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

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  Jennifer Dmytryshyn

  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.

  Bozzuto Construction Company

  Director of Estimating

  Jennifer Dmytryshyn

  Director of Estimating

  Bozzuto Construction Company

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  Brian Hanlon

  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.

  DC Department of Buildings

  Director

  Brian Hanlon

  Director

  DC Department of Buildings

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  John O'Donald II

  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.

  WoodWorks

  Regional Manager

  John O'Donald II

  Regional Manager

  WoodWorks

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  Erin McDannald

  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.

  Lighting Environments

  CEO

  Erin McDannald

  CEO

  Lighting Environments

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  Joseph Ahmadi

  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.

  Lessard Design

  Principal

  Joseph Ahmadi

  Principal

  Lessard Design

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  David Benson

  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.

  Architessa

  President

  Moderator

  David Benson

  President

  Architessa

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

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  Thomas Skinner

  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.

  Redbrick LMD

  Managing Partner

  Thomas Skinner

  Managing Partner

  Redbrick LMD

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  Eugene Poverni

  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.

  Poverni Sheikh Group

  CEO

  Eugene Poverni

  CEO

  Poverni Sheikh Group

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  Malcolm Haith

  Director of Development

  Jair Lynch Real Estate Partners

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  Katherine Hartley

  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.

  National Real Estate Development

  Director, Development

  Katherine Hartley

  Director, Development

  National Real Estate Development

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  Ryan Riel

  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.

  EagleBank

  Chief Real Estate Lending Officer

  Ryan Riel

  Chief Real Estate Lending Officer

  EagleBank

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  Marcus Goodwin

  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.

  Cushman & Wakefield

  Managing Director

  Moderator

  Marcus Goodwin

  Managing Director

  Cushman & Wakefield

Opening Remarks

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  Kay Pierson

  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.

  Sustainable Community Development Company

  CEO

  Kay Pierson

  CEO

  Sustainable Community Development Company