Dealmakers of the Year

• 

  Aimee Love

  Aimee is a seasoned CRE professional with over 16 years of experience in the lending industry. Currently serving as a Principal at Essex, she contributes to the strategic vision the firm as well as debt advisory and access for her clients. Previously, Aimee led a Commercial Real Estate lending team at Independent Financial, an $18B regional bank. In this role, she oversaw approximately $1B in commitments and talented team of bankers. She has experience with value-add/reposition, stabilized debt, and construction lending across all asset classes with an emphasis on multi-family. Throughout her career, she has led nearly $2B worth of loans and has demonstrated a strong ability to navigate complex transactions and high volumes with care and foresight. Aimee has a strong track record of execution and building long-term relationships with clients and partners. She consistently leverages her experience and network to provide creative solutions to meet the goals of each borrower. Aimee graduated from University of Northern Colorado, Monfort College of Business.

  Essex

  Principal

  Aimee Love

  Principal

  Essex

• 

  Amy Aldridge

  As a partner at Tributary Real Estate, Amy Aldridge offers 17 years of experience in commercial real estate as a licensed broker. Amy drives the company’s continued growth through an integrated approach to brokerage services. Amy’s extensive experience closing complex and challenging transactions has provided her with the expertise to find creative solutions for virtually any client real estate need – a skill she empowers her team to continually develop. Leveraging a strong understanding of the Denver market, Amy has earned a reputation for providing superior client service and building lasting relationships with clients based on trust, respect and a complete understanding of their business goals. Previously, Amy served as a vice president at JLL where she represented tenants and buyers in the Denver office market, specifically downtown and the periphery submarkets. She has expertise with multiple product types across the U.S. in both the public and private sectors. Outside of her work at Tributary, Amy is deeply involved in the community. She currently chairs the board for Social Venture Partners Denver and serves on the Fundraising Committee for Girls Inc. of Metro Denver. She is also very engaged in her alma mater, Colorado State University. In addition to serving on the CSU Everitt Real Estate Center’s Advisory Board, she mentors for CSU’s College of Business and is a member of the Green & Gold Foundation. Amy serves on the Board of Governors of the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation and is a member of the Downtown Denver Partnership. Amy was honored among Denver Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 in 2021. She has also been recognized as a Top 25 GenXYZ finalist by ColoradoBiz Magazine, a Heavy Hitter finalist (Young Broker of Denver) by the Denver Metro Commercial Association of REALTORS, and as a Breakout Broker of the Year by JLL. Amy graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University in business administration, with a double concentration in commercial real estate and real estate finance.

  Tributary Real Estate

  Partner

  Amy Aldridge

  Partner

  Tributary Real Estate

• 

  Amy Hansen

  Amy Kiefer Hansen’s diverse practice includes representing real estate developers, REITs and real estate private equity firms on both transactional and development matters across the United States. Amy represents ski resorts across the United States on both development and transactional matters. She routinely works with master developers of large-scale master-planned developments, high-density mixed-use urban projects and transit-oriented developments. As part of her resort and development practice, Amy has become a go-to resource for condominium-related matters. Amy also represents REITs and real estate private equity firms on acquisitions and equity investments into office, industrial, residential and rail projects. Clients rely on Amy’s practical, business-minded advice and counsel and her creative thinking on structuring both deals and governance structures.

  Polsinelli

  Shareholder

  Amy Hansen

  Shareholder

  Polsinelli

• 

  Ashley Stiles

  Ashley’s Native American heritage has influenced the way she approaches projects and builds teams. Diversity in thought generates stronger results, better ideas and problem solving, and it is far more fun than trying to working alone. The foundation of her career was built in the design world as a landscape architect, focused on luxury resort projects. It is here that she learned from the best, about the importance of delivering positive and memorable customer experiences-to stand out from the competition and drive loyalty.

