Meet Elisa Orlanski Ours

An ongoing series from The Alumni Society spotlighting its impressive members

 Alma mater: Columbia | Location: New York City

Where are you from?

I’m originally from Princeton, New Jersey, but both of my parents are from Buenos Aires. All of my extended family is still in Argentina, and our roots there run deep. Spending part of my childhood in Buenos Aires — especially during 5th and 6th grade — shaped my early appreciation for architecture, neighborhoods, and the way people live and move through cities in South America.

What are you up to today?

I’ve been with Corcoran Sunshine for 21 years, overseeing planning and design across our global portfolio. I work with developers and architects to shape early design decisions — everything from program mix and unit logic to amenity strategy, product positioning, and long‑term value planning. I’m proud that Corcoran Sunshine has been the industry’s leading new development partner for decades, collectively selling many billions of dollars in luxury residential real estate. Our team is consistently the top‑selling group in the space, and our work spans some of the most significant developments in New York and beyond. In addition to my role at CS, I serve as a board advisor to Southworth Developments, supporting their governance, portfolio strategy, and brand development.

What is a career accomplishment you’re proud of?

I’m proud of guiding transformative residential and mixed‑use projects where thoughtful planning measurably improves livability, market performance, and long‑term asset value. Any project where design choices lead to a stronger, more enduring place for residents feels like an accomplishment. I’m equally proud of community work: supporting food‑insecure New York City public school students during the pandemic, assisting mothers transitioning from abuse shelters, and most recently helping my kids assemble essentials kits for more than 200 students living in homeless shelters. I’m passionate about expanding opportunities for girls pursuing STEM and architecture. I taught at Columbia for several years and continue to lecture at places like Salone del Mobile, Harvard, and Yale’s real estate and architecture programs.

What benefits or values do you seek in networking platforms such as The Alumni Society?

I value communities that bring together people with shared ambition, diverse backgrounds, and a desire to make meaningful impact. I’m especially drawn to networks that foster genuine connection, open dialogue, and cross‑disciplinary collaboration. I love connecting people — whether recommending architects for major projects, organizing gatherings for Latina executive women, or bringing together real estate leaders, architects, and engineers to support future generations.

What are you passionate about or what drives you?

I’m driven by the idea that great design can genuinely improve people’s daily lives. I’m passionate about the intersection of planning, architecture, and human behavior — how people live, move, rest, and connect within a space. Creating environments that feel intuitive, considered, and future‑ready inspires me every day. I’m also passionate about food, hospitality, operations, and technology — and the ways each of these influences how people experience place.

Connect with Elisa Orlanski Ours.