Merrill was born in Okinawa, Japan, in 1971, where his father was serving as a doctor in the Army.[1] Shortly after his birth the family returned to Illinois.[1] Merrill earned his BA in Economics from Roanoke College, where he played on the golf team,[7] and also worked part-time at a commercial bank.[8] He received his MBA from the Bayes Business School (formerly known as CASS School of Business) in London, England.[9]
Career
Merrill started his career at global real estate investment management firm Heitman, where he launched Heitman's first foreign investment fund,[10] and eventually became a partner and managing director. [2]
After living in London for five years, Merrill returned to Chicago in 2005 to establish Harrison Street together with Chris Glavin and his brother Michael, who provided the seed money. In 2018, Colliers International Group Inc. (CIGI) purchased the Galvin's interests in Harrison Street.[11] In July 2025, Colliers announced that it would rebrand its entire investment management division as Harrison Street Asset Management and appointed Merrill as Global CEO, thereby making him the largest individual shareholder at the time.[12]
Personal life
Merrill and his wife, Peyton, are involved in various Chicago community efforts through their work with First Tee, PanCAN, and Rush Hospital.[13] They have three children together.[14] Merrill is also known by his nickname, “Topher”.[15][16]
Board positions
Merrill serves as Vice Chair on the board of the Pension Real Estate Association (“PREA”)[17]
Merrill is also on the boards of Rush University Medical Board (Facilities Committee), TCU Center for Real Estate, Roanoke College, the real estate advisory boards of Gore Creek and Kinship Capital, SalisburySchool.[18][19] He also served on the boards of the University of Wisconsin[20] and Chicago Botanic Garden.[21]
He is a Trustee of the First Tee and on the board of the Chicago Chapter. [22]
Merrill is a member of YPO, Economic Club of Chicago and Chicago Commonwealth Club[23] and the Real Estate Roundtable.[24]
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