

Ben Howell oversees Caruso’s legal affairs, representing Caruso and directing its outside counsel in the company’s acquisition and financing transactions as well as its litigated matters. Since joining the company in 2012, Howell has led Caruso’s legal team in closing over $2.5 billion in financing and refinancing transactions and has been integrally involved in its development projects, including Palisades Village and Rosewood Miramar Beach Montecito. Howell provides legal advice to all of the company’s business units and collaborates with Caruso’s project teams on land-use and entitlement matters. As Chief Business Officer, Howell also leads the team responsible for providing shared services to Caruso’s operating business, including the human resources, risk management, security, and information technology functions.

Previously, he was an attorney at Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP, where his private practice focused on real estate and corporate transactions for a range of clients, from private-equity funds to publicly traded companies.

Howell graduated from the UC Berkeley School of Law where he was named Order of the Coif and was a member of the Law Review. Howell served as a law clerk to Hon. Harold Baer, Jr., in the Southern District of New York. He graduated from Stanford University, where he received a degree in Modern Thought and Literature. Howell serves on the board of Larchmont Charter School, a public K-12 school that is committed to serving a diverse student population.

Dave Williams has been the principal force in designing and creating the unique ambiance and close attention to high-quality detail that has become synonymous with Caruso properties. His signature “Caruso-style” designs have garnered national acclaim as being the country’s most innovative and successful across many project types, including retail, mixed-use, Class-A innovative office, residential and hospitality. Within his 25 years at Caruso, he has led the design for every project but one, Rick Caruso’s very first venture.

Under Williams’ direction, several of Caruso’s properties, including The Grove, The Americana at Brand, The Commons at Calabasas and The Promenade at Westlake, have been awarded the industry’s highest honors, such as Gold Nugget Awards, ICSC’s International Design and Development Awards, and the Urban Land Institute’s Award for Excellence.

Williams has assembled and led a renowned team of highly talented designers, firms and artisans for all aspects of Caruso developments. He has a proven ability to achieve excellence through great vision, intelligent decision-making, remarkable attention to detail, and an unparalleled commitment to the guest experience and the surrounding communities.

A registered architect, Williams holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Ohio State University. He has nearly 40 years of experience in urban, resort, residential, retail and entertainment design and planning, 30 years of which he has led all disciplines of project design teams.

Respected throughout the industry for his wealth of experience and expertise, Williams has been a panelist and speaker at the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate, the Urban Land Institute, the International Council of Shopping Centers, The Ohio State University School of Architecture and many more high-profile speaking engagements.

Bryce Ross is responsible for the management and execution of the company’s development growth strategy and new project pipeline, which is focused on doubling the size of the company’s portfolio of best-in-class assets in high barrier of entry markets throughout California. Ross is currently managing new development projects, including resort, mixed-use properties, retail and residential.

Ross joined Caruso in 2010 to lead acquisitions for Caruso Capital Partners, a partnership with Texas Pacific Group designed to make acquisitions and new investments in development, opportunistic, and value-added opportunities up to $1 billion in capitalization. Ross later joined Caruso’s executive development team responsible for the oversight of acquisitions for the firm. He came to Caruso from the Festival Companies and its $800 million Festival Retail Fund partnership with Goldman Sachs as the Director of Acquisitions and Development. Prior to The Festival Companies, Ross served as the Director of Commercial Development at the Westfield Group, where he was responsible for the management and execution of commercial redevelopment projects across Westfield’s United States portfolio.

Ross graduated with a Master of Architecture with a focus in real estate development from the University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, as well as a Bachelor of Science in architecture from Lawrence Technological University, where he graduated cum laude and was awarded as a member of the Tau Sigma Delta Honors Society. While attending graduate school at the University of Michigan, Ross served as a Graduate Student Instructor, teaching undergraduate courses and working as a research assistant in the university’s environmental sustainable design program.

