Christopher Reilly is president and CEO of Lexington Partners, where he has spent the past eight years helping to build and scale the firm’s real estate development and management business.
He joined the company to support development efforts and expand acquisitions of existing assets, as Lexington grew from a six-person operation to more than 140 employees. Following the death of founder Marty Kenny two years ago, Reilly assumed additional responsibility for development activity.
He has more than 30 years of experience in real estate, including senior leadership roles at The Winn Companies, Equity Residential and The Wingate Companies.
Over the past year, Lexington advanced several projects despite difficult market conditions. He said the firm also invested in internal processes and accountability as part of a longer-term effort to strengthen the organization.
Looking ahead, Reilly said higher interest rates, cost pressures and economic uncertainty present challenges, but also opportunities for well-capitalized operators to pursue acquisitions, expand partnerships and invest in systems, technology and talent to support long-term growth.
What qualities are most essential for effective leadership today?
Effective leadership today starts with clarity and integrity. In an environment that is complex and constantly changing, leaders must be able to set a clear direction, make thoughtful decisions with incomplete information, and consistently act in a way that builds trust.
People are looking for steadiness and credibility — leaders who say what they mean, follow through and hold themselves to the same standards they expect of others.
Equally essential are adaptability and humility. The pace of change in markets, technology and talent expectations requires leaders to listen, learn and adjust quickly. No one has all the answers, and strong leaders create space for diverse perspectives while remaining accountable for outcomes.
Finally, effective leadership today demands empathy and accountability in equal measure — understanding and supporting people as individuals, while still driving performance, ownership and results in service of the organization’s long-term vision.
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What do you value most about living or doing business in Connecticut?
What I value most about living and doing business in Connecticut is the combination of strong community roots and access to meaningful opportunity. Connecticut has a deep sense of civic pride, a highly educated workforce, and a business community where relationships and reputation truly matter.
That environment rewards long-term thinking, integrity and collaboration — values that align closely with how we operate at Lexington.
Hartford in particular offers a unique balance: proximity to major markets like New York and Boston, a rich institutional and financial history, and a growing focus on innovation and reinvestment. While the state presents its share of regulatory and cost challenges, those same barriers often create opportunity for disciplined, committed operators who are willing to engage constructively with local stakeholders and invest for the long term.
Connecticut is a place where patient capital and responsible leadership can make a real, lasting impact.
What is one change that would make Connecticut more competitive economically?
If I had to point to one change that would make Connecticut more competitive economically, it would be creating a more predictable, streamlined regulatory and tax environment for businesses.
Connecticut has extraordinary strengths — talent, infrastructure, proximity to major markets — but uncertainty around permitting, taxation and long-term policy decisions can discourage investment or delay growth.
Greater consistency and transparency in how policies are developed and implemented would allow businesses to plan with confidence and commit capital more readily. That kind of clarity wouldn’t require sacrificing oversight or public priorities; it would simply recognize that economic growth depends on partnership between the public and private sectors.
A more predictable environment would help retain existing businesses, attract new investment and unlock the full potential of Connecticut’s economy.
Book recommendation: “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey
Go-to news media outlets: The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, The Hartford Courant
Hobby or leisure activity: Spending quality time with my family is my primary hobby and leisure activity.
Favorite podcast: “The Rest Is History”