Registration Questions

Call: 202-684-2034
Email: eventregistration@bisnow.com

Request Speaker Information

Speaker Topics

Tell us a Little More

Speakers and Panels

Innovate to Elevate: The Role of New Materials, AI and Sustainability in Modern Construction

Jennifer Dmytryshyn

Jennifer Dmytryshyn

Director of Estimating

Bozzuto Construction Company

Brian Hanlon

Brian Hanlon

Director

DC Department of Buildings

John O'Donald II

John O'Donald II

Regional Manager

WoodWorks

Erin McDannald

Erin McDannald

CEO

Lighting Environments

Joseph Ahmadi

Joseph Ahmadi

Principal

Lessard Design

David Benson
Moderator

David Benson

President

Architessa

Jennifer Dmytryshyn

Director of Estimating

Bozzuto Construction Company

As Director of Estimating for Bozzuto Construction Company, Jennifer leads the estimating team. She is responsible for developing the company’s product and trade knowledge while providing accurate and reliable cost information to support preconstruction managers and project managers.

Jennifer is also responsible for overseeing the Subcontractor Default Insurance Program and supervises the Business Solutions Group.

Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Brian Hanlon

Director

DC Department of Buildings

Brian J. Hanlon is the Director of the Department of Buildings, appointed by Mayor Muriel Bowser in May 2023 and confirmed by the DC Council in November 2023. On November 4, 2025, Director Hanlon was also appointed by the Mayor as the RFK Project Executive. In this role, he is responsible for the planning and delivery of the new RFK stadium, associated infrastructure, and the Mayor’s vision for the RFK campus.

Director Hanlon is an accomplished administrator, leader, and registered architect with more than 35 years of private and public sector experience. He is driven to deliver solutions in the built environment that are responsive to the needs of people, while ensuring they are implemented and used in the most environmentally responsible manner possible. Director Hanlon’s passion and purpose is to work to make our spaces and places integral with a spirit of stewardship.

His mantra for the DOB team is to “Keep it Safe” through rigorous enforcement of the life safety provisions of the construction and housing codes, to “Keep it Green” by encouraging sustainable construction practices and forward-looking updates to the green energy code, and “Keep it Moving” to reduce process friction for developers, design professionals, builders, and homeowners to drive economic development.

Director Hanlon’s mission helps support Mayor Bowser’s transformative Growth Agenda. He emphasizes that DOB is a catalyst for economic development in the District, and under his leadership, DOB has launched new programs that move building projects along faster, such as Concept Review, Pop-Up Permits, and Fast Track Fit Outs. The agency is doing more than ever to ensure DC residents have safe housing thanks to new inspection and enforcement initiatives, stronger collaborations with public- and private-sector partners, and more community outreach efforts.

John O'Donald II

Regional Manager

WoodWorks

John is a licensed Structural Engineer in Maryland. Before joining Woodworks, he enjoyed working on various projects in the capital region for clients like the Smithsonian Institute and The National Parks Service, collaborating with architects and other engineers along the way. John is a member of Engineers Without Borders, enjoys woodworking in his free time, and is passionate about the sustainable aspects of wood construction. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Penn State University and a Master of Civil Engineering Degree from Johns Hopkins University with a focus in structural engineering.

Erin McDannald

CEO

Lighting Environments

Erin McDannald started her career as an interior designer after college in 1999. In 2003, she joined New Design Light and worked in lighting specification sales for several years, and became an owner in 2009. In 2010, the company rebranded to Lighting Environments and has grown to over 10 times its size since then. After years of experience in talking to lights, sensors, and BMS systems, Erin and her team launched an IoT Building Integration company called Environments. Erin is the CEO of Lighting Environments and Environments.

Joseph Ahmadi

Principal

Lessard Design

As Principal of Lessard Design, Joseph Ahmadi brings his experience with various projects within diverse markets, including but not limited to multifamily, adaptive reuse, student housing, planning and new construction of retail and entertainment-driven mixed-use environments. Joseph is a licensed architect registered in numerous states and has more than 20 years of professional experience in the industry from project conception through completion. He has a unique perspective on design, having studied and lived overseas, in addition to almost ten years of experience with international clients.

David Benson

Moderator

Architessa

With a dynamic start in my family's business at age 15, I embodied the values of hard work and faith. Transitioning from Electrical Engineering to Pre-Health at The George Washington University. Post-graduation, I committed to then Architectural Ceramics, Inc. In 2021 we rebranded as Architessa. Today, David continues to drive inside-outside sales, mastering individual and team dynamics, and contributing to remarkable growth.

Over the years, I managed showrooms, embraced diverse roles, and gleaned insights from premier business groups like EO and Vistage. As Architessa's President since 2019, I lead strategic expansion, enhancing our nationwide commercial and residential footprint. Guided by strong values and a resilient spirit, I navigate challenges, believing in hard work and ambition.

