Christopher Merrill

Christopher "Topher" Merrill (born 1971) is an American real estate investment manager and business executive who is the co-founder and Global CEO of Harrison Street Asset Management. A real estate, infrastructure, and private credit investment management firm that he established with former Motorola Inc. chairman and CEO Chris Galvin and his brother Michael Galvin in 2005.

Early life and education Merrill was born in Okinawa, Japan, in 1971, where his father was serving as a doctor in the Army. and also worked part-time at a commercial bank. He received his MBA from the Bayes Business School (formerly known as CASS School of Business) in London, England.

Career Merrill started his career at global real estate investment management firm Heitman, where he launched Heitman's first foreign investment fund, and eventually became a partner and managing director. In July 2025, Colliers announced that it would rebrand its entire investment management division as Harrison Street Asset Management and appointed Merrill as Global CEO, thereby making him the largest individual shareholder at the time.

Personal life Merrill and his wife, Peyton, are involved in various Chicago community efforts through their work with First Tee, PanCAN, and Rush Hospital. They have three children together. Merrill is also known by his nickname, “Topher”.

Board positions

Merrill serves as Vice Chair on the board of the Pension Real Estate Association (“PREA”) Merrill is also on the boards of Rush University Medical Board (Facilities Committee), TCU Center for Real Estate, Roanoke College, the real estate advisory boards of Gore Creek and Kinship Capital, Salisbury School. He also served on the boards of the University of Wisconsin and Chicago Botanic Garden. He is a Trustee of the First Tee and on the board of the Chicago Chapter. Merrill is a member of YPO, Economic Club of Chicago and Chicago Commonwealth Club and the Real Estate Roundtable.

Awards & Recognition

Recipient of the prestigious 2025 Horatio Alger Award. Recognized on Crain’s Chicago Business’ Who's Who in Chicago Business 2024 and 40 Under 40 List in 2009. Recognized as “Industry Figure of the Year - Global” by PERE as part of its 2022 awards series. In January 2013, Real Estate Forum named Merrill as one of “Chicago’s Real Estate Icons."