CREF TRACK: Table Stakes: AI, Data Security, and the CRE Finance Firm of 2030

Executive Vice President and Chief Information & Innovation Officer, Berkadia

Damu Bashyam is Executive Vice President – Chief Information and Innovation Officer and a member of Berkadia’s Management Committee. With over 25 years of experience across telecommunications, banking, financial services, and commercial real estate finance, he has built and led large-scale digital transformations, driven growth strategies, and optimized operations that materially improved client experience while delivering sustainable, profitable growth. Now at Berkadia, he sets the firm’s comprehensive technology strategy and leads the Innovation organization, spanning product development, software engineering, data, artificial intelligence, and enterprise IT. Under his leadership, Berkadia Innovation has modernized technology platforms, and delivered industry-leading data and AI capabilities that demonstrate measurable business outcomes. Prior to this, Damu served as Chief Information and Digital Officer of Columbia Bank and Managing Director and Chief Technology Officer of JP Morgan Chase’s Consumer Banking business. Earlier in his career, Damu spent 18 years at Verizon in CIO-level roles, leading complex technology and business initiatives at the forefront of wireless transformation and driving growth and profitability. He serves on the Board of Directors for Goodwill Industries of New York and Northern New Jersey, is a member of The Wall Street Journal Technology Council and contributes to several technology and AI advisory boards.

Chief Digital Officer, BWE

Brad serves as Chief Digital Officer for BWE, where he leads a diverse team of technologists, AI specialists, and business enablement leaders powering the company’s digital transformation. Under his leadership, BWE’s Digital Enablement organization partners closely with the business to accelerate innovation, expand capacity, deliver exceptional experiences, and unlock new forms of value. A recognized change agent, Brad ensures transformation is driven by both technology and clear strategy, enabling alignment and delivering measurable business impact. With more than two decades of experience, Brad has led complex transformations across the public and private sectors. Prior to BWE, he was the first Chief AI Officer in the government technology industry, where pioneered AI adoption at agencies across the federal government. Previously, he founded and scaled a company focused on AI and automation for regulated industries, building a 100+ person team, raising over $50M in venture capital, and leading it through a successful exit. Earlier in his career, Brad served on Capitol Hill as a senior communications and policy advisor, experience that continues to shape his approach to leading change at scale.