Sunil Watumull is responsible for operations across Caruso’s portfolio of retail and residential properties. From property management and security to concierge services and events, his focus is to deliver best-in-class experiences for guests, tenants and employees. In his 10 years at Caruso, Watumull has proven adept in all areas of the business. His time at Caruso began with his leadership of residential operations at The Americana at Brand Luxury Apartments followed by 8500 Burton Way, before moving on to open Palisades Village to high acclaim as the property’s general manager. His skill set continues to raise the standard for operations, combining his focus on top-tier service with his experience in managing a range of luxury asset classes, including hotel, high-rise condominium, multifamily, mixed-use and retail properties.

Watumull’s two decades of industry expertise can be seen in his unrelenting attention to detail, a quality that has been utilized in his previous roles at Four Seasons and The Related Companies. Across his career, he has developed a commitment to excellence through outstanding leadership and establishing unparalleled operations, including The Century, one of the West Coast’s most prestigious condominiums.

Watumull graduated from Pomona College in Claremont, California with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, and has completed the General Course at The London School of Economics & Political Science.

Thomas Veje is responsible for the direct oversight and coordination of all construction endeavors for Caruso. From inception to closeout, Veje prepares and distributes all project-related budgets and schedules, while issuing and managing all contracts related to construction management, design, and engineering production drawings. Other key responsibilities include supervision of tenant coordination, engineering, cost control, schedule adherence and quality assurance. His expertise ranges from minor tenant improvements to $100 million mega-projects, including luxury retail, multifamily residential, mixed-use properties, office, historic reuse, and world-class resorts.

While Veje has been part of the Caruso family for over 20 years, his construction project management experience extends nearly 15 years prior. Known throughout the industry as a strong team leader, he is a results-driven manager and savvy builder of projects. His projects have won numerous prestigious design and construction awards, including ICSC Global Best of the Best, ULI Global Award for Excellence, and ENR Best Project.

His resume includes all construction types and uses, ranging from Type I high-rise commercial and residential, Type II & III retail to Type V multifamily and hospitality. Under his guidance, the team has consistently executed the Caruso promise to deliver the highest-quality product to customers through an acute attention to detail, adherence to budgets, and strict enforcement of final delivery timelines, delivering sustainable and operationally outstanding projects.

Veje has spoken at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, as well as the ICSC CenterBuild Conference. He graduated from California Polytechnic State University with a degree in civil engineering.

Banyon Hutter serves as the Executive Vice President of Security, Health & Technology for Caruso, overseeing all aspects of executive protection, investigations, health and safety, security operations, technology, and emergency preparedness across the company’s diverse portfolio. He has been instrumental in designing and implementing industry-leading systems, policies, and procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of Caruso’s employees, guests, and residents. In addition to his security responsibilities, Hutter leads the company’s technology strategy, managing the evaluation, deployment, and integration of innovative solutions across the organization.

Prior to joining Caruso, Hutter held senior leadership roles in the private sector, where he oversaw operations for some of the most high-profile assets in Southern California. His areas of responsibility included personnel management, continuity planning, fire and life safety, crime prevention, and the adoption of advanced technology solutions to enhance security and operational resilience.

Hutter is actively involved in public-private partnerships and community advancement. He currently serves as Sector Chief for the Facilities Sector of the FBI’s Los Angeles InfraGard Program and sits on the Board of Directors for both the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and the Los Angeles Police Foundation. Additionally, he is a board member for Operation Progress, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting educational initiatives and youth development in South Los Angeles.

A graduate of the United States Air Force Security Forces Academy, Hutter served in the U.S. Air Force with deployments to Pakistan and Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. His military training includes advanced coursework and certifications in counter-terrorism, intelligence, integrated base defense, physical and cyber security, information security, and crime prevention. He is a Distinguished Graduate of the Airman Leadership School, earning the program’s highest academic honor.

Hutter holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and maintains numerous professional certifications across the areas he oversees, including security, health and safety, emergency management, and evolving AI technology. He remains committed to continued education and coursework to stay at the forefront of industry innovation and best practices.

