Team

Joshua Crane is co-founder and principal of Spruce and S3 Capital and is responsible for sourcing and executing on all aspects of the business. Prior to founding S3 and Spruce Capital, he was at Irongate, where he developed the Trump International Hotel and Tower at Waikiki Beach Walk. Joshua also worked at Stellar Management, where he was involved in the acquisition of Independence Plaza, a 1,330-unit rental building in New York City’s Tribeca neighborhood and 2,000 units in Washington, D.C. Joshua began his career at Salomon Brothers in its Mergers and Acquisitions group. He graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Robert Schwartz is co-founder and principal of Spruce and S3 Capital, and leads acquisitions, financing and day-to-day management for the firm. Prior to founding Spruce and S3 Capital, Robert helped run a successful family business where he established and grew the family’s real estate investment program. Robert began his career as an investment banker at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette and UBS, in their Financial Institution Coverage groups. He is a graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he serves on the Executive Board.

Matan Kurman joined S3 Capital Partners at its inception in July 2014 to manage day-to-day operations and underwriting of loans. Prior to working for S3 Capital Partners, he was an acquisition intern at Brookwood Financial Partners in Beverly, MA. Mr. Kurman previously served as a Captain in the Israeli Air Force as an F-16 fighter pilot. During this time he gained experience planning and executing complex operational missions. In addition, he managed system installation, and supervised schedule and training scenarios for an F-16 Simulator Unit. He earned his undergraduate degree from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Beersheba, Israel with a B.A. in political science, and his MBA from Brandeis University in Waltham, MA. He is fluent in English and Hebrew.

Shawn Safdie is a Managing Director at S3 Capital Partners where he focuses on loan origination, business development, structuring and underwriting. He excels at developing new relationships, maintaining existing ones and executing transactions. Mr. Safdie has more than a decade of experience in the real estate credit business, focusing on bridge lending. He has a B.A in Business Management & Finance from CUNY Brooklyn College.

Alan Purser is the Global Head of Capital Formation for Spruce and S3 Capital. Alan has over twenty years of industry experience in capital raising, joint ventures, programmatic equity, and strategy development. Most recently he was the Global Head of Client Services and Marketing for Stockbridge, a $15 billion institutional core and value platform. Alan previously worked at Heitman first as a Senior Vice President and then as the Global Head of Consultant Relations. Prior to joining Heitman, Alan worked for Deutsche Bank/RREEF and focused on cultivating new and existing relationships for their alternatives investment platform. Alan received his BBA from North Carolina State University, and is a Series 7, 63, and 79 Registered Representative. He is a member of the Pension Real Estate Association, the National Association of Office and Industrial Professionals, the Urban Land Institute and the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Ari Kalton is the Controller and Chief Compliance Officer of S3 Capital. Ari overseas the financial reporting, tax and accounting for our real estate debt funds and is responsible for implementing the firm’s overall compliance program. Prior to joining S3 Capital, Ari served a Controller for DH Property Holdings overseeing all aspects of their financial reporting, accounting and cash management functions, and a Director in the Alternative Investments Assurance Practice in PricewaterhouseCoopers. Ari is a New York State Certified Public Accountant who graduated from Yeshiva University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting.

Steven Jemal joined S3 Capital Partners in October 2016 to originate and underwrite loans for the firm. Prior to working for S3 Capital Partners, he was an originator and acquisitions associate at Hirshmark Capital where he sourced and underwrote debt and equity investments for the firm. Mr. Jemal earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Yeshiva University’s Sy Syms School of Business with a B.S. in Finance and Management.

Aidan Birnbaum joined S3 Capital in April of 2021 as an Analyst. In this role, he assists with the underwriting of new and existing loans, day to day management of fund operations, and portfolio oversight. Aidan recently worked at Angelo Gordon and a Los Angeles based Qualified Opportunity Fund. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 2020 with a degree in Economics.

Tanya is an Office Manager and Executive assistant for S3 Capital.  She has a B.S. degree from Cuny College of Staten Island.

