At the helm of Visit Indy, Leonard and his team are charged with growing Central Indiana’s economy by driving the region’s $5.4 billion convention, tourism and event industry. Under his leadership, Visit Indy has shattered all-time records for convention and tourism sales, delivering $1+ billion annually in incremental economic impact and a 90-to-1 return on investment from public funding. Leonard has been named an “Indiana Living Legend” by the Indiana Historical Society, one of the “25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry” by Successful Meetings magazine, and one of the “Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality & Travel Sales & Marketing” by Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI). He and his wife, Dorene, have a son, Cannon (15), and a daughter, Avalon (8).

Hanna is a graduate of Grand Valley State University and has worked for Local First for over 8 years. Her enthusiasm for all things local stems from her father, who worked hard to open his own business, and extends into her love of her neighborhood, where she serves as President of the Garfield Park Neighborhood Association board of directors. Hanna’s work in economic development has led her to be involved in neighborhood, city, and state-wide planning efforts, where she advocates for developers to consider the needs of the community they will be investing in, as well as the opportunity for economic growth, through engagement and authentic involvement of neighbors in all stages of the planning process. Hanna is passionate about advocating for a place-based, sustainable economy where wealth can be accessed and accumulated by all people.

Urban planner and designer with a passion for bringing resources and solutions to build, promote, and strengthen communities. Ms. Compitello is an experienced Urban Designer with a focus on community engagement, placemaking, and town planning. She also works to promote equitable access across cities through a participatory design process, smart street design, and multimodal planning. She has led the design of numerous projects around the world, including Design Guidelines, neighborhood revitalization plans, new town master plans, downtown strategic plans, Transit Oriented Development, affordable housing development, conceptual architecture, branding and placemaking exercises, and more. She has participated in numerous charrettes both nationally and abroad, and is particularly passionate about public participation as a part of the design process. She has planned and facilitated dozens of public meetings and integrated different forms of interaction and outreach to suit a project’s individual needs. Ms. Compitello is also skilled in drawing and watercolor, and has also worked as a consulting digital illustrator to create aerial and perspective views of urban and architectural proposals using a blend of 3D modeling, hand drawing, and digital rendering technology.

Augustine (Gus) Faucher is senior vice president and chief economist of The PNC Financial Services Group, serving as the principal spokesperson on all economic issues for PNC. Prior to joining PNC as senior macroeconomist in December 2011, Faucher worked for 10 years at Moody’s Analytics (formerly Economy.com), where he was a director and senior economist. He was responsible for running the firm’s computer model of the U.S. economy, edited a monthly publication on the U.S. economic outlook, covered fiscal and monetary policy, and analyzed various regional economies. Previously, he worked for six years at the U.S. Treasury Department, and taught at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He was named senior vice president in March 2015, deputy chief economist in February 2016, and to his current role in April 2017. Faucher is frequently cited in international, national, and regional media outlets including The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. He has appeared on ABC World News, CBS Evening News, NBC Nightly News and Nightly Business Report, and is regularly featured on CNBC, CNN and Fox Business. In addition, he appears regularly on CBS Radio, NPR and Marketplace. He serves on the board of directors of The Economic Club of Pittsburgh - the local chapter of National Association of Business Economics (NABE). He is also co-chair of the Financial Roundtable of NABE. Faucher earned a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Pennsylvania, with concentrations in labor economics and public economics. He also has a B. A. in economics from Cornell University.

Angela Wethington is a Director on the Capital Team at Scannell Properties, where she is responsible for underwriting, dispositions, debt, and equity for industrial developments throughout the United States. Angela also sources new joint venture partners for Scannell on speculative and build-to-suit projects nationwide. In 2019 and 2020, she will have closed sale and financing transactions of approximately $1.1 billion. Scannell Properties is a privately-owned international developer of industrial, mixed use, multifamily and student housing property. Angela is a graduate of Indiana University where she graduated with a bachelor of arts in political science with a business administration minor. She received her law degree from Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis and is licensed to practice law in the State of Indiana. Angela also is a Certified Commercial Investment Member.

