Mitch Pleis is a member of IHP Capital Partners’ Advisory Board, bringing more than 40 years of institutional real estate investment experience to the firm. Mr. Pleis plays an active role in shaping IHP’s strategic direction, contributing to financial strategy, project capitalization, and high-level decision-making, while leveraging his deep industry network to strengthen the firm’s institutional relationships.
Mr. Pleis most recently served as Co-Head of Real Estate at the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS), where he was responsible for overseeing a $50 billion real estate portfolio, including private credit, real estate operating companies, and lending programs. He was a key member of the Total Fund management team, supporting liquidity and capital deployment across the broader investment platform.
Prior to CalSTRS, Mr. Pleis held senior leadership roles including Managing Director at Principal Global Investors, where he managed a $2.5 billion private real estate portfolio, and Chief Property Development Officer at William Jessup University. He has worked with numerous institutional clients across the country and has been involved in large-scale development and capital formation efforts throughout his career.
Mr. Pleis earned a B.S. in Human Biology from Stanford University, where he specialized in Urban Development and Planning. He lettered in football and represented Stanford in the 1979 Japan Bowl, later signing as a free agent with the San Francisco 49ers.