The Visionary Leader

Visionary leadership is the driving force behind improving and supporting local communities. The Visionary Leader Award celebrates the professional and philanthropic contributions of a longstanding leader in building a sustainable, transformative path forward in the land use and/or real estate industry in the Metropolitan Washington Region.

Vicki Davis is a Managing Partner, and co-founder of Urban Atlantic. While overseeing development and asset management for Urban Atlantic, Ms. Davis has managed the development of more than $3 billion in real estate projects and overseen a portfolio in excess of $5 billion in real estate investments. Her 30-year real estate career includes serving as Deputy Director of the Maryland Housing Fund and its Housing and Community Development’s Division of Credit Assurance, as well as portfolio management for MNC Financial’s South Charles Realty Corp. and multifamily development for Trammell Crow Residential. She has developed more than 10,000 multifamily residential units and nearly 3 million commercial square feet for Urban Atlantic, including 11 large-scale public-private redevelopments for local jurisdictions, transit authorities, and public housing authorities in DC, Virginia, Maryland, Florida, North Carolina, New Jersey, and Tennessee.

Ms. Davis holds an MBA in Finance from American University, an MS in Engineering & Construction Management from the University of Texas, and a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Maryland. She serves on the Boards of the DC Building Industry Association, Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District, ULI Terwilliger Center, and CulturalDC.

The Groundbreaker 

The Groundbreaker is a mid-career professional in land use and real estate, demonstrating exemplary leadership across the Metropolitan Washington Region. The awardee will be recognized for outstanding commitment to regional success with projects and professional experience focused on community engagement, engaging diverse perspectives, and transformative impact. This person should serve as a role model to young professionals with aspirations for continued leadership development. 

Jamie Weinbaum is a seasoned real estate leader and senior executive with significant experience in multi-family, mixed-use, and commercial development and property management. Jamie is the CEO and President of Horning, a 65-year-old Washington DC-based real estate owner, investor, developer, and manager.  He oversees a portfolio that includes more than 5,000 units of housing and 600,000 sf of retail across the greater Washington DC metropolitan region. Jamie is responsible for all aspects of the business including investments, development, asset management, and operations.

Prior to joining Horning, Jamie was an Executive Vice President at MidCity, where he led all development activities to build out a 4 million sf pipeline across numerous urban infill properties in the Washington DC area. Before MidCity, Jamie served as COO of Ditto Residential, where he led all development and construction-related activities as well as long-term strategic growth initiatives.

Jamie’s prior experience includes managing large-scale, mixed-use residential and retail projects at JBG Smith, serving as the Director of the DC Office of Zoning, and overseeing numerous public-private partnerships on behalf of the DC Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development.

Throughout his career, Jamie has been active in several non-profits, including serving in various leadership roles nationally and locally at the Urban Land Institute (ULI).  Specifically, Jamie serves on the Americas Executive Committee (AEC), is the Chair of NEXT Americas, and has previously served as Chair of the Public Private Partnership (Blue Flight) Product Council, Chair of ULI Washington, and Chair of the ULI Washington Governance Committee.

Jamie holds a Juris Doctor degree from the George Washington University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from Wake Forest University.

The Changemaker 

The Changemaker Award is an exemplary regional leader in the public sector and/or nonprofit sphere. The awardee is someone who implements creative thought leadership and takes innovative approaches to address land use and real estate projects. Their accomplishments demonstrate a positive, measurable impact on the Metropolitan Washington Region, and local communities. 

Jim Snyder has been at the helm of Planning and Economic Development Services for the City of Falls Church since February 2011, where he has been a driving force behind significant urban development initiatives and projects that enhance the community’s vitality.

Under Jim’s leadership, the City successfully secured unanimous approval for seven small area plans that focus on revitalizing key “opportunity areas.” These plans are crucial for guiding the City’s growth and transformation. He has played an instrumental role in updating the City’s Comprehensive Plan with initiatives aimed at improving mobility, including the Mobility for All Modes and the Bicycle Master Plan, which underscore the commitment to a more pedestrian-friendly and accessible urban environment.

