Kurt’s professional engineering career spans over 40 years. His expertise includes structural engineering design for Mission Critical Facilities such as Data Centers, Health Care Facilities such as Hospitals and Clinics and Life Sciences Facilities such as Biopharmaceutical Pilot Plants and Production Facilities around the United States and the World. His area of expertise is in designing buildings to be occupable after natural disasters including Tornados, Hurricanes and Earthquakes. He has been the structural engineer of record for conventional “fixed Base Buildings” ranging from 1-23 stories, “Base Isolated Buildings” ranging from 1-5 stories, and the retrofit and new construction of buildings incorporating Fluid Viscous Dampers ranging from 1-22 stories. He has published numerous papers on passive energy dissipation and presented the findings at various conventions in Boston, San Francisco and Milan.

For over 23 years as the Founding Principal at PARADIGM Structural Engineers, Kurt spends most of his time developing new leaders at PARADIGM and mentoring staff in Chicago and San Francisco.

Blake Hillemeyer has been working in the commercial real estate industry for over 20 years, specializing in the office sector. He currently serves as the Executive Vice President of HEARN, a Chicago-based national owner and operator of institutional quality office assets. Blake joined HEARN in 2005 and oversees the day-to-day operations of the firm. He also spearheads the firm's capital markets activities, encompassing acquisitions, dispositions, financings, and equity sourcing. Throughout his tenure, Blake has managed transactions valued at billions for the firm nationwide. In addition, Blake sits on HEARN’s investment committee. He is a member of both ULI and NAIOP. Blake holds a BBA from The University of Iowa.

Zeb McLaurin is the CEO and Founder of McLaurin Development

Partners (MDP), a full-service commercial real estate property

development, disposition, brokerage, and management

company. Since its inception nearly 20 years ago, MDP has

successfully developed a national reputation committed to its

core mission of developing and enhancing value from previously

underutilized and de-valued assets.

McLaurin’s background of developing in the urban core of major

cities has shaped his integrity, sense of responsibility, and

ingenuity with which he now runs MDP. His team’s focus on

restoring urban markets has resulted in hundreds of acres of

revitalized and redeveloped land sites, the creation of 1.5MM+

square feet of new commercial retail and mixed-use spaces, thousands of new jobs, and new

investment resources measured in the hundreds of millions.

McLaurin has developed both small neighborhood and large-scale developments with national

anchor tenants, government, and institutional clients/tenants. MDP creates residual value for

investors, clients, and the communities they serve - developing many first outlets for national

corporations in traditionally underserved neighborhoods.

When he is not active in real estate, McLaurin donates his time to the Urban Arts Council,

Chairman of the Morehouse College Alumni Association Chicago Chapter, and a Board Member

of GROmentum Labs. He is also a member of the International Conference of Shopping Centers

and a member of ULI Chicago Advisory Board.

McLaurin received his B.S., Finance, from Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. The father of four

(Kristian, Zeb VI, Nikki, and Matt) lives in Chicago, IL.

As Vice President of Construction and Healthcare Team Leader at BEAR Construction, Victor has over 40 years of construction experience, 37 specifically with healthcare and specialized projects in the pharmaceutical, manufacturing, laboratory and research development arenas, including extensive experience in new construction from additions to high rises. As a team leader, he prioritizes strategy and collaboration and excels at coordinating preconstruction, estimating and logistics at the beginning of each and every project for his clients. Victor also has an impeccable record of client satisfaction and follow-through at project completion.

BEAR Experience: 2014

Industry Experience: 1983

Education: Marquette University

"I think we all take great satisfaction in successfully completing construction projects, but there is an extra level of pride when it comes to building healthcare facilities that enrich the lives of so many people."

Karoline Eigel is a commercial real estate broker with 20+ years of experience in commercial leasing for both landlord and tenant rep clients. Currently expanding the Healthcare Advisory team at Cushman & Wakefield, Karoline is utilizing her expertise to grow the burgeoning footprint in the Chicagoland market, leveraging her successful experience in healthcare advisory and portfolio management. Ms. Eigel is currently working with physician practice groups, hospital systems and investors in healthcare real estate across the country, providing strategic advisory and brokerage services, with a focus on the patient experience, service line growth projections, payer mix analysis, clinical space utilization and regulatory compliance. The Healthcare Advisory team represents Mag Mile Medical Pavilion, a newly developed MOB within a building located in the iconic 875 N Michigan Ave. Prior to joining C&W, Ms. Eigel lead the leasing for Harrison Square Chicago, a 13-acre life science and medical office innovation hub located within the Illinois Medical District. The first phase of the $1 billion redevelopment project included the Old Cook County Hospital building. The new iteration of the historic landmark includes a dual-branded 210-room hotel, 70K RSF for Cook County Health medical offices, a childcare center, and a food hall.

