Despite the onslaught of political attacks, intense DEI pushbacks, and a challenging investment climate, several prominent investors including many of the nation’s largest pension plans recently made a powerful statement by bolstering their commitment to diverse and emerging managers.   This unprecedented move stems largely from the little-known fact that such investments are among the best-performing in their portfolios and have become essential to deliver robust returns. Today, it is more important than ever to understand why diversity matters and make the case for diversity.

Join ULI New York for an illuminating conversation featuring industry leaders and other major stakeholders as they examine the historic barriers, roadblocks, and challenges faced by BIPOC and female developers; address the misconceptions associated with investing with these developers; and explore why making the case for diversity is more urgent than ever.
This third annual program comprises two high-level discussion panels, followed by a small group, facilitated roundtable session for attendees to take a deep dive into related topics with experts in their fields. Event participants will have access to industry leaders, engage in knowledge exchanges with peers and mentors, and enjoy unique networking opportunities.

Agenda & Confirmed Speakers

8:30 - 9:00AM - Breakfast & Networking 
9:00 - 9:20AM - Keynote Presentation: The Business Case for Diversity

Keynote Speaker

Christopher Pak, Director of Economically Targeted Investments
Office of the NYC Comptroller

Moderator

Anyori “AJ” Hernandez
President and Chief Executive Officer
New America Alliance
 

9:20 - 10:00AM - Panel 1: Investing in Diversity:  The Allocator's Perspective

Moderator

Nicole Fenton, Counsel, HSF Kramer
 

Panelists

• Ahmed Tigani, Acting Commissioner, New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development
• Michael Zito, Managing Director, Belay Investment Group 
• Andrea Wenner, Managing Director of Investor Relations and Strategic Partnerships, MSquared
• David Santola, Principal, Real Estate Investments, GCM Grosvenor

10:00 - 10:40AM - Panel 2: “Boots on the Ground”:  Putting Capital to Work

Moderator
 

Amy Ironmonger, Partner, K&L Gates

Panelists

• Aaron Hancock, Senior Vice President, Artemis Real Estate Partners 
• Brian Murray, Partner and Chief Executive Officer, Shift Capital 
• Robin Zeigler, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mural Real Estate Partners 
• Sharif Mitchel, Co-Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Northern Liberties

10:40 - 11:10 - Roundtables (30 minutes)

During these roundtable discussions, you will have an opportunity to take a deep dive with the experts on the topics below. 

 

ROUNDTABLE TOPICS & SPEAKERS
 

    Starting and Managing a Real Estate Fund  
Daniel Carr, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Alpaca Real Estate

    Making Your Firm Investor Ready
Andrew Harvazinski, Partner, EY

    Finding The Right Partner: Exploring Joint Ventures and Other Strategic Partners
Niki Tsismenakis, Partner, Goldstein Hall

Brian Murray, Partner and Chief Executive Officer, Shift Capital

 
    Accessing Today’s Capital Markets - Understanding Debt Strategies

Jessica Cherepski, Senior Vice President, Originations, Merchants Capital

Wilhelmena Norman-Hernandez, Vice President, Manager of Community Impact | ACCESS, The Community Preservation Corporation

    How to start and scale up your development business

Margarita Pajaro, Managing Director, CB-Emmanuel

Sharif Mitchel, Co-Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Northern Liberties

    Working with Government and Non-Profit Agencies

Elizabeth Zeldin, Director, Enterprise Community Partners

Michael Sandler, Associate Commissioner for Neighborhood Strategies, New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development