The new vice chancellor for real estate, Anish Kumar, comes to Pitt from the University of Pennsylvania’s Pennovation Works campus, where he oversaw strategic direction and activities, including real estate planning, development, leasing and programming for the 23-acre space.

In this leadership role, Kumar, who started Feb. 14, will oversee the University’s real estate portfolio activities, including property acquisitions, divestments, negotiations and portfolio management.

Mary Beth McGrew, Vice Chancellor for Planning, Design and Real Estate, plans to retire from the University later this year. She is transitioning real estate duties to Kumar and assisting in the hiring process for a vice chancellor of planning, design and construction

Kumar also previously led Amtrak’s nationwide real estate development department. He is a registered architect and certified national planner. He received his bachelor’s degree in architecture from CEPT University in Ahmedabad, India, and his master’s degree in architecture with a certificate in urban design from the University of Pennsylvania.