Let’s Brainsorm is led by Marcus Brooks and Jeffrey Ferguson. Each possesses over 20 years of professional experience working in either real estate, corporate finance, consulting or law. This mixture of experience and expertise allows Let’s Brainstorm to function as a one-stop-shop for all your real estate development needs . Together they lead a team of consultants and support staff to provide institutional level advisory services with the care and attentiveness of a boutique advisory firm.
Marcus J. Brooks
Marcus J. Brooks hails from New York City where he uniquely combines his formal business skill sets in leadership, organizational development, and entrepreneurship with his deep passion for human development and experiential learning. Marcus has held finance positions in insurance, debt and equity real estate finance, as well as investment banking. His career has also expanded into management roles in the outdoor industry where he has been an accomplished outdoor adventure guide, leading expeditions to the Canadian Rockies (9,000+ ft.), Peruvian Andes (15,000+ ft.) and Kilimanjaro (19,341 ft.).
Currently, Marcus serves as a Senior Facilitator with Cornell’s Team & Leadership Center, Senior Management Consultant and Trainer with Cornell’s Department of Organizational Development & Effectiveness. He is also the Chair of the Men of Color Colleague Network Group as well as the Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) Representative on Cornell University’s Employee Assembly. He is also the Head Nerd in Charge of Let’s Brainstorm, a strategy, leadership, and finance consulting company. His speeches and workshop topics of expertise include, crisis management, introductory to advanced negotiations, diversity, microaggressions, sexual violence prevention, & emotional intelligence, to name a few.
He has facilitated programming for all aspects of the higher education and private industry. Further, he has served as a strategy consultant to women entrepreneurs with a focus on leadership, communication, and finance.
Marcus’ certifications span from being a Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) and Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM), to being a certified Emotional Intelligence (EQ-i 2.0) assessment administrator and certified Executive Coach. He earned both his Bachelors of Arts in Environmental Science & Pre-Med, as well as his Masters in Business Administration in Strategy & Finance, both from Columbia University. Marcus currently resides in Syracuse, NY with his wife of 20 years, his 12-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son.
Jeffrey T. Ferguson
Jeffrey Ferguson is a highly accomplished valuation expert with extensive experience in corporate banking, venture capital and private equity. With a remarkable background in valuation, he has made significant contributions to Empire Valuation Consultants and KPMG, where he has honed his expertise in assessing the value of businesses and investment opportunities.
Jeffrey’s journey in the financial industry has been marked by noteworthy positions and achievements. He led the Enterprise Valuation Group within Capital One’s corporate bank, overseeing valuation strategies and providing valuable insights for decision-making processes. During this time, he gained invaluable deal experience, particularly with highly leveraged companies and special situations.
With deep industry knowledge and a proven track record, Jeffrey has built a robust network of connections within the finance and investment community. His expertise in valuation and experience in navigating complex financial landscapes have solidified his reputation as a trusted advisor and a sought-after professional.
Jeffrey also teaches financial modeling and corporate finance with Training the Street, Wall Street’s preeminent organization dedicated to preparing analysts and associates for investment banking and private equity roles.
Prior to working in corporate finance, Jeffrey worked as an attorney in the areas of financial regulation. Jeffrey started his career with the New York State Attorney General’s office, followed by stints at Deutsche Bank and UBS Capital Markets. Jeffrey is able to bring his experiences as a career switcher to better assist his clients as a career coach.
Jeffrey’s educational background is impressive, having completed his studies at renowned institutions. He holds degrees from Columbia Business School, Brooklyn Law School, and UNC-Chapel Hill, where he acquired a comprehensive understanding of finance, law, and business.
