Maisy Wong

Maisy Wong is the James T. Riady Professor of Real Estate and Director of the Zell/Lurie Real Estate Center at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She has been an Associate Professor since 2017 and previously served as Assistant Professor (2008-2017) and Assistant Director of the Grayken Program in International Real Estate (2017-2021). Her research intersects urban economics, real estate finance, and development economics, with a focus on land markets, slum upgrading, and policy impacts.

• Ph.D. in Economics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2008)
• B.A. in Economics from University of California, Berkeley (2003)

Wong’s work examines historical colonial institutions' influence on urban development (e.g., Dutch settlements in Jakarta), conflicts of interest in real estate finance (e.g., CMBS servicer ownership changes), and policy interventions in slums. Her research often spans geographic contexts like Indonesia and Singapore, blending spatial analysis with economic modeling. Recent publications include studies on ethnic quotas in housing markets and the long-term effects of slum upgrading programs.

Her teaching emphasizes global real estate markets, covering risks such as currency, political instability, and cultural differences. Courses like REAL2050/7050 and REAL2090/7210 target MBA and undergraduate students, integrating qualitative risk analysis with cross-border investment strategies. Scientific awards include the Wharton Teaching Excellence Reward (2018) and the Undergraduate Division Excellence in Teaching Award (2017-2018).