  Tribe Development

  Founder & CEO

  Ashley Stiles

  Founder & CEO

  Tribe Development

• 

  Courtney Schneider

  Courtney is responsible for the industrial development and acquisitions for Hines in Colorado and Arizona. In these two markets she is charged with the sourcing, development, financing, leasing and disposition of developments and acquisitions of industrial and logistics projects. Since joining Hines in 2019, Courtney has grown the industrial presence in Colorado from zero to 1.5M square feet of industrial space across 8 buildings with future phases of land totaling more than 170 acres either owned or under exclusivity. Courtney is also responsible for signing the firms largest single-building industrial development in Arizona totaling more than 1.25M square feet. Prior to joining Hines, Courtney was a Development Manager at United Properties in their Denver office. Courtney facilitated projects of all product types in her time at United Properties – industrial, office, retail, and senior housing – concluding with ground up development of more than 2.5M sq. ft. of office and industrial product, acquisitions and dispositions exceeding $150M, and assisting the financing team in closing on loans totaling nearly $220M. Courtney is an active member of NAIOP Colorado, currently serving on its Board of Directors. She graduated from the University of Colorado with a BS in Business Administration; Marketing Emphasis and Real Estate Certificate.

  Hines

  Director

  Courtney Schneider

  Director

  Hines

• 

  Heather Boelens

  Heather Boelens is the Managing Partner of our Boulder, Colorado office and a leader of the Firm’s global asset management and corporate occupier subsector teams. Heather works on a wide range of real estate deals and has a deep well of experience in the areas of real estate acquisition, disposition, development, finance and leasing of virtually every asset class including industrial, multifamily, hospitality, manufacturing, educational, office, agricultural, retail, and technology facilities. Her clients include REITs and private equity firms. She represents clients with ever-expanding nationwide footprints like Ares Management/Black Creek Group, EverWest Real Estate Partners and Asana Partners, while also maintaining a robust local practice, representing developers, public entities, health care providers and educational institutions in the Colorado region. Heather’s organizational dexterity, astute judgment and unflagging positive mindset make her ideally suited for leading and collaborating on a broad range of transactions and projects. She excels at building effective teams with complimentary skill sets that provide the highest, best level of service for clients. Heather is always keen to learn more about clients and their businesses. Clients, in turn, are eager to tap into Heather's practical ability to get deals done on their timeline. Whether at the negotiating table or in a closing, driving deals and exceeding client expectations at every stage are fundamental to Heather’s management style. Outside of her legal practice, Heather puts her positive, inclusive attitude to work as a member of the BCLP’s Women Initiative, where she has hosted and coordinated events to help other women build their personal brand. Heather also created the first-year associate training program and a women mentorship group for the Real Estate Group in the Firm. She is a member of the Firm’s global Well-Being Committee and a certified Mental Health First Aider.

  Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner

  Office Managing Partner

  Heather Boelens

  Office Managing Partner

  Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner

• 

  Jenny Knowlton

  Jenny Knowlton is an Executive Vice President with CBRE and a partner of CBRE's National Office Partners. Based in Denver, Colorado, she is a co-leader and partner of a 6-person team specializing in the sale and recapitalization of office and mixed-use assets throughout Colorado, Phoenix and Salt Lake City. She has been involved in over $15 billion in transactions spanning hundreds of buildings in just the last decade alone. Prior to joining CBRE, Jenny was at Cushman & Wakefield for 7 years working in investment sales.

  CBRE

  EVP

  Jenny Knowlton

  EVP

  CBRE

• 

  Kelli Lind

  With nearly two decades of progressive leadership in the commercial real estate investment sector, my current role as Chief Operating Officer at KORE Investments has allowed me to hone my expertise in new business development, asset management, and process improvement. Previously, as Senior Vice President of Asset Services at the same company, I played a pivotal role in transforming operational strategies, enhancing efficiency, and driving sustainable growth. Our team's commitment to excellence is evident in the robust asset services we deliver, all while fostering a culture of innovation and service that aligns with KORE's mission. As we navigate the dynamic investment landscape, my focus remains on leveraging my competencies to contribute to our company's success and to help shape the future of the industry.