Greg serves as Executive Vice President of Finance & Accounting at Caruso, bringing 18 years of industry experience to the organization. He joined Caruso in 2017 to lead project finance efforts for the development of Palisades Village and Rosewood Miramar Beach, and following the successful delivery of these landmark projects, transitioned into a broader leadership role within the company’s finance and accounting team. In his current role, Greg serves as a strategic advisor to senior leadership, providing financial guidance on key initiatives, investment opportunities, and capital planning. He oversees the company’s annual budgeting, forecasting, and internal reporting functions, while leading a team responsible for delivering detailed financial analysis and modeling to support data-driven decision-making, enhance revenue growth, and maximize operational efficiency across the organization.

Prior to joining Caruso, Greg spent eight years at Walt Disney Imagineering, where he held a range of financial project controls roles supporting large-scale capital developments across the U.S. and China. He played a key role in developing and managing project delivery strategies that aligned cost and schedule objectives within highly complex and regulated environments. His contributions spanned several iconic expansions—collectively exceeding $10 billion of capital investment—including the Cars Land expansion at the Disneyland Resort, Shanghai Disneyland, and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Greg holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Arizona and an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

Since joining the Caruso team, Kathleen Vu has provided visionary leadership for all Human Resources (HR) initiatives, including employee relations, organizational development, compliance, compensation, benefits, recruitment, polices and procedures. She has developed strategies to further the company’s overall business plan, direction and culture. While she serves as an advisor to the CEO on people operations, Vu has also proven superior technical HR competencies through problem-solving and collaboration with the Executive team to analyze productivity across all departments. Her strategy and leadership have helped build an exceptional HR program that plays a key role in important organizational and cultural initiatives, ensuring a high-performing organization overall.

With 15 years of experience prior to joining Caruso, Vu was Head of HR at Ring Video Doorbell, leading the charge on compliance, operations, total rewards, talent management and talent acquisition for more than 1000 multi-state employees and international operations. She also worked devoted her expertise to TrueCar, Inc., where she specialized in workforce planning, organizational design, coaching and talent management.

Vu received a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration from California State University Long Beach.

Hon Wing Mak serves as Senior Vice President of Capital Markets and Investments at Caruso, where he leads the company's capital markets strategies and oversees investment management functions. A proven real estate executive, Hon has acquired or managed over $2.7 billion in real estate investments including retail, residential, office, and hospitality properties throughout the United States and China.

Before joining Caruso, Mak was a Principal at Bain Capital Real Estate, focusing on acquisitions, portfolio management, and dispositions across retail, digital infrastructure, life science, and healthcare real estate sectors. At Bain Capital, he led the formation of new thematic real estate strategies and negotiated programmatic joint ventures for the firm.

Previously, Mak served as Vice President at Artemis Real Estate Partners, where he sourced, executed, and structured equity and debt investments on the West Coast while supporting the firm's asset management activities. His career also includes experience as Assistant Vice President at BayNorth Capital, where he was responsible for acquisitions and asset management of the firm's real estate investments.

Mak is a CFA Charterholder and graduated summa cum laude from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Economics, concentrating in finance and real estate.

As Senior Vice President of Planning and Development, Chris Robertson oversees land use and entitlement strategy, project management, and community and government relations for Caruso. In this role, she works closely with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure that each development aligns with local regulations, reflects community priorities, and upholds Caruso’s commitment to responsible growth.

Since joining Caruso in 2020, Robertson has led the public engagement and entitlement processes for major projects including the redevelopment of The Lakes at Thousand Oaks, The Commons at Calabasas, and The Miramar. Her leadership on these efforts has resulted in precedent-setting approvals and broad community support. In addition, she supports tenants across Caruso’s portfolio, helping them navigate local approval processes to maintain best-in-class operations.

With more than 20 years of experience across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, Robertson brings a multifaceted perspective to her work. She has successfully guided a wide range of projects through complex local approval processes, balancing competing interests and delivering thoughtful, community-centered outcomes.

Robertson holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and French from UCLA and a Master of Community Planning from the University of Cincinnati. She is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and is a LEED Accredited Professional. A proud fourth-generation Angeleno, she is also deeply committed to supporting youth in the dependency system through her longstanding volunteer work with CASA LA.

