Thomas Roszak has been involved in architectural design and construction for over 32 years. His work includes a wide range of building types, including commercial and institutional projects, with a special concentration on urban residential architecture, for which he personally has overseen the design, development, and construction of more than 5,500 units with a market value in excess of $3 billion. Mr. Roszak opened his first architecture, development, and construction office in 1997. Soon after, he established Thomas Roszak Architecture, a firm dedicated to creative, innovative, and environmentally effective design. His keen insight coupled with a unique design process allows him and his team to challenge preconceptions, resulting in innovative and technically advanced design solutions. Mr. Roszak also founded and currently leads the construction management company SteelGrass, an eco-design-build firm focused on new technology and sustainability.

Architectural Digest named Mr. Roszak one of its “World’s Top 20 Architects” in 2005. He was featured in Philip Jodidio's ARCHITECTURE NOW!, no. 4, published by Taschen in 2006. In 2008, he received the American Institute of Architects’ prestigious National Honor Award. Recently, his Architecture was chosen by Modern Luxury Interiors to be the “Best Architecture Firm in 2017.” Thomas Roszak was elevated to a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 2020.

Bill Williams is working to build a better and more equitable Chicago.

As founder, principal and managing member of KMW Communities LLC, Williams plays

an important role in Chicago's ongoing real estate renaissance. Williams is consider a

thought leader in the field of urban renewal and community wealth building strategies.

The Chicago native— grew up on the city’s West and South sides communities that he

now invests and serves. While working full time, with a young family, Williams earned a

B.S. from DePaul University, and an M.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame. He

leveraged his knowledge of the inner-city, experience as a Community Development

and CMBS banker at the former LaSalle Bank/ ABN AMRO to become a proven expert

in development, property management and general contracting services, but also

capital structure, acquisition, site selection, design and marketing strategies.

Through Williams’s efforts as a community developer, he built a strong relationship with

the Chicago’s Department of Planning and Housings that resulted in housing and

development committee advisory appointments, and public-private partnerships with the

City of Chicago and Chicago Housing Authority. Williams activities have produced 100’s

of units that consisted of affordable, market rate and mixed- income developments.

Williams particularly active in the rebuilding of the city’s Woodlawn, Garfield Park,

Humboldt Park, and Lawndale communities that have experienced decades of

disinvestment. He continues to live in the community that he grew up in, and committed

to strategies that concentration and targeted investment, which bridges gaps between

lower and higher income neighborhoods with housing and services to low-to- moderate

earners.

Furthermore, KMW has embarked on a $50 million private equity investment vehicle,

KREO I that would focus on transformation, catalytic projects in the aforementioned

communities.

A lifelong resident of Chicago, Williams has developed an intimate knowledge of the

neighborhood dynamics understanding the investment needs, both physical capital and

human capital. He is committee to transformation of communities and people, by

investing in both people and real estate.

Amy Joined Next Realty in 2015 as Director of Leasing, where she is responsible for overseeing the leasing of Next Realty’s 1.2 million square feet of retail space. She works closely with the acquisitions team to source investment opportunities, complete in-depth market research, and execute property due diligence. In Amy’s time at Next, she has successfully executed over 33 lease transactions including four former Sports Authority locations within the Next Realty portfolio. This has resulted in maintaining a high level of long-term occupancy and revenue.

Amy began her career in real estate in 2008 at GK Development with a focus on leasing. During her tenure, Amy advanced to a Senior Leasing representative where she was responsible for the marketing and leasing of multiple retail strip centers and shopping malls totaling over 1.5 million square feet. She was also responsible for securing leases with major national, regional, and local retailers resulting in over $50 million dollars in revenue.

Amy received her Bachelors of Science from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. She is also an Illinois Licensed Real Estate Broker, member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, Women in Retail Leasing Group, and actively involved in helping to raise money for causes close to her including EB Research and Cancer Research.

A uniquely creative voice in the design profession, informed by a diverse background in architecture, interior design, environmental psychology, and sustainability, Smita thrives on designing spaces that strengthen our emotional connections to the places we live, work, and interact. Smita’s design methodology starts with a compelling design concept; a story narration for the end user with their goals in mind. Smita's signature creations present a considerate blend of design innovations of the west and the rich culture and timeless elements of the east.

After working for over 16 years with top national and international real estate developers and companies, Smita founded āśaya I Design, a Chicago based luxury interior design and architecture firm. āśaya is made up of interior visionaries and artists that aspire to blend for-profit goals with generating a positive "return to society."

Smita currently serves on the Insightful Chicago board as well as University of Florida's "Design, Construction and Planning" board, where she lends insight on topics like design thinking, industry trends, mentorship, and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion).

Growing up in Mumbai, India, Smita is trained as a classical Indian dancer and a painter. In her spare time, Smita loves experimenting with different cuisines through cooking and hosting friends. She also enjoys traveling around the world and immersing herself in different cultures, mindsets, and lifestyles. Practicing yoga and mindfulness are essential parts of her life.

Maurice D. Cox was appointed Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) by Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and confirmed by the City Council on October 16, 2019.

