Image
ABOUT
Debra A. Cafaro
Chairman and CEO
Director since 1999
Director since 1999
Key Experience and Qualifications
Ms. Cafaro brings to our Board substantial executive and board leadership experience. A recognized industry leader, Ms. Cafaro led the transformation of Ventas into a preeminent S&P 500 company by setting and overseeing a long-term strategy that drove the Company’s market capitalization from $0.3 billion since her leadership began in 1999 to over $40 billion in 2026. Under Ms. Cafaro’s leadership, the Company’s annualized total shareholder return (TSR) has approximated 19% for the 26 years ended December 31, 2025. Prior to joining Ventas, Ms. Cafaro was President and a Director of an NYSE-listed multi-family REIT.
Professional Experience
- Ventas, Inc.
- Chairman of the Board (since 2003)
- Chief Executive Officer and Director (since 1999)
- President (1999-2010)
- President and Director, Ambassador Apartments, Inc. (formerly NYSE: AAH), a multi-family REIT (1997-1999)
Private Boards and Community Service
- Member, Board of Directors of the Civic Committee and the Commercial Club of Chicago
- Former Chair, Real Estate Roundtable
- Former Chair, Board of Directors of The Economic Club of Chicago
- Former Chair of the Executive Board, National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (Nareit)
Other Current Public Company Directorships
- PNC Financial Services Group Inc. (NYSE: PNC) (since 2017)
Prior Public Company Directorships
- Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) (2007-2016)
- Ambassador Apartments, Inc. (formerly NYSE: AAH) (1997-1999)