Have you wondered what it takes to be a real estate developer? Would you like to add real estate development skills to your existing career portfolio? Are you a woman, LGBTQ+, and/or a person of color? If you answered YES, the Real Estate Diversity Initiative (REDI) is for you!

The Real Estate Diversity Initiative (REDI) is a comprehensive real estate development training and mentorship program for people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals. The curriculum covers the spectrum of the real estate development process.

The ideal participant will have, at minimum, knowledge or interest in real estate, an undergraduate degree, a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and a desire to engage in real estate development. Competitive applications will demonstrate sufficient career experience to do well in the program, a strong commitment and desire to participate in the program, and supportive references. A panel consisting of representatives from the Urban Land Institute will select individuals for the 2023 class, which will kickoff in June 2023.

Thirty participants step into the role of a real estate developer, gaining direct knowledge and experience working in teams to produce a development plan, pro-forma, and marketing plan for a real project.

Participants are taught by a volunteer faculty of experienced, multi-disciplinary, top-tier practicing real estate professionals serving as instructors, mentors, and facilitators who share market-based knowledge and the wisdom from their experience.

The program concludes with REDI teams presenting their proposals to a panel of real estate professionals who engage the participants and provide constructive feedback.

Participant Requirements:

• People of color, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals are eligible to apply for the program.
• 30 applicants will be accepted, based on completed applications.
• 100% class participation is required to graduate and receive the free ULI membership (up to three pre-approved absences are permitted). Please get your employer’s approval to participate before you apply!
• $350 Fee upon acceptance into the program must be received before the program begins in June. If the fee is not collected in time, you forfeit your place in the program.
• Participants must complete a program evaluation following the coursework.

Participant rewards (upon successful program completion):

• Certificate of program completion.
• Real Estate Continuing Education (2021 session received 22.5 hours of continuing credits).
• Large and small group real estate mentoring and education worth $15,000.
• ULI Cleveland membership for 1-year.
• Free admission to select ULI Cleveland special events for 1 year following the REDI program
• and more!

2023 Application Process 

The 2023 applications are now open! The application can be found online here and applications are due by March 31. All applicants will be scheduled for a 15-minute interview with a REDI program leader and program selections will be announced in May.

REDI Program Schedule 2023
Classes are scheduled on Tuesday’s from 6:00-9:00 pm. Tuesday, July 4 and Tuesday, September 5 will be skipped due to the holiday.

Select program mentors are listed below:

• Sally Levine, Architect, Levine Architecture & Design, Ltd.
• Ellen Kirtner-LaFleur, Senior Project Manager at CHN Housing Partners
• Allison Hennie, City of Cleveland
• Josh Herman, Venvidici Ltd.
• Matt Metyk, Vice President, LaBella Associates
• Andrew Iarussi, VP, Head of Acquisitions & Development, RHM Real Estate Group

In-Person Kickoff Reception, June 6

Session 1: Curriculum Introduction, June 13

• Review case study project & program overview
• Team’s connect to outline schedules for the remainder of the program

Session 2: Financing, June 20

• ProForma Introduction
• Team Working Time

Session 3: Financing, June 27

• ProForma Deep Dive

Session 4: Team Working Session, July 11

• Forming the Capital Stack
• Programming, pre-leasing, and sales
  • Maureen Anter-Ressler, Senior Associate, Cushman & Wakefield | CRESCO
• Team working time

Session 5: Team Working Time, July 18

Session 6: Due Diligence, July 25

• Title Review
  • Amy Whitacre, First American Title Insurance
• Zoning, Entitlements, and Government Approvals
• Team Working Time

Session 7: Due Diligence, August 1

• Utilities, Traffic, Etc.
  • Josh Osterhout, PE, LS, LA, DPC, Senior Project Manager Fischer Associates
• Market Analysis and Feasibility
  • Jack Newton, Project Manager, GBX Group LLC
• Team Working Time

Session 8: Site Planning, August 8

• Environmental Review/Brownfields
  • Stephen Conway, Development Manager, Environmental Services, Terracon
• Green Energy
  • Justin Kale, Director of Opportunity Development, Energility, LLC
• Team Working Time

Session 9: August 15

• PACE Financing
  • Christopher Ellis, Senior Director, Originations, Nuveen Green Capital
• Due diligence – Site Planning
  • Christian Lynn, Urbanism + Planning Practice Lead, AECOM
• Team Working Time

Session 10: August 22

• Operations and Property Management
  • CBRE
• Design/Interior Design
  • Christine Lyons, Associate Project Manager, AIA, IKM Architecture
  • Adam Yaracs, Project Manager, AIA, LEED, AP, NCARB, IKM Architecture
• Team Working Time

Session 11: August 29

• Pro Forma Check-In

Session 12: Practice Presentations, September 12

Session 13: Final Presentations, September 19

Graduation: September 26

For additional information about the REDI program, please contact the REDI Co-Leaders:

Tammy Polenz, Regional Business Development Manager, THP Limited, Inc. [email protected]

Tyrone (Ty) Patillo, Sales & Leasing Associate at The Robert Weiler Company [email protected]

This is your opportunity to further your career by learning directly from real estate mentors about the challenges, opportunities, and best practices in the real estate development industry.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Through the generosity of our REDI sponsors, we are able to offer this course for a reduced registration fee. Help support ULI Cleveland’s Real Estate Diversity Initiative by learning more about sponsorship opportunities online here. REDI sponsorships run on a calendar year from January-December.