  KORE Investments

  COO

  Kelli Lind

  COO

  KORE Investments

• 

  Lisa Lumley

  Director Of Real Estate

  City & County of Denver

• 

  Megan Waldschmidt

  Megan has over 15 years of public and private accounting, auditing and tax experience working in small to medium-sized companies. She previously served as the controller and CFO for large construction and engineering firms in Colorado. Megan has a degree in accounting and worked in public accounting for five years doing both audit and tax work for a regional firm that specialized in Construction Accounting. She then went to work as the controller and CFO for a high-end custom home builder followed by working as the CFO for a construction and engineering firm. Prior to her work at Westside, Megan worked with a land developer as the CFO of a large development near DIA.

  Westside Investment Partners

  Principal

  Megan Waldschmidt

  Principal

  Westside Investment Partners

Innovators in Development & Design

• 

  Amy Bui

  Managing Director

  Quaterra

• 

  Amy Cara

  Amy is the Managing Partner of East West Partners in Denver. East West Partners is devoted to creating terrific places. Since 1986, the firm has developed and sold over $7 billion of residential and commercial real estate. Amy is always looking for ways to connect people with the places they live and work. Amy is responsible for bringing the new Cherry Creek West development to life. Her team recently completed one of the Denver Union Station transit hub redevelopment and much of the adjacent residential and office including The Coloradan and 16 Chestnut. She also oversaw the revitalization of The Landmark, a distressed mixed-use community that needed new eyes and perspective. Prior to this, Amy helped to create the Riverfront Park community in Denver. More than a collection of buildings, the Riverfront Park neighborhood of Denver, Denver’s Union Station Neighborhood and the Landmark development represent something important to Amy - creating a sense of place. Amy is deeply committed to the community. She a founding member of the Center City Collaborative, which is a coalition of civic-minded, business and community leaders working to find creative and inclusive solutions to the current challenges facing downtown. She is also on the boards of Habitat for Humanity, the Denver Metro Chamber’s EDC, Downtown Denver Partnership’s Civic Ventures Board, the University of Colorado Real Estate Center’s International Advisory Board, and a member of Colorado Concern and the Urban Land Institute’s national Mixed-Use Council, Also deeply committed to the arts, Amy is a founding board member for the Riverfront Park Community Foundation, which fosters organizations particularly in the areas of arts and education in Denver, and as a founding board member of Union Hall, a new model to support local and emerging artists in downtown Denver.

  East West Partners

  Managing Partner

  Amy Cara

  Managing Partner

  East West Partners

• 

  Angela Harris

  Angela Harris is an American interior designer, Chief Executive Officer, mother, and thought leader. At her renowned interior architecture firm, Angela has spent 25 years working directly with the nation’s most prominent builders, developers, architects, and product manufacturers. Her robust experience in market-driven design, coupled with a Masters in Sustainable Design, has led her to embark on a design journey inspired by philosophy, mindfulness, science, and technology. Angela is currently earning her PhD in Visual Arts, pursuing research in the field of Aesthetics, Design, and the Built Environment through IDSVA. Angela and her talented team collaborate on all aspects of master-planned communities, commercial design, model homes, clubhouses, sales centers, hospitality, and multifamily apartment communities.

  TRIO

  CEO & Principal

  Angela Harris

  CEO & Principal

  TRIO

• 

  Cynthia Steinbrecher

  Cynthia Steinbrecher is a visionary force at The Interiors Studio at Davis Partnership Architects, where she co-leads with an intuitive eye for detail and a fearless approach to design. With 24 years of experience, spanning from Boston to San Francisco, her aesthetic is a masterful fusion of eras, textures, and sculptural forms—each space she creates is a layered narrative, rich with depth and intention. She doesn’t chase trends; instead, she crafts interiors that are timeless, soulful, and deeply personal. For Cynthia, design is an experience—an art form that transcends aesthetics to shape how we live, work, and connect. Whether it's a striking hospitality destination, an immersive dining experience, or a dynamic workplace, her interiors are designed to evoke emotion and tell a compelling story. She thrives in collaboration, working closely with clients to unearth their vision and translate it into a tactile, unforgettable reality. Cynthia believes the magic of design is in the details, and through open communication and a shared creative journey, she ensures that every project is as functional as it is extraordinary. Her greatest joy in the world is enjoying quality time with her family and friends, when she isn’t in the studio she can be found exploring the great outdoors, skiing, mountain biking and traveling.

