The Indiana district council of the Urban Land Institute is currently accepting applications for the 2023 Real Estate Diversity Initiative (REDI) program, a 15-week curriculum that prepares participants for real estate development opportunities in Indiana.

The program will run from Feb. 2 – May 11, 2023. Classes will take place Thursdays from 2:00 – 5:00pm at Buckingham Companies in Indianapolis.

The applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 28 and are open to female or minority individuals who want to begin or accelerate a career in real estate development. Ideal candidates should have some experience in development or a related field (such as architecture, urban planning, brokerage, construction, etc.), but all levels of experience will be considered.

“There are underrepresented populations in the commercial real estate industry,” said Trinity Hart, district council chair, ULI Indiana. “This program seeks to address this and position a new generation of developers for opportunity in Indiana. Equitable development must start within the industry itself and the only way to achieve that is to diversify our development teams and those building wealth.”

Keith Veal, Vice President of Development at Buckingham Companies, and Dani Miller, Developer at Flaherty & Collins Properties, are co-chairs of the 2023 ULI Indiana REDI program.

“REDI is more than a course; it’s an ecosystem that provides mentorship and advocacy, and supports the skill and career development of people of color and women whose individual and collective talents have been absent from the industry,” Veal said.

“The REDI program recognizes the systemic inequities that have shaped the real estate industry and creates space to disrupt disparity within the field,” Miller said. “The program connects scholars with diverse real estate leaders and provides context for intentional discussions not only about the real estate development process but larger issues surrounding access to opportunity and capital for women and people of color.”

ULI Indiana’s REDI program will consist of in-person, three-hour programs each Thursday afternoon from February to May. The format is similar to a leadership academy; a cohort of scholars will be accepted by a competitive process and will experience the curriculum together, culminating in a final presentation and graduation. The curriculum includes educational sessions and experience‐based learning through a team case study project, including the development plan, pro‐forma and marketing plan.

“The REDI program allowed me to meet, network with, and learn from an extremely intelligent group of professionals in the real estate industry,” said Diana Burdix – HCCP, TCS, DTM Real Estate. “I have formed both professional and personal relationships with a few of my cohorts, and the introductions to many development experts has already proved to be invaluable. This program will aid in allowing the next generation of real estate professionals and developers a chance to create sustainable developments here in the city of Indianapolis.”

“As a public employee, I typically see the end of the development process, when a project concept is ready to be funded and start construction,” said Meghann Bowman, MPA, SCS, Rental Housing Tax Credit Specialist for Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. “In our REDI cohort, we learned just how many more steps it takes to get to that point which has made me a better allocator and public sector partner. I was also able to meet so many great ‘movers and shakers’ in our industry, which has built my network and bolstered my confidence.”

“REDI was a transformational experience for me,” said Devin Day, Multi-Family Loan Portfolio Manager, Intend Indiana. “This program gave me insight into the mind of a real estate developer and equipped me with the necessary tools and confidence to pursue a career in real estate development.”

Learn more about the program and download application materials at indiana.uli.org/programs/diversity-initiative.