Hawkeye Taps Industry Veteran to Lead Major Senior Housing Push

AUSTIN, TX – May 20, 2026 – Hawkeye Partners has announced a significant strategic move with the appointment of Brandi Healey, a seasoned industry executive, as Managing Director of Asset Management for its senior housing platform. The high-profile hire signals the firm's deepening commitment to the senior housing sector and marks a pivotal step in its evolution from a fund seeder to a builder of specialized, in-house investment platforms.

Ms. Healey will take the helm of portfolio performance, value creation, and capital markets activities for Hawkeye's growing senior housing investments. Her arrival comes as the firm actively advances its 'Hawkeye Senior Housing Fund I' and positions itself to capitalize on powerful demographic trends reshaping the U.S. real estate landscape.

A Strategic Pivot to In-House Expertise

The appointment of Healey is a cornerstone of Hawkeye Partners' broader strategic transformation. The firm, which has historically supported investment platforms that grew to over $10.6 billion in fee-paying equity, is now shifting its focus inward. The new model emphasizes building and scaling institutional-quality investment platforms directly within Hawkeye, a move designed to enhance alignment, governance, and control.

This evolution is particularly pronounced in its senior housing division. By cultivating deep sector expertise in-house, Hawkeye aims to create a competitive advantage that differentiates it from competitors who may rely on external managers. This integrated approach allows for greater control over investment execution and operational strategy, from sourcing deals to managing assets.

Scott McArtor, Co-Managing Partner of Hawkeye Partners, underscored the importance of this direction in the company's announcement. "Brandi's addition further reinforces our commitment to building a best-in-class senior housing platform led by specialists with deep sector expertise," he stated. "As we continue advancing Hawkeye Senior Housing Fund I, we believe the combination of experienced investment leadership, institutional asset management capabilities, and strong operator relationships meaningfully differentiates our platform."

An Industry Heavyweight with a Proven Track Record

Brandi Healey is widely recognized as a powerhouse in the senior housing and healthcare real estate sectors, bringing over 15 years of dedicated experience to Hawkeye. Her resume includes senior asset management roles at some of the industry's most prominent REITs, including Sabra Health Care REIT, Ventas, and Omega Healthcare Investors.

Most recently, she served as a Director at Harrison Street, a leading investment management firm. There, she was instrumental in overseeing an approximately $3 billion senior housing portfolio that included core, opportunistic, and separate account strategies. Her tenure was marked by significant achievements, including leading approximately $1.7 billion in dispositions and executing $2 billion in debt refinancings and modifications, all while driving strategic operational initiatives across the portfolio.

This extensive background is precisely what Hawkeye sought to fuel its platform's growth. Steve Blazejewski, Partner and Head of Senior Housing at Hawkeye Partners, praised her credentials, calling her "one of the most experienced and respected asset management professionals in the senior housing industry."

"Her experience at Harrison Street and other leading healthcare real estate organizations brings tremendous depth to our platform," Blazejewski said. "She combines institutional asset management expertise with a highly operational mindset and deep operator relationships, which we believe will be a significant advantage as we continue building the Hawkeye senior housing business."

Capitalizing on a Booming, Challenging Market

Hawkeye's strategic push comes at a critical moment for the U.S. senior housing market. The sector is being propelled by an unprecedented demographic shift, often called the "age wave." The population aged 80 and over is projected to nearly double by 2035, creating immense and sustained demand for needs-based housing and care.

Following a post-pandemic recovery, market fundamentals have strengthened considerably. Occupancy rates have seen 18 consecutive quarters of increases, with projections suggesting they will approach 90% by the end of 2025. This demand surge is colliding with a significant supply constraint. Construction starts for new senior housing communities have fallen to their lowest levels since 2009, hampered by a 28% increase in construction costs since 2020 and persistent labor shortages. This imbalance has created what some analysts estimate to be a $275 billion development gap, with a projected shortage of over 550,000 senior living units by 2030.

This supply-demand dynamic has created a fertile ground for knowledgeable investors. With rent growth expected to exceed 5% annually over the next three years, well-positioned firms with strong operational capabilities are poised for substantial returns. Hawkeye's strategy to target modern, needs-based properties in high-barrier, demographically attractive markets appears tailor-made for this environment.

Navigating a Competitive Landscape

Hawkeye is entering a competitive arena populated by established players, including large public REITs like Welltower and Ventas, specialized private equity firms such as Healey's former employer Harrison Street, and massive operators like Brookdale Senior Living. To succeed, differentiation is key.

The firm's strategy hinges on leveraging its in-house expertise to forge strong partnerships with what it calls "best-in-class operators and developers who are highly selective in their choice of capital partners." This relationship-driven approach, powered by the deep industry connections brought by leaders like Healey, is designed to unlock proprietary investment opportunities that may not be available on the open market.

By combining institutional-scale capital with a nuanced, operational mindset, Hawkeye is betting it can offer a more aligned and attractive partnership than its larger, more commoditized competitors. The successful recruitment of Brandi Healey is a clear validation of this strategy and a powerful statement of intent to the rest of the industry. As Hawkeye Senior Housing Fund I is deployed, the market will be watching closely to see how this newly reinforced team executes its ambitious vision for the future of senior living investment.