Jim has overseen the planning and execution of numerous mixed-use, retail, and hotel developments, the most notable being the metro-oriented West Falls Development. This ambitious public-private partnership not only features a new City High School but also includes future phases that will connect to the West Falls Church Metro Station, facilitating greater access and encouraging public transport use.

The development projects under Jim’s watch have attracted new residents and businesses, significantly boosting walkable retail opportunities while expanding the City’s tax base. He has also implemented Electronic Plan Review, a vital tool that streamlines the process for reviewing commercial and residential projects, making it easier for developers and enhancing efficiency.

An advocate for revitalizing older commercial buildings, Jim focuses on enhancing the overall quality and vibrancy of the Little City, with many of these projects receiving prestigious awards from organizations such as the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP).

Before joining Falls Church, Jim spent over 33 years in Arlington County, where he managed Long Range and Development Planning. His contributions to major developments in Arlington include projects like Pentagon City and Columbia Pike Revitalization. In recognition of his leadership and contributions, he was honored by the Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association in 2006.

Additionally, Jim has served as an adjunct professor at Virginia Tech’s Alexandria Graduate Planning Program, where he has mentored emerging planning professionals. His collaboration with the Council of Governments (COG) has also helped the City earn the designation of a Regional Activity Center, qualifying it for studies and grants that further support local initiatives.

Jim holds a degree in City Planning from the University of Virginia’s School of Architecture and resides in Alexandria with his wife, Karen, where he is actively involved in the local Citizens Association.

Impact Award

The Impact Award is a way for ULI Washington to celebrate individuals who have had a unique and special impact on the Region. This year, ULI Washington celebrates the power of partnership of two individuals who, together with the DC Mayor’s office, collaborated to create a transformational activation plan for Washington’s downtown. ULI Washington is delighted present this award to Jodie McLean and Debby Ratner-Salzberg for their leadership of the Gallery Place/Chinatown Task Force.

Jodie W. McLean is a visionary business leader who believes in the power of retail to connect people and shape places that are the center of community life.

As CEO of EDENS, she leads the strategic evolution of the company’s platform capabilities and high-quality portfolio. Overall, she has been responsible for the development, redevelopment, acquisition and disposition of more than $20 billion in retail and mixed-use real estate assets.

A graduate of USC’s Moore School of Business, Jodie serves on various boards, including the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Cushman & Wakefield, Wofford College and Milhaus.

Debby Ratner Salzberg began her career as a trial attorney in the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. She earned a bachelor’s degree from George Washington University, a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Francisco, and is a member of the California Bar Association.

Deborah Ratner Salzberg is co-founder of Uplands REP, a developer and owner of multifamily properties.

Debby previously was the Washington, DC Region Chairman for Brookfield Properties, a global real estate development and operating company. Prior to joining Brookfield, Debby worked for over 30 years at Forest City Realty Trust. Most recently, she served as President of Forest City Washington, a subsidiary of Forest City Realty Trust, overseeing the company’s activities in the DC, Maryland, Virginia, Philadelphia, Boston, and New Jersey markets. During her career with Forest City, Debby’s responsibilities spanned development, leasing, construction, financing, and management, beginning with individual projects, and progressing to executive supervision of multiple high-profile, large-scale developments in the DC Region, including The Yards in the Capitol Riverfront, Waterfront Station in Southwest DC, and the redevelopment of Ballston Quarter in Arlington, Virginia.

Debby serves on the boards of CubeSmart (NYSE: CUBE) and Capital Bank (NASDAQ: CBNK) and is active with numerous community and professional organizations, including the Federal City Council, the Washington Housing Conservancy, the NY Common Real Estate Advisory Committee (REAC), The National Archives Foundation, Urban Land Institute, Planet Word and the Jewish Community Foundation. In January 2024 Deborah was appointed by Washington, DC Mayor, Muriel Bowser as Co-Chair of the Gallery Place/Chinatown Task Force. The purpose of the Taskforce is to create an immediate activation plan, long-term vision, and investment plan for the Gallery Place/Chinatown neighborhood.

Debby began her career as a trial attorney in the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and is a member of the California Bar Association.