Irina Zavina-Tare

Co-Founder, Highridge Search

A little bit about Irina…

Irina Zavina-Tare specializes in talent advisory with a focus on real estate investments, credit, and hospitality. She is the co-founder of Highridge Search, an executive search firm dedicated to building exceptional leadership teams that drive meaningful value in complex investment projects.

Leveraging her extensive background in sourcing, underwriting, structuring, and managing investments, Irina possesses a deep understanding of the essential talent required to ensure project success. Her expertise extends across diverse asset classes including mixed-use developments, lodging, multifamily properties, food & beverage establishments, and neighborhood revitalization initiatives—enriching and meaningful experiences that enhance communities.

Her work spans strategies, project planning, acquisition/disposition, valuation, programming, talent development, and capital raising.

Prior to launching Highridge Search, Irina founded her own investment and development advisory firm, partnering with prominent organizations such as Sixty Hotels, Ray, and Rubicon Point. She also gained valuable experience through investment and business development roles at premier organizations including Gansevoort Hotel Group, Credit Suisse Asset Management, Starwood Capital, and American Express. Irina began her career as an Investment Banking Analyst with Merrill Lynch's Global Telecom and Media Group in New York, specializing in mergers, acquisitions, and corporate finance transactions, and further expanded her expertise through strategic alliance roles at Level 3 Communications.

Irina holds an AB in Mathematics and Economics, Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Chicago and earned her MBA from Harvard Business School.

Highridge Search’s Website

Irina’s LinkedIn Page