Meet the Team
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Laney Vassallo
FOUNDER
Laney is the glue that holds it all together. She moves seamlessly between interior design, construction, marketing, and strategy (just to name a few). Laney holds degrees from the Newhouse and Whitman Schools at Syracuse University. And with her previous leadership roles at J Crew and Crocs, she knows a few things about running a tight ship.
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Ryan Day
FOUNDER
Ryan has a love for all things strategy and a knack for driving exponential growth. As Chief Strategy Officer of a prominent NYC-based adtech company since 2011, Ryan has led the firm to a revenue increase of over 3,000%. With a finance degree from the Whitman School of Management and a background in professional poker, his approach to building products and strategies is supported by game theory and novel risk approaches. At Foundation, Ryan brings this innovative mindset to redefining the student housing experience.
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Steve Vassallo
FOUNDER
Equipped with a strong background in finance, data science, and institutional research, Steve holds degrees from both Syracuse University and NYU. Through his research and extensive experience in leading data analytics teams at multiple renowned universities, Steve has developed a deep understanding of all aspects of our higher education system. He is passionate about improving both the student experience and the value proposition of a college education.
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Greg Vassallo
FOUNDER
Greg is a User Experience Designer with an extensive record of leading innovation teams. Trained at Syracuse University and Carnegie Mellon, Greg and his teams have designed award-winning experiences for brands like ESPN, Disney, Tiffany, Bloomberg, and Fidelity Investments. At Foundation, Greg brings his passion for developing a deep understanding of student needs and their end-to-end journey, and intentionally designing every aspect of the student housing experience.
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Jim Williams
SENIOR VP OF CONSTRUCTION
With over 30 years of experience in commercial and residential construction, Jim brings deep industry knowledge and steady leadership to every job site. From multi-million-dollar retail developments to custom single-family homes, his expertise spans all phases of the building process. Jim is known for fostering strong relationships with municipalities, clients, and trade partners across the East Coast, and for his ability to move projects forward with clarity and purpose. At Foundation, he leads with collaboration and care—building not just structures, but lasting trust. -
Angela Freeman
INTERIOR DESIGNER
Angela brings a decade of interior design expertise and a deep love for historic renovation to the Foundation team. Her portfolio spans healthcare, education, hospitality, commercial, and residential projects—giving her a versatile toolkit that bridges aesthetic vision with technical execution. At Foundation, Angela applies her passion for thoughtful design to create student housing that feels both timeless and perfectly tailored to modern needs. -
Connor Updike
VP OF CONSTRUCTION
Connor’s construction career has taken him from bridge and highway projects to carpentry, concrete work, and equipment operation. A hands-on builder with entrepreneurial roots, he founded his own remodeling company and later co-owned a water restoration business. After collaborating on a project with Foundation, Connor quickly recognized a shared dedication to quality and was eager to join the team. Today, he brings that same drive and versatility to his role, helping Foundation execute complex builds with precision and pride. -
Sarah Barrows
DIRECTOR OF SALES
Sarah brings 17 years of real estate expertise—and a reputation for empathy, integrity, and results. She’s helped hundreds of clients navigate the home-buying journey with care and confidence, combining sharp market insight with a calm, approachable presence. At Foundation, Sarah applies that same people-first philosophy to every interaction, ensuring that every student feels truly at home in both their living space and their experience with our team. -
Paul Romano
SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER
Paul is a seasoned project manager with over a decade of experience leading high-impact residential and commercial builds. His portfolio includes everything from custom homes and schools to large-scale multi-unit developments, all delivered with a sharp eye for quality, cost control, and efficiency. A graduate of the School of Architecture at Taliesin, Paul blends creative insight with practical leadership—known for clear communication, proactive problem-solving, and a results-driven mindset that keeps projects on track.