ULI Washington Initiative Councils:

Initiative Councils are designed to engage members based on their expertise and passion within the land use industry. The goal is to create a topically focused, multidisciplinary group of mid and senior-level professionals involved in a specific facet of real estate who commit to meet on a regular basis, develop trusted connections and share best practices. Councils provide a forum for information exchange among peers. Our councils are based on the ULI Product Council program – at the local level.

Councils meet on a quarterly basis, and the membership of each council is in the range of 30-45 people. Membership in Initiative Councils are fee-based ($100 for private members, $50 for public/non-profit members) and application-based, but open only to ULI Members.

• Housing Initiative Council
• Placemaking Initiative Council
• Prince George’s County Initiative Council
• Sustainability Initiative Council
• Innovation + Technology Initiative Council

Additional details are noted on the application, including Council mission, frequency of meetings, and cost. By joining a Council you commit to attending all meetings and actively participating in the Council.             

The Housing Initiative Council The Housing Initiative Council focuses on sharing best practices, emerging trends, and public and private approaches to producing and preserving all types of residential housing in the region. For FY 21, the Housing Initiative Council will focus on supporting the region’s housing goals including preservation of existing affordable units and production targets for new affordable and workforce housing approved by the Council of Governments and adopted by local jurisdictions. The council is seeking members who are interested to actively engage in an exchange of ideas between the public and private sectors to support these important regional goals FY21 Co-Chairs: Michelle Winters, Feras Qumseya, and Nihar Shah Meeting Frequency: Quarterly (2 hours). Cost:  $100 Private Sector; $50 Public Sector.

The Placemaking Initiative Council The mission of the Placemaking Council is to provide a forum where the public and private sectors come together to share best practices in land use planning, urban design, and mixed use development to create and implement temporary and permanent placemaking projects. The underlying premise is that great places, whether urban or suburban, encourage inclusive social interaction, pride of place, comfortable living and working environments as well as being great stages for all manner of human activities. FY21 Co-Chairs:  Robert Atkinson, Ellen McCarthy, and Patricia Walsh.  Meeting Frequency:  Quarterly (2 hours).  Cost:  $100 Private Sector; $50 Public Sector.

The Prince George’s County Initiative Council This Council brings together members active in development in Prince Georges County from the public and private sector as well as members who want to learn more about the unique opportunities and challenges within the county and how they relate to the region at large FY21 Co-Chairs: Alex Villegas and Katie Gerbes. Meeting Frequency: Quarterly (2 hours). Cost: $100 Private Sector; $50 Public Sector.

The Sustainability Initiative Council This Council brings together land use industry leaders to discuss the broad role of sustainability in the built environment. With a forward-thinking approach, the Council helps build the business case for sustainability through the discussion of policy, capital markets, design, technology and specific case studies and projects. Discussions and presentations take a holistic view of sustainability that addresses all facets of sustainability including Human Health, Energy, Water, Resiliency and more. We also seek regular program collaboration with the other Initiative Councils and related organizations outside of ULI. Recent topics have included City Climate Plans, the economic impact of Federal sustainability policies, and sustainable placemaking. FY21 Co-Chairs: Scott Brideau and Kimberly Pexton. Meeting Frequency: Quarterly (2 hours). Cost: $100 Private Sector; $50 Public Sector.

The Innovation + Technology Initiative Council This Council brings together members working on or interested in learning more about innovation and technology in the real estate industry. Members will explore how innovation and technology are transforming planning and development as well as how companies find and integrate new technology.  Meeting Frequency: Quarterly (2 hours). Cost: $100 Private Sector; $50 Public Sector.