Carolyn Liikala is a seasoned leader in corporate strategy, innovation and venture capital. As SVP of Corporate Strategy and Development at Caruso, she oversees strategic projects, innovation initiatives and digital transformation efforts. Her role is pivotal in driving Caruso towards long-term goals, embracing digital advancements, and uncovering new growth opportunities.

Previously, she was a Partner at Silicon Foundry (acquired by AT Kearney), where she led corporate venture capital and innovation projects for Fortune 500 companies such as Nestle, Target, BASF, Qualcomm, Belgium Post and Royal Bank of Scotland. She played a key role in launching Estee Lauder’s Innovation Lab, British Petroleum’s corporate venture capital arm, and facilitated over 50 pilot projects, 20 investments and 4 acquisitions between startups and her clients. Liikala has also launched several successful accelerators and incubators for high-growth tech startups around the world.

Fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian, Liikala graduated with honors from UC San Diego’s School of Political Science. She is currently a Venture Partner at a NYC-based impact venture fund focused on supporting mission-driven founders and an Advisor at The Sea League, a non-profit focused on making ocean sports accessible and inclusive for future generations.

As Senior Vice President of Architecture, Molski oversees the project management and execution of Caruso developments. He manages all stages of the architectural process - from initial concept through construction and turnover - ensuring each project meets Caruso’s standards and strategic objectives.

With extensive experience in architectural design, project delivery, and team leadership, Molski directs architects, interior designers, and engineers through all phases of development. He serves as the primary liaison between design, construction, operations, and development teams, promoting collaboration and seamless execution.

Molski’s leadership is distinguished by his commitment to fostering strong teamwork, open communication, and rigorous project management. He maintains strict quality and budget controls, guides permitting and regulatory compliance, and builds strong relationships with clients, partners, and stakeholders. His professional background includes serving as architect of record for numerous noteworthy and complex mixed-use and multifamily projects.

Molski holds a Master of Architecture from Washington University in St. Louis, and a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Miami University. He is a licensed architect in California and NCARB certified.

Samantha Azulay is an accomplished attorney and former trial lawyer who now serves as Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for Caruso. Drawing on her litigation background and business-focused mindset, she partners with executive leadership to deliver solutions-oriented legal guidance that supports the company’s strategic objectives.

Samantha provides counsel across a broad range of legal and risk related matters, including litigation and dispute resolution, data privacy and security, employment law, enterprise risk management, regulatory compliance, real estate transactions, intellectual property and brand protection, and information governance. She has extensive experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements spanning technology, licensing, entertainment, leasing, construction, and professional services. Known for her ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, actionable guidance, she plays an integral role in aligning legal strategy with business needs.

In addition, Samantha leads the design, implementation, and oversight of the company’s insurance programs, working closely with brokers, carriers, and internal stakeholders to protect assets and operations across development, construction, and hospitality platforms. Her work includes evaluating coverage structures, managing claims, and ensuring the company’s insurance portfolio aligns with its evolving risk profile.

Samantha earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and her law degree from the University of Chicago.

Emily Feder serves as Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel at Caruso, where she provides strategic legal guidance across the company's development, acquisition, financing, hospitality, residential, retail, and private club businesses. Since joining Caruso in 2026, she has advised on a broad range of matters across the company's portfolio, including complex real estate transactions, development structures, financing arrangements, design and construction agreements, brand partnerships, licensing, and ongoing property operations. Working closely with executive leadership and project teams, Emily is known for her pragmatic, business-minded approach and ability to translate complex legal issues into actionable solutions.

Emily brings more than a decade of experience advising developers, investors, lenders, and operators across all stages of the real estate lifecycle. Prior to joining Caruso, she served as Senior Counsel at Walker & Dunlop, where she was primary counsel to the firm's Affordable Development group, advising on acquisitions, financings, joint ventures, and multifamily development projects throughout the United States.

