
2025 Partnership Forum Mentor
Steve Ross
Vice President
CBRE
Young Leaders Group (YLG) was created to be a unique multi-disciplinary forum for young professionals, under the age of 35, to build relationships, learn from one another, and develop the skills and knowledge needed to become the next generation of successful real estate industry leaders.
Becoming an active member of the YLG (34 and under) is an invaluable springboard and resource for young professionals wishing to catapult the success of their real estate career. Involvement offers the following benefits:
Contribute to your Community and give back to your neighbors by volunteering your time and real estate knowledge in the YLG led initiative.
If you are 34 and under and an ULI member, you are already a YLG member! To get the most out of your membership start with attending any of the YLG or greater ULI Cleveland programs and events. Ranging from informative to networking to mentoring, there is something for every interest and real estate background.
If you want even more engagement, consider volunteering on one of our committees. Dedicated volunteers are the backbone of ULI and there is no better way to jump-start your network both with peers and our region’s real estate leaders.
Nora Walsh, Co-ChairÂ
Senior Analyst
Project Management Consultants
Gerald Parks Jr., Co-Chair
Asset Management Analyst
KeyBank Real Estate Group
Alexandra Long, AICP, Vice Chair
Principal Planner
Cuyahoga County Planning Commission
We are no longer accepting applications for 2025. Applications will be available in October 2025 for the 2026 year.Â
The Young Leader Partnership Forum Mentorship Program is a unique networking experience which brings small groups (10 or less) of YL members together with senior ULI members (“Mentors”) from the Cleveland District. Groups engage in active dialogue with industry leaders around current real estate topics and develop strong relationships through the sharing of experiences with a diverse group of peer industry professionals. This program provides YLG’s with the unique opportunity to discuss relevant issues in the real estate industry with their peers and an established member of ULI in a confidential and intimate setting.
Additional attributes the ULI YLG Partnership Forum provides:
In January, all accepted applicants will be invited to an informal mandatory kick-off event where they will be introduced to their mentor and group members. To ensure the quality of the program, all applicants are required to attend the kickoff event and all group meetings with mentors. If more than 1 event or meeting is missed, you will be asked to leave the program.Â
Program Timeline
The cost to participate in 2025 is $100 for ULI Cleveland members and $175 for non-members. ULI Cleveland sponsors receive free admission in the program.
The groups will have a minimum of 4 meetings along with a kickoff reception and 100% attendance is expected. The agenda, meeting time, and location will be determined by each individual group. As mandated by the Partnership Forum Mentorship Committee, any participant who misses more than one meeting will be removed from the program. Only individuals who are committed to actively engaging in the groups should consider registering for the program.
Alan Arancibia, Partnership Forum Subcommittee Co-ChairÂ
Senior Associate
Allegro Real Estate Brokers & Advisors
Wes Skupski, CPA, Partnership Forum Subcommittee Co-ChairÂ
Accounting Advisory Solutions – Real Estate
Cohen & Company
Steve Ross
Vice President
CBRE
Pam Neckar
Chief Executive Officer
Impact Project Development, LLC
David Craun
Owner Representative
Cleveland Planning Advisors
ULI Cleveland Young Leaders Special Events & Community Service subcommittee works to plan special events, networking & volunteer opportunities, and more from July-December each year.Â
The Special Events & Community Service Subcommittee works to facilitate opportunities to contribute and improve the communities we work and live in in addition to plans social gatherings to encourage networking and relationship-building amongst YLG members. The Community Service activities support the mission of ULI to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. Our events connect and partner young leaders with local community organizations and important social and environmental issues. Additionally, social gatherings are planned to encourage networking and relationship-building among YLG members. These events present opportunities to both recruit new members and engage existing members.
Jennifer Chandler, Subcommittee Co-ChairÂ
Senior Project Manager
CHN Housing Partners
Tara Sulzer, LEED AP BD+C, CEM, BCxP, Subcommittee Co-ChairÂ
Senior Energy Consultant
Progressive Insurance
Students have an opportunity to engage ULI at the local, national, and global levels. ULI connects students to the global network of leaders who are ULI members, and inspires them to become leaders throughout their careers.Â
The ULI/Gerald D. Hines Student Urban Design Competition is an urban design and development challenge for graduate students. The Hines Competition challenges multidisciplinary student teams to devise a comprehensive development program for a real, large-scale site. Teams of five students representing at least three disciplines have two weeks to develop solutions that include drawings, site plans, tables, and market-feasible financial data. Teams are formed in the fall of each year and the competition takes place in January. Learn more here.
Drew Thompson, Hines Competition Coordinator & Mentor
Project Designer
DS Architecture
Olivia Marcis, Student EngagementÂ
Transition Coordinator
CBRE
Asset Management Analyst, CDLI, KeyBank Real Estate Capital
YOUNG LEADERS COMMITTEE CHAIR
Senior Analyst, Project Management Consultants
YOUNG LEADERS COMMITTEE CHAIR
Allegro Realty Advisors, Allegro Realty Advisors, Ltd.
Assistant Director - Real Estate Development, CHN Housing Partners
Vocon
Economic Development Manager, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP
Senior Manager, Accounting Advisory Solutions, Cohen & Company
CBRE
Director and Principal, Project Management Consultants LLC
Principal Planner, Cuyahoga County Planning Commission
CBRE
Project Developer, DiGeronimo Companies
Associate Director, Partners Environmental Consulting, Inc.
Project Manager, The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
GBX Group
Cohen & Company Ltd.
Progressive Insurance
Architect, DS Architecture
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