Recognized as one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the nation, R. Donahue (Don) Peebles Jr. is Founder, Chairman, and CEO of The Peebles Corporation.

In an era where social responsibility and inclusion are often seen as buzz-phrases, Mr. Peebles is actively influencing change and creating opportunities that positively impact communities, through Real Estate investment and development. The Peebles Corporation is among the leading privately held real estate and development companies in the United States, with a multi-billion dollar project portfolio, spanning key markets in the nation including: New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Miami, Philadelphia, Charlotte and Washington D.C. Mr. Peebles and The Peebles Corporation's uniqueness is guided by the company’s own principles of Affirmative Development (TM) to empower women and minorities in closing the wealth gap – with the aim of developing not just land or buildings, but also opportunities for people.

Mr. Peebles is an industry leader in large scale real estate development through Public-Private Partnerships. Through construction excellence, sustainable materials, historic preservation and innovative design, every project is strategically selected to achieve transformative results for the company and community.

Mr. Peebles is an avid supporter of mentoring underprivileged youth to expose them to the value of entrepreneurship. He is the former Chairman of the Board of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, is on the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Greater New York, was a two-time former member of President Barack Obama’s National Finance Committee, and the former Chairman of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Mr. Peebles is a frequent guest commentator on CNBC, CNN, FOX News and FOX Business Network. He has written two books entitled The Peebles Principles and The Peebles Path to Real Estate Wealth, which provide the fundamentals for individuals striving to succeed in real estate. The books articulate Mr. Peebles optimism and belief that everyone’s career goals are achievable. Growing up as a child raised by a single parent, in a middle-class home, to achieving multimillionaire status by the age 27, Mr. Peebles believes that dreams really can come true.

Donahue Peebles, III is the Executive Vice President of The Peebles Corporation and handles new

acquisitions and business development.

Mr. Peebles actively pursues public and private real estate transactions in for The Peebles Corporation’s

various markets, including South Florida, Washington, D.C.-metropolitan area and New York tri-state area.

In addition, he maintains substantial involvement in the pre-development phase, and is capable of

advancing projects through the development process through strategic partnerships, management and

community engagement.

In addition to his role, Mr. Peebles is the Deputy Chief Investment Officer of the Peebles Emerging

Developer Fund I – a $500 million investment fund for minority and women developers in markets that

include New York, Los Angeles and South Florida.

Mr. Peebles is the Owner and CEO of Legacy Real Estate Development, LLC a Residential Real Estate

Development firm that focuses on the development and acquisition of low-income housing projects in

South Florida, Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area and New York tri-state area.

Mr. Peebles takes an active role in The Peebles Corporation’s public image, participating in business and

entrepreneurial summits, as well as real estate panels and forums. He also serves both the Washington

D.C. and New York City communities by engaging with multiple philanthropies that benefit and expose

youth to various opportunities in entrepreneurship. He currently works with the New York City Mission

Society, Best Buddies, Harlem Mothers S.A.V.E., and various other organizations to improve the quality of

life of impoverished and special-needs individuals on a global scale.

Mr. Peebles holds a B.A. in Economics from Columbia University.

Todd Stokes, managing partner of the Tysons, Virginia office, has been with Baker Tilly

since 2001. He provides oversight and leadership to the professionals serving the greater

Washington, D.C. area and is a member of the firm’s management committee.

Todd believes in the teaching culture of Baker Tilly and helps develop client service

leaders and Valued Business Advisors. He works across multiple disciplines and teams to

provide opportunities to the future leaders of the firm.

Experience

> Provides leadership, management and strategic direction for the Tysons office

including providing insight and advice to client engagement teams, fostering

employee development and recruiting and driving growth

> Works primarily with owners and financial officers of construction and real estate

companies providing business consulting and accounting services

> Serves as a Valued Business Advisor to his clients, providing guidance on

organizational structure, incentive compensation, estate and succession planning

> Engages with his clients to generate specific tax and business planning opportunities,

as well as deliver strategic expertise on more complex accounting and advisory

matters, based on his extensive construction and real estate experience

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Martin Ditto is CEO of Ditto Residential. He is passionate about conceptualizing and creating world-class residences. To achieve this goal, he has assembled a team of fellow visionaries and skilled professionals committed to perfecting their vocations at Ditto Residential. As CEO, Martin sets the direction and vision at the company and oversees acquisition, design, and capitalization.

Prior to founding Ditto Residential, Martin honed his expertise in lead roles in development and construction at Bozzuto, Monument Realty, and ZOM, where he produced mixed-use residential and commercial projects. He earned a Bachelor’s in Economics from Vanderbilt University and a Master’s of Science in Real Estate from the Carey Business School at Johns Hopkins University.

Jill Homan is from Clayton, North Carolina, and serves as Deputy Director, Economy & Trade, Campaign Director, and Senior Advisor to the President & CEO at AFPI. Over a two-decade career in private equity, Homan has focused on investing in low-income communities, including Opportunity Zones. She is recognized for her expertise in Opportunity Zones and has worked closely with legislative and administrative members to advocate for effective regulations and promote economic development in underserved areas. In addition, Homan’s commitment to community development is evident in her efforts to own, operate, and preserve quality workforce housing.

Before working in economic development and finance, Homan served on Capitol Hill as a legislative assistant and press secretary. She was formerly an elected member of the Republican National Committee, held senior leadership positions with the RNC, and served as a site selection committee member for the 2016 and 2020 Republican National Conventions.

Homan earned her Master of Business Administration and Master of Public Policy degrees from Duke University, where she focused on finance and urban revitalization. She is an Accredited Professional in Leadership Energy and Environmental Design ® and has founded an organization of several hundred women dedicated to helping educate women on investing in institutional real estate. She currently serves on the Economic Investment Committee for the State of North Carolina, the Triangle East Chamber Board of Directors, and its Economic Development Committee.

Meridith uses her real-world experience with her extensive legal knowledge to provide her clients with creative and results-driven legal advice. Armed with her in-depth business and regulatory background, Meridith works closely with developers, architects, contractors, property owners, and tenants as an integral member of their team.

Meridith has deep roots in Washington D.C., growing up in both Annapolis and Georgetown, attending Georgetown University and the University of Richmond, and building her family on Capitol Hill. Meridith served as a board member and chair of the Board of Zoning Adjustment from 2009 to 2011 as a mayor appointee, appointed by Mayor Adrian Fenty. Meridith brings her knowledge of the region to her practice to provide her clients with informed legal insight and useful risk analysis. Meridith’s background in business, in conjunction with her regulatory experience, informs her approach to the practice of law and enables her to deliver realistic risk assessments and options, thus allowing her clients to proceed from an informed perspective. In addition to her focus on zoning, land use, and development, Meridith also possesses experience advising clients on a broad range of licensing, advertising, compliance, and distribution issues before the District of Columbia Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board.