WDC Fall/Winter 2020 Program Archive

Two glasses of sparkling wine

WDC Holiday Cocktail Party

December 29, 2020

We held our inaugural WDC Holiday Cocktail Party to ring in the new year together, a couple of days early! We had a fun, interactive program to celebrate all we’ve done during 2020 and share our inspirations for 2021 in break out conversation rooms. WDC’s elves shared two cocktail and mocktail recipes. The program featured Dahlia Popovitz, owner of Dahlia’s Gallery, a boutique gallery in Boston featuring art-wear garments, accessories and jewelry that Dahlia weaves and are made by other talented artisans. Dahlia shared how a special group of women and support from the City of Boston has helped to sustain her business during the COVID-19 pandemic. In October 2018, WDC hosted an evening reception at Dahlia’s Gallery as part of WDC’s programs after the ULI Fall meeting in Boston.

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Investment Forum-How to Structure Successful Development Partnership and Investment

December 9, 2020

This WDC Investment Forum featured a lively and in-depth discussion about how best to structure successful partnerships between developers and investors with seasoned executives representing different perspectives in a development deal–a transaction attorney, a capital partner and residential developer. Beth Pennington, Partner at Pennington, LLP described critical elements of development partnerships, highlighting effective ways to structure development deals that work for all parties. Developer Kim Diamond of KDiamond Consulting moderated the discussion with Beth and Renee McDonnell, Senior Vice President of IHP Capital Partners. Renee discussed deal structure as well as her long standing collaboration with Darlene Carter, President of C.W. Urban of Salt Lake City. This session presented best practices for successfully negotiating and implementing partnerships between investors and developers that capitalize on the unique features of each deal. Stay tuned for Part 2 for a deeper dive on development partnerships that discusses the partnership and capital raise for an infill condominium development, “thePenny” located in one of Salt Lake City’s top emerging neighborhoods

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Developer Forum - COVID: Dark Cloud or Silver Lining for Housing?

December 3, 2020

As if developing housing for the entire spectrum of residents and workers wasn’t hard enough prior to the pandemic, COVID has intensified the need for housing across the United States and Canada. This bi-national panel of developers shared the harsh realities they are facing and how they are working toward innovative housing solutions to develop and preserve affordable, mixed-income and supportive housing in their communities. Susan Connelly, Housing Opportunities Unlimited (Boston) moderated this WDC Developer Forum panel and featured developers Hadley Nelles, New Commons Development (Toronto), Dana Trujillo, Excelerate Housing Group (Los Angeles), and Kim McKay, BRIDGE Housing (Irvine).

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Room of Our Own - Reimagining Spaces with Karin Liljegren

November 18, 2020

The world of design is evolving and rising up to the challenges of a post-COVID19 urban landscape. Karin Liljegren, founder of the LA architecture firm Omgivning and emerging developer of adaptive reuse projects, discussed the findings from Omgivning's publications on Reimagining Spaces. We explored how design is shifting post-pandemic and reimagined how three space types can be successfully reprogrammed: workplace, retail and multifamily housing. We discussed design strategies for how developers, owners and tenants can find the right balance between indoor and outdoor space and reuse buildings to promote flexibility, adaptability and well-being.

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Project Forum - Advising Molly McCabe, Developer of Kalispell, MT

November 10, 2020

WDC's third Project Forum advised WDC developer member, Molly McCabe of Hayden Tanner, who is developing Parkline in Kalispell, Montana. Parkline was conceived to serve as the catalyst for the renewal of the Kalispell Core Area around the former downtown train tracks that are being redeveloped into a new linear park adjacent to Parkline. The proposed development has widespread public support and will redevelop a former 3.8-acre industrial site into a sustainable mixed-use development including office, retail ,maker space, and mixed-income multifamily residential with a net zero emissions target.

Janet Protas of Conor Commercial Real Estate moderated the experienced panel of advisors: Mary Campbell, Washington University St. Louis, Elizabeth Costello, Pocket Development and Terri Gumula, Sterling National Bank. Each WDC Project Forum is tailored to the specific needs of developer and began with a short presentation by the developer regarding the proposed development and its key challenges, which was followed by panelist questions, advice and actionable direction.

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ULI Virtual Fall Meeting, San Francisco: WLI View From the Top in Collaboration with WDC

October 13, 2020

WDC collaborated with the ULI Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) on WLI’s View from the Top at the ULI Virtual Fall Meeting, Tuesday October 13 at 3:15 PM.  The following diverse panel of leading women developers in the Bay Area who have worked to develop a vibrant, high-density, transit-oriented community in San Francisco’s Mission Bay presented:

  • Terezia Nemeth, Executive Vice President – Regional Market Director, Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
  • Andrea Jones, Senior Director of Development, Mission Point, Kylli
  • Charmaine Curtis, Principal, Curtis Development

This session was moderated by Kelly Nagel, Chair, WLI Executive Committee (Senior Vice President, Multifamily, at Stoltz Real Estate Partners).

The Women's Leadership Initiative (WLI) exists to increase the number and visibility of women in leadership positions both within ULI and the commercial real estate industry. This session has been organized in collaboration with the Women’s Development Collaborative (WDC), which inspires, promotes and supports women who lead transformative real estate developments across the US and Canada. This program was part of the ULI Virtual Fall meeting .

The Dean Hotel

In Conversation - Boutique Hospitality Development in the COVID Era

October 8, 2020

Developer Jen Webber, Ash NYC, and General Manager Soso Ngin, the Dean Hotel.

Ash NYC Developer Jen Webber and General Manager Soso Ngin of the Dean Hotel in downtown Providence discussed boutique hospitality development and operations in the COVID era. Acclaimed for their evocative design, James Beard award winning food & beverage programs and local urban immersion, the Ash NYC hotels are of the pre-COVID zeitgeist. How are they pivoting to meet today’s challenges while still maintaining their flavor? Jen and Soso discussed the strategies they have deployed to sustain existing operations and take advantage of new opportunities, including their recently developed hotel in Baltimore.

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Room Of Our Own - A New York Story of the Arts and COVID

September 17, 2020

Wendy Rowden, President, and Lisala Beatty, Director of Music and the Brain, Building for the Arts NY. Please

Art feeds our souls, expands our horizons, and enlivens our cities. Please join us for our next interactive salon with Wendy Rowden and Lisala Beatty of Building for the Arts NY (BFA)  as we explore how artists and arts organizations in New York City are facing the challenges of COVID and working to keep the arts alive. BFA transformed the once-derelict western end of 42nd Street into Theatre Row by developing theaters, restaurants and apartments and providing affordable space for performing arts organizations. BFA’s other signature program, Music and the Brain, has helped more than 400,000 students in underserved communities develop cognitive and fine motor skills through in-school music.

We will hear how BFA is collaborating on the development of affordable homes and maker space for artists. Wendy and Lisala will also share how the organization quickly pivoted during the pandemic to deliver Music and the Brain to kids being taught remotely while also helping performing artists earn income as theaters remain dark through online performances, such as TRLive! (Enjoy their upcoming shows on Thursday 9/3 and 9/17!)