  Davis Partnership Architects

  Principal

  Cynthia Steinbrecher

  Principal

  Davis Partnership Architects

• 

  Emily Beach

  Emily was born in Michigan, grew up outside of Indianapolis, and is a Midwestern girl through and through! Emily graduated Purdue University’s College of Liberal Arts, and before entering the workforce spent time interning in London for a residential firm, and in Indy at a commercial architecture firm. Interested in blending her differing work experiences, Emily landed at a commercial interior design firm in Chicago. After enjoying several years in the Windy City, she moved to Denver in 2018 and joined Studio 10. Emily specializes in pushing the design envelope and delivering elevated design throughout every phase of each project. Emily has a passion for art, music, and her favorite…traveling. When she’s not working, you can find her DIY’ing the next house project, hitting up a new restaurant, or painting.

  Studio 10 Interior Design

  VP, Design Operations

  Emily Beach

  VP, Design Operations

  Studio 10 Interior Design

• 

  Jeanne Gang

  Architect and MacArthur Fellow Jeanne Gang, FAIA, Int. FRIBA, is the founding principal of Studio Gang. A member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a Chevalier de l’Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur, Jeanne is internationally renowned for a design process that foregrounds the relationships between individuals, communities, and environments. Her diverse body of work spans scales and typologies, expanding beyond architecture’s conventional boundaries to pursuits ranging from the development of stronger materials to fostering stronger communities. Her approach has resulted in some of today’s most compelling architecture, including Aqua Tower, the Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership, and Writers Theatre. She is currently designing major projects throughout the Americas and Europe, including the Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation at the American Museum of Natural History in New York; a unified campus for the California College of the Arts in San Francisco; and the new United States Embassy in Brasilia, Brazil. A recipient of the 2013 National Design Award (Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum), Jeanne was named the 2016 Architect of the Year by the Architectural Review. In 2017, she was honored with the Louis I. Kahn Memorial Award and made an honorary fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. Widely published and acclaimed, her work has been exhibited at the Venice Architecture Biennale, Chicago Architecture Biennial, Museum of Modern Art, and Art Institute of Chicago. She is the author of Reveal, the first volume on Studio Gang’s work and process, and Reverse Effect: Renewing Chicago’s Waterways, which envisions a radically greener future for the Chicago River. Jeanne is a distinguished alumna of the Harvard Graduate School of Design, where she was recently appointed Professor in Practice. She lectures frequently throughout the world and serves on various civic and design-focused committees and advisory groups.

  Studio Gang

  Founder

  Jeanne Gang

  Founder

  Studio Gang

• 

  Kathleen Fogler

  Kathleen leads our Urban Design Studio and is an Urban Designer and Architect with 17 years of national and international practice experience. Her urban design and development efforts focus on balancing transportation, natural resources and sustainable urban growth with the economic demands of the marketplace. Kathleen has led planning, urban design and entitlement efforts for Denver International Airport, the Washington Street Corridor, Fox North, and the Fitzsimons Innovation Community. Kathleen excels at the resolution of difficult urban issues and her collaborative management skills ensure effective and efficient delivery for a range of large scale and visionary projects. Kathleen’s focus on a strong vision, principle led design and clear communication enables her to effectively build consensus and momentum for complex urban projects involving multiple stakeholder groups.

  Tryba Architects

  Principal

  Kathleen Fogler

  Principal

  Tryba Architects

• 

  Melyssa Hartzell

  Melyssa Hartzell, a Principal at Martin/Martin, Inc. (370+ employee-owned full-service survey, civil and structural engineering firm based in Lakewood, Colorado with 9 offices across the Nation), brings extensive experience in project management in civil engineering, focusing on land development, site development, and urban infrastructure projects. Her expertise spans street layout and roadway design, site grading, wastewater and waterline systems, and comprehensive drainage and erosion control reporting. Over her 17-year career, she has built a strong track record working with Colorado municipalities, gaining in-depth knowledge of entitlement processes and regulations. In addition, Melyssa has cultivated close relationships with architects, developers, and key stakeholders within the sports community, positioning her as a go-to professional for successful project execution in high-profile, complex developments. Notable projects include: Colorado State University (CSU) Canvas Football Stadium, National Western CSU SPUR, Ball Arena Redevelopment, Denver Broncos Training Center, University of Colorado Boulder Potts and Prentup Fields, Colorado Rockies Coors Field and East Plaza, Victory Crossing, and multiple golf courses and recreation centers.

