SF Commercial Property Conversations

From Perth to LA, Michelle Ganaden has traveled the world and built a remarkable career in commercial insurance. In this episode, Bruce Bean sits down with Michelle to hear her inspiring journey from Australian educator to Director of Risk Management in Texas, and now, a broker with Gallagher—the third-largest insurance brokerage globally.
Michelle shares how she transitioned into the insurance industry, helped shape insurance policies for the State of Texas, and now supports clients at Gallagher through dynamic property and casualty programs. She gives a behind-the-scenes look at reinsurance challenges, risk management strategies, and what it's like managing billion-dollar portfolios.
Key Topics Covered:
Michelle’s leap from education to insurance
Building state-wide insurance programs in Texas
Working with Lloyd's of London and Gallagher
Navigating today’s insurance market
Property & casualty trends and risk management
Personal insights: cross-country love, family, and food
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

This week on SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, we sit down with Justin Di Bene, VP of Commercial Insurance at Foundation Risk Partners. From motorcycle racing to mastering the complexities of the insurance world, Justin shares his unique journey and the evolving challenges in today’s insurance market—especially in California.
Justin gives us an insider look into the world of commercial insurance, private equity partnerships, and why captives are gaining popularity. He also highlights how the industry is working to attract new talent and remain competitive in an increasingly difficult market. Whether you're in the insurance industry or just curious about how it works, this episode is packed with insights and practical advice.
Key Topics:
Justin’s unexpected transition from motorsports to insurance
How private equity is reshaping the insurance landscape
The strategic growth of Foundation Risk Partners
Why captives are a game changer for large insurance accounts
Cybersecurity insurance myths and best practices
What makes a successful insurance agency acquisition
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

In this lively episode, Bruce Bean sits down with Patrick McIntyre to explore his fascinating path through multiple careers—from football fields and nursing floors to the dynamic world of commercial finance.
Patrick opens up about his Midwest roots, growing up in California, and a pivotal moment at a Janis Joplin concert that indirectly led his family west. After earning a business finance degree from San Diego State, Patrick’s early struggles with sales drove him to a decade-long career in nursing. But burnout and the impact of COVID pushed him back to the world of finance.
Now working in both commercial insurance and loans, Patrick dives into how social media helped him conquer introversion, why he started creating video content, and how humor plays a role in his outreach. He also talks about building a virtual marketing team and how he's become more confident in his sales skills.
This episode is packed with relatable insights for anyone navigating career pivots or trying to find their groove in the world of business and marketing.
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

In this energizing episode, Bruce Bean welcomes back leadership strategist and author Monique Lecomte to explore the power of becoming an “expert generalist.” With warmth and humor, Monique reflects on key life lessons, from growing up in a religious household to managing pools at the YMCA—all of which helped shape her into a resilient and intuitive leader.
Listeners will learn:
Why adaptability is a leadership superpower
How storytelling enhances leadership and team connection
What it means to build trust and inspire vision in the workplace
Why leadership isn’t a title but a mindset—and how anyone can lead
Tips for crafting meaningful mission and vision statements
Insights on strategic planning for smaller businesses
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, we sit down with Michelle Colbert, a real estate agent whose path to real estate took her from military bases to Hollywood stages and ultimately into the heart of Los Angeles real estate.
Michelle shares how growing up in a military family taught her the survival skills that later helped her navigate a male-dominated entertainment industry—working behind the scenes as a lighting designer and electrician for global music legends like Chaka Khan, Rita Marley, and The Whalers. Her knack for logistics and production seamlessly transitioned into the real estate world, where she now thrives.
We dive into:
Her transition from entertainment to real estate
How production skills shaped her approach to real estate transactions
Navigating multifamily and single-family investments
Why relationship-building and value-first service are key to her success
A powerful real-life story of helping a client avoid foreclosure with creative problem-solving
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

Ever wonder what the stats in those flashy real estate headlines really mean? In this episode, Bruce Bean welcomes economic and real estate expert Patrick Duffy for a behind-the-scenes look at the trends shaping commercial and residential property markets across the U.S.
Patrick shares how a background in economics and a few key internships launched his decades-long career analyzing the housing market. From uncovering why Omaha, Nebraska is currently the hottest market in the U.S., to breaking down how rising mortgage rates and economic uncertainty are reshaping buying behaviors—Patrick offers insights that investors, developers, and curious homeowners alike will appreciate.
The two also dig into:
The rise of the build-to-rent movement in the South
How retail is pivoting in a post-pandemic world
Office return rates and what hybrid work really looks like
Why property management is still one of the toughest jobs in real estate
And the importance of economic resilience in local markets
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

In this episode, Bruce Bean welcomes Rocio Luna, a dynamic commercial insurance broker based in Southern California. Rocio shares her unique journey into the world of insurance—starting from the ground up with zero experience, facing challenges head-on, and eventually transitioning from claims management to a thriving career in sales.
Rocio explains the significance of the EMR (Experience Modification Rate) in the world of contracting and staffing, offering valuable insights into how it impacts premium costs and contract opportunities. She talks about her early days juggling stacks of legal documents, learning the ropes via Google, and the power of empathy when guiding businesses through stressful claims.
Listeners will learn how Rocio’s psychology background unexpectedly empowered her to connect deeply with clients, and how she evolved her approach to cold-calling and lead generation—eventually building a strong referral-based business through platforms like LinkedIn.
Whether you're a small contractor, staffing agency, or someone curious about the behind-the-scenes of commercial insurance, Rocio’s story is an inspiring look into what it takes to turn adversity into opportunity.
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest
 

In this episode, Bruce Bean chats with Tim Chen, co-founder of Connected Companies, about his incredible journey from China to becoming a real estate entrepreneur in the U.S. Tim opens up about moving to the States with little English, failing early ventures, and how he finally broke into the commercial real estate world through sheer persistence.
He shares stories of cold-calling, learning on the job, and how he landed his first big opportunity at CBRE. Then, hear how Tim made the leap into co-founding Connected Companies, navigating the pandemic, and scaling a portfolio to over $100 million in assets under management.
Whether you're just starting out or already knee-deep in commercial real estate, this story of grit and growth will definitely inspire.
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

In this episode, Bruce Bean chats with former athlete turned real estate entrepreneur, Javorn Ferrell, about his fascinating journey from pro basketball courts in Europe to leading build-to-rent housing developments across the U.S. Javorn shares how a desire to make a lasting community impact led him to Google “how to get rich”—and how that search brought him straight to real estate.
Javorn breaks down how he transitioned from single-family investing to the complex world of commercial real estate, specifically the growing niche of build-to-rent communities. He explains how his team scouts off-market land, why they prioritize less density and aesthetic appeal, and how they’ve succeeded by staying conservative and disciplined in a volatile market.
We also dive into specific markets like Texas, California, and Montana—and how his firm’s thoughtful approach has drawn trust from capital partners.
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest
 

In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations, host Bruce Bean sits down with Bryan Marks, a real estate investor, home flipper, and realtor with a unique journey. From windsurfing instructor to advertising professional, pilot, and eventually a real estate entrepreneur, Bryan shares how his unexpected start in real estate led to a successful career in flipping homes and helping others build wealth through property investment.
Bryan discusses his first accidental investment in Laurel Canyon, his experience managing properties across California, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. He also dives into how technology is reshaping real estate, his decision to join Compass for its cutting-edge CRM, and how he uses data-driven insights to stay ahead in the market.
If you’re curious about home flipping, wealth-building through real estate, or the current state of the LA housing market, this episode is packed with valuable insights and real-world experience.
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest