Perform Properties Expands Leadership Team to Accelerate Value Creation
Perform Properties (“Perform”), a diversified real estate operating platform recognized for its high-quality, grocery-anchored retail centers and premier office assets, today announced significant expansions to its senior leadership team. These appointments, which include both internal promotions and an external hire, are designed to strengthen Perform’s capabilities in leasing, portfolio management, and regional operations, ensuring the company continues to deliver exceptional results across its growing portfolio.
The company has appointed Mark Ross as Senior Vice President, Leasing – Retail, while also promoting two accomplished leaders from within: Kirsten Ekdahl Hull to Executive Vice President, Portfolio Management, and Kori Murphy to Senior Vice President, Region Lead – Retail. Together, these appointments underscore Perform’s commitment to operational excellence, value creation, and tenant-focused growth strategies.
A Strategic Expansion of Leadership
According to Alex Vouvalides, Chief Executive Officer at Perform Properties, the expansion of the senior leadership team reflects both the momentum the company has achieved and its forward-looking strategy.
“By deepening our leadership in retail leasing and portfolio management, we’re strengthening Perform’s ability to deliver operational excellence at scale, staying ahead of evolving tenant and market needs, and accelerating portfolio growth,” Vouvalides said. “These leadership moves build on the momentum of the high-performing team we’ve assembled and reflect our commitment to creating dynamic spaces grounded in People-Appeal. With Mark’s leasing expertise and track record of execution across diverse open-air formats, Kirsten’s proven leadership in managing high-performing portfolios, and Kori’s deep experience driving retail asset performance, we are not just building for today – we are shaping a future that elevates experience, fosters connection, and delivers lasting value for our tenants, partners, and communities.”
The appointments signal Perform’s dedication to leveraging talent as a driver of growth, while aligning leadership roles with evolving industry demands and the company’s portfolio strategy.
Mark Ross Joins as Senior Vice President, Leasing – Retail
Ross brings more than 15 years of retail real estate expertise, most recently serving as Vice President of Leasing at Northwood Retail, where he oversaw leasing activities across the firm’s California holdings. His experience also includes a leadership role at ShopCore Properties, where he managed and leased more than 2.5 million square feet of assets across California and Arizona, building strong tenant relationships and enhancing asset performance.
At Perform, Ross will take on the critical role of Senior Vice President, Leasing – Retail, where he will spearhead leasing initiatives across the West Coast portfolio—covering California, Washington, Oregon, and Texas. Based in San Diego, his mandate will be to drive net operating income (NOI) through strategic lease transactions, while cultivating long-term partnerships with national and regional tenants.
Ross emphasized the opportunity to join Perform during a period of momentum:
“Perform’s portfolio reflects both quality and vision, combining strong retail formats with deep community connection. I look forward to bringing my experience to help advance the company’s leasing strategy and build partnerships that create value for tenants, investors, and the communities we serve.”
Kirsten Ekdahl Hull Named Executive Vice President, Portfolio Management
A proven leader at Perform since 2017, Hull has consistently demonstrated her ability to lead complex, large-scale projects and manage dynamic teams. In her new role as Executive Vice President, Portfolio Management, she will oversee a newly unified function that integrates asset management, development, construction, and regional operations. This holistic structure is intended to enhance collaboration, increase efficiency, and ensure that local market insights directly inform data-driven portfolio strategies.
Previously, Hull served as Region Lead – Chicago and Senior Vice President of Development & Construction, where she played a pivotal role in transformative projects—including the $500+ million redevelopment of Chicago’s Willis Tower. Her leadership contributed to the repositioning of one of the world’s most recognizable office assets, balancing historical significance with modern tenant needs.
Hull noted that Perform’s collaborative culture enables leaders to push boundaries:
“What makes Perform unique is the way we connect vision with execution. By unifying our teams and aligning expertise across functions, we can deliver projects that meet tenant needs today while positioning assets for long-term success. I am honored to take on this role and to continue building spaces that inspire connection and innovation.”
Kori Murphy Elevated to Senior Vice President, Region Lead – Retail
Since joining Perform in 2022 as Vice President of Asset Management, Murphy has brought her extensive retail expertise to the company, managing assets and advancing performance across key holdings. With more than two decades of experience in retail real estate and involvement in $5 billion+ in transactions, Murphy’s track record includes leading the sale of a grocery-anchored shopping center portfolio to Blackstone in 2020 during her tenure at Merlone Geier Partners.
Now, as Senior Vice President, Region Lead – Retail, Murphy will focus on maximizing performance and long-term value creation across Perform’s California retail portfolio. Her responsibilities will include asset optimization, tenant mix strategy, and driving growth through proactive management practices.
Murphy highlighted Perform’s strong foundation and forward-looking vision:
“Retail is evolving rapidly, and Perform has established itself as a leader by blending strategic investments with community-driven approaches. I’m excited to continue advancing our California portfolio, delivering spaces that meet tenant goals and foster strong community engagement.”
Driving Growth Through People-Appeal
Perform’s leadership emphasizes a commitment to People-Appeal™, the company’s guiding principle for creating spaces that go beyond traditional real estate metrics. This approach focuses on developing properties that balance tenant success, consumer engagement, and community vitality.
By combining grocery-anchored retail centers—known for their stability and daily traffic—with iconic office assets, Perform has positioned itself to thrive in both retail and commercial real estate. The leadership expansions announced today build directly on this strategy, ensuring that Perform can execute with precision, adapt to market shifts, and scale its platform for future growth.
Industry Context: A Market in Transition
The retail and office real estate sectors are both undergoing transformation. Consumers are increasingly seeking mixed-use destinations that combine shopping, dining, and community gathering, while office tenants are demanding flexibility, wellness-driven design, and experiences that attract employees back to physical workspaces.
Perform’s leadership team recognizes that leasing, portfolio management, and regional strategy are interdependent drivers of success in this new environment. By strengthening leadership in these areas, the company is not only addressing immediate market needs but also positioning itself as a long-term partner for tenants, investors, and communities alike.
