Rob Finlay has spent more than three decades at the intersection of finance, technology, and entrepreneurship, building a reputation as both an innovator and leader in the commercial real estate industry. He is the founder and CEO of Defease With Ease | Thirty Capital, where he leverages over 35 years of experience in investing, capital markets, debt optimization, securitization, and financial technology.
With deep expertise in structured finance, risk management, and market intelligence, Rob has built and scaled multiple businesses that help CRE firms—including the properties he personally owns and operates—enhance liquidity, streamline debt management, and strengthen portfolio performance. His vision has consistently centered on integrating data-driven solutions into capital markets, enabling firms to mitigate interest rate risk and make smarter financial decisions.
Before launching his own companies, Rob began his career on Wall Street, working at Credit Suisse, Lehman Brothers, and Deutsche Bank, where he sharpened his understanding of global markets and financial structures. Those years gave him not only technical expertise but also a broader perspective on how capital flows shape businesses, industries, and entire economies.
Rob is also an accomplished author whose writing reflects the dual paths of his life—one in business and one in family. His Wall Street Journal best-selling book, Beyond the Building, provides CRE operators with a practical guide to building a competitive advantage through innovation and long-term strategy. His second book, Hey Dad…, takes a more personal turn, offering young adults an honest and often humorous guide to navigating the unpredictable journey into adulthood. Together, these works highlight both sides of Rob’s identity: the seasoned executive who knows how to scale companies, and the father who wants to pass down wisdom in a way that resonates.
At the heart of Rob’s story is not just his success in capital markets or entrepreneurship, but his devotion to creating long-term value—whether that means solving business challenges, mentoring the next generation, or building family traditions. As a father of four, Rob has learned as much from parenting as he has from business leadership, and he often brings those lessons into both boardrooms and books.
