Kacy Keys, founder of Praxis Development Group, comes to the endeavor with more than two decades of experience in large and complex development projects, with a track record of success. Having been recognized as one of Los Angeles’ most influential women in real estate, Kacy has overseen the development of more than $1B in real estate assets (exclusive of land value) with experience in residential, retail, office and mixed-use product types. Specializing in urban infill, Kacy has a passion for projects that result in a positive impact, with an eye towards simultaneous value creation and neighborhood enhancement. With her multidisciplinary background as a land use/real estate attorney and developer, she looks at opportunity as “what can be” versus “what is.” Understanding the regulatory and entitlement framework, and seeing opportunity in creative solutions, she brings her business savvy and creativity to everything she does.

For the last ten years, Scott Kratz has been working with the Ward 8 non-profit Building Bridges Across the River and District agencies to transform an old freeway bridge into a park above the Anacostia River. The old 11th Street Bridges that connect Capitol Hill with communities east of the river have reached the end of their lifespan, Kratz is working with the community to use the base of one of the bridges to create a one of a kind civic space supporting active recreation, environmental education and the arts. Kratz is a resident of Barrack’s Row and has lived in Washington D.C. for the last 15 years. He has worked in the education field for over twenty years and began his career teaching at Kidspace, a children’s museum in Pasadena, California and later as the Associate Director of the Institute for the Study of the American West at the Autry National Center in Los Angeles, CA. Most recently, he was the Vice President for Education at the National Building Museum in Washington D.C. He served on the board of the United Planning Organization and currently sits on the Anacostia Coordinating Council’s board and on the High Line Network’s Steering Committee.

As Vice President of Economic Development, Kelvin Collins leads a comprehensive strategy to increase equitable economic outcomes for residents and businesses of the Atlanta BeltLine. Prior to ABI, Collins spent 15 years in leadership roles in both private and public sectors, advancing economic development solutions for low-income communities in New York City. Most recently, he served as the Chief M/WBE Officer at NYC Department of Education – the nation’s largest public-school system. His previous roles include President & CEO of the Harlem Commonwealth Council (HCC) and Assistant Commissioner at the NYC Department of Small Business Services. He is a graduate of Midwestern State University, Texas.

Brett Theodos is a senior fellow and director of the Community Economic Development Hub at the Urban Institute. His work focuses on economic and community development, neighborhood change, affordable homeownership, consumer finance, and program evaluation and learning. His research includes evaluations of the Economic Development Administration, New Markets Tax Credit, Small Business Administration loan and investment programs, Opportunity Zones, and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Choice Neighborhoods, Community Development Block Grant, and Section 108 programs. He is studying how capital flows (or fails to flow) into communities, including the role of mission finance actors like community development financial institutions. He leads projects researching how entrepreneurs can access capital.

Michael Anderson is founder and principal architect of Anderson Barker, an architecture, urban economic development firm of Los Angeles. He is also a member of the National Organization of Architects (NOMA), Urban Land institute and board member of the American Institute of Architects. Mr. Anderson’s focus is to aid municipalities to modernize underserved communities, through commercial and residential real estate development that replenishes the local culture and grows local businesses. His goal is to create an environment where children can grow and be inspired to be self-sustaining adults and to increase homeownership by utilizing business strategies that are mutually beneficial to all parties. Mr. Anderson is currently working on a pilot project called; Accelerated equity housing and transit-oriented community (TOC). It is a strategically designed business solution that collaborates public funding, private capital sources, and real estate development companies. He recently completed his first book, Urban Magic: Vibrant Black and Brown Communities Are Possible. The book is a compelling analysis of the challenges involved in turning low-income Black and Brown communities into places where long-time residents can enjoy a high quality of life. The book provides a comprehensive plan showing it is possible to build and invest in these communities in ways that are sustainable, generate good jobs for community members, and avoid the pitfalls of displacement. Notable projects include: LA Clippers Arena Plaza Buildings and Parking Garages, Inglewood, CA; Hollywood Park, Inglewood, CA; Tom Bradley Terminal West; Martin Luther King Jr. Transit Center, Compton, CA; Compton Senior Center, Compton; CA Metro Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor Joint Development Study.