Asset Evolution & Funding Strategies: Navigating Development Projects and Overcoming Financing Challenges

Thomas Skinner

Thomas Skinner

Managing Partner

Redbrick LMD

Eugene Poverni

Eugene Poverni

CEO

Poverni Sheikh Group

Malcolm Haith

Malcolm Haith

Director of Development

Jair Lynch Real Estate Partners

Katherine Hartley

Katherine Hartley

Managing Director, Development

National Real Estate Development

Ryan Riel

Ryan Riel

Chief Real Estate Lending Officer

EagleBank

Marcus Goodwin
Moderator

Marcus Goodwin

Managing Director

Cushman & Wakefield

Thomas Skinner

Managing Partner

Redbrick LMD

Tom Skinner is a founding member of Redbrick LMD and is one of the firm’s three Managing Partners. He has invested in and developed close to $2 billion in real estate assets and established a pipeline of over $4 billion in future development projects.

Prior to founding Redbrick, Tom invested in or founded numerous operating businesses primarily in the real estate, technology and financial services industries. Tom began his professional career at McKinsey & Co. where he worked with financial institutions on strategy issues. Tom earned his Ph.D. in economics from MIT and his BA in economics from Oxford University.

Eugene Poverni

CEO

Poverni Sheikh Group

Mr. Poverni’s expertise encompasses structuring and managing of the development life cycle, from project feasibility studies, to site control, financing, syndication, construction management, asset stabilization and disposition. Mr. Poverni founded the firm in 2011 and continues to be the driving force behinds its growth, and is thankful for the talented people that work at PSG to help make its’ projects and business lines a success day-in and day-out. Mr. Poverni holds a J.D. from the George Washington University, and an M.B.A from the University of Maryland.

Katherine Hartley

Managing Director, Development

National Real Estate Development

Ms. Hartley assumes day-to-day responsibilities for a comprehensive range of complex development activities specific to one or more projects, to expedite and ensure project completion according to specifications. Katie currently oversees many facets of a transformative 6-acre, multi-phase development in Washington, D.C., The Stacks, including the recapitalization, retail development, coordination of stakeholders, and key project decisions.

Katie recently worked in consultation with the parent company’s CEO and other staff to establish and execute the development plan for a comprehensive historic renovation of the Stephen Girard Building in Center City Philadelphia from an office building to a boutique hotel, including a historic tax credit financing capital structure. Previous projects also include the repositioning, releasing and refinancing of The Bloc, a 4-acre mixed-use project in Downtown Los Angeles, CA. Upon completion of the renovation, the revitalized retail center was filled with a robust line-up of tenants and the hotel was recognized as the Sheraton Grand Los Angeles, a higher echelon within the Sheraton brand. With a strong understanding of the entitlement, design, financing, leasing and construction processes, Ms. Hartley manages development staff and works closely with design, construction and development professionals to carry out project objectives. Throughout her tenure at National, Katie has remained dedicated to working toward adding value to owners, development partners, and project stakeholders.

Katie joined the parent company in 2011, working as a Real Estate Analyst providing market research and investment underwriting support. In 2013, when National Development was formed, Katie transferred to work as a Development Associate and has since been promoted to Development Manager and now Development Director. Previously, she worked in Virginia at Fairfax County’s Department of Planning and Zoning, held internships with KishimotoGordonDalaya Architecture and Devereaux and Associates, and was an Environmental Litigation Support Intern with the Beacon Group, LLC.

Ms. Hartley earned a Bachelor of Science in Urban & Environmental Planning and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Virginia.

Ryan Riel

Chief Real Estate Lending Officer

EagleBank

Ryan Riel has worked in Commercial Real Estate with EagleBank for more than 20

years and currently oversees the Bank’s $5 billion CRE lending portfolio. Throughout

his tenure, he has worn multiple hats and participated in originating more than $6

billion in real estate transactions of various types across the DC region. Since

February 2025, in addition to CRE Lending, Mr. Riel oversees more than 200

employees across retail banking, small business lending, loan and deposit

operations, and information technology.

Mr. Riel sits on the Board of Directors of the EagleBank Foundation, and on the Board

for George Mason University’s Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship. He is a

current Trustee for The Children’s Inn at NIH and previously served on the Board of

Directors at the Inn for ten years. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from

West Virginia University.

Marcus Goodwin

Moderator

Cushman & Wakefield

Mr. Goodwin is a Managing Director at Cushman & Wakefield where he specializes in representing clients in lease transactions, acquisitions/dispositions, and financing assignments. He is an expert in financial modeling, deal sourcing, deal structuring and execution. In his career, he has underwritten dozens of completed acquisitions and has handled all phases of commercial real estate development. He also has extensive relationships across national political and non-profit organizations. Marcus uses his unique experience and skill set to facilitate complex transactions. Mr. Goodwin received his BA in Urban Studies from the University of Pennsylvania and a Masters in Real Estate from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design.

