Research Executive · Economist · Financial Markets

Chuck
DiRocco

Thirty years translating complex economic and financial analysis into research that executives, investors, and advisors actually use — from peer-reviewed journals to major conference stages.

CRE FRICS CCIM MBA · Finance
Chuck DiRocco
Denver, Colorado · Available Nationally
30+
Years Research Leadership
4K+
Annual Conference Audience
$10M+
Index Licensing Value Built
16+
Years of ETRE Publications
01

Research Executive
& Economist

Economic & Market Analysis
Thought Leadership Publishing
Investor Education
Index Construction
Keynote Speaking
Survey Research & Governance
Team & Budget Leadership
Media Spokesperson
Capital Markets
Portfolio Strategy

I am a research executive and economist with a career built at the intersection of rigorous methodology, investor education, and high-visibility communication. My fluency spans macro and microeconomic dynamics — monetary policy, labor markets, inflation, capital flows, consumer spending, and debt and equity market cycles — and critically, how those forces translate into real investment behavior and outcomes.

At PwC, I lead the full research lifecycle for Emerging Trends in Real Estate®, the firm's #2 most-clicked global publication. As Managing Director at Ankura, I led institutional economic research programs serving investment banks, insurers, and pension fund managers. Earlier at NAREIT, I produced the landmark Ibbotson/NAREIT REIT Asset Allocation Study — reshaping how Fortune 500 plan sponsors approach real assets — and co-architected the FTSE/EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index, now the globally adopted benchmark for institutional real estate allocation.

I have published in peer-reviewed journals, contributed to Forbes, and authored original research on probability markets and asset valuation. I know how to tailor the same underlying research for a CFO, a financial advisor, and an individual investor — and I am comfortable at a podium, in front of a camera, or in a media interview.

PwC
2022–Present · 2008–2013
Director of Research
Leads Emerging Trends in Real Estate® globally. Keynote presenter to 4,000+ annually. AI-integrated analytics.
Ankura
2019–2022
Managing Director, Research & Insights
Led institutional economic research serving investment banks, insurers, and pension fund managers.
Altus Group
2013–2018
Director of Research
Designed the Real Confidence Executive Survey and The Yardstick quarterly economic forecast publication.
ULI
2006–2008
Managing Director, Industry Trends & Analysis
Owned editorial governance of ETRE across three global editions.
NAREIT
1995–2005
VP, Research & Investor Education
Produced the landmark Ibbotson/NAREIT Asset Allocation Study. Architected the FTSE/EPRA/NAREIT Global Index. Led national investor education for Fortune 500 plan sponsors.
02

On Stage & On Camera

A national public speaker with two decades of experience at major industry events. Known for combining rigorous economic analysis with memorable storytelling — from major ULI conference keynotes to boardroom briefings for sovereign wealth fund managers.

Photo 1
ULI Fall Meeting
Emerging Trends in Real Estate® Keynote
Photo 2
REITworld
Capital Markets Outlook & Index Analysis
Photo 3
Counselors of Real Estate
Economic Outlook & Market Trends
T.01
The Economics of Investment Markets
Monetary policy, inflation, labor dynamics, and capital flows — how macro forces shape portfolio decisions and institutional strategy.
T.02
Emerging Trends in Real Estate®
The definitive annual forecast, translated for institutional investors, wealth managers, and executive audiences.
T.03
Prediction Markets & Asset Valuation
How crowd-sourced probability signals can sharpen underwriting assumptions and modernize investment decisioning.
T.04
Investor Education at Scale
Designing research programs that reach and move diverse audiences — from 401(k) plan sponsors to sovereign wealth fund managers.
03

Watch & Listen

Featured · ULI Keynote 2025
Panel · 2024
CRE Outlook: Navigating Rate Uncertainty
Webinar · CRE
Economic Outlook & CRE Market Trends
Interview · Forbes
Infrastructure as a High-Yield Asset Class
Keynote · REITworld
Global Real Estate Index: 25 Years On
04

Selected Works

2025
PwC
Probability Markets and Commercial Real Estate Valuation
Paper
2008–2026
PwC / Urban Land Institute
Emerging Trends in Real Estate® — North America, Europe & Asia Pacific (Annual Series)
Report
2022
Co-authored — Institutional
Adding Listed Infrastructure to the Mix — Portfolio Diversification Guide for Institutional Investors
Report
2021
American Bar Association
The Complex Art of Valuing Commercial Real Estate During a Pandemic and Cyclical Downturns
Article
2017
Forbes
Experts Bet on Infrastructure as One of the Highest-Yield Property Asset Classes
Article
2011
American Real Estate Society (ARES)
New Evidence on the Diversification Benefits of Real Estate
Paper
2006
Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, Vol. 33
Equity Capital Flows and Demand for REITs — Peer-Reviewed Study
Paper
2002
Ibbotson Associates / NAREIT
REIT Asset Allocation Study — Landmark Research for Institutional Portfolio Construction
Paper
2000
AAII Journal — Co-authored
Investing in Real Estate Investment Trusts — Foundational Guide for Individual Investors
Paper
05

Let's Connect

Available for speaking engagements, consulting, board advisory, media commentary, and executive collaboration. Based in Denver, CO — available nationally and globally.

Speaking Engagements & Keynotes
Research Consulting & Partnerships
Board & Advisory Roles
Media & Editorial Commentary
Executive & Leadership Opportunities
Location Denver, Colorado

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