Malek Abdulsamad is Director of Investment Sales at Greenstone Partners, where he focuses on retail, multifamily, and mixed-use transactions in Chicago’s core neighborhoods, with particular expertise in zoning, entitlements, and development-driven deals. An architect and urban planner by training, he holds a master’s degree in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago and is a recipient of the American Planning Association–Illinois Student Project Award. He authored the Streeterville Neighborhood Plans of 2014 and 2022 and has contributed to civic planning efforts including the Chicago Central City Recovery Roadmap. Malek serves on the boards of the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents, Lambda Alpha International–Chicago, and CCAC’s Burnham Council.

While Andrew was starting out as an architect early in his career, he began to look at the environments surrounding the buildings he was working on: his projects’ context, relationships to surrounding neighborhoods, and effect on users. He kept coming back to these ideas, and sought to address the broader range of issues facing urban areas and college campuses. Eventually he realized that his calling was to advance ideas in land use and sustainability, improved mobility, and neighborhood revitalization.

Christine Carlyle, Principal and Director of Planning, founded and directs the SCB’s planning studio and urban design practice. With over 30 years of city planning, urban design, and architectural design, in both the public and private sectors, her work demonstrates an integration of innovative design, cultural responsibility, and sustainability with the successful management and execution of complex projects

Matthew Cermak is Commercial Account Manager for Chicago Title’s National Commercial Services team in Chicago. A President’s Club recipient since 2020, he works with developers, brokers, corporations, and law firms on complex commercial transactions in Chicago and nationwide, including major office, multifamily, and mixed-use financings. Born and raised on Chicago’s Northwest Side, he is a Saint Patrick High School alumnus and a graduate of Missouri State University. Matt is active in the city’s civic and real estate community as Chair of CCAC’s Burnham Council, Vice Chair of ULI Chicago’s Green Flight Product Council, an auxiliary board member of MetroSquash, and an alumnus board member of Saint Patrick High School.

Kimberly Dowdell is a licensed architect and frequent speaker on the topic of architecture, diversity, sustainability and the future of cities. In her recently completed term as the 2019-2020 national president of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), she worked closely with her board of directors and staff to increase opportunities for women and people of color to gain more equitable access to the building profession. Kimberly was recognized by Crain’s Detroit Business and Crain’s Chicago Business as a 40 Under 40 honoree in 2018 and 2020, respectively.

A strategic thinker and consensus builder, he is known for his collaborative design approach and ability to solve complex problems. As a Senior Principal leading the workplace and mixed-use markets for the firm’s Chicago office, Matt expertly blends strategy and design to deliver beautifully sophisticated commercial buildings, interiors projects, and mixed-use developments. An established leader in the design community, he has a passion for mentoring next generation professionals. The AIA Chicago BRIDGE program—which he founded in 2009—has become a model for AIA mentorship programs nationwide.

As Senior Vice President and General Counsel for The Habitat Company, Stephen Galler oversees all legal matters, including all acquisitions, dispositions, financing, leasing and development for our real estate concerns.

Mark Hopkins was appointed Executive Director of CCAC in July 2021. During his 30+ year career, he’s been an executive with several national and international non-profit organizations and corporations. He’s well known for developing and implementing positive change and growth based on a foundation of strategy with comprehensive implementation planning, execution and evaluation. Mark has been able to lead organizations large and small, for-profit and not-for-profit, to success – he’s known as someone who gets things done.

Greg Hummel is a senior partner at the national and international law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner. He is based in Chicago where he leads the firm’s public private partnership practice. His work involves real estate development and finance, as well as, public and project finance.

Sheila Kailus is a Partner in the Chicago office of Jenner & Block LLP, where she specializes in complex real estate transactions, developments, loan workouts, and related corporate matters, with additional experience in life sciences and hospitality. A recognized leader in her field, Kailus has been named a Woman of Influence by GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum and a Lawyers in Real Estate award recipient by Connect CRE. She earned her J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law (Rickert Award) and her B.A. from Princeton University.

Tom Kasznia, AIA, LEED AP, is the Managing Principal and Managing Director of IA Interior Architects’ Chicago Studio, a role he assumed in late 2025. Known as a passionate leader and mentor who excels at connecting people and ideas, Kasznia earned his Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is actively involved in advancing innovative, sustainable design solutions in the Chicago market.

Rana Lee is founder of Magrover Ventures, where she explores the intersection of leadership, civic engagement, growth strategy, and the built environment. Throughout her career, she has helped organizations navigate complex decisions, build trusted relationships, and move meaningful ideas forward. Rana believes meaningful progress begins with asking better questions and bringing together people with different perspectives. She is a member of The Economic Club of Chicago and a trustee of the AIA Chicago Foundation.

