David Adelman

DAVID J. ADELMAN is a Philadelphia-based entrepreneur and active private investor. For nearly 30 years, Adelman has served as CEO of Philadelphia-based Campus Apartments, where he has transformed the on- and off-campus college living experience across undergraduate, graduate and faculty housing and other university-related real estate. He is widely recognized as a leader in the student housing industry and has made Campus Apartments a go-to-partner for colleges and universities, developers and investors. Adelman’s strength lies in his ability to structure deals and raise institutional capital from global investors – beginning in 2006 when he structured the industry’s largest institutional joint venture, effectively transforming Campus Apartments into one of the largest private student housing players in the country. Since then and under his leadership, Campus Apartments has more than two billion dollars of assets under management across 18 states, housing more than 25,000 students attending 70+ colleges and universities. 

Adelman is the founder and vice chairman of Philadelphia-based FS Investments, a leading alternative asset manager with $83 billion of assets under management through which he helps individual investors achieve their financial goals, and is founder of Darco Capital, his family office investment vehicle, that has made over 90 venture capital and growth capital investments ranging across climate tech, food, spirits, fintech, hospitality, sports & media, and well-known consumer-facing brands. Adelman is a partner in Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), an industry-leading sports and entertainment group, with a global portfolio including the 76ers, New Jersey Devils, Washington Commanders, Crystal Palace of the English Premier League, and Prudential Center, among others. He is the Chairman of 76DevCo, responsible for conceptualizing and building a $1.5 billion new basketball arena for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Adelman and wife Hallee have long been dedicated to philanthropy, channeling their efforts to support community development, healthcare, and youth sports, as well as a particularly deep commitment to education and literacy. Over the last five years, the couple has supported nearly 50 public and charter schools, districts and libraries across Philadelphia and the Commonwealth. Their remarkable generosity is exemplified by their support of Philadelphia Youth Basketball’s Alan Horwitz "Sixth Man" Center, a cutting-edge facility designed to foster mentorship, personal growth, learning, and empowerment for young people in Philadelphia. 

Adelman’s leadership extends across numerous prestigious organizations. He served as the immediate past board co-chair of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and continues to contribute as a member of its Board of Directors. His commitment to advancing healthcare is evident through his role on the Penn Medicine Board of Trustees, and as the former chairman of the Philadelphia Holocaust Remembrance Foundation, David was instrumental in the funding and creation of The Horwitz-Wasserman Holocaust Memorial Plaza, a significant landmark on the Ben Franklin Parkway, which he named after his long-time mentor and grandfather. 

Adelman was the recipient of the 2009 Multifamily Executive “Executive of the Year” award; the 2010 “Entrepreneur of the Year” award from Ernst & Young in the real estate category for Greater Philadelphia; named the 2012 Homewood Suites Developer of the Year for Hilton Worldwide, in recognition of the company’s first hotel development, Homewood Suites by Hilton® - University City; the 2013 recipient of the Philadelphia Visionary Award from the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship; named one of Philadelphia’s Top Most Influential People by Philadelphia Magazine for the last two consecutive years; named one of 2023’s Top CEOs by Philadelphia Business Journal; and the 2025 recipient of the 46^th annual Americanism Award from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).

He received his BA in political science from Ohio State University and resides in the Philadelphia suburbs with his wife and two daughters.

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