  Martin/Martin, Inc.

  Principal

  Melyssa Hartzell

  Principal

  Martin/Martin, Inc.

• 

  Mindy Rietz

  VP, Development

  United Properties

• 

  Morgan Lyoshir

  Morgan provides strategic leadership for the Rocky Mountain district. She began her career at Milender White in the Arvada office in 2010, and just five years later, she was selected to lead the Southern California office as Construction Executive. Morgan was instrumental in the growth of Milender White in the region. She drives results through consistency, process, honesty, and clear communication. Morgan values a solution focused and team-based approach to construction. She received her bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Florida and earned her master’s degree in construction engineering & management from the University of Colorado Boulder.

  Milender White

  VP & District Manager

  Morgan Lyoshir

  VP & District Manager

  Milender White

Excellence in Community Impact & Social Responsibility

• 

  Afsaneh Makooi

  Afsaneh has dedicated her career to healthcare architecture, honing a specialized skill set to identify inefficiencies, improve workflows, and make a significant impact on healthcare outcomes. "I have a deep passion for efficiency," Afsaneh explains. "It has a profound ripple effect on the ability of healthcare professionals to perform their duties and, ultimately, on the quality of patient care." Afsaneh developed a new design phase, DIVE (Discover, Interpret, Vocalize, Execute), which brings together all key stakeholders at the start of a project. This collaborative approach helps define the project’s scope more effectively and produce more accurate estimates. The DIVE concept is a perfect reflection of Afsaneh’s life experiences. Growing up in Guam, she spent her weekends cliff diving and scuba diving, later becoming a competitive swimmer and coach in college. "The water has always been a part of me," she adds.

  Smithgroup

  Principal, Senior Project Manager

  Afsaneh Makooi

  Principal, Senior Project Manager

  Smithgroup

• 

  Alison Nestel-Patt

  Alison Nestel-Patt leads the firm’s marketing, branding and community development strategy. Alison drives the creative visioning process to translate ideas into an executable real estate strategy through best-in-class marketing, communications and branding efforts to create lasting real estate developments that become part of their local communities. Alison spent more than a decade at leading marketing and public relations agencies spearheading the brand and communications strategy for renowned national and international brands. Alison is originally from Boston and attended Bates College.

  FORMATIV

  Director, Marketing & Development

  Alison Nestel-Patt

  Director, Marketing & Development

  FORMATIV

• 

  April Simmons

  As DURA’s Director of Community Investment, April is responsible for project management, community engagement and securing new and additional resources for the organization. Prior to joining DURA, April served as the Memphis and Shelby County Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)’s Director of Vision and Project Management, where she was responsible for facilitating all of CRA’s projects and programs portfolios, managing most of the public procurement for professional and hard construction services, and supporting ongoing vision development for CRA. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies and a Master of Science in Planning. Some of April’s project highlights include working on the North Memphis Greenline Extension and Park, the Memphis Harahan Bridge Project and the Memphis Crosstown Concourse. Originally from the south, April loves to cook and swears that her husband is a BBQ smoke master.

  DURA

  Director of Community Investment

  April Simmons

  Director of Community Investment

  DURA

• 

  Carla Ferreira

  I lead the marketing and sales teams at The Aurora Highlands and maintain close relationships with the development’s building partners, public entities and various consulting teams. I’m involved in the local, state, and global community, sitting on community boards and acting philanthropically. The Aurora Highlands is the Denver Metro Area’s largest master-planned community currently underway just south of DIA. The community will expand the metro area to the east near DIA and will add 12,500 residential units, 4 new schools, 21 miles of trails, 20 neighborhood parks, recreational facilities, libraries, outdoor entertainment venues, shops and restaurants and is a part of the Aerotropolis region that will add 170,000 jobs to the metro area upon completion.