James Mark, AIA, LEED AP, is Managing Director of Private Markets and Chief Strategy Officer at Wight & Company. A licensed architect and strategist, he leads private-sector work and the delivery of projects by the firm’s integrated design and construction team across civic, commercial, education, and transportation markets. Notable projects include the LEED Platinum Chinatown Branch of the Chicago Public Library and Ping Tom Park Fieldhouse. He previously led Wight’s Chicago office and served as North America Central Region Practice Leader at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. A committed civic leader, Jim is a longtime board member and former chairman of the Chinese American Service League and serves on the boards of Friends of the Chicago River and Choose DuPage.

Dr. Suzet M. McKinney DrPH, MPH, is the President & CEO of the Chicago Loop Alliance, a position she assumed in May 2026. A nationally recognized leader in public health, healthcare, and commercial real estate, she previously served as CEO/Executive Director of the Illinois Medical District and held senior roles at Sterling Bay, bringing deep expertise in life sciences real estate, urban revitalization, and downtown economic recovery.

As Executive Director and award-winning designer with Lamar Johnson Collaborative, Tyler Meyr is a leading conceptual thinker with a strong national and international portfolio of projects including built work in Los Angeles, London, Antwerp, St. Louis, and Istanbul.

Donald I. Resnick focuses his practice in commercial real estate on a national and local basis. Clients seek his counsel on all types of real estate transactions, financing, leasing, development and construction and corporate real estate needs.He also has significant experience in real estate-related loan and equity restructuring and workouts.

Charles T. Smith, FAIA, LEED AP, is Principal and Chicago Office Practice Leader at CannonDesign. With more than 25 years of experience at the intersection of education, health, and science and technology, he leads the firm’s largest office and partners with institutions to align mission, budget, and design. He previously co-led CannonDesign’s national education practice and spent 12 years as a key leader at OWP/P, where he helped guide the firm’s 2009 merger with CannonDesign. Notable projects include Malcolm X College, Daley College’s Manufacturing Technology & Engineering Center, the Theatre School at DePaul University, and the Carle Illinois College of Medicine. A former president of AIA Chicago, Charles serves on the board of the Chicago Loop Alliance.

LeeAnn Tomas-Foster is City Executive for Chicago at Arcadis, where she leads urban client work spanning environmental programs, due diligence, remediation, and citywide development. She previously directed environmental programs for the Public Building Commission and the Chicago Park District, managing hundreds of millions of dollars in remediation and capital projects, including work that helped transform the Chinatown Library site from a brownfield into a community asset. A longtime contributor to CCAC initiatives such as the Corridor Revitalization Initiative and A Central City Strategy for All of Chicago, she serves on the executive committee of Friends of the Chicago River and on the board of the Forest Preserve Foundation and LAI Land Economics Society. In 2026 she was named a Crain’s Notable Leader in Architecture, Engineering and Construction.

Douglas Voigt is a Partner with the Chicago office of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. Together with Phillip Enquist, he leads the urban design and planning practice within the global design firm. Over the last couple of years, SOM has been scripting a vision for the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Region that advocates new bi-national thinking and a comprehensive strategy for the future of the region.

Leon I. Walker, Esq. has spearheaded cutting-edge community development projects that have generated thousands of new jobs, and brought grocery stores and health care services into the food and health care deserts on Chicago’s south side. Over the next 10 years, his vision is to help create 10,000 jobs and 10 million square feet of new commercial space in Chicago’s neighborhoods.

Brett Weidl, ASLA, PLA, LEED AP, is a Principal at MKSK and leads the firm’s Chicago studio. A landscape architect and urban designer, she focuses on inclusive public landscapes that strengthen connectivity, equity, and community in the urban realm. After beginning her career at MKSK in Columbus, she spent fourteen years in Chicago before returning in 2022 to open the firm’s first Chicago studio, which she has grown into an award-winning practice. Notable work includes the Winthrop Family Historical Garden in Uptown, recipient of a 2024 ASLA Honor Award in Urban Design, as well as parks, schoolyards, and community plans across the city, including Clark Street Crossroads and Invest South/West efforts. Brett also serves as a Director with WxLA and as a committee chair with ILASLA.

Jane Wilberding, AICP, is Senior Mobility Manager at HNTB, where she leads parking and curbside management, transportation demand management, emerging mobility, and complete streets work nationwide. Her Chicago projects include expanding Divvy into historically underserved neighborhoods and advancing electric vehicle infrastructure with CDOT and Cook County. A co-founder of the Parking Reform Network, she is a recognized voice on parking reform and equitable mobility. A UIC MUPP alumna, Jane has been honored as APA-IL Emerging Planner of the Year, an Association for Commuter Transportation 40 Under 40, and a Crain’s Notable Leader in Sustainability.