2025 Young Alumni Achievement Award
Jonathan L. Strauss ’16
The Young Alumni Achievement Award recognizes a young alum (graduated within the past two to ten years) who has achieved exceptional success in their profession.
Jonathan L. Strauss ’16 is a principal and cofounder of Cortex Residential (Cortex), an investment firm focused on acquiring, developing, and managing rental apartment properties with a strong commitment to affordable housing. Cortex manages a portfolio of more than 1,000 apartments and is actively engaged in new developments. At Cortex, Jonathan drives the firm’s development strategy, sources and structures transactions, and helps lead a 20-person team overseeing daily operations.
Before cofounding Cortex, Jonathan was director of acquisitions at City Center Group, where he contributed to more than $1 billion in commercial real estate projects, including the development of more than 1,000 apartment units and 1,000,000 square feet of commercial space.
Jonathan’s journey from a biology major at ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ to a career in real estate took an unconventional path. After transferring to ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ following his time at the US Naval Academy, he formed influential relationships that reshaped his ambitions. A pivotal lunch with alumnus Robert Verrone ’90 inspired Jonathan to shift his focus from medicine to real estate. Additionally, internships facilitated by Andrew Hart ’90 and Tom Ortwein ’77 provided transformative professional experiences at Tiffany & Co. in New York and Bangkok.
While still an undergraduate at ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½, Jonathan operated an event-based T-shirt business with Patrick Perone ’15. During Jonathan’s senior year, the two developed a small student-housing portfolio near campus, laying the foundation for Cortex.
Beyond his professional achievements, Jonathan is deeply committed to his community. He serves on the Board of Governors for the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority and previously served as a trustee of ÐÔÊÀ½ç´«Ã½ from 2014 to 2016. As a cofounder of The Real Estate Lab, a nonprofit organization, Jonathan leverages his real estate expertise to empower local residents with the skills and mentorship needed to invest in and revitalize distressed properties, fostering sustainable growth within their communities.
Profile contributed by Jonathan Strauss ’16.