What are you most excited about as it relates to ULI and the future of our district council?

In addition to continuing our programs and supporting our staff, management committee and members, I have four primary goals as chair.

• I’m excited to do everything in my power as chair to let people in our industry know that ULI Indiana exists as a resource, and, though a significant percentage of our members are located here in Central Indiana, we are a statewide entity.
• I’m committed to securing our place at the table in conversations about the built environment at a statewide level and positioning ULI Indiana as a subject matter expert when it comes to issues facing our communities.
• Ensuring our mission priorities are underpinned by a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion—making sure everything from who’s doing the work to who we’re serving is ever present in the decisions we make and where we invest our energy.
• My short time as chair has also opened my eyes to how many opportunities there are to connect at a national or global level to strengthen our own programs locally and expand our knowledge and understanding of what’s going on in other places, to the benefit of Indiana.

How did you get into the industry?

I’m a product of “The Region”—the urban corner of northwest Indiana anchored by heavy industry, Chicago and Lake Michigan. I’m proud of growing up in a place with multiple cultures living and working together—and a true 15-minute city, where you could walk to everything and get to know your neighbors. I’ve always taken an interest in how everything is connected and how people use spaces, and these experiences led me to my degree in Urban Planning and Development at Ball State.

Most of my roles have been on various sides of the table to help get a project across the finish line in a way that also honors the context and culture of a community.

• Eight years as Planning and Community Development Director in Marion, IN where I managed all planning, zoning and permitting, led our Stellar Communities campaign, and served as President of the downtown Main Street organization. But most importantly, it gave me a priceless peek behind the curtain to see how cities really work and how to partner with the community to get things done.
• Three years at the Office of Community and Rural Affairs as statewide Community Liaison helping communities align priorities and access statewide resources, and then as CDBG Director where I distributed $28 million annually through several competitive programs, ranging from infrastructure to placemaking.
• Four years as Executive Director of the Fort Harrison Reuse Authority reimagining and redeveloping the former military base now known as ‘Fort Ben’ on the northeast side of Indianapolis, undertaking projects including townhomes, apartments, plazas, a hotel and a new public library. Most memorably, we were awarded the ‘Rising Tech City’ MIRA award for our efforts to unite the 28 technology companies on campus.
• I thought I’d be at the Fort until the ribbon was cut on the last project, but when I was offered the opportunity to join Develop Indy, it seemed like a great way to get to know the remaining 400 square miles of Indianapolis and to work with diverse stakeholders throughout the city and the deep bench of leaders who support the Indy Chamber.

Why do you feel people should engage with ULI Indiana?

I am passionate about this organization because of the people who are attracted to it—the quality of our members, how engaged they are, their interest in best practices—and a general willingness to collectively “nerd out” about cities. I’m not aware of another place where you can connect with this level of expertise in the built environment, representing true cross-industry perspectives—planners, brokers, architects, developers, lawyers, finance, designers, etc.

But ULI is much more than a networking organization. Our programs are focused on impact and ULI’s mission commitments to Connect, Inspire, and Lead.

• Our Real Estate Diversity Initiative is one of our newest programs and our alumni are already changing the face of the industry in Indiana.
• We have affinity groups—like the Young Leaders Group and Women’s Leadership Initiative—where members can connect and share with their peers.
• I’m very proud of our hands-on community impact programs, like the Technical Assistance Panels and Urban Plan, which are extremely rewarding professional development volunteer experiences that always leave you with as much as you gave.

How do you spend your downtime? Favorite places to travel? Any book recommendations?

Like many folks in this industry, I live and breathe the built environment on a day-to-day basis, so a lot of my entertainment is spent connecting with friends in new places. I love to travel and explore cities, especially historic public spaces. But as far as books, I try to read as many books as my age each year so I hop around genres quite a bit—I love memoirs of comedians, a good dystopia that reimagines a new normal, and maintain an active ‘city nerd’ bookshelf on the Goodreads app.

What’s a little-known fact you’d like people to know about you?

Because I’m not the loudest in the room, I’m sometimes perceived as more serious or reserved than I am. Come say hi—I promise I am an extroverted, friendly person.

I’m also a first-generation white-collar professional. So, if you’re struggling with imposter syndrome or feel like you don’t belong at the table, know that many of us also had to push past that feeling. ULI Indiana welcomes everyone to join us and find their place, and I’m always happy to help you navigate the organization and plug in to a conversation or committee!