Mary Casper is a Los Angeles-based architect, designer, and educator, and the founder of Social Studies Projects (SSP) — a progressive design studio operating at the intersection of architecture, interiors, graphics, and exhibitions. Rooted in California’s culture of grassroots experimentalism, collectivity, and innovation, SSP draws inspiration from historic precedents across architecture, interiors, furniture, art, and even pop culture, to create original projects for modern inhabitants. At the core of SSP is a belief in design as an inclusive, collaborative process. SSP approaches each project as a unique response to its specific context — climate, geography, culture, materiality, and history each play a part. Through close partnerships with clients and communities, the studio’s multidisciplinary team of architects, interior designers, fabricators, furniture makers, and graphic designers is known for its thoughtful and expansive work — from residential and commercial architecture to custom furniture, exhibitions, environmental graphics, and strategic consulting. Mary holds a Master of Architecture from Rice University and a B.A. in Sociology from Vassar College. She brings over a decade of experience in architecture and design in Los Angeles, having held leadership roles at acclaimed firms including Johnston Marklee, WW Architecture, The Archers (as Director of Architecture), and Chet Architecture (as Consulting Partner for Design & Interiors). She is licensed in California and Wisconsin. Since 2018, Mary has taught advanced design studios and seminars in her role as Adjunct Assistant Professor at the USC School of Architecture. She has also previously taught at Rice University, the Harvard Graduate School of Design and served as a visiting critic at institutions including the University of Michigan, University of Kentucky, Cal Poly Pomona, Woodbury University, UCLA, and SCI-Arc. Her editorial work includes co-editing Plat Journal 2.5 and 3.0 with Chimaobi Izeogu and The Petropolis of Tomorrow with Neeraj Bhatia, published by Actar in 2013.

Darcy L. Coleman brings over two decades of experience with high-value assets, including hotels, resorts, office buildings, and luxury developments. As Vice President, she has successfully closed more than $4.0 billion in capital transactions, including acquisitions, debt investments, development financing, and asset repositioning. Her work emphasizes cultivating strong relationships with lenders and investor groups while overseeing strategic planning and asset optimization. Ms. Coleman collaborates closely with leading hotel brand management partners such as Hilton, Marriott, and Waldorf Astoria. Ms. Coleman's real estate career began at JLL and CBRE, where she managed Class A high-rise office towers. She transitioned into hospitality with Alagem Capital Group, advancing through the ranks and playing a pivotal role in overseeing major assets and development projects in the hospitality sector. Her experience spans the entire real estate lifecycle from acquisitions and development to entitlements, repositioning, and renovation. In addition to these achievements, Ms. Coleman is deeply committed to philanthropy, serving on the boards of nonprofit organizations dedicated to urban development, homelessness, housing, horticulture, and financial literacy in underserved communities. These organizations include the Urban Land Institute, Descanso Gardens Guild, and LMU Real Estate Advisory.

J.F. is a global leader in Gensler’s Mixed Use & Retail Centers practice, based in our Los Angeles office. He has devoted more than 35 years of professional experience to the leadership of large-scale, multidisciplinary projects that combine long-range vision with conscientious adherence to client goals and objectives. His extensive portfolio ranges from community master plans and transit facilities to international resorts and mixed-use developments. Among other major projects, J.F. led the design of Las Vegas’ $8.4 billion CityCenter development, the largest privately funded project in the United States. Most recently, he led the design team for The Hub on Causeway in Boston. He views mixed-use as a scalable, intelligent solution to the utilization of land and the creation of vibrant, inclusive, multi-purpose destinations. A featured speaker at numerous real estate conferences, J.F. is also a member of the Urban Land Institute, WLI, and NAIOP. He is a licensed architect and earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

Peter Hillakas is a Senior Director in Gantry’s El Segundo office. Peter advises clients throughout the entire financing process: from acquisition/development through closing of permanent financing. Since joining Gantry in 2004, Peter has creatively structured and arranged debt and equity for projects ranging in size from several million to portfolios in excess of $200+MM. Property types financed include: office, retail, industrial, multi-family, hotel, self-storage, and land. Prior to Gantry, Peter worked for a national real estate agency lender and a private merchant bank. In his spare time he actively participates in several real estate organizations such as the Urban Land Institute and enjoys playing basketball, snowboarding, and golf.

Michele is a seasoned Project Executive with 27 years of industry experience and nearly three years with Swinerton. Michele holds a BA in Art History and Psychology from Smith College, a Certificate in Leadership and Management from UCLA Anderson School of Management, and a Master of Architecture from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. In her current role at Swinerton, she is responsible for overseeing the financial success and overall outcomes of her projects, serving as the primary client contact and ensuring satisfaction at every stage. Michele collaborates closely with client representatives, oversight committees, and boards to meet specific project goals. Michele also champions the team's collaborative service delivery while maintaining adherence to budget, schedule, sustainability, and quality standards. Outside of work, her hobbies revolve around spending time with her family. Whether assisting with schoolwork, attending soccer tournaments, or enjoying quality time together, she cherishes every moment spent with her two kids.

