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**SOLD OUT** ULI New York's Women's Leadership Initiative City of Yes
Join our ULI New York Women’s Leadership Initiative for an in-depth panel discussion with local policy makers and developers on New York City Mayor Adams' "City of Yes", the Mayor’s vision for a more inclusive and equitable NYC. The initiative is broken down into three major themes – carbon neutrality, economic opportunity, and housing opportunity. With many city zoning changes already in effect and others in the pipeline, our panel will explore the opportunities and challenges presented by this bold and far-reaching push for urban transformation.
Our program will also feature a networking portion to allow attendees to celebrate Women’s History Month and reflect on the successes and achievements of women in our land use industry!
5:30-6pm: Arrivals and Networking
6-7pm: "City of Yes" Panel
7-8pm: Networking & Celebration of Women's History Month
Moderator
Jodi Stein, Sheppard Mullin
Jodi Stein is a partner in Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP’s Real Estate, Energy, Land Use & Environmental Practice Group in the firm's New York office. She represents real estate developers in obtaining discretionary land use approvals through New York City’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) and before the Board of Standards and Appeals. She also advises clients on the zoning and land use aspects of obtaining approvals or resolving issues that arise during the development and construction process. Jodi is a thought leader on the implications of the City of Yes amendments on area development. Prior to private practice, Jodi was vice president of acquisitions and development for one of the largest privately held real estate companies in North America. In that role, she was responsible for growing the company’s $2 billion development platform in New York City, Miami and Los Angeles. Jodi earned her J.D. from Brooklyn Law School and her B.A. from Muhlenberg College.
Panelists
Edith Hsu-Chen, NYC Department of City Planning
Edith Hsu-Chen is the Executive Director of the New York City Department of City Planning. She was appointed to the position by the Mayor in January of 2022. In partnership with the Chair of the City Planning Commission, Edith is responsible for setting and implementing the City’s planning and development agenda, promoting inclusive and equitable growth throughout the five boroughs, and putting the city on the path toward robust recovery from the global pandemic. One of her current priorities is delivering on the “City of Yes” planning initiative. A mayoral priority, this three-part modernization of the zoning code will help New York City achieve carbon neutrality, expand economic opportunities, and housing for all.
Between 2008 and 2022, Edith served as the planning director for the borough of Manhattan. Throughout her career, she has implemented a multitude of plans focused on improving neighborhoods as great places to live, work and play, and modernizing New York’s business districts to enhance their competitive edge.
Edith holds an MA in Urban Planning from Harvard University Graduate School of Design and a BA in Design of the Environment from the University of Pennsylvania. Edith started at DCP as an intern in 1997.
Annie White, Karp Strategies
Annie is the Director of Real Estate and Economic Development at Karp Strategies, a WBE/DBE/SBE-certified urban planning and strategy consulting firm based in New York City. As a trained planner and architect, Annie has expertise in local government operations, land use and real estate strategy, and equitable economic development. At Karp Strategies, Annie leads projects ranging from municipal housing studies to offshore wind workforce development strategies. She has completed market analyses, economic impact analyses, and stakeholder outreach for private and public sector real estate clients in order to promote more resilient and healthy communities. Prior to joining Karp Strategies, Annie worked at the NYC Department of City Planning, where she gained fluency in zoning and land use mechanisms while serving as a project manager for developments in some of NYC’s fastest growing neighborhoods, including East Harlem, West Chelsea, and Hudson Yards. Annie is a member of ULI New York’s Housing Council and the Young Leaders Group Programming Committee.
Leila Bozorg, NYC Executive Director of Housing
Leila Bozorg is the executive director of housing for the City of New York, having recently joined the administration with two decades of experience improving equitable access to opportunity in housing and education. She rejoins city government after serving as the chief of strategy and policy at NYC Kids RISE, where she helped facilitate the citywide expansion of a college and career savings platform for NYC public school students.
From 2014 to 2020, Bozorg served in multiple roles at HPD, including as chief of staff to the commissioner, and later as the deputy commissioner for neighborhood strategies, where she managed teams overseeing HPD’s Housing Choice Voucher program, as well as the agency’s land use, predevelopment, and neighborhood planning work. While at HPD, Bozorg was the 2019 recipient of the Citizen Housing and Planning Commission’s Ibo Balton Award for Community Planning. In 2021, Bozorg was appointed by the Manhattan borough president to the New York City Planning Commission. Prior to her work at HPD, Bozorg served at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for four years during the Obama administration, concluding her federal service as a senior policy advisor in the Office of Affordable Housing Preservation. Bozorg also worked in Ahmedabad, India as a fellow with the American India Foundation. She was named a 2022 “40 under 40 Rising Star” by City & State magazine, a 2023 “Notable LGBTQIA+ leader” by Crain’s New York, and a 2023 “Pride Power 100” by City & State. She holds a B.A. in Government Studies from Wesleyan University and a Master of City Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Bonnie Campbell, Two Trees Management Co.
Bonnie Campbell is a Principal at Two Trees Management Company, a development firm in Brooklyn, NY. Two Trees is known for its role in transforming the Brooklyn neighborhood of DUMBO where the company’s holdings include 3 million square feet of commercial, industrial and residential space. Bonnie leads a team of planners, architects and development professionals on behalf of Two Trees and is involved in site acquisition, financing, construction, design, leasing and property management of Two Trees’ portfolio. For the past decade, she and her team have been working to redevelop the 11-acre Domino Sugar site which includes a 6-acre public park and 3 million sq. ft. of residential, office, retail and community facility uses. Bonnie joined Two Trees over 20 years ago, after receiving Masters Degrees in Real Estate Development and City Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Bonnie received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Urban Planning from Stanford University.