Jackson Gray joined S3 Capital as an analyst in June of 2022. In his role, he underwrites new and existing loans and assists with day-to-day operations. Prior to joining S3 Capital, Jackson interned at Blackthorne Capital Management, a quantitative hedge fund focused on commodities, futures, and global indices in Whitewater, Wisconsin. He graduated from the Wisconsin School of Business in May of 2022 with a B.B.A. in both Finance and Real Estate.”

Olga Lisina joined S3 Capital Partners in January 2017 as a Fund Accountant. Prior to joining S3, she worked as a Payroll Manager and Accountant at Branded Restaurants USA. She also worked as a bank teller at Santander Bank. She has her BBA in Finance from Baruch College of CUNY, and Bachelor of Engineering from Ukrainian Academy of Printing. She is fluent in Russian and Ukrainian.

Sam Pennell joined S3 Capital in 2021 as an Analyst. In this role, he is responsible for underwriting new loans and preparing investment committee materials. Prior to his role at S3, Sam had several internships in residential brokerage, development marketing, and investment banking. He received a B.B.A. — with concentrations in Finance and Real Estate — from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. Sam graduated with high distinction, earning membership to the Beta Gamma Sigma business honor society. During his time at Emory, Sam was also a member of the varsity baseball team. 

Nick Peragallo joined S3 Capital in February 2022 as an Analyst. In this role, he assists with the underwriting of new and existing loans, day to day management of fund operations, and portfolio oversight. Prior to S3, Nick worked at Apprise by Walker & Dunlop as an Associate Commercial Real Estate Appraiser. He received his B.S. in Finance and Management from the Boston College Carroll School of Management in 2020.

Richard Racanelli joined S3 Capital Partners in 2022 as an Analyst. In this role, he is responsible for underwriting and evaluating new and existing loans, overseeing the S3 Construction portfolio, and assisting in day-to-day operations. Mr. Racanelli previously worked at Racanelli Construction Company as an Assistant Project Superintendent, among other roles in project management. He received his B.S. in Management from Boston College in 2022 with concentrations in Finance and Management & Leadership.

Kyle Quattrocchi joined S3 Capital in June 2022 as an Analyst. In this role, he is responsible for underwriting and evaluating new and existing loans, day to day management of fund operations, and portfolio oversight. Additionally, Kyle assists in Capital Formation, with responsibilities including coordinating diligence with prospect LPs and creating marketing materials. Prior to joining S3 Capital, Kyle previously worked as an investments intern at Seritage Growth Properties. Kyle received a B.S. in Economics with a concentration in Finance from Duke University.

Brett Schenkman joined S3 Capital Partners in 2021 as an Analyst. In this role, he is responsible for underwriting and evaluating new and existing loans, overseeing the S3 Construction portfolio, and assisting in day-to-day operations. Mr. Schenkman previously worked at Hunter Roberts Construction Group as an Assistant Project Accountant. He received his B.S. in Business Administration from Boston University in 2019.

Ari Stein joined S3 Capital Partners in 2017. He is responsible for managing the S3 construction portfolio and overseeing the construction draw process. Mr. Stein previously worked EMCO Plumbing and has five years of onsite construction management experience. He graduated in 2015 from Queens College summa cum laude with a BA in Political Science and Government.

Joe Tages joined S3 Capital as a Fund Accountant in May of 2022. Prior to his role at S3, Joe worked in public accounting for three years at CBIZ/Marks Paneth. He attended Pace University, where he received his undergraduate and master’s degree in accounting in 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Alexander Wrede joined S3 Capital Partners in 2018 as an Analyst. In this role, he is responsible for underwriting and evaluating new and existing loans, overseeing the S3 construction portfolio, and assisting in day-to-day operations. Mr. Wrede previously worked at Dow Jones and nH2. He received his B.S. in Business Administration and Finance from Bucknell University Freeman School of Management in 2018.

Connie Leung, has a diverse experience in traditional and crypto accounting, transitioned into the role of Fund Accountant at S3 Capital Partners in May 2023. Prior joining S3, Connie worked as an Accountant/Data Integration Specialist at CoinSolv SaSS and an Accountant at Hawx Services LLC. Connie holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting and a Master’s Accounting with an emphasis in Information Systems, both from the University of Utah, David Eccles School of Business.