  The Aurora Highlands

  Managing Principal

  Carla Ferreira

  Managing Principal

  The Aurora Highlands

• 

  Flor Alvidrez

  I am a daughter of District 7. My childhood was full of adventures around the district, like visits to Huston Lake Park, Washington Park, and Athmar Park Library. Some of my earliest memories are of taking evening walks along the Platte River with my family and listening to the whistle of the train at night. After buying their first home in Athmar Park, my family was so content in District 7 that we only moved once - to the house across the street! Southwest Denver has helped to shape the person I am today. It’s where I learned the value of community, hard work, and service. In fact, my first leadership role was being on the student council at Valverde Elementary School! I attended Denver Public Schools - Valverde Elementary, West Middle and High Schools - and when I bought my home, I bought it here in District 7. When my grandmother immigrated from Mexico in the 90s, she too made her home in the district. It’s my dream that my young son will someday also make his home here. I am a small business owner and I attribute my entrepreneurial spirit to my parents. My family started a business in 1997 out of our basement. My father, Juan Alvidrez, a Mexican immigrant thrived in Denver; he got his GED from Emily Griffith and was able to build a career in construction, working his way up through the carpenters’ union. My mother, Cynthia Alvidrez, pushed my father to pursue his education, and together as a family we built a small concrete contracting company. Knowing that we all needed to do our part to support the family business, my first job was at our office on Pearl Street, in an old Victorian home next to my uncle’s dry cleaning business. Later, while attending Metropolitan State and the Community College of Denver, I supported my studies by working at the US Bank on Mississippi & Broadway. I had to put my education on hold to help run the family business when my mom experienced a medical emergency. I had been studying to be a paralegal and had become familiar with law, legislation, and legal processes, and most importantly, learned how to be an advocate for my community. At the beginning of 2020, after a shooting took place on my street, I helped unite neighbors to talk about our safety. Former Councilman Jolon Clark was there to listen, and we came up with real solutions that made us feel safe again and gave the community time and space to grieve all the loss we experienced. I know there are solutions to the problems we are facing, and I will advocate for our community. Crime has risen about 6% and that’s just since 2021. Inflation and the cost of living in Denver continue to rise, further exacerbating our housing crisis. Small businesses in the area continue to close. The path to the American dream that my family was able to achieve is dwindling, no longer an option for most. I ran for office because we need a leader who will deliver results and offer solutions to the big challenges facing our district and our growing city.

  Denver City Council

  Councilwoman, District 7

  Flor Alvidrez

  Councilwoman, District 7

  Denver City Council

• 

  Grisel Gray

  Director, Preconstruction

  Gilmore Construction Corporation

• 

  "Jo" Ellen Davidson

  A visionary leader, Jo brings decades of experience in real estate development, management, finance, and community development to her role as CEO of Grovewood. As the leader of Grovewood, Jo works to identify development opportunities in an increasingly challenging real estate market and unite the many stakeholders needed to bring new affordable housing communities to life in South Metro Denver. She is a master collaborator, time and again bringing together the public and private entities needed to bring new units of affordable housing online. Throughout her 40+ year career, Jo has served in a leadership and/or consulting capacity for numerous local and national organizations across the public and private sector, addressing a variety of community needs, from finance and banking, housing, job training, Special Needs, health and wellness, and economic development. As a collective outcome, she has helped successfully navigate the complex world of affordable housing to secure funding and deliver more than 3,000 affordable rental and homeownership units, along with jobs and human services across Colorado and surrounding states. Jo currently serves on the Board of Directors for Signal Behavioral Health Network. Previously Jo served as the community reinvestment officer for two financial institutions and was the founding director of the Denver office of The Enterprise Foundation. She was appointed for two 4-year terms on the Board of Directors for the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority for which she was the chair for one year. She served on the FHLBank Topeka Advisory Council for 10 years, was Chair for seven. She is passionate about social, health, economic, and racial equity, and believes that housing is foundational to human health, wellbeing, and the realization of human potential.