Opening Remarks

Kay Pierson

Kay Pierson

CEO

Sustainable Community Development Company

Kay Pierson

CEO

Sustainable Community Development Company

She is CEO of Sustainable Communities Development Company (SCDC), formed in 2017 to develop affordable housing, as well as to provide consulting to developers and contractors. She aspires to build a factory produce structural insulated panels (SIPs) in the DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia) area. She has participated in developing SIPs housing in Burt, MI and Cincinnati, OH. She is currently working on SIPs projects in Charles County, MD using SIPs for retail and multi-family housing.

Ms. Pierson has been in the real estate business for over 35 years, as an attorney, loan officer, housing counseling manager and real estate agent. She has worked with a range of buyers, from first-time homebuyers to investors.

Prior to that she served as Director of the Community Reinvestment Division at the United Planning Organization (UPO), where she managed a fulltime staff of 13 people, along with a parttime/seasonal staff of over 30 people. During her seven-year tenure there, she raised over $5 million for various programs; managed over eleven programs related to housing and small business development and grew the staff from 4 people to 13 fulltime employees.

She helped to organize the Minority Asset Recovery Contractors Association (MARCA), the first organization to form a trade association for minority and women who owed businesses that contracted with the FDIC, Comptroller of the Currency, Office of Thrift Supervision, and other federal financial regulatory agencies.

She was also the founder and managing partner of the former law firm, Pierson & Archibald, helping countless businesses start or expand their businesses providing legal and strategic development advice.

She is currently a member of the Standing Committee for the Episcopal Diocese of Washington; and Vice-President of the Board of Directors for the Women of Color in Community Development.

What You'll Learn At This Commercial Construction & Development Conference

  • Growing the District: What is in the development pipeline for neighborhoods in Downtown, Northeast, Southwest, etc. and which are seeing more opportunities from developers and investors?

  • Are there certain asset classes that are gaining more attraction in the city in comparison to the past couple of years?

  • How has construction financing changed in the last year and what will the rest of the year hold?

  • How are developers securing financing for projects and what sources is it coming from?

  • How are general contractors using the latest innovations to help mitigate rising material and labor costs?

  • From mass timber to prefab, what new methodologies have owners and GCs been gravitating towards for projects and what unique challenges and opportunities do they offer?

  • What construction trends is the industry seeing this year and what should they be prepared for in 2025?

  • What limitations had been cost-generating for past developments and have developers and GCs developed strategies to overcome them?

How You'll Do More Commercial Real Estate Business: As we delve into the second half of 2024, the U.S. economic landscape has seen undeniable shifts. Despite recent signs of easing inflation and a robust job market, the Federal Reserve continues to try to balance inflation without triggering a recession, all while maintaining a steady federal funds rate. Meanwhile, D.C. is pushing forward with its ambitious development pipeline, including Downtown D.C.'s action plan and other major mixed-use projects. With economic uncertainty still top-of-mind, how are D.C. leaders staying creative with their latest projects? Join us and local commercial real estate leaders and executives as we explore the latest trends in construction materials, artificial intelligence, sustainability, financing and how these factors are influencing the region's growth.

Who You’ll Meet: Washington DC's top owners, developers investors, brokers, construction, designers, architects, financial institutions and more!

For questions, recommendations, comments, press inquiries or interest in sponsoring, please email our Senior Mid-Atlantic Event Producer, Katie Telder, at katie.telder@bisnow.com. To request disability-related accommodations, please contact ellie.boyle@bisnow.com no later than 7 business days prior to the event.

If you would be interested in displaying your brand at this event, please contact jordan.allen@bisnow.com.

Agenda

Time Activity
12:00 PM
1:00 PM
Registration, Networking and Breakfast
1:00 PM
1:45 PM
Innovate to Elevate: The Role of New Materials, AI and Sustainability in Modern Construction

Explore how leaders are innovating in modern construction with smarter, efficient and sustainable practices to create cost-effective and environmentally conscious buildings and infrastructure

1:45 PM
2:00 PM
Networking Break
2:00 PM
2:45 PM
Asset Evolution & Funding Strategies: Navigating Development Projects and Overcoming Financing Challenges

Dive into innovative financing strategies and development outlooks for repositioning projects, ground-up constructions and build-to-rent initiatives across diverse asset classes

2:45 PM
3:15 PM
Closing Networking

WANT THE ATTENDEE LIST FOR FREE?

Biscred's sales and marketing CRE prospecting tool allows users to identify companies and contacts based on industry, asset class experience, job seniority, location, and more CRE-specific indicators. Schedule a demo with Biscred here and receive the attendee list for free when you mention this promotion.