How many years have you been in the real estate industry?

I consider myself a community development practitioner, which for me is essentially someone who works with community stakeholders to: 1) develop thriving places and 2) facilitate & create opportunities that help people actualize their potential and live a good quality of life.  I’ve been in the community development field for 8 years, and specifically in the affordable housing development space for about 4 years, come 2025.

What motivates you?

Not a “what” but a “who;” My 5-year-old nephew! I love watching him make sense of the world by learning his likes and his dislikes; and how he integrates knowledge, draws conclusions, and incorporates what he learns to apply it to his own young life. Observing and interacting with him – and other toddlers –  motivates me to always be curious, to never stop asking questions, and to seek deeper meanings not only in life but most especially in the affordable housing development industry at a time where we are in a housing crises. In doing so, new ideas, new ways of thinking, and/or new approaches can emerge that could allow us to be more innovative, more thoughtful and more effective in the way that we build cities, develop housing, transform neighborhoods, and improve lives.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone entering CRE?

Don’t be afraid to ask tons of questions and engage in conversations to learn from all folks in the real estate industry –  not just those on your team or at your company or in your practice area or those that look and sound like you. As a developer, I learn a ton from my team members and colleagues who work in other practice areas.

What’s your favorite thing about real estate?

How interdisciplinary it is, how many moving parts there are to it, and the similarities & differences between markets – and the factors that affect that!

What’s your biggest career accomplishment?

Leading my first large multifamily affordable housing development project as an associate and fellow with The Community Builders, Inc. during COVID with the support of the Department Director.

Why do you find ULI valuable?

I have a professional mission to support and shape the effective functioning and vibrancy of communities, particularly those that don’t see high levels of investment,  those that have experienced disinvestment, or those in greater need. I currently do that as an affordable housing developer. The way we utilize land & natural resources and the way we design & build  infrastructure  systems and buildings influences the functioning and vibrancy of communities. ULI’s mission and focus essentially aligns with my professional mission. ULI also provides interdisciplinary and industry learning, leadership, and networking opportunities that I can tap into at every stage of my career, even if I leave affordable housing development!

What are you reading, watching, or listening to now?

Ahhh yes, I love this question! I recently decided to make an intentional effort to truly lean in to the people, experiences, and topics that give me joy and that allow me to explore my existing and new curiosities. One existing curiosity is the future of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, which is essentially the predominate source of funding for affordable housing development in this country. To that end, I’m currently reading the Shelterforce Under the Lens series, “LIHTC: The Good, the Bad, and the Very Complicated.”

I’ve also been exploring a new curiosity of mine: science fiction. So, I’ve been reading Octavia Butler’s sci-fi classic, Parable of the Sower.  And every now and then I’ll turn on an episode of the Freakanomics Radio podcast, where the host asks the “what if” and “why” questions about phenomena that happens in everyday life – it’s very interesting!