Don Walker brings 36 years of experience leading and developing high-performing teams that drive growth across the real estate industry. He is a recognized expert in build-to-rent (BTR), single-family rental (SFR), and homebuilding, with deep specialization in housing product planning, land banking, homebuilding M&A, recapitalization, and valuation of real estate portfolios. Drawing on his background as the lead executive at a national homebuilder and as a CFO, Don bridges housing strategy and financial insights, translating insights into actionable and profitable investment strategies.
Prior to joining Zonda, Don spent 18 years at John Burns Research and Consulting, where, as President, CFO, and Managing Principal, he played a pivotal role in growing the firm from a regional boutique into a nationally recognized platform while fostering a culture of excellence. Earlier in his career, Don served as First Senior Vice President and General Manager of McMillin Homes, leading the company’s expansion into a national Top 40 homebuilder with approximately 2,000 annual closings. He also previously held a leadership role at KPMG as Manager and Co-Director of the firm’s Real Estate Consulting Group.
Don is a frequent industry speaker and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Urban Land Institute’s BTR Council. He is also a founding member of the San Diego State University Real Estate Advisory Board. Don holds a B.S. in Real Estate Finance from San Diego State University and a Professional Certification in Accounting from UC San Diego.
