The Short Version

• Brian Finnegan became CEO of Brixmor Property Group at the start of the year while also stepping into the role of chair of the ICSC Foundation.
• His commitment to developing emerging talent is rooted in his own early experiences with ICSC’s next-generation programs.
• Over a 21-year career at Brixmor, Finnegan has held senior roles across leasing, redevelopment and operations, helping guide the REIT through periods of growth and disruption.
• As ICSC Foundation chair, he aims to expand pathways into the industry, with a growing focus on education, proptech and data-driven skills.

A Leadership Moment Rooted in Giving Back

Brian Finnegan, who was elevated from president and COO of Brixmor Property Group to president and CEO at the turn of the year, brings a long-standing passion for developing the next generation as he also steps in as chair of the ICSC Foundation. What motivates him is simple: the young talent. “What excites me most is seeing the energy of students who want to get into our business,” he said.

Acadia executive vice president and chief investment officer Reggie Livingston, who also sits on the ICSC Board of Trustees, is now vice chair of the ICSC Foundation. Additionally, four professionals have joined the Foundation’s Board of Directors: PMAT Cos. president Kevin Kush, former ICSC senior adviser Valerie Richardson, First Washington Realty COO Mary Rottler and CBRE managing director Scott Schnuckel.

ICSC Next Gen: The Network That Opened the First Door

Finnegan’s commitment to emerging professionals is rooted in his own early experience with ICSC. Long before anyone imagined him in a leadership role at ICSC or at his employer, he was a young professional volunteering with ICSC next-generation programs, planning events and building connections that advanced his career. “A big part of my ability to get that first job [at] Brixmor predecessor firm Kramont Realty Trust was because of the work I was doing with Next Gen,” he said. It was through ICSC, too, that he met some of his closest friends in the industry. “I owe this organization a tremendous debt of gratitude, one I’m working hard to pay back,” he said. He has served as vice chair of the ICSC Foundation Board of Directors since 2023, and he chaired the Foundation’s development committee during that time, as well. Finnegan also sits on the ICSC Board of Trustees. This convergence of service and leadership, responsibility and reciprocity sits at the center of how he moves through the industry.

From Pittsburgh to Retail Real Estate: Early Foundations

Long before Finnegan was stewarding national portfolios, he was a 2002 graduate of Pittsburgh’s Duquesne University with a degree in marketing communications. His first job was at a family-run litigation-support company owned by his aunt. It was a crash course in sales — useful, he said, but not something he felt called to do.

A Career Pivot — and an Industry That Clicked

Then a friend changed everything. One of his best friends — Brian Wherty, now executive vice president and principal at Equity CRE — had become a retail broker in Philadelphia, working on large-scale developments at a time when new construction was booming. Something clicked. “I had never really known much about the industry — how shopping centers were built, how retailers chose sites — but it was really interesting to me,” he said.

Starting in Leasing, Earning a Reputation

Curiosity became action. He earned his real estate license and joined Legend Properties in 2003 and then Kramont Realty Trust in 2004 as a leasing agent. At first, he handled the clients that more seasoned brokers didn’t want: small franchisees with modest footprints like a Philadelphia juice bar called Amazon Cafe. By his second summer, the company had sold 20 franchises, and suddenly he was meeting landlords, including Kramont Realty Trust, the predecessor of Brixmor, where he would build a 21-year career.

At Brixmor, he has served as regional vice president of leasing, vice president of redevelopment, executive vice president of leasing, chief revenue officer, COO and since July 2024 as president and COO. Each move during his career at the REIT — from Philadelphia to Los Angeles, San Diego, Atlanta and New York City — revealed something new about how people live and shop, he said. “When you're with a company with a big portfolio, having experience with a lot of different assets, markets and people is definitely a benefit,” he said.

Among the deals he worked on, one stands out: Trader Joe’s in Davis, California. Negotiations began shortly after Finnegan arrived on the West Coast in 2006, only to hit a major roadblock when a medical tenant refused to relocate and then sued, stalling the project. Years later, the tenant unexpectedly closed, and Finnegan quickly called his Trader Joe’s contact and revived the lease. “It was one of the most gratifying days of my career, seeing that store open and watching how excited people were,” he said. “Store openings are some of the most exciting moments in this business: commerce coming to life for a business, a community and employees. That day is seared in my memory.”

Since then, Brixmor has redeveloped the rest of the property around the Trader Joe’s with tenants like Nordstrom Rack, Ulta Beauty and Mendocino Farms. “It almost comes full circle,” he said. “That experience taught me that deals can die but you can also find ways to bring them back. Seeing where it started and where it is now — I’ll never forget it.” The victory also underscored the importance of persistence and nurturing relationships, something at which Finnegan excels.

The Pandemic Test: Staying Steady Under Pressure

When asked about Brixmor’s biggest win, he points not to a redevelopment but to the pandemic, when he was serving as executive vice president of leasing. Half the tenant base closed within months, yet the company stayed steady and on offense. “We didn’t make short-term panic decisions,” he said, “and in the long run, that discipline paid dividends.”

That approach — steady, strategic and focused on forward motion — defines Finnegan’s leadership. “I like to know things,” he said, “but I also like to win. And I like to win as a team.” He focuses on clearing roadblocks, not assigning blame: “Understand the facts, make the best call and keep things moving. It’s a balance. That’s how you build accountability.”

Colleagues say that mix of operational skill and people-first leadership is exactly what the ICSC Foundation calls for. “Brian is a proven leader with deep operational expertise and a commitment to fostering strong retailer relationships,” said Brixmor chair Sheryl Crosland. JP Suarez, a member of Brixmor’s board and also the 2026 chair of ICSC, said: “Brian has a unique blend of strategic insight and hands-on experience. He is deeply committed to empowering individuals, and that perspective will be invaluable as he helps build the next generation of talent.”

Why the ICSC Foundation Role Is Personal for Finnegan

Stepping into the ICSC Foundation role, Finnegan sees a natural alignment with his own journey: the value of long-term investment in people. “When I came into the industry, there weren’t programs like this,” he said. “I didn’t even know this was something you could study in college.”

Now, through initiatives like the Foundation’s University Partnerships, mentorships, the Retail Real Estate Bridge Program and other campus outreach programs, he’s seeing students arrive more prepared and passionate than ever. “They’re excited. They’re articulate. We’re lucky; the talent keeps getting better every year,” he said.

What’s Next for the ICSC Foundation: Proptech, Data and New Pathways

Looking ahead, he sees the next frontier for the Foundation in proptech and data. “Young people are often more comfortable with these tools than many of us,” he said. As chair, he hopes to leverage that comfort to enhance recruitment and education and to open new pathways in the industry. “That’s an area where we can really focus our efforts,” he said.

Off the Clock: Coaching, Rucking and Resetting

Outside work, Finnegan resets by coaching his daughter’s basketball teams, going to soccer games, reading nonfiction and rucking: walking with a weighted backpack. His version also features the lack of a phone. “It keeps my stress down,” he said.

Asked if coaching influences how he leads, he said: “You’re putting people in positions to succeed. You’re supporting them. You’re letting them play while knowing when you need to step in.” He pauses, then adds: “though coaching 8-year-old girls’ basketball probably has fewer tough decisions.”