WLI Community Outreach and Engagement

WLI’s Partnership with Maya Angelou Public Charter School

In late 2019, WLI at ULI Washington identified a need to to create mentorship and career development opportunities for young women and men who might not otherwise have been exposed to careers in commercial real estate. ULI Washington found an engaged partner in the Maya Angelou Public Charter School in Washington, D.C., and together they formally launched the program in October 2020.

The joint program runs throughout the school year with monthly sessions for hospitality and business students. Using a case study curriculum, the sessions focus on professional readiness through the lens of real estate development, with 10–15 students in each cohort learning directly from women and other professionals representing a range of roles across the industry.

Each session is curated to provide opportunities for students to ask questions, explore career paths, and engage meaningfully with committee members from diverse disciplines. Past session topics have included:

  • The importance of “soft” skills
  • Identifying your super powers
  • Discussion of careers in real estate
  • Reflection and creation of vision boards
  • Field trips
  • Professional prep/mock interviews

You Can Make a Difference

To learn how to support this program, please contact Kelley Shannon at [email protected] and Heather Hrycyshyn at [email protected].

WLI Steering Committee members Kelley Shannon and Lauren Schaeffer share resume writing tips with students participating in the mentorship program at the Maya Angelou Public Charter School in March, 2025.