This article first appeared in City & Country, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on March 24, 2025 - March 30, 2025

CoreNet Global, a US-based non-profit association for corporate real estate professionals headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, has appointed a new CEO to lead the organisation. CoreNet Global represents nearly 10,000 members in 50 countries, including Malaysia, with strategic responsibility for the real estate assets of large corporations.

In February this year, Scott Wiley became the global organisation’s first new CEO in more than 18 years. He aims to bring a fresh perspective by driving digital transformation and growth.

“This role is a fantastic opportunity to bring in a fresh perspective and visionary leadership to CoreNet Global. By harnessing my expertise in digital transformation and strategic growth, I aim to bridge gaps in our global outreach and member engagement. My focus will be on enhancing our digital platforms, expanding our presence in emerging markets and creating vibrant opportunities for our members to connect and collaborate,” he says  in an email interview.

Wiley brings to CoreNet Global over two decades of leadership experience from his previous role as the president and CEO of The Ohio Society of CPAs (certified public accountants) and several leadership roles within the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity before that. “My career has been a journey of connecting people, driving purposeful change and delivering tangible results.

“As the former president and CEO of The Ohio Society of CPAs, I led groundbreaking initiatives that redefined the accounting profession and set national benchmarks for progress. My leadership at Delta Sigma Phi, an international membership organisation, focused on cultural shifts, membership growth and financial sustainability.

“Having led a profession that is global in nature, yet has a profound local impact, parallels the work I will lead at CoreNet Global. I’m eager to leverage these experiences to guide CoreNet Global through a period of rapid evolution, ensuring our members thrive by equipping them with the insights, solutions and connections they need to lead in an ever-changing world,” he says.

Wiley says economic fluctuations, regulatory changes and the imperative for sustainable practices are among the industry challenges. “The rapid pace of technological advancements and evolving workplace dynamics adds to the complexity.”

This is where CoreNet Global comes in. “CoreNet Global is at the forefront, equipping our members with the tools, resources and knowledge they need to adapt and excel. We facilitate peer-to-peer learning, promote new and next practices and advocate for the strategic value of corporate real estate in driving organisational success,” he says.

“At CoreNet Global, we’re on an exciting journey to redefine the corporate real estate landscape. Our vision is to be indispensable to the successful practice of corporate real estate globally. We’re driving innovation, championing sustainability and fostering inclusivity. By providing cutting-edge professional development, insightful research and unparalleled networking opportunities, we’re empowering our members to navigate and thrive in this dynamic industry.”

Among the organisation’s initiatives is the annual summit, which was held in Singapore from March 4 to 6 this year and was attended by nearly 800 participants. “[At] this year’s APAC (Asia-Pacific) Summit in Singapore … we focused on people-centric real estate decision-making, covering crucial topics like portfolio management, workplace design and sustainability.

“Our goal is to empower attendees with actionable insights and strategies to navigate economic shifts and deliver exceptional value to their organisations. We’ll also spotlight the groundbreaking findings from our Corporate Real Estate 2030 [research] initiative, offering a visionary glimpse into the future of corporate real estate.”

In terms of the industry’s outlook, Wiley remains positive and anticipates continued technological advancements, a stronger emphasis on sustainability and a shift towards more flexible and adaptive workspaces.

“I’m incredibly optimistic about the future of the corporate real estate sector. Despite recent challenges, the opportunities for growth and innovation are immense … The sector will be pivotal in supporting organisational resilience and success, and CoreNet Global will lead the charge, guiding our members through this transformative period.”

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