With four decades of construction and development experience on four continents, John manages business units under the umbrella of Silich Companies LLC as President and CEO. Based in Aspen, Colorado since 1985, Silich business units are currently active in the USA, Eastern Caribbean, and New Zealand.

Born in New Zealand, John is a naturalized U.S. citizen who has lived, worked, and played in Australia, the United Kingdom, Europe, the United Arab Emirates, the Caribbean, and the USA. A lifelong learner, John has completed several courses of study most notably at London Business School (Private Equity), Harvard Business School (OPM-38, 2009) and Harvard Graduate School of Design (AMDP-19, 2019)

John Silich

You recently took Real Estate Climate Action with us online. Why did you choose to sign up? And how was your experience in the program?

I signed up for the online Climate Action class seeking new knowledge, sources, and data to utilize within our various business units. We operate in the continental US, Eastern Caribbean, and New Zealand. Three very distinct climates that face increasingly harsh weather patterns, arguably, attributable to climate change.

The entire experience exceeded my expectations. The presenters, materials and class discussions were informative, and enjoyable. Joyce Coffee skillfully kept all participants engaged and kept the program moving at a nice pace. Thoroughly enjoyed this online class. Joyce and the GSD team have the online class format dialed in.

You have been attending programs with GSD Exec Ed for more than a decade, including our open enrollment program on Integrated Project Management, and our Advanced Management Development Program in Real Estate. Reflecting on that decade, how have our programs impacted your work?

I was exposed to Harvard GSD while attending the OPM course at HBS from 2007-09. The courses I have completed at GSD, particularly AMDP (Class 19), have heavily influenced changes to my business model based on trends caused by disruption, and the fluctuating needs of the millennial and senior demographics. GSD is my go-to when I need a data dump on where the industry and the world are trending.

In July 2020, you presented on Hurricane Preparedness in the Caribbean to your fellow AMDP alumni. How has your perspective on the impact of climate change on real estate changed since then?

Overwhelmingly encouraged by the groundswell of activism by Government entities, NGO’s, universities, and individuals willing to help change habits, and regulate harmful human behaviors contributing to climate change.