In the wake of 2008’s global financial crisis, performance in the Asia Pacific region managed to outshine North America and Europe in 2009, but some parts of the region did better than others. As recovery in Asia begins to take hold, shifts are beginning to occur in the commercial real estate market, while efforts to revive faltering economies — from government stimulus packages to regulatory changes — have yet to be fully realized, especially with some markets more dependent on global economic recovery in order to return to a state of growth. Still, Asia’s strengths during this crisis may outweigh its weaknesses, further enabling the region to help lead the global recovery.

There are few — if any — investors who are not vividly aware of the events that have shaken the world’s financial system and economies during the past year. From the collapse in the mortgage market and housing prices in the United States, to the large declines in exports resulting from curtailed consumer spending, to a dramatic fall in GDP in countries throughout the world, waves of bad news have affected economies and confidence to an extent not seen in generations.

Dr. Marsha Vande Berg is CEO of the Pacific Pension Institute (PPI), a nonprofit educational organization based in San Francisco that assists pension funds, corporations, financial institutions and endowments worldwide with carrying out their fiduciary responsibilities, especially with respect to Asia and the Pacific region. Alex Eidlin, managing director, Asia, and associate publisher of The Letter – Asia Pacific, recently spoke with Dr. Vande Berg about the evolution and mission of PPI.