Malone aims to expand student access to innovation through new Club

Second-year MBA student Chris Malone has been appointed president of the MBA PropTech Club for the 2025–26 academic year.

(Left to right) Nolan Cooney, Vice-President – Outreach; Chris Malone, President; Charlie Shew, Executive Vice-President, Vice-President – Finance

Malone holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Bucknell University and previously worked as a Project Manager at DPR Construction in the Boston area. This past summer, he interned with OTO Development in Spartanburg, SC.

As only the second president since the club’s founding in 2023, Malone steps into his presidency following a milestone academic year in which the club earned official recognition from the MBA Student Association (MBASA). We spoke with Malone about his vision for the club as it enters its first year as an official student organization.

What sparked your passion for PropTech, and how has it impacted your MBA journey?

My passion really began while working in Boston’s life sciences market with DPR Construction and their forward-thinking clients. Boston is one of the most innovative ecosystems in the country, and I witnessed firsthand how 3D modeling, prefabrication, and efficient tech processes could transform outcomes – reducing costs, improving efficiency, and addressing complex logistical challenges. Collaborating with sophisticated, innovation-driven clients and trade partners underscored for me just how powerful technology can be in shaping the built environment.

Why did you choose to be part of the MBA PropTech Club, and what value do you think it brings to UNC Kenan-Flagler students?

While real estate is one of the world’s largest asset classes, it has historically lagged in adopting innovation. Arriving at UNC during the AI boom revealed how quickly other industries were embracing data, automation, and artificial intelligence. I wanted to help bring that mindset into real estate. The club gives KFBS students both the knowledge and connections to apply emerging technologies to investment, development, and operations, positioning us to lead as the industry evolves.

What inspired you to apply for the role of Club President?

I truly enjoy leading people and building great teams. Taking on leadership within the PropTech Club was an opportunity to create new learning opportunities and strengthen KFBS’s reputation as a hub for forward-thinking real estate leaders. Most importantly, I wanted my peers to gain exposure to industry leaders and see firsthand how technology is being applied across the industry.

PropTech Club is relatively new to UNC Kenan-Flagler. What is your vision for the club during your term, and what initiatives are you most excited about seeing grow?

Yes, we’re new, but we’re mighty. We had a very successful 24-25 MBA year led by our former president DJ Mock. My vision is to position the PropTech club as a hub where real estate and innovation meet, leveraging our nationally recognized Wood Center for Real Estate and its growing data science initiative to deepen the club’s impact. We’ll provide students with exposure to cutting-edge tech tools that future leaders in the built environment must understand to stay competitive. At the same time, the club will serve as a platform for students across all KFBS concentrations to explore how great software can solve real business problems beyond real estate. By combining these efforts with speaker series, cross-campus collaborations, and industry partnerships, we can establish the PropTech Club as a defining part of the UNC MBA experience.

How do you hope to positively impact the UNC Kenan-Flagler community through your leadership?

I’d love to create more opportunities for students to engage with innovation in real estate and beyond. There’s no stopping technological innovation – my goal is to foster an environment where the UNC community can learn from industry leaders, gain hands-on exposure to emerging tools, and build connections that will serve them throughout their careers. Just as importantly, I want the club to be inclusive – a place where students from every concentration can see how technology applies to their own paths, while also contributing to UNC’s reputation as a forward-thinking business school.

Where do you see yourself professionally in five years, and how does PropTech fit into that vision?

In five years, I see myself working for real estate developer that understands the importance of innovation. I want our team to leverage proptech to optimize site selection, synthesize market research, and integrate data-driven insights into investment decisions. Just as importantly, I envision working in an environment where technology enhances the collaborative design, planning, and execution of projects. I’m confident I’ll find a firm that champions innovation to shape the future of real estate development.

What’s one PropTech trend or innovation you think everyone should be paying attention to right now?

One of the hottest areas in PropTech right now is AI, big data, and predictive analytics. Companies are leveraging machine learning to forecast demand, optimize site selection, and refine property valuations. Firms like Two Sigma have built proprietary data stacks that bring real estate professionals and data scientists together, constantly reconciling insights in ways that have proven extremely powerful. A strong example in the marketplace is Placer.ai, which transforms anonymized foot traffic data into actionable insights that help retailers, investors, and developers understand how people interact with locations. Their platform allows users to compare sites, analyze competitors, and project market potential – giving deal teams a clearer picture before committing capital.

What advice would you give to students who are curious about PropTech but unsure where to start?

We have a lot of interest from folks across different backgrounds – engineering, tech, finance, and operations. We welcome anyone who wants to learn more about the business problem, the technology solution, and the professional application. My advice is to start by getting curious about how technology is already shaping the parts of real estate or built environment you’re interested in, whether that’s development, investing, or operations. Do some company research, understand the value proposition, and see how it fits into the big picture. We welcome our members to bring new companies, software or industry leaders to the table so the club can program towards our members’ interests.

How can other students get involved with the club? 

Our exec board is very knowledgeable and always open to chat with anyone interested. Simply, one can use our Interest Form, or they can find Charlie Shew, Nolan Cooney, Felipe Gamerre or myself and start the conversation! We welcome students from all concentrations and experience levels, and whether you’re curious about how technology applies to real estate or just want to explore a fast-growing field, there’s a place for you in the club.