Empowering Employers.
Developing Solutions.
Housing availability plays a critical role in the development of a healthy vibrant workforce.
We believe that employers thrive when employees have the opportunity to live in the community where they work. Employers must play a more active role in developing housing solutions that address the needs of their employees – we are here to help.
At Oldivai, we empower employers to strategically develop housing solutions that grow their business and cultivate their workforce.
Our mission is to partner with employers to craft efficient workforce housing solutions that are both well located and affordable for working families. This begins with a housing consultation. We leverage the Oldivai Index, our market analytics tool, to assess housing affordability for your local workforce and partner with you define potential solutions. This may mean creating targeted housing support programs for your employees or leveraging under utilized land in your portfolio to developing new housing options. Every market and every employer is unique – we can help define the right solution for you.
We look forward to partnering with you !
Our Mission.
Oldivai partners with employers, cities, and community stakeholders to leverage underutilized land to accelerate infill redevelopment of workforce housing for the “missing middle”.
Meet our leadership team and learn more about the “Why” behind Oldivai.
Workforce housing represents a critical and undersupplied market segment. Home prices have risen over 40% since 2020—more than double the pace of wage growth—while rents continue to climb, leaving nearly half of all renters cost-burdened. Despite this, the majority of new development targets luxury units, neglecting households earning 80–120% of Area Median Income (AMI). Essential workers—teachers, nurses, first responders, and service employees—are increasingly priced out of the communities they serve.
For both employers and communities, addressing this “missing middle” is vital to sustaining economic growth and maintaining a stable, in-person workforce.
Constructing a Process,
Not Just Building a Project.
From the beginning, we have focused on creating a standardized repeatable PROCESS for housing development.
Grounded in a product centered LEAN/Six-Sigma manufacturing methodology that can scale nationally, we focus on strategic partnerships, cost-efficient development solutions, and systems-based approaches that increase the total workforce housing inventory. Next level strategies that benefit both employers and their employees. We are doing more than simply constructing projects — we seek to transform the delivery of housing.
Modular Construction.
Templated Design.
Project Zero: Proving our Standardized Modular Template
We believe in the value of modern, factory-based, modular construction. Project Zero, our 10-unit pilot project in Spokane, Washington validated our standardized template and has become the foundation for future developments. Modules are constructed in a factory with finished interiors. Site work occurs in parallel, accelerating the development cycle. Completed modules are trucked to the site and stacked onto the finished foundation by crane. Exterior siding, utility connections and final site work occur once the modules were set. Total construction time: 8 months.
Our Team.
Founded in 2022 with a vision to bring employer focused housing solutions to market, Oldivai is led by a highly accomplished executive team with deep, complementary expertise across real estate development, operations, and project management. Collectively, the leadership brings decades of institutional experience overseeing billions of dollars in real estate assets, investments, and development projects across diverse market sectors. Our roots are deep in the healthcare sector, with a keen understanding of the needs of this labor-intensive industry. We specialize in partnering with hospitals, schools and other large employers who depend on having a stable in-person workforce.
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John Milne, MD, MBA
Chief Executive Officer
As the former Senior Vice President of Real Estate at Providence St. Joseph Health, John led strategy and operations for the system’s $16 billion real estate portfolio. Bringing that depth of experience to the formation of Oldivai Capital, he ardently believes that safe, secure, affordable housing catalyzes a thriving local economy. A practicing emergency physician, serial entrepreneur, and seasoned executive, John leads Oldivai’s strategic development and capital initiatives to providing housing that is affordable within our target communities.
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Susan Gillespie, MBA
Chief Operating Officer
A Lean Six Sigma Black Belt who formerly served as the Executive Director for Real Estate Operations at Providence St. Joseph Health, Susan embodies Oldivai Capital’s ‘get it done’ mentality. Having led over $400 million in commercial real estate development, with a strong background in operations, project management and Human Resources, she has a well earned reputation for delivering projects on time and under budget. Bringing to Oldivai Capital a long standing passion for workforce housing, Susan leads real estate transactions, housing design and construction, and ongoing property management.
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Daniel Kaufman
President
Bringing more than 25 years of expertise in real estate development, construction, and impact investing. Over the course of his career, Daniel has led the investment of seven equity funds, resulting in over $2 billion in property investments and the financing and development of more than 10,000 housing units. He is an active member of the Urban Land Institute Affordable Workforce Housing Council, the National Multi Housing Council, the Pension Real Estate Association, and the Aspen Institute First Movers Fellowship, His leadership has positioned him as one of the nation’s foremost impact managers, driving sustainable and inclusive projects that prioritize community well-being. At Oldivai, Daniel continues to harness his extensive experience and vision to deliver transformative projects that create lasting value for communities and stakeholders alike.