Urban planner and designer with a passion for bringing resources and solutions to build, promote, and strengthen communities. Ms. Compitello is an experienced Urban Designer with a focus on community engagement, placemaking, and town planning. She also works to promote equitable access across cities through a participatory design process, smart street design, and multimodal planning. She has led the design of numerous projects around the world, including Design Guidelines, neighborhood revitalization plans, new town master plans, downtown strategic plans, Transit Oriented Development, affordable housing development, conceptual architecture, branding and placemaking exercises, and more. She has participated in numerous charrettes both nationally and abroad, and is particularly passionate about public participation as a part of the design process. She has planned and facilitated dozens of public meetings and integrated different forms of interaction and outreach to suit a project’s individual needs. Ms. Compitello is also skilled in drawing and watercolor, and has also worked as a consulting digital illustrator to create aerial and perspective views of urban and architectural proposals using a blend of 3D modeling, hand drawing, and digital rendering technology.

Katie is president of KSM Location Advisors, part of the Katz, Sapper & Miller Network. With more than 20 years of economic development experience in 48 states, Katie has secured close to $825 million in economic incentives for 16 million-plus square feet of office and industrial space. Previously, Katie led Cassidy Turley’s (now Cushman & Wakefield) national Location Advisory and Incentives Practice. Katie has also led economic development efforts for organizations such as The Indy Partnership/Indy Chamber, Boone County EDC, and the City of Indianapolis. Current board chair for EmployIndy, Katie has held various leadership positions in community and industry organizations. In 2017, she received Junior Achievement of Central Indiana’s Best and Brightest Award in the Real Estate, Development & Construction category. She has been named a Woman of Influence by the Indianapolis Business Journal and one of the publication’s “Forty Under 40” honorees. In addition, Katie has been recognized by Real Estate Forum as a “Woman to Watch” in its “Women of Influence” category. Katie has a bachelor of science in public policy from Indiana University and a master of business administration from Indiana University.

Michele Wildman is Senior Vice President at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) where she oversees operations and management of the Community Development unit which supports the growth of vibrant, diverse and sustainable communities across Michigan. Michele manages a statewide field services team that specializes in community revitalization, historic preservation, Brownfield TIFs and collaborates with economic development partners around the state continually searching for ways to respond to the unique needs of communities, large and small. Michele has more than twenty years of experience in the community development industry and has previously worked for Michigan State Housing Authority (MSHDA). She has held a variety of roles related to housing and community development, including oversight of a variety of development incentives such as loans and tax credits, use of HOME and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, administration of federal stimulus programs and other programs. Prior to coming to MEDC, Michele spent the last three years with the Genesee County Land Bank Authority, which works to revitalize vacant abandoned properties.

Sonya began her tenure as Executive Director of Hazelwood Initiative in January 2016 after working for 3 years as an independent consultant focusing on community economic development (CED). She is a highly-motivated and dedicated professional with over 20 years of progressive and successful experience in the CED industry, contributing in and across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. She has a well-developed and broad skill set in underwriting and financing affordable housing and urban commercial development, including non-profit governance, origination of grants and loans, as well as management of grant, loan, and CRA compliance. She previously held senior-level positions at both Fifth Third Bank, where she was the CRA Manager for the Pittsburgh market, and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania, where she was the regional commercial real estate lender for LMI communities. She has also held increasingly challenging positions with the Urban Redevelopment and Housing Authorities of the City of Pittsburgh as well as with 3 non-profit community development corporations, where she gained knowledge and experience in using CDBG, HOME, LIHTC, NMTC and other public funding programs. Sonya’s commitment to improving communities is not just exhibited in her vocations, but her avocations as well. As such, she is an experienced and active non-profit trustee, currently serving as a board member of the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group and the City of Bridges Community Land Trust, and on the advisory board of the Housing Opportunity Fund, and she is a frequent community volunteer, particularly for her church, St. Benedict the Moor. Sonya received a B.A. in Psychology from DePauw University and a M.S. in Public Policy & Management from Carnegie Mellon University and earned certifications from the National Development Council in both Economic Development Finance and Housing Development Finance. She was named one of Pittsburgh Magazine’s 40 Under 40 in 2003 and one of the New Pittsburgh Courier’s Fab 40 in 2011. Sonya was a member of Leadership Pittsburgh’s Class XXXIV as well as the 2018 inaugural class of Lead Now Pittsburgh fellows.