Lina is a creative strategist and seasoned project executive, driven by a deep passion for urban development and design-driven ventures. Lina joined CIM Group in 2015 and is currently 1st Vice President of Development. She oversees a range of ground up and redevelopment assets for the company, with responsibilities extending over land-use diligence and entitlements, design development, construction management, tenancy, marketing and branding. Prior to real estate development, her career began in investment banking and strategic planning for the consumer private equity sector, with exposure to fashion, retail and hospitality investments. An active member of ULI-LA, Lina sits on the Advisory Board and co-chairs the Programs Committee. She also serves on the Board of the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust. Lina graduated from Yale University with degrees in Urban and International Studies.

Jenny Li joined Brookfield in 2017 and oversees acquisitions of Industrial investments on the West Coast. Covering markets west of Denver and up to Vancouver, Canada, she is responsible for capital deployment, development, investment partnerships and asset repositioning. Prior to Brookfield, she began her career in Management Consulting before to pivoting to Industrial Real Estate and joining Jones Lang LaSalle’s West Coast Capital Markets team. Jenny is a gradate of Harvard University with a BA in Art History and Johns Hopkins University with an MA in Economics.

A people-first leader, Bryson is the founder and CEO of Cooperative LA, an owners representation company with over $2b under management in Southern California. He is passionate about the firm’s vision, values, and targets and assists leadership in achieving the highest standards. His long history in the industry and his service in the military have taught him the value of an honest day’s work and the importance of maintaining relationships, something he instills daily. As a 25-year veteran of the business world, Bryson has worked in leadership roles across a range of industries. As a founder and an executive, he has seen firsthand how challenging it is to build something right from the ground up—and even harder to keep it thriving. With a true passion for excellence, Bryson supports The Cooperative’s efforts to be trusted thought leaders and change-makers in the space. Bryson and his wife live in Sierra Madre, CA, with their elementary school-aged daughter and son, and two energetic dogs. An outdoor enthusiast, Bryson enjoys triathlons, spartan races, skiing, watersports, and spending time in nature with his friends and family.

Shlomi Ronen is the managing principal and founder of Dekel Capital where he oversees the Company’s investment, lending and investment banking platforms. He has worked in commercial real estate for over 25 years and has spent the majority of his career working in a commercial real estate investment and finance role. Throughout his career he has invested or sourced more than $5 billion in equity, mezzanine, and debt financing for investors and developers throughout the United States. Prior to founding Dekel Capital he was a founding partner of Lucent Capital and opened and co-headed the Los Angeles office for the Carlton Group, a New York based real estate investment banking firm, and was a Senior Vice President at Los Angeles based George Smith Partners, where he was active in raising joint venture equity on behalf of institutional clients and executing both performing and non-performing note sales on behalf of financial institutions. Mr. Ronen earned his MBA with a concentration in Real Estate Finance at the University of Southern California. Mr. Ronen is an adjunct professor at USC teaching a graduate level course on Real Estate Capital Markets in the Master’s of Real Estate Program. A frequent guest presenter at industry conferences, he is also an active participant in numerous professional and charitable organizations including the Urban Land Institute SSDC Member, USC Lusk Center Board Member, ICSC, and the Los Angeles Jewish Federation’s Real Estate Cabinet.

Andrew Wallace is a Senior Vice President at Trammell Crow Company, where he oversees projects across various product types, guiding developments from pre-development through construction with a primary focus on commercial ground-up projects. To date, he has led the development of over 1.2 million square feet of commercial, creative, and medical space. With a passion for the built environment and a multidisciplinary background spanning general contracting, architectural design, and building trades, Andrew provides key leadership in the pre-construction and vertical development phases throughout the Los Angeles region. Prior to joining Trammell Crow Company seven years ago, Andrew held various development roles in Los Angeles and his hometown of Toronto, Canada.

Jaime Zadra is a managing director at PGIM Real Estate. Based in Los Angeles, Jaime is responsible for managing debt originations for the West and Midwest regions of the United States through a broad range of commercial mortgage products on behalf of Core, Core Plus, and Structured debt investors, including Prudential’s General Account, and the Agencies – Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and FHA. Additionally, Jaime has portfolio management responsibilities, including pricing and credit authority, for the company’s Core mortgage portfolio in the Western U.S. Since joining the company in 2004, Jaime has originated more than $15 billion of loans across all property types and for all of PGIM Real Estate’s capital sources. Jaime was named managing director in 2019. Earlier, she served as an executive director for 10 years and was debt originations team lead for Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. Jaime started her career at PGIM Real Estate as an associate covering relationships in San Diego and Los Angeles. Jaime has a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Public Policy Analysis from Pomona College and a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Real Estate from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Jaime is a Chair of the ULI Los Angeles Capital Markets Council, and a member of the ULI IOPC Red Product Council, and the UCLA Real Estate Alumni Group Endowment Circle.