ShopCore Properties has hired two new executives to help the grocery-anchored retail center landlord embark on a major expansion of its portfolio. 

The Chicago-based company is almost doubling its holdings with an additional 52 grocery-anchored retail centers purchased through its New York—based parent Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust, which added them in its previously announced acquisition of Preferred Apartment Communities in February for $5.8 billion. ShopCore’s portfolio now comprises 108 properties and totals nearly 20 million square feet.

Lauren Holden and Jessica Zaski recently joined ShopCore to oversee the portfolio expansion. Holden and Zaski will serve in the newly established leadership positions of COO and chief transactions officer, respectively. Both also hold the title of executive vice president and join CFO and executive vice president Jim Nakagawa on ShopCore’s executive leadership team, responsible for all strategic and operational matters for the company. All three will report to CEO Marc Ricks.

“We are excited to expand our leadership team with seasoned leaders who have extensive experience acquiring and managing retail real estate,” Ricks said. “These appointments support ShopCore’s strategy to build a best-in-class retail operating platform with disciplined growth in key markets.”

Holden most recently served as managing director and head of retail asset management for Clarion Partners. As COO, Holden will drive value creation at the asset level, overseeing leasing, development and construction, asset management and property management and will be closely involved with ShopCore’s sustainability initiatives. Prior to joining Clarion in 2014, Holden served as executive vice president, investment management and acquisitions at Equity One Inc., a publicly traded shopping center REIT that has since merged with Regency Centers. Prior to Equity One, Ms. Holden was a senior portfolio manager at Kimco Realty. Holden currently serves on the board of directors for WX Inc., an organization that promotes the advancement of women in commercial real estate.

Zaski brings more than a decade of experience setting and executing investment strategies through the management of acquisitions teams for both public REITs and opportunity funds. Most recently, she served as senior vice president, co-head of acquisitions for Acadia Realty Trust. As chief transactions officer, Zaski will direct the company’s acquisition and disposition efforts. Prior to Acadia Realty, Zaski worked in advertising and marketing, including roles at Merchandise Mart Properties Inc, the largest privately held commercial building in the U.S., and Starcom Worldwide, a media communications agency.