Emmet Pierson, Jr. is president and CEO of Community Builders of Kansas City, where he is charged with developing and implementing CBKC’s integrated entrepreneurial business model, forging new partnerships, designing new solutions, and strengthening bonds that will enable the organization to convene communities, increase resources, and empower families and neighborhoods in underserved communities. Pierson is a seasoned real estate professional with over 30 years of progressive experience in key areas of the industry, including project management, finance acquisition, multi-layered development financing, program administration, property management, and asset management. He is chair of the Lee’s Summit Housing Authority and presently serves on UMKC’s Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors for the Black Community Fund.

Emeka Onwugbenu is the Founder and Owner of E Properties and Development, a real estate development company with specific focus in mixed use, multifamily and commercial development throughout Western Pennsylvania. Under Emeka’s leadership, the company has completed over $50+ Million of real estate development, owns and manages over 200K square-feet of commercial real estate. Emeka is responsible for leading all real estate development efforts, property acquisition and corporate operations. Emeka earned a Bachelors’ Degree from Penn State University, with a major in Industrial Engineering, and holds a MBA from Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business.

Marita founded CIVICALLY, INC – an umbrella nonprofit organization that focuses on community development by promoting civic and socially literacy to instill self-reliance. In addition to Free Store Wilkinsburg, Community Conversations, she has established Fresh Market and initiatives and received grants for health education, urban farming, and others. In 2019, Civically, Inc. acquired the Hunter Building – the largest commercial building in downtown Wilkinsburg to stabilize an anchor building and catalyze economic development in the Borough. In January 2014, Marita Garrett was sworn in as a Councilwoman for Wilkinsburg Borough. As a member and Vice-President of Council, Marita was instrumental in seeking and receiving over $2 million in grant revenue for the Borough; additionally, led the charge to increase capacity in Borough department in increase efficiency in services to residents. Also, at this time then-Councilwoman saw a need for an increase in community engagement and started, “Wilkinsburg Community Conversations” an initiative to connect and empower residents to work together for neighborhood improvement. From there, she co-founded Free Store Wilkinsburg to assist community members to address emergent needs. In 2017 she was named “Young Democrat of the Year” from the Allegheny County Democratic Committee and selected to attend the NextCity Vanguard conference held in Newcastle, Australia. Additionally, Ms. Garrett has served on panels at the Brookings Institution and United Nation’s World Urban Forum 9. In 2017 Ms. Garrett was elected Mayor with over 65% of votes in a 4-way race. As Mayor, she reinstated the Public Safety Forums, a monthly series that highlights updates in the Wilkinsburg Police Department and provides an opportunity for community members to express their safety concerns. During her tenure, she has been largely influential for the renewed interested in Wilkinsburg’s revitalization.

Jason serves as the Community and Economic Development Market Manager, responsible for Michigan, Chicago and Indiana. In this role, he oversees the Bank’s regional compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act, cultivates community partnerships and executes community development strategies. With more than 20 years of banking and community experience, his most recent role was market manager at PNC Bank, where he led community development activities and financial programs throughout the state of Michigan. He also previously held various financial roles, at Fifth Third Bank and PNC. In 2018, Jason received the prestigious Gene Kuthy Community Development Award. In 2017 he was named to Made Men in Detroit, was a member of Class XXXVIII in Leadership Detroit and received a Leadership Oakland – Leader of Leaders award. He is the board chair for Communities First, Inc., in Flint and immediate past chair of the Michigan Forum for African Americans in Philanthropy. Paulateer also serves on the boards of New Life Community Church, Samaritas, Detroit LISC, Develop Detroit, Forgotten Harvest and Luella Hannan Foundation. Jason formerly served on the boards of IFF, Gleaners Food Bank of Southeast Michigan, Bloomfield Hills Public Schools Board of Education, Community and Economic Development Association of Michigan, Home Repair Services, Wedgewood Christian Services and Matrix Human Services.

