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Five Minutes with a Finalist: 2400 Market Street - Lubert-Adler Partners
Dean Adler, CEO, Lubert-Adler Partners, joins us for this week’s “Five Minutes with a Finalist”.
Five Minutes with a Finalist: PHS LandCare - Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
May 16, 2019
ULI PHL’s 6th Annual Willard G. “Bill” Rouse III Awards for Excellence finalists represent superior development projects in the greater Philadelphia region that embody the ULI mission of pushing the standard of excellence in real estate and land use and creating sustainable, thriving communities.
Nayo Shell, MCP, Program Manager, PHS LandCare Initiative, joins us for this week’s “Five Minutes with a Finalist”. Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) has been recognized as a finalist for PHS LandCare. Here’s what she had to say:
Who has had the greatest influence on your career and what was the best advice he or she gave you?
A key phrase that shaped not only what I want from my career, but also helped me discover what I truly wish to give to the world is a quote by Mahatma Gandhi – “Be the change that you want to see in the world.” This quote inspires me to not only know truly who I am, but also know what I want and explore how to express my talents in a meaningful and impactful way. This quote has inspired me to lead by example, to create with love, to know myself, and to always share my talents to help solve problems like those we face in cities. As an urban planner, I focus on people and how they connect to the world around them. Thus, finding ways to transform urban landscapes rooted in a people-first framework creates solutions that serve some of the most fundamental needs of human beings. And being a part of the PHS mission and the LandCare team allows me to continue to live out this very directive – to be the change I wish to see.
What are you most excited about in the Philadelphia area and region? 
Philadelphia is a thoughtful, heartfelt, and progressive city, home to cutting-edge initiatives for urbanism while maintaining its authentic charm. As a recent transplant from the D.C metropolitan area, it is exciting to not only witness, but be an integral part of the city’s progress toward becoming a cleaner, greener, and healthier city through the PHS LandCare initiative. With cities from across the globe coming to Philadelphia to learn how and why current initiatives are successful speaks for itself. Plus, there are amazing restaurants.
As a ULI PHL Awards nominee, what makes you most proud of your project?
The PHS LandCare initiative creates an incubator for nonprofit and for-profit organizations. It helps to create cleaner and safer neighborhoods in areas historically riddled with environmental pollution and crime. Its roots are deeply tied within communities as it not only cleans and greens but provides employment opportunities for residents and returning citizens. The PHS LandCare initiative proves that effort, investment, care, and giving back not only creates a more livable environment for residents, but leaves residents feeling empowered, encourages stewardship, and provides remedies to environmental and social injustices. The PHS LandCare initiative is one major part of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s approach to having a broad and lasting impact on neighborhoods.
