Keynote

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  Bill Mosher

  Bill Mosher is a native of Denver who has over 50 years of experience in both urban redevelopment organizations and private sector development. As sole member of MAM Denver, LLC, Bill is currently consulting for the Mayor’s Office of Denver as a special projects’ advisor. Primary responsibilities include leading the Denver Downtown Development Authority’s efforts to reinvest in the historic core of Downtown Denver. Mosher also engages with the private sector and city agencies to resolve various real estate related development issues. Mosher also serves as the original CEO of the Denver Convention Center Hotel Authority, the non-profit corporation that financed, designed, constructed, furnished, and now owns the $285 million, 1,100-room Hyatt Convention Center Hotel which was completed in December 2005. Bill oversees Hyatt’s operations on behalf of the Authority, including a current $70M major rooms renovation project to be completed in early 2026. Mosher previously served as Senior Managing Director of Trammell Crow’s Colorado office from 2006 through 2023. Mosher oversaw TCC’s multi-product development and investment activities in Colorado, including industrial, office, retail, residential and health-care related projects. Trammell Crow developed over 21 million square feet valued at over $4 billion in Denver-area projects during this time. Bill formed Mosher Sullivan Development Partners in 2003 following 3 years serving as a partner and President of Mile High Development (MHD). Bill served as President of the Downtown Denver Partnership (DDP) from 1990-1999. At the Partnership he helped guide Downtown Denver’s rebirth in the 1990s including forming the Business Improvement District (BID) and initiating a downtown housing development strategy culminating in redevelopment plans for the Central Platte Valley. Prior to his association with the DDP, Bill served as the Executive Director of the Downtown Development Corporation (DDC) and the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) in Tucson, Arizona.

  City and County of Denver

  Chief Projects Officer

  Keynote

  Bill Mosher

  Chief Projects Officer

  City and County of Denver

What Will It Take to Revive Downtown Denver?

A candid conversation on the solutions needed to create a vibrant, livable, and connected urban core

• 

  Adeeb Khan

  Executive Director

  Denver Office of Economic Development

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  Jeff Jones

  Jeff joined Formativ in 2017 and serves as the Chief Investment Officer and Principal for the firm. In this position, Jeff oversees the firm’s investment strategy, capital structuring, and portfolio expansion, ensuring disciplined financial execution across development and acquisition initiatives. With over 20 years of experience in real estate development and finance, Jeff has a proven track record for navigating complex markets and delivering transformative projects that enhance communities and drive returns for partners. Prior to Formativ, Jeff served in various finance and development roles for firms in Denver and São Paulo, Brazil working across a diverse portfolio including boutique hotel to cutting-edge creative office spaces. Jeff began his career at The Concord Group in San Francisco, where he advised on over 150 residential, commercial, hospitality, and mixed-use developments globally. Originally from Wilmington, North Carolina, Jeff holds a B.A. from Duke University.

  Formativ

  CIO & Principal

  Jeff Jones

  CIO & Principal

  Formativ

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  Kourtny Garrett

  The Downtown Denver Partnership announced Kourtny Garrett as its President and CEO in January 2022. Garrett joined the Partnership from Downtown Dallas, Inc. (DDI), where she served as President and CEO for nearly seven years. With 25 years of experience in developing livable communities, Garrett is fueled by her passion for cities. Her expertise is rooted in building social, cultural and economic vibrancy, creating places for people that provide access and opportunity for all. Garrett has expanded her work nationally and internationally through research and participation in the International Downtown Association, German Marshall Foundation, Brookings Institute and the International Business of Cities. She has published through many of these organizations, working toward the health and vitality of city centers across the globe. Garrett is proud to sit on the Board of Directors of VISIT DENVER and the CAP Advisory Board of the CU Denver College of Architecture and Planning.

  Downtown Denver Partnership

  President & CEO

  Kourtny Garrett

  President & CEO

  Downtown Denver Partnership

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  Joshua Brooks

  Joshua is a landscape architect and planner and serves as the Co-Director of Sasaki’s office in Denver. He has a deep passion for creating successful human habitat for all people through a variety of urban design, planning, and landscape project types. His interest lies at the intersection of people and infrastructure, where he focuses on the planning, design, and implementation of urban places of lasting social significance and ecological integrity. A systems thinker, Joshua has used his multi-disciplinary background and worked across scales and contexts in North America, Australia, Europe, and Africa. On every project, he has committed himself to working with both public and private clients on complex social, environmental, and financial problems through collaboration, community engagement, and innovative solutions. Joshua’s expertise is in district scale master planning, urban redevelopment, infrastructural and environmental urban systems, corridor planning and design, and parks and public spaces. Joshua has a keen understanding of social dynamics, long term implications of planning and design, environmental performance, and changes in technology and economies. He uses this knowledge to craft resilient solutions for cities and people. Joshua earned a master’s degree in city planning from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and holds a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture with a minor in environmental science from Louisiana State University. He has taught at Northeastern University’s School of Architecture on Sustainable Urban Environments and works to bring human-centric urbanism to the mainstream through research, education, and writing.