  Grovewood Community Development

  Executive Director

  "Jo" Ellen Davidson

  Executive Director

  Grovewood Community Development

• 

  Karla Nugent

  As a founding partner and chief revenue officer of Weifield Group, Karla Nugent is responsible for the company’s business development, marketing and preconstruction in CO, TN, TX, and WY. Weifield has grown to over 900+ employees, has received the Denver Post Top Workplace award for ten years running, the USA Top Workplace annually since 2020 and is the first electrical contractor in the region to complete Net-Zero energy projects. Karla promotes Weifield Group while passionately advocating for a better construction workforce and industry. She has been an innovator in workforce development and improving training for the next generation of construction workers. Karla has led Project SCALE – Scaling Construction Access for Learners and Earners. This Colorado state industry-led initiative has over 25 associations & businesses working to connect and cross map high school HBI construction curriculum into construction apprenticeships. These apprenticeship credits then cross maps into a newly created construction associate degree with CCCS. She currently serves on the State of Colorado Workforce Development Council, Colorado Business Experiential-Learning (BEL) Commission, Colorado Business Roundtable Board of Directors (COBRT) – Executive Committee and serves as the Avista Hospital Trustee Board Vice Chair and Weifield Foundation Chair. Her deep commitment to philanthropy and her professional achievements led her to be recognized with many awards such as ‘AFP | Large Business Philanthropy Award’ and Colorado Chamber’s ‘Top 25 Most Powerful Women’, Denver Business Journal’s ‘Outstanding Women in Business’ award, CREW Denver’s ‘Emerging Iconic Woman’ award, Denver Business Journal Partners in Philanthropy’s ‘Corporate Citizen of the Year’ award, Denver Institute for Faith & Work’s ‘Tree of Life’ award, and Denver Business Journal’s ‘C-Suites’ award.

  Weifield Group

  Founding Partner & Chief Revenue Officer

  Karla Nugent

  Founding Partner & Chief Revenue Officer

  Weifield Group

• 

  Laura Dougherty

  Denver Studio Director

  Cushing Terrell

• 

  Polly Jessen

  I represent clients with a range of legal issues associated with project development, particularly projects that involve purchasing, selling, or redeveloping contaminated sites. My goal is to cost-effectively help clients navigate the legal hurdles necessary to reach their business objectives and effectively manage legal and financial risk along the way.

  Kaplan Kirsch

  Partner

  Polly Jessen

  Partner

  Kaplan Kirsch

Elevating Denver: The Female Force in Real Estate

Panel Discussion with 2024 Honorees

• 

  Erin Clark

  As the Chief Real Estate Investment Officer, Clark provides leadership and strategic direction to the real estate division, including overseeing policies, procedures and investment decisions for real estate development, acquisitions, dispositions, financing, marketing and partnership activities for DHA. She also establishes and maintains relationships with government agencies, community stakeholders, residents, vendors, financial partners, and various associations for the execution of DHA’s real estate investment strategic goals among other key responsibilities. Prior to joining DHA, Clark worked for Urban Land Conservancy (ULC), a Denver-based non-profit real estate development organization focused on land acquisitions and development of affordable housing and supportive community benefit uses. Earlier in her career she also served in city government in the planning and development department for the City of Pasadena, California. Clark currently serves on the Colorado State Land Board as commissioner at large as a gubernatorial appointee and served on the Denver Planning Board as a mayoral appointee for five years. Clark is a thought leader in the industry, having served on multiple panels at various events. She also earned a Trailblazer Award from the Denver Chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), and was an Eagle Award nominee from Housing Colorado. Clark holds her Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin, a Master of Planning from the University of Southern California, and a Bachelor of Arts from Brown University.

  Denver Housing Authority

  Chief Real Estate Investment Officer

  Erin Clark

  Chief Real Estate Investment Officer

  Denver Housing Authority

• 

  Janessa Biller

  Janessa is responsible for helping Tenants with all aspects of their occupancy needs and strategy. Prior to working at JLL, Janessa spent 10 years living in New York City and working on Wall Street. She started her career at Goldman Sachs, spending time in both Operations and Client Services working with Hedge Funds and Private Equity Firms. She then went on to work at Dynasty Financial Partners where she helped Financial Advisors with all aspects of starting and running their businesses. This is where she got her start in Commercial Real Estate as she helped her clients manage all aspects of their real estate. A Denver Native, Janessa joined JLL upon her return to Denver in 2018. She won the CREW Rising Leader award in 2019. With a strong financial services background, she helps her clients with financial reviews, negotiations, and creative problem solving. Janessa attended New York University and received a Bachelor of Arts in Policy Economics and Romance Languages. Janessa also later attended New York University Stern School of Business for her Master’s of Business Administration with a specialization in Finance, Marketing and Management. In her free time, Janessa spends time outdoors hiking, running, snowshoeing, skiing (both downhill and cross country!), golfing, tennis, and gardening.