Earlier in her career, Emily was a Partner in the Los Angeles office of Allen Matkins, where she represented developers, lenders, and institutional investors in high-profile acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, and financings across multifamily, hospitality, office, retail, industrial, and mixed-use projects. Her experience includes structuring and negotiating complex financing transactions for landmark developments throughout the country. She also served as a Vice President in Community Development Banking at JPMorgan Chase and began her legal career in the Tax Credit Finance and Syndication practice at Nixon Peabody LLP.

Recognized as one of Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch from 2022 through 2025, Emily has also been honored with the Los Angeles County Bar Association's Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. She is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and events, including those hosted by ULI Los Angeles, Bisnow, and GlobeSt.

Emily earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law, where she received the Rosenbloom Award and served as Development Editor of the Journal of Law & Politics. She also holds a master's degree in teaching from Fordham University, earned while teaching in New York City public schools through Teach For America, and graduated cum laude from Princeton University with a degree in Comparative Literature. Emily serves on the Associate Board of the Karsh Social Service Center and has previously served on the associate boards of KIPP SoCal Public Schools and Teach For America Los Angeles.

With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality and real estate sectors, Corey Conrad currently serves as Senior Vice President, Leasing & Brand Partnerships at Caruso. He is responsible for integrating brands into the consumer journey across the Caruso Portfolio, including leasing, events, activations, concerts, pop-ups, filming, photoshoots and all out-of-home media. Under his leadership, the department has seen a 254% increase in gross advertising and sponsorship revenue while deepening relationships with some of the world’s most iconic brands.

Prior to joining Caruso, Conrad cultivated a distinguished career marked by success at sbe Entertainment where he led Global Partnerships for the Hotel, Restaurant & Nightlife group – managing partnerships across the vast portfolio of over 100 properties spanning four continents. Before that, Conrad excelled in his roles at The London West Hollywood, Harry Morton Holdings and The Hollywood Reporter.

Conrad graduated from Belmont University in Nashville, TN with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Conrad and his wife, Angel Carter Conrad, are co-chairs of The Kids Mental Health Foundation’s annual Kids Mental Health Day. They live in Los Angeles with their daughter and two dogs.

With over 20 years of experience leading brand marketing, digital strategy, and omnichannel campaigns, Courtney Wachs serves as Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications at Caruso. Overseeing property marketing, loyalty, digital marketing, brand awareness and communications, Wachs leads campaigns and initiatives that deepen the connection between the community and the Caruso brand and accelerate growth in guest traffic and engagement.

Prior to joining Caruso, Wachs led marketing and digital strategy for prominent consumer and entertainment brands. As Vice President of Digital Commerce & Consumer Experiences at e.l.f. Beauty, she tripled digital revenue, grew Amazon sales to $100M+, and doubled e.l.f.’s high-value loyalists. Before that, she spent 14 years in entertainment leading brand, omnichannel marketing, and digital strategy, launching dozens of successful campaigns at the Walt Disney Company and 20th Century Fox.

Wachs holds a bachelor’s in psychology with a sociology minor from Northwestern University. She is an avid traveler, live music fan, and proud dog parent.

Julie Jauregui is an inspiring and strategic leader, devoting nearly 18 years of her expertise to the organization. In her tenure, she has made significant impacts to the business across multiple assets. Julie has played a pivotal role in driving operational excellence, enhancing customer engagement, and spearheading strategic leasing and brand initiatives. In her current cross-functional leadership role, Jauregui is responsible for developing and implementing successful brand strategies across the portfolio, focused on strengthening and evolving the brand's presence and performance through the development and execution of new initiatives, and the alignment of standards within the Caruso ecosystem.

Jauregui has honed her strong operational and merchandising skills with over 20 years of experience in the Retail industry. Prior to joining Caruso, she held various leadership roles, including Retail Operations Manager for Disneyland Resort, where she was instrumental in the unveiling of Disney’s California Adventure Park and its retail offering, Regional Manager for Williams Sonoma, Inc., and District Manager for The Limited, Inc., leading the LA Market through rapid growth and expansion of its men’s division, Structure, Inc.