Thomas Whitesell

Head of Debt Investment Group at Kennedy Wilson

Speaker

Thomas Whitesell leads Kennedy Wilson’s Debt Investment Group, overseeing nationwide debt origination and portfolio management. The group currently manages more than $10 billion in assets.

Over his real estate finance career, Thomas has launched and led construction, bridge, and mezzanine lending platforms at banks and asset managers. He and his teams have originated and successfully managed more than $40 billion in loans across those strategies. In 2023, he orchestrated the sale of his 40-person Pacific Western Bank team, together with $5.7 billion of performing construction loans, to Kennedy Wilson and an asset management and insurance holding company. Before entering finance, Thomas practiced law in Iowa and California, representing life companies, banks, and other lenders in loan documentation, restructurings, and workouts.

Thomas holds a BA in Business Management and Political Science from Luther College and a JD from the University of Iowa.