  JLL

  EVP

  Janessa Biller

  EVP

  JLL

• 

  Catherine Bean

  Since joining Element Properties in 2015 Catherine Bean, Principal, has managed development projects and helped to craft and execute the company’s strategy. She’s overseen a range of projects, including the conversion of more than 230 apartments from market rate to permanently affordable, the repositioning of a commercial building in Flatiron Park, and the development of for-sale townhomes in downtown Boulder. Catherine has also spearheaded Element’s growing permanent supportive housing portfolio by receiving competitive 9%, 4%, and Colorado state low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC) for projects that will provide housing and supportive services to the most vulnerable in our community. Previously, she spent four years with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) where her responsibilities included managing FHA’s Breaking Ground Program and overseeing and analyzing HUD’s $13.6 billion share of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Prior to that, she worked for New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Catherine earned her B.A. in history from the University of Virginia and her MBA from Harvard Business School. She sits on the board of the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless and enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, twin boys, and dog, Huckleberry.

  Element Properties

  Principal

  Catherine Bean

  Principal

  Element Properties

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  Laura Newman

  Laura is the Vice President of Investment & Development at Golub, a role that entails overseeing the pursuit and implementation of development projects in Denver. Her primary focus is managing Denargo Market, a $1 billion mixed-use project. Laura’s responsibilities encompass all aspects of the project, including acquisition, underwriting, equity and debt capitalization, zoning and entitlements, pre-development, community engagement, investor relations, leasing, and overall project execution. In addition to her work on Denargo Market, Laura has also been involved in the acquisition of Golub’s other land sites in Denver. Prior to assuming her current position and opening Golub’s Denver office in 2018, Laura held roles as a Leasing Associate and Assistant Operations Manager within the company’s Chicago office. Outside of her professional responsibilities, Laura actively participates in the community. She serves on the board of the Denver Park Trust and is a member of ULI Colorado, NAIOP Colorado Chapter, and the Downtown Denver Partnership. Laura’s involvement with the Downtown Denver Partnership included participation in their Leadership Program in 2020. Laura completed her undergraduate studies at Middlebury College, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree.

  Golub & Company

  VP, Investment & Development

  Laura Newman

  VP, Investment & Development

  Golub & Company

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  Megan Krest

  Associate Director, ESG & Sustainability

  Cushman & Wakefield

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  Lauren Gerdes

  Lauren has over 12 years of experience serving clients across the country by providing industry-specific insights that allows them to stay at the forefront of the changes within their industry. As a member of the national real estate practice, she provides audit and other advisory services, including financial statement audit services, attest engagement services and specific transaction related services to a wide range of privately held companies developing and operating assets in all sectors of real estate. Lauren specializes in working with private equity investment advisors and funds holding various equity and debt positions in domestic and international real estate. She works closely with her clients through complex accounting and operational matters surrounding acquisitions, valuations and structures, including Qualified Opportunity Zone funds, real estate investment trusts (REITs) and open-ended funds. Lauren was selected as a senior analyst in RSM’s cutting edge Industry Eminence Program, which positions its senior analysts to understand, forecast and communicate economic, business and technology trends shaping the industries RSM serves. These senior analysts advise clients on conditions influencing middle market leaders. Lauren’s focus is on the real estate industry. Lauren is also active in RSM’s employee network group, STAR, which advocates for women in the workplace with a focus on stewardship, teamwork, advancement and retention opportunities.

  RSM US

  Partner & Real Estate Senior Analyst

  Lauren Gerdes

  Partner & Real Estate Senior Analyst

  RSM US