Constance Freedman is the Founder and Managing Partner of Moderne Ventures and the Moderne Passport, an early stage investment fund and industry immersion program which is focused on investing in technology companies in and around the multi-trillion dollar industries of real estate, mortgage, finance, insurance and home services. Constance has invested in more than 70 companies and actively partners with 700+ industry executives and corporations to help build strategic value and scale. She is active on several company boards, past and present, including DocuSign [NASDAQ: DOCU], Updater [ASX:UPD], Homesnap, UrbanBound and TaskEasy and Equity Lifestyles [NYSE:ELS]. Prior to launching Moderne Ventures, Constance was the head of Strategic Investments at the National Association of Realtors where she launched and managed its venture fund, Second Century Ventures (SCV) in 2008, and founded its accelerator program, REach, in 2013. Prior to joining SCV, Constance was an investor with Cue Ball, an early and growth stage investment fund focused on the information services and consumer sectors. Constance began her career spending 7 years on an operating capacity at technology start-ups Molecular (backed by CMGI, acquired by Isobar) and Account4.com (acquired by Lawson). Constance was a practicing real estate agent for three years prior to starting her career in technology and investing. Constance has been the recipient of several prestigious awards including HousingWire’s Women of Influence, Crain’s Business 40 under 40 and has appeared multiple times on Crain’s Chicago Top Tech 50, Swanopoel’s Power 200 and Inman’s Top 101 in Real Estate. Constance is frequently an invited speaker at nationally renowned venture industry, real estate and fintech conferences. Constance has served on the Advisory Board for the National Venture Capital Association’s Corporate Venturing Group from 2010-2013 and is on the board of overseers for the non-profit, From the Top. She is also an active Mentor for startups at TechStars and other accelerator groups. Constance earned a BS from Boston University and a MBA from Harvard Business School.

Mr. Watt has more than twenty years experience with a wide variety properties but specializing in residential land development in the Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Eastern Kentucky and Western Maryland area. Other areas of concentration include market analysis and valuation of market rate and affordable multifamily housing and valuation of industrial properties. Mr. Watt is a Member of the Appraisal Institute. Prior to employment with Valbridge Property Advisors, Mr. Watt had over ten-years experience in residential construction.

As Vice President of Capital Markets for Thompson Thrift, Carrie is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing our equity funding strategy and investor relations program, including investor communication and reporting. Since joining Thompson Thrift in 2007, she has been involved in the development of retail, mixed-use, and multifamily projects. Carrie lives in Westfield, Indiana with her husband, Mark, and their three children, Harvey, Benjamin and Maggie.

Eve is the founder of Small Change, a real estate equity crowdfunding platform. They raise funds for meaningful real estate projects building better cities everywhere. Like Kickstarter for real estate—but with a return. Small Change matches developers to investors, providing investment opportunities for everyone who cares about cities and wants to make change. All through a fluid and compliant technology platform. Eve's world has always been wrapped around cities and change. Her background as an architect, city planner, urban designer, real estate developer, community development strategist, publisher, and instigator gives her a rich understanding of how cities work, how urban neighborhoods can be revitalized, what policies are needed to do it, and the unique marketing that creates the buzz needed for regeneration. Amongst Eve's many urban (ad)ventures, she has developed a dozen buildings in blighted neighborhoods founded a non-profit, cityLAB, built Pittsburgh’s first tiny house, organized a speaker series, launched a Pittsburgh e-zine called PopCity, and established downtown Pittsburgh’s first co-working space. She also co-founded Pittsburgh’s wildly successful Open Streets program and now hosts a weekly podcast series about real estate impact investing. All of these experiences have helped Eve become one of the foremost thinkers on urban change. Some honors Eve is proud of include Small Change ranking as one of 7 top Real Estate Crowdfunding Platforms by US News, nabbing Top Innovator in the “Capital” category by HIVE and her tenure as a Fellow at the Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio. And she has just been appointed to the academic advisory board for Syracuse University’s NYC Architecture Program’s newly planned Master in Science in Architecture with a focus on Sustainable Real Estate Development.

Claudia Steeb is a Managing Director in the Pittsburgh office of JLL with more than 30 years of experience in commercial real estate finance and investment advisory. She is primarily responsible for originating debt and equity transactions throughout the United States, with a focus on retail, office and self-storage properties as well as complicated portfolio transactions. During her career with JLL (formerly HFF), she has completed more than $14 billion in commercial real estate transactions. Ms. Steeb has underwritten, evaluated, financed and sold numerous regional malls at JLL. Claudia joined the firm in June 1995. Prior to JLL/HFF, she was an Originator with Lane, Noland Smith & Co. (now Grandbridge Mortgage), after working for five years at U.S. Steel Corporation in the Realty Development and Audit divisions. A graduate of the Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