![Wbenjamin.jpg Wbenjamin.jpg](jpg/wbenjamin5759.jpg?itok=Twe3Qm6F)
Partner, Head of Real Estate
Mr. Benjamin is a Partner and Head of Ares Real Estate. He serves on the Ares Executive Management Committee. He also serves as a Director and Chairman of the Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation Board of Directors. Additionally, Mr. Benjamin serves on the Ares Real Estate Global and U.S. Development and Redevelopment II Investment Committees. Mr. Benjamin joined Ares in July 2013 from AREA Property Partners, where he was a Senior Partner from 1995 to 2013. Mr. Benjamin joined AREA Property Partners in 1995 from Bankers Trust Corp, where he was a Principal from 1986 to 1995. He is a Trustee of Impetus, a UK based charity focused on improving access to education and employment for disadvantaged youth. Mr. Benjamin graduated from Harvard with a Bachelor of Arts degree in social studies and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School. Mr. Benjamin's extensive experience in the global commercial real estate markets and as a senior real estate executive enables him to provide the Board with leadership and financial expertise as well as insight into the current status of the global real estate and financial markets.