As a commercial real estate consultant, she developed and managed leasing programs and marketing initiatives for national and international institutional investors and developers, working with landlord leasing teams to develop and implement leasing/marketing strategies. Notable clients include Advanced Dermatology, Accent Care, MedStar Health, Remedy, United Urology, Rethink Healthcare Real Estate and Hearn.

Ms. Eigel is on the Board of Directors and is a mentor for the HEAR Foundation (HEARFoundation.org), which provides $20,000 college scholarships and four years of mentoring to excelling Chicagoland high school seniors who are outstanding citizens in financial need.

Erica Rogers has been working in the commercial real estate industry for 20+ years, focused on commercial leasing for both landlord and tenant rep clients. Currently expanding the Healthcare Advisory team at Cushman & Wakefield, Erica is utilizing her expertise to grow the footprint in the Chicagoland market, leveraging her successful experience in healthcare advisory and portfolio management. Ms. Rogers is currently working with physician practice groups, hospital systems and investors in healthcare real estate across the country, providing strategic advisory and brokerage services, with a focus on the patient experience, service line growth projections, payer mix analysis, clinical space utilization and regulatory compliance. The Healthcare Advisory team represents Mag Mile Medical Pavilion, a newly developed MOB within a building located in the iconic 875 N Michigan Ave. In addition, Erica is a member of Chicago Office Leasing Brokers (COLBA) and sits on the Chairman Advisory Council of Big Shoulders Fund, which helps Chicago’s children in need to achieve their success through access to a quality, values-based education. Ms. Rogers holds a BBA from The University of Kansas.

Kate Merton has over 20 years of experience working across the Healthcare industry starting in R&D before moving onto roles in in Marketing, Business Development, and most recently Innovation. During her career Kate has been part of teams that have discovered new drugs, worked to develop and gain approval for blockbuster therapies and is passionate about being part of the future of healthcare where science intersects with the rapid advancements in technology.

Kate’s recent roles as Head of both Anthem’s Digital Incubator and the J&J’s Incubator on the East Coast has demonstrated her ability to deliver entrepreneurial talent and products into mainstream healthcare companies. At Anthem Kate launched the Anthem Digital Incubator and led newco business strategy in the incubator group within the Digital Care Delivery team. With J&J Kate was responsible for the regional (NY, Boston, Philadelphia) JLABS P&L and future growth strategies. Kate also led the JLABS global health tech strategy partnering with J&J focus areas (Pharma, Device, Consumer) to identify technologies for inclusion in the J&J portfolio.

As the lead operator of Chicago ARC, Kate is raising capital and concentrating on building out the venture collaborative process in partnership with the Bronzeville Lakefront Development. Chicago ARC will work with seed and series A start-ups looking for investment and pilot opportunities in the US targeting areas impacted by Health Equity. Chicago ARC has partnerships in place with leading health systems in the Chicago area to clarify bring together health equity themes where digital solutions and devices can be implemented for near term improvements while long term delivering funding back to the local community.

Kate received her undergraduate degree in Pharmacology & Toxicology from King’s College London, holds a PhD in Pharmacology & Toxicology from University of California, Irvine Medical School and received her MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University.

As the lead operator of Chicago ARC in Illinois, Kate is raising capital and concentrating on building out the accelerator process in partnership with the Bronzeville Lakefront Development. Chicago ARC will work with seed and series A s

tart ups looking for investment and pilot opportunities in the US targeting areas impacted by Health Equity.

Kate received her undergraduate degree in Pharmacology & Toxicology from King’s College London, holds a PhD in Pharmacology & Toxicology from University of California, Irvine Medical School and received her MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University.

Rolla Sweis currently serves as the Regional Vice President of Operations with Advocate Health for the South Chicagoland Region. She oversees 3 acute care hospitals (1300 beds) and multiple ambulatory sites. She also holds an Affiliate Faculty appointment in the Department of Pharmacy Practice with the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy. She has led her teams to achieve high performing quality outcomes, maximize operational performance, and implement cost savings throughout the past few years. She has mentored her leaders to transform their departments to achieving high team member engagement. Rolla holds a Doctorate of Pharmacy and Master's in Organizational Leadership.

Justin is a Principal and is primarily involved in the investment activities of Hammes Partners.

