Our Team
Abide Capital Group is a multifamily real estate investment manager, focused on investment strategies that garner outsized returns based on macro-economic trends. We approach each investment by combining a disciplined balance of data analysis and local expertise.
Derrick Hawthorne
Founder, Managing Partner and CEO
Derrick has over 15 years of experience in the real estate industry, spanning asset management, development, and acquisitions. Prior to founding Abide Capital Group, his responsibilities as vice president of asset management and acquisitions at Draper and Kramer focused on leading the asset management department and designing an asset management platform for the Draper and Kramer portfolio of apartment properties. This included the financial management, operations, and strategic direction of existing and newly acquired assets. Additionally, he focused on maximizing value by creating asset strategic plans, analyzing asset budgets, capital expenditures, sourcing and underwriting asset acquisitions, and executing dispositions.
Prior to Draper and Kramer, Derrick helped to lead asset management for Redwood Capital Group and The Habitat Company. He focused on the investment goals and value maximization for a portfolio of assets throughout five metropolitan service areas. He was continually seeking strategic opportunities to refinance, reposition, and acquire new assets.
Derrick received a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University, an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and holds the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation.
Kyle Smith
Managing Partner and CIO
Kyle is responsible for sourcing, winning, and executing business across all service lines, including acquisition, asset management and development, within the Southeast. Before joining Abide, Kyle worked for Stream Realty Partners, leading the company’s life science platform providing development advisory, leasing, and investment sales services for clients nationwide. Prior to Stream, Kyle worked for Sterling Bay, where he closed and managed the development of mixed-use, multifamily, industrial, and life science assets. His primary focus was Sterling Bay’s six billion dollar 60-acre megadevelopment, Lincoln Yards, in one of Chicago’s most affluent neighborhoods, Lincoln Park. Kyle previously held roles with other real estate companies including Heitman, USAA Real Estate, and HFF, which was acquired by JLL.
Prior to his civilian experience, Kyle served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst near Trenton, New Jersey, before transferring to Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia, as a Captain.
Kyle received a bachelor’s degree from Howard University and an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Nisha Mishra
Vice President of Acquisitions
As Vice President of Acquisitions at Abide, Nisha is responsible for sourcing, evaluating, and executing investment opportunities across the firm’s target markets. She leads underwriting, due diligence, and transaction execution efforts while working closely with internal and external partners to shape investment strategy and drive portfolio growth.
Before joining Abide, Nisha was Vice President of Investments at Trilogy, where she was responsible for creating synergies and communicating the firm’s investment and capital markets initiatives. Prior to joining Trilogy, Nisha was Vice President at Oxford Capital Group, where she was responsible for acquisitions and asset management, as well as raising capital from institutional investors. Nisha previously worked as an associate at CBRE in Capital Markets, Multifamily where she underwrote over $16 billion of core and value-add apartments, condo deconversions, and JV equity raises with the Chicago MSA. During her time at CBRE, Nisha was involved with over $3B in sale transactions comprising of nearly 15,000 units. She began her career at CohnReznick in the Valuation Advisory Services group.
Nisha received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and serves as a board member of the Real Estate Finance Forum (REFF) in Chicago.
Philip Kreis
Vice President of Investments
As Vice President of Investments at Abide, Philip drives the firm’s analytical and investment functions including underwriting, market analysis, and investor materials. He brings a strategic lens and data-driven clarity to decisions that support growth across the platform. In addition to evaluating new acquisitions, he helps refine internal processes, investment strategy, and communications to position the firm for long-term institutional scalability.
Prior to joining Abide, Philip built a well-rounded track record across multifamily acquisitions, development, operations, and fund management. He has helped lead over 50 syndications, 12 joint ventures, and 2 fund formations, stewarding more than $120 million in investor capital across assets valued above $400 million. His experience includes structuring investment platforms, enhancing asset performance, and leading capital formation across both equity and debt. His career blends institutional training from CBRE and Lennar with ground-up leadership in fast-growth entrepreneurial environments.
Philip earned an MBA with honors from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in real estate finance from the University of Northern Iowa. He holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) and Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designations. He is also active in international impact investing, endurance sports, and his local Christian church community.