S2 E11 - Colin Behring, Founder of Behring Companies and Stak Ventures; Harbir Kaur Bhatia, CEO at the Silicon Valley Central Chamber of Commerce; and Wala Kasmi, CEO of ClassX

On this week’s episode of Silicon Valley Impact, we speak with Colin Behring, Founder & CEO of Behring Companies and Founder of Stak Ventures; Harbir Kaur Bhatia, CEO at the Silicon Valley Central Chamber of Commerce; and Wala Kasmi, CEO of ClassX.

Colin Behring is a visionary real estate developer, investor, and technologist redefining the intersection of property and innovation. As the Founder and CEO of Behring Companies, he has led over $3 billion in investments across real estate, private equity, and EB-5 financing. Through Stak Ventures, Colin is pioneering “Full Stack Real Estate”—a platform that integrates housing, office, mobility, and lifestyle into seamless, tech-enabled live-work-play-go ecosystems. The first prototype is located at 1900 Broadway in Downtown Oakland, above the 19th Street BART Station. With over two decades of international experience, including his start at Morgan Stanley Properties in Shanghai, Colin blends deep knowledge of capital markets, PropTech, and urban innovation. He frequently speaks on AI, automation, and the future of employer-provided housing, offering insights on how real estate can become a powerful tool for economic opportunity and talent strategy.

Harbir Kaur Bhatia is a civic entrepreneur and community leader, currently serving as CEO of the Silicon Valley Central Chamber of Commerce. With a background in electrical engineering and a Master’s in Engineering Management from Santa Clara University, Harbir brings experience in high tech, entrepreneurship, community development, and media. A passionate advocate for inclusive progress, she has led numerous initiatives in sustainability, public-private collaboration, and global crisis relief. Her leadership has earned her significant honors, including the civilian Medal of Honor from Kharkiv, Ukraine, and the Carle G Orne World Peace and Understanding Award. Before her CEO role, Harbir served on the Chamber’s board and has been active in multiple community organizations such as Sister Cities International and the Santa Clara Rotary. Her philosophy centers on creating bridges between communities and advancing collective impact—living her motto, “be a tide that raises all boats.”

Wala Kasmi is a multi-awarded tech entrepreneur committed to transforming education through innovation. As CEO and founder of ClassX, she’s developed a first-of-its-kind platform connecting instructors, venues, and learners to power local skill-building communities. With a background in computer science engineering and recognition from institutions like the French Presidency and Orange Telecom, Wala’s work bridges the worlds of technology and education. Through her previous venture, WeCode Startup, she trained thousands of students and professionals worldwide. Her collaborations include global organizations such as Google, the UN Migration Agency, and the International Labor Organization. Focused on creating scalable, tech-enabled learning ecosystems, Wala continues to drive impact through partnerships that expand access to education and economic opportunity.

This and much more on Silicon Valley Impact!

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