  Sasaki

  Co-Director

  Joshua Brooks

  Co-Director

  Sasaki

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  Matt Schlageter

  Matt Schlageter, PE is the Chairman of the Board, Director of Civil Engineering, and Principal at Martin/Martin, Inc., bringing 29 years of experience to his role. Known for his creative problem-solving and collaborative leadership, Matt specializes in sustainable site design, mixed-use, commercial, and complex industrial projects. His hands-on approach, deep technical expertise, and focus on client needs have been instrumental in the success of numerous award-winning and LEED-certified projects—including five NREL facilities achieving LEED Platinum , Lockheed Martin campuses worldwide, 16th Street Redevelopment and the Denver Water Operations Complex. Matt is a recognized leader in integrated, high-performance design, with notable contributions to the OneWater initiative and infrastructure policy changes in Colorado. Today, Matt’s leadership shapes Martin/Martin’s long-term vision, where he champions design excellence, technical integrity, and the professional development of future firm leaders.

  Martin/Martin

  Chairman, Director, Principal

  Matt Schlageter

  Chairman, Director, Principal

  Martin/Martin

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  Dan Boyd

  Dr. Dan Boyd is a vice president and sales leader for CSSI, the nation's leading cost segregation and specialty tax firm. He holds a doctorate in education from the University of Central Florida and joined CSSI to expand and improve their training, education, and development program. He represents CSSI nationally for ongoing education for CPAs, professional development, conferences, and investor networks.

  CSSI

  Vice President & Sales Leader

  Dan Boyd

  Vice President & Sales Leader

  CSSI

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  Kirsten Crawford

  Kirsten is an experienced attorney, specializing in complex development and public financing mechanisms to achieve her clients’ redevelopment goals. Since joining Kaplan Kirsch, Kirsten has negotiated and advised on multiple development agreements with public financing sources including tax increment, special district, and bond financing for redevelopment of metro area city centers and rural resort communities. Kirsten has guided multiple jurisdictions in the negotiation of intergovernmental agreements to establish regional transportation and multi-jurisdictional housing authorities and advised on election and ballot measures for financing these special purpose entities. While serving as Breckenridge Town Attorney, Kirsten advised on land use entitlements, including annexation, zoning, and a mixed-use development agreement for the redevelopment of Breckenridge’s ski base area. She also negotiated and drafted a wide array of agreements for affordable and workforce housing units funded with private and public sources. As Legislative Counsel for the Denver City Council, Kirsten served as a top leader in the City Attorney’s Office overseeing legal advice on high-level policy matters for the City. Kirsten has developed exceptional legal draftsmanship having lead efforts for multiple ballot and referred measures.

  Kaplan Kirsch

  Partner

  Moderator

  Kirsten Crawford

  Partner

  Kaplan Kirsch

The Future of Downtown Office Space

Addressing Vacancy, Adaptive Reuse and Market Shifts in Denver’s CBD

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  Elizabeth Osborne

  Managing Director

  JLL

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  Jenny Knowlton

  Jenny Knowlton is a Senior Vice President and a partner in CBRE’s National Office Partners. Based in Denver, Colorado, Jenny is responsible for office and mixed-use investment sales and advisory transactions throughout the Rocky Mountain region, including Colorado, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City. Over the last decade, she and her partners have completed or been involved in over $15 billion in transactions across hundreds of assets. Jenny started her career at Cushman & Wakefield in 2006 and joined CBRE in 2014.

  CBRE

  SVP

  Jenny Knowlton

  SVP

  CBRE

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  Amy Thomas

  Amy Thomas is the Director of Real Estate at Rethos, where she leads initiatives focused on reactivating and reinvesting in historic buildings. She also serves on the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission. With a background in technical program management and community revitalization, Amy works to balance economic growth with cultural preservation and equitable access. She has experience across public, private, and nonprofit sectors, helping communities realize the full potential of their built environments. At Rethos, she champions place-based solutions that celebrate local identity while addressing modern urban challenges.

  Rethos

  Director of Real Estate

  Amy Thomas

  Director of Real Estate

  Rethos

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  Kali Cardoza

  VP, Head of Sales and Leasing

  WeWork

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  Carrie Preister

  Carrie is Principal of Westar, a boutique firm managing a variety of commercial property types across the Front Range. With 14 years at Westar and 30+ years of firm history, she brings a rare blend of an owner’s perspective and personal commitment to every asset — treating management as both a business strategy and a human-centered service. Motivated by the challenge of problem-solving, her team’s curious, tenacious approach has earned Westar lasting relationships with owners, tenants, and vendors. This mindset sets Westar apart as a trusted, long-term partner for those seeking both stability and growth. Carrie is especially attuned to the pressure points that impact mid-market assets. She specializes in elevating underperforming properties, managing complex transitions, and building relationships to maintain trust — not just in the asset, but in the people connected to it.