Celebrated for his experience merging architecture, design and politics through multiple public, private and elected positions, Cox is responsible for leading DPD's economic development, planning and zoning functions while fostering community-improvement initiatives throughout the city. His primary focus is under-invested neighborhoods on the South and West sides.

In his previous capacity as director of planning and development for the City of Detroit, Cox created a new, resident-centered planning and development department and led innovative urban planning and revitalization strategies that championed the equitable redevelopment of neighborhoods that fostered population growth and new mixed-use, mixed-income investment.

Cox was formerly the design director of the National Endowment of the Arts under President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama, where he represented the federal government for architecture and design matters and served as an advisor to more than 120 mayors on urban design issues.

He also served as mayor of Charlottesville, Virginia, from 2002 and 2004, following six years as a City Councilor. As an elected official, Cox implemented numerous community visioning processes and strategic planning initiatives that resulted in Charlottesville’s consistently high ranking as one of the most livable cities in the United States, as well as the smallest city in the country to maintain a AAA-bond rating for excellence in fiscal management. He also chaired the city's Housing and Development Authority Commission, Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization, and Mayor’s Taskforce on Urban Housing Policy.

Cox is a former professor at Syracuse University, the University of Virginia and Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design; a former associate dean for community engagement at Tulane University; and former director of the Tulane City Center in New Orleans.

He also practiced architecture for 10 years in Florence, Italy, where he met his wife and raised their two children.

Cox has been named by Design Intelligence as one of the "most admired design educators in America" and by Fast Company magazine as one of “20 Masters of Design” in the United States.

A native of Brooklyn, he has a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the Cooper Union in New York City and an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Detroit Mercy. He continues his 30-year tradition of walking and biking to work from a home he shares with his wife on the Near North Side.

With over 33 years of industry experience, Ark Latt joined the Vista Property Group

executive team with a strong Design and Construction background. Most recently, Ark was

at WeWork where he was responsible for their U.S. self-performing Construction. During his

time at Brookfield Office Properties, he managed their key projects and U.S. pipeline. While

at Turner Construction Company, he carried both domestic U.S. and Global leadership roles,

and with the U.S subsidiary of China Construction America, or Plaza Construction Company,

he was key in their U.S. expansion. As Vista continues to engage larger projects and scale

geographically, Ark’s institutional development and operational experience will be invaluable.

Ark has been involved in over 35 million sq. ft. of projects globally, including commercial

office, residential (high and midrise), mixed-use, healthcare, sports and aviation projects. He

has also been involved in several super high-rise and iconic projects globally, most notably,

the Burj Khalifa, Taipei 101, Brookfield Place, Manhattan West, and 99 Hudson Street. He

carries a five-year architectural degree from New York Institute of Technology, is licensed in

the State of New York, and actively lectures at Columbia University in Manhattan.

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 Development Illinois & Washington, Brian oversees the development pipeline and staff for projects located within the Chicago, Illinois and Seattle / Bellevue, Washington markets. His responsibilities, spanning over the full development cycle, include identifying new opportunities, managing internal development staff and external consultant teams, and overseeing project delivery and turnover to end users. He also assists with company growth and fosters relationships with local stakeholders within the community and municipalities. In the past 6 years, Brian has delivered over 1,800 residential units here in Chicago. Brian holds a BS in Architectural Studies from The University of Illinois and a Master of Real Estate Development and a Master of Architecture from The University of Maryland.

Ross concentrates on new development and capital strategies. He also administers the current project portfolio and oversees various aspects of management, capital transactions, financial analysis and financing.

Prior to joining Alex in starting FSC, Ross began his career in real estate in 2011 focusing on residential ground-up development across Chicago. As a residential developer, he developed over 600,000 square feet across various residential asset classes such as condos, single-family homes, and multi-family developments with over $100 million in sales. He earned a BA from Loyola University Chicago and a MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

Sandya Dandamudi is President of GI Stone, located in Chicago. Founded 28 years ago by her mother Rani Dandamudi, GI Stone is WBE/MBE certified, a signatory to Union Local 21, and a vital employer.

Sandya’s deep knowledge of stone and her “get it done” attitude has propelled GI Stone as the leading stone company in Chicago. GI Stone is unique in its versatility by executing both Exterior and Interior work – With an impressive resume that includes buildings such as 9 Walton, One Bennet Place, The Ritz Carlton, The Four Seasons Hotel, Wolf Pointe, The Tribune Tower,

Northwestern Outpatient hospital, The Northwestern Kellogg’s School of Business parking garage, One Chicago Square etc. – there is not a project that GI Stone cannot do.

Sandya is also on the Board of the Chicago Marble Contractor’s Association and is an active participant in contract negotiations. She is actively engaged in mentoring, sponsoring, and training apprentices for The Marble Setters Union-Local 21. She has a personal commitment to encouraging individuals who do not have a traditional background in the construction industry.

As a child of immigrants, Sandya understands what the American Dream is about – her parents realized it and she and her two siblings have greatly benefited from their years of hard work. This family drive has led to her conviction that everyone deserves to participate in that dream.

Sandya has an unwavering interest in assuring the existence of services that support emotional health, access to nutritional food and promoting self-expression and identity.

She also believes that through the medium of the Arts, lies a powerful medium that needs to be valued and is active in promoting artistic expression in disenfranchised youth.