Prior to joining Hammes Partners, Justin worked with the Acquisition and Asset Management groups at Greenfield Partners, a global real estate investment firm. His responsibilities included acquisition and management activities in various types of real estate, including healthcare, hospitality, distressed debt, and land, with responsibility for over $500 million in equity invested. Previously, he worked with Robert W. Baird & Co. in its Investment Banking Group.

Justin serves on the board of directors, as Treasurer and Chair of the finance committee, and is a member of the executive committee and investment committee of CurePSP, an organization supporting awareness and a cure for neurodegenerative diseases. He earned a B.S. in Accountancy and a B.S. in Real Estate Finance from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

As chief investment officer, Jesse Ostrow is responsible for shaping, managing and implementing RX Health and Science Trust’s investment strategies. Jesse has more than 20 years of experience in real estate private equity, investment banking and consulting, and was previously chief investment officer at MedProperties Group, a medical real estate investment, development and operating platform, where he led the firm's property acquisition process, and managed transactions including sourcing capital, closing debt, and executing sales and recapitalizations. Jesse's career in real estate private equity, investment banking and consulting has provided him with experience across property sectors and geographic markets. He founded a boutique real estate investment consulting firm where he served as a Managing Principal and previously was a principal at Equibase Capital Group, a provider of mezzanine debt, preferred equity and joint venture equity to real estate sponsors. He also worked in the Investment Structuring Group at Security Capital Research & Management (now a subsidiary of J.P. Morgan Asset Management), where he analyzed real estate securities investments for the firm's private institutional fund. Jesse began his career as an investment banking analyst in the Real Estate Group at A.G. Edwards & Sons.

Jesse earned a BBA with High Distinction from the University of Michigan Stephen M. Ross School of Business and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

As a founder and principal of Echo, Jon is responsible for the firm’s strategic direction and manages the day-to-day operations for the company. Jon’s responsibilities include sourcing new investment opportunities, debt/equity financing, leasing, project management and asset management for Echo’s portfolio of properties.  Jon has extensive experience in real estate development, land assemblage, property acquisition, corporate real estate consultation, tenant representation, and leasing.

Prior to founding Echo Real Estate Capital, Jon served as Vice President of Development for a privately held Chicago-based development firm where his list of preferred development clients included numerous national retailers and restaurants expanding throughout the Chicagoland MSA.  Prior to that, Jon helped found a Chicago-based retail brokerage company where his list of clients included: McDonald’s USA, Dollar General, Verizon Wireless, Fifth-Third Bank, Save a Lot, Sonic, Anna’s Linens, True North Energy, Flexeon Rehabilitation, and Front Burner Restaurants.

Jon began his commercial real estate career with a retail and hotel development firm and was involved in over 30 projects comprising 8+ million square feet of commercial space.

Prior to his start in commercial real estate, Jon worked in the Indianapolis Division of Centex Homes – a Fortune 500 Production home builder based in Dallas, TX.

Doug King is Vice President and the healthcare sector lead for Project Management Advisors Inc. Doug’s relationship with PMA began when he served as a healthcare designer at La Rabida Children’s Hospital and Research Center, where he witnessed the strong collaboration and enthusiasm that guides the practice of the firm every day. Doug was drawn to PMA’s people and the level of intellectual curiosity that cultivates creative solutions for the client and ultimately a successful project outcome.

Doug is a respected leader in the healthcare industry with over 40 years of experience in complex, large scale new/renovated healthcare projects, demonstrating his skills as a designer, educator and researcher. He will lend his expertise in healthcare planning, design, construction and regulatory compliance to PMA’s growing roster of healthcare clients and position the firm to serve the evolving needs of healthcare developments now and well into the future. Doug holds a Masters of Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Detroit/Mercy in Detroit, Michigan.

Nicole Czapek is a Vice President and senior interior designer in the HKS Chicago Office. She

has always been interested in art and architecture and how natural surroundings can affect

people. This focus naturally complements the HKS commitment to responsibly designed

environments. Her experience working on both domestic and international projects has taught

her that communication with the client is key to a successful design.

Throughout her career, Nicole has worked on health care projects ranging from small

clinics to full-scale hospitals. Her expertise lies in creating spaces that are not only visually

appealing but also easy to navigate, safe and conducive to healing. By incorporating evidence-

based design principles, ergonomic considerations and an understanding of the latest

healthcare technologies, Nicole helps create spaces that positively impact the lives of patients,

their families and healthcare professionals.

In addition to health care, Nicole’s more than 12 years of professional experience includes

commercial, education and mission critical interior design. She has worked in multiple HKS

offices, bringing enthusiasm and a strong work ethic to every project.