  Westar Real Property Services

  Principal & Managing Partner

  Moderator

  Carrie Preister

  Principal & Managing Partner

  Westar Real Property Services

Getting Your Building Filled: Leasing, Retention & Activation Strategies

Creative Design-Driven and Operational Approaches for Attracting Tenants, Retaining Occupiers and Bringing Energy Back to Downtown Assets

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  Karen Gerwitz

  Karen Gerwitz brings 30+ years’ experience in international business to the organization in the private, public and non-profit sectors. She currently serves as Chair for the WTCA's Member Advisory Council on Trade Services for the Americas. Her enthusiastic vision for how Denver can become a more globally-conscious city is what is driving the organization to its new development in the Fox Park neighborhood near downtown. With business development, strategic growth and marketing as her main functional expertise, Karen has served overseas in Ghana and Austria, and in Colorado in multiple sectors including: IT, Aerospace, Lumber, Science, Mining, and Government. Her protocol and international cultural expertise prepared her well to host the official visits of the Emperor and Empress of Japan, the G8 Summit, the Western Hemisphere Ministerial Summit, and hundreds of other delegations. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in International Business and her Masters of Public Administration from the University of Colorado.

  World Trade Center Denver

  President & CEO

  Karen Gerwitz

  President & CEO

  World Trade Center Denver

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  Marc Perusse

  Marc Perusse is the Founder & CEO of E2M Ventures (E2MV), a Denver-based real estate investment firm known for its ability to navigate and execute complex transactions. E2MV provides both senior and subordinate debt across the U.S., while also targeting opportunistic acquisitions in Colorado, often in partnership with Co-GP operating partners. With more than 15 years of experience, Marc has been instrumental in acquiring and repositioning over $500 million in real estate assets, consistently uncovering hidden value in challenging markets. Prior to founding E2MV, Marc served as Chief Investment Officer for Revesco Properties, where he spearheaded high-profile projects such as Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park, Meow Wolf, and more than $350 million in real estate developments and acquisitions. Throughout his career, Marc has been involved in over $750 million worth of real estate transactions, spanning roles as an owner, investor, asset manager, lender, broker, and consultant. Marc holds a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate and Construction Management from the University of Denver, graduating cum laude. He lives in Denver, CO with his wife and son. In his free time, Marc enjoys the mountains, skiing, hiking, mountain biking, golfing, traveling, and spending time with his family.

  E2M Ventures

  Founder & CEO

  Marc Perusse

  Founder & CEO

  E2M Ventures

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  Ben Woolf

  Ben Woolf has over 20 years of professional experience in real estate investment. He currently serves as the Director of Commercial Real Estate Investments at Conscience Bay Company, where he leads the acquisition and management of unique real estate assets in the Boulder and Denver metro areas in addition to overseeing the financial activities of the company. Before his role at Conscience Bay, Ben worked across numerous roles in commercial real estate investment and development.

  Conscience Bay Company

  Director of Commercial Investments

  Ben Woolf

  Director of Commercial Investments

  Conscience Bay Company

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  Ryan Balakas

  Ryan Balakas is vice president and general manager of Saunders Commercial Construction, LLC, overseeing the Denver-based work acquisition, design/preconstruction phase management and construction operations. Within this work program, Balakas is responsible for the strategic direc­tion and continuous improvement of project procurement, planning and execution, and client experience. In addition, Balakas oversees the organization’s integrated technologies group (ITG), MEP operations, scheduling department and continuous improvement efforts. Balakas is a relationship-focused leader — starting in the industry as an assistant carpenter and working his way up to his current position. Balakas’ aptitude for client engagement and project management, paired with his ability to lead by example has positioned him as an invaluable member of the Saunders leadership team. Balakas is an active member in the community, having participated in programs through Downtown Denver Partnership, the Denver Metro Leadership Foundation and Associated General Contractors of Colorado. Additionally, he serves on the board for the Littleton Adventist Hospital Foundation, Cherry Creek Schools Foundation, and University of Colorado Denver Construction Engineering Management advisory board. In 2017, he was named a Top 20 under 40 Design & Construction professional by Engineering News-Record (ENR).

  Saunders Commercial Construction

  VP

  Ryan Balakas

  VP

  Saunders Commercial Construction

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  Christopher Tryba

  Christopher has re-joined the Denver studio after a brief hiatus. With Master’s degrees in both Architecture and in Real Estate Development, Christopher's range of design experience in architecture and urban design – including work with Philadelphia’s acclaimed architecture firm KieranTimberlake, and in Real Estate Development with Extell in New York – gives him a unique perspective into all facets of a development project.

  Tryba Architects

  Design Professional

  Moderator

  Christopher Tryba

  Design Professional

  Tryba Architects