Founder, Chief Executive
Cottonwood Group
Alexander Shing is the founder and chief executive of Cottonwood Group, a private equity real estate investment firm launched in 2022. With more than 22 years of global finance experience, he has guided Cottonwood in transactions or advisory work totaling more than $7.2 billion in assets nationwide. Notably, the firm closed $1 billion in total commitments for its Real Estate Special Situations Strategy in August 2025.
First job: Chief executive of a software company
he founded during his junior year at MIT in 1999
Favorite book: “How the Mind Works” by
Steven Pinker
Favorite pastime or hobby: Hiking, squash and exploring wine and whiskey tastings
Favorite quote: “Even a broken clock is right twice a day.”
YEARS ON LA500: 2 Years on the LA500
