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Meet Our Team

Meet the Team

Executive Team

TOPAZ’s senior team of investment professionals average over 50 years of real estate experience. Our culture prioritizes honesty, integrity, and transparency. We strive to deliver best-in-class client service through industry best practices.

Marc A. Hershberg

Managing Partner & CEO

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J. Etan Friedman

Managing Partner & COO

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Team Members

Mark Reich

Chief Financial Officer

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Sharon Steffen

VP, Asset Management

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Jaclyn Alvarado

Creative Marketing Director

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Nicole Cawed

Executive Administrative Manager

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Interested in Joining Our Team

TOPAZ is proud of its ability to recruit, develop, promote and retain best-in-class talent without focus on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and veteran or disability status, promoting a workforce that is as diverse as the communities it serves.

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Marc A. Hershberg

Managing Partner & CEO

Marc A. Hershberg began his career at UBS Financial services, where he supported investment portfolios with total accounts in excess of a billion dollars with partnered and affiliated banks, insurance pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, public capital markets, and private equity firms. 

Prior to co-founding TOPAZ, Hershberg focused on Structured Finance and Private Debt at Brick Capital Group, a premier New York-based private equity and debt firm. At TOPAZ, Marc oversees the origination and structuring of all investment activities, as well as acquisitions, business development, investor relations, and overall strategic direction.

Hershberg is a thought leader in the multifamily real estate sector and regularly contributes to news outlets like GlobeSt, Commercial Observer, Multihousing News, Forbes, Wealth Management, and more. 

Hershberg graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Management from the Sy Syms Business School at Yeshiva University and holds a Master of Science in Real Estate Investments and Finance from New York University, where he often serves as a guest lecturer.

Hershberg spends his free time traveling with his family and devotes himself to local, national, and international philanthropies. 

J. Etan Friedman

Managing Partner & COO

Etan Friedman began his career working in acquisitions at Treetop Development, where he oversaw the underwriting, due diligence, and closing of over half a billion dollars in multifamily units across North America. Friedman’s experience spans both free market and government-subsidized HUD multifamily residential housing.

Friedman co-founded TOPAZ in late 2017 and focuses on the company’s acquisitions, asset management, and finance platforms. Since joining TOPAZ, Friedman has enhanced the overall back office and asset management operations while streamlining the underwriting process.

Friedman graduated magna cum laude from Baruch College Newman School of Real Estate.

Mark Reich

Chief Financial Officer

Mark Reich began his career at Ernst & Young and Golden Tree Asset Management, a large distressed debt hedge fund, where he served as Assistant Controller handling all matters relating to accounting, tax, and financial planning.

As acting CFO of TOPAZ, Reich oversees back office operations and finances. Reich is also Managing Partner of River Edge Advisors LLC, a boutique accounting, financial consulting, and back office firm.

Reich earned his Master of Business Administration from the NYU Stern School of Business, where he focused on Finance and International Finance.

Reich holds an undergraduate degree from Touro College and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of New York.

Reich spends much of his time traveling with his family and devotes time to local, national, and international philanthropies.

Sharon Steffen, NAAEI, CAM

Vice President, Asset Management

Sharon Steffen brings over 25 years of expertise in multifamily property management, specializing in operations, renovations, marketing strategies, and fiscal oversight. Her leadership has spanned roles at AMC LLC, The Lynd Company, Greystar, and Equity Residential, where she managed multi-site portfolios, conducted property repositioning, and enhanced value through strategic planning and execution.

Currently serving as Vice President of Asset Management at Topaz Capital Group LLC, Steffen excels in supervising multi-site staff, vetting contractors and vendors, and ensuring optimal property performance through meticulous budgeting and reporting. A NAAEI-certified instructor, she actively trains teams to elevate leasing and management standards.

Steffen is deeply involved in the multifamily housing community. She has served as a board member for the First Coast Apartment Association for over 10 years, a board director for the Florida Apartment Association, and an FAA Delegate. Her extensive committee work and advocacy efforts highlight her dedication to industry excellence.

Steffen holds a background in Business and Arts from FCCJ Community College and is proficient in property management systems such as MRI, Rent Roll, AMSI, YARDI, and One-site. She remains committed to supporting local charities and advancing legislative efforts in the housing sector.

Jaclyn Alvarado

Creative Marketing Director

Jaclyn Alvarado began her creative career 18 years ago at Oxford University Press and nonprofit organizations, where she created and managed marketing, graphic design, and communications campaigns.

As Creative Marketing Director at TOPAZ, Jaclyn oversees all marketing, public relations, and branding for the firm. Alvarado also freelances for J2 Design, a graphic and web firm, where she helps entrepreneurs craft and execute their creative vision.

Alvarado obtained her Bachelors of Graphic Design and Advertising from the School of Visual Arts in New York.

Nicole Cawed

Executive Administrative Manager

Nicole Cawed has nearly two decades of administrative experience at real estate and private equity firms.

As Executive Administrative Manager of TOPAZ, Cawed is responsible for the organization, administration, compliance, and logistics of the firm. Cawed is also responsible for ad hoc projects for the company, as needed.

Cawed holds a bachelors and graduate degree in business management from an international college.