Meet Our Executive Board
We encourage you to reach out to us with any questions or to simply introduce yourself

SAMANTHA ARMENDARIZ

Co-President

Samantha is a senior at the University of Southern California, majoring in Real Estate Development with a minor in Construction Planning and Management. Growing up in Los Angeles, she was introduced to the industry through her mother’s career in real estate, which sparked her early interest in the city’s diverse neighborhoods and evolving urban landscape. Samantha most recently interned at CBRE Investment Management as a Logistics Intern, supporting both the acquisitions and asset management teams. She also brings experience in retail leasing, capital markets, and multifamily development, giving her a well-rounded perspective on the real estate industry. Along with her role as President of the Trojan Real Estate Association, Samantha serves as Vice President of the USC Construction Management Association of America. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in real estate private equity. Outside of school and work, Samantha enjoys traveling, hiking, spending time with friends and family, and exploring local trading posts and coffee shops.​

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DARIO GHAMGOSAR

Co-President 

Dario is a junior at the University of Southern California, majoring in Real Estate Development with a minor in Architecture. Growing up in San Francisco, Dario developed a passion for real estate by observing the transformative power of innovative design in urban environments. His interests in sustainable development and community impact have shaped his academic journey and professional aspirations. This past summer, Dario interned with A.M. Rocca Inc., where he gained hands-on experience in construction and project management, working directly with industry professionals to bring complex projects to life. As Director of Recruitment, he is excited to bring fresh ideas to the team, focusing on engaging new members and expanding the association’s presence on campus.

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KYLE TRAN

Director of Business Strategy 

​Kyle is a senior at the University of Southern California,
majoring in Real Estate Development with a minor in Finance.
Originally from New Mexico, Kyle has a strong passion for real
estate and finance, which he has honed through various
internships and leadership roles. Before serving as the Director
of Finance for TREA, he worked as a Senior Real Estate Analyst
Intern at PMI Properties and a Capital Markets Intern at Lever
Capital Partners. Kyle is committed to leveraging his expertise
in finance to maximize the value of TREA's initiatives and
create meaningful opportunities for members. Upon graduation,
he plans to pursue a career in real estate private equity, focusing
on investment strategies and portfolio management to make real
estate investing accessible to all. Outside of his academic and
professional pursuits, Kyle enjoys snowboarding, brunches in
Santa Monica, and attending country festivals.

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CHRISTIAN WALDRON

Director of Finance

Christian is a junior majoring in Business Administration at Marshall and minoring in Real Estate Development at Price. This summer, he worked in capital markets at Max Benjamin Partners in Beverly Hills. At MBP, he learned how to improve capital stacks, build equity waterfalls, and create discounted cash flow models. After graduation, Christian plans on traveling to South America and East Asia before working in commercial real estate or banking. Apart from TREA, he is a member of MREFA, Lambda Chi Alpha, and is in the process of starting up the club squash team. In his free time, he enjoys skiing, golfing, playing pickup basketball, and listening to Rufus Du Sol. 

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KAYA TONG

Director of External Communications

Kaya is a sophomore majoring in Business Administration
and minoring in User Experience and Sports Media Industries.
This past summer, she interned at Nearon Enterprises, an
investment firm that oversees over $1.0 billion in assets,
primarily compromised of multi-family and industrial
properties. Upon graduation, Kaya intends to explore careers in
multifamily development or brokerage. In addition to being on
TREA's Executive Board, she is the Director of Marketing for
the Sports Business Association and the Layout/Design Editor
of USC's El Rodeo Yearbook. Outside of her studies, she loves to
workout, play volleyball, go to the beach, try new restaurants,
and travel.

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EBONY CRANDLE

Director of Internal Communications

Ebony is a senior studying Business Administration with a minor in Real Estate Development. She is interested in working in the real estate industry due to its versatility, which offers a dynamic range of opportunities from property development to investment strategies, allowing for an enriching professional experience.

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SHIVANI ASHYANTH

Director of On-Campus Events 

Shivani is a junior majoring in Real Estate Finance and Development at the USC Marshall School of Business. This past summer, she interned at JLL in the capital markets division, where she gained hands-on experience in investment sales, financial modeling, and market research. Working alongside industry professionals, she developed a strong foundation in evaluating commercial assets, understanding market dynamics, and structuring complex transactions. Shivani is passionate about leveraging real estate as a vehicle for long-term value creation—both economically and socially. Long-term, Shivani aspires to establish a global real estate development firm that enhances the built environment while fostering inclusive, community-focused spaces.​

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​NATHAN CASTANAZA

Director of Off-Campus Events

Nathan a rising junior majoring in Real Estate Development at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy with a minor in Business Finance at the Marshall School of Business. This summer, he interned as a Real Estate Investment Summer Analyst at JMA Ventures in Santa Monica, where he focused on acquisitions and asset management initiatives. After graduation, Nathan hopes to pursue a career in commercial real estate—ideally in acquisitions or development. Outside of TREA, he's also involved in MREFA and regularly atttends industry networking events. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, watching USC football, and exploring new restaurants around LA.

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KEENAN HOULIHAN

​Director of Recruitment

Keenan is a junior at the University of Southern California
pursuing a degree in Real Estate Development. This summer, he
is working as an Acquisitions Intern at AMG Land
Development, where he supports the firm's land acquisition and
entitlement efforts. Originally from Chicago, Keenan's early
interest in the built environment led him to intern with the
Chicago Park District, where he focused on improving
accessibility standards across public spaces. With a long-term
goal of working in investment management on the acquisitions
side, Keenan is passionate about connecting capital with
impactful development. On campus, he serves as the Director of
Finance for SPACE, USC's student-led architecture publication.
In his free time, Keenan enjoys playing basketball and golf,
camping, and spending time outdoors.

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KODY CHAPMAN

Director of Mentorship

​Kody Chapman is a sophomore majoring in Real Estate Finance
and Development as part of the inaugural cohort of the joint
degree program. This past summer, he supported a Caribbean-
based real estate startup by preparing financial reports that
helped the company secure government housing development
contracts. Upon graduation, Kody intends to pursue a career in
either capital markets or brokerage.​

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WILLA CHANDLER

Director of Professional Relations

Willa Chandler is a rising sophomore at the University of
Southern California, where she is pursuing a B.S. in Real Estate
Development at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy with a
minor in Business Finance at the Marshall School of Business.
This summer, she continued her work as an Advisory Board
Member for the USC Keck Brain Tumor Center, leading a
fundraising campaign to advance cancer research. Beyond TREA, Willa is an active member of the USC Delta Gamma
sorority and will serve as the Incoming Director of Recruitment
for University Women in Real Estate and Private Equity.
Outside of academics, she enjoys playing golf, discovering new restaurants around Los Angeles, and spending time with friends
and family.

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JIHO KIM

Director of Professional Development

Jiho is a junior at the University of Southern California studying
Real Estate Development & Political Science. Over the summer
he was a Development & Acquisition Intern at Pacific Retail
Capital Partners. Along with TREA, he is the Vice President at
Korean Investment Society, the Finance VP at USC CLFRA
(Corporate Law & Financial Regulation Association), and a
Recruitment Associate at Avenues Consulting Group. After
graduation, Jiho plans to work in the commercial real estate
industry and pursue an MRED or JD. In his free time he enjoys
to be a DJ, play soccer, and get coffee.

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SOPHIA PINTOR

Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Sophia is a sophomore at the University of Southern California
majoring in Real Estate Development with a minor in Business
Finance. This summer, she was an Investment Analyst Intern at
Sta. Lucia Land, a publicly listed developer in the Philippines,
and also participated in both the VIC Properties and Oxford
Properties Bridge Fellowships, gaining exposure to institutional
real estate investing. With a parallel interest in law, she
previously interned at the Supreme Court of the Philippines
under Associate Justice Josep Y. Lopez. She also extends her
impact through leadership in Smart Woman Securities, where
she champions financial literacy and independence for women
in business. After graduation, Sophia hopes to work in real estate investments before pursuing law school, with the goal of
becoming an attorney focused on immigration pathways
through real estate. In her free time, she enjoys yoga sculpt
classes, making homemade strawberry matchas, and continuing
to explore beyond 23 countries.​

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VAL WHITTEN

Director of Dining Society

​Val is a junior at the University of Southern California, majoring in Law, History & Culture with minors in Business Finance and Customer Analytics. She developed a passion for residential real estate early on, interning across the U.S. since the age of 16, beginning her journey at Barbara Corcoran’s firm in the heart of Manhattan. Her experiences have fueled a long-term interest in real estate consulting, with a focus on helping people make smart, data-driven decisions about where and how they live. This summer, Val is working as a real estate strategy consultant at Mosaic Student Communities, where she’s building skills in analytics, tenant retention, and creative community-focused strategy. On campus, she’s involved in 180 Degrees Consulting, WYSE, Family Business Society, and currently serves as Head of Corporate Relations for the Latino Business Student Association. In her free time, Val enjoys playing pool and poker with friends.

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