ULI Washington Announces Executive Director Lisa Rother is Retiring

Washington, DC (May 15, 2019) – Lisa Rother, who for 12 years has served as Executive Director for ULI Washington, the Urban Land Institute’s District Council for the Washington metropolitan region, will retire by the end of 2019. ULI Washington, which serves more than 2,200 members in the Washington metropolitan region, is one of ULI’s largest District Councils. ULI is a global multidisciplinary real estate organization whose membership comprises industry leaders committed to responsible land use and the creation of thriving sustainable communities.

Rother plans to remain at ULI Washington until a new Executive Director assumes the position, and she is looking forward to serving on the Host Committee for ULI’s 2019 Fall Meeting, which is being held in Washington, D.C. from September 18-21.

Membership has been a key focus for Rother during her tenure, and she has been instrumental in creating leadership programs and initiatives for ULI Washington’s 2,200 members such as the Regional Land Use Leadership institute. The Leadership Institute engages the region’s mid-career professionals, preparing them for leadership positions in the real estate industry as well as the community at large. In its eighth year, the Leadership Institute has positively affected over 200 member participants, who have stayed connected to ULI Washington. Rother shares, “The Leadership Institute has not only helped members increase their leadership skills and knowledge of the industry, but many of the participants have become strong volunteer leaders across the many programs at ULI Washington.” During her tenure, Rother has also fostered the growth of the Young Leaders Group (about 1/3 of the total membership of ULI Washington), including implementing a mentorship program that connects over 250 young professionals each year with experienced leaders in the real estate community and with each other.

Rother has helped bring community topics into focus for members and for the greater DC region by working with partner organizations on issues of regional collaboration and growth. She established five local initiative councils (focused on regional issues, housing, transit-oriented development, sustainability and placemaking) which engage members in conversation around specific areas of interest. Conversations result in increased awareness and influence and members apply their new knowledge in their companies and communities. Through ULI Washington’s Technical Assistance Panels, members have offered their expertise on more than 40 occasions to local communities in need of strategic land use advice on topics ranging from implementation of public/private land use projects, market-based analysis of local plans for development strategies, and reuse potential of existing properties, among others.

Rother has also advanced ULI Washington’s mission through various initiatives and events. She has been instrumental in the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Real Estate Trends conference every year, each hosting over 600 people. Additionally, she created the Trends Awards Program to highlight the depth and breadth of the real estate industry in DC and showcase the work in the region.

“The members of ULI are the most creative, kind, smart and dedicated people and give so much to this organization that we all love. I will miss the spirited intellectual discussions on all topics related to land use and planning, and the opportunity to engage with members from all sectors on best practices and challenges.  The opportunities to tour and learn about innovative and complex projects have been an exciting part of this work,” Rother says.

Rother’s impact has been felt by the staff, members and the broader ULI community.

Yolanda Cole, the Chair of the ULI Washington District Council adds, “Lisa’s background in planning has helped the organization address critical land use issues from the perspective of regional politicians and planners as well as developers and real estate professionals in a way that is practical and encompasses different points of view.”

In her retirement, Rother is looking forward to exploring ways to harness her creative talents and curiosity.

ULI Washington has appointed an 8-person search committee that includes ULI Washington’s current, incoming and former chair, as well as ULI Americas staff, ULI Washington Young Leaders and other members.  ULI Washington has engaged Raffa – Marcum’s Nonprofit & Social Sector Group, a national firm that leads nonprofit executive search and transitions, to steward the search process. The search launches in mid-May. Click here to view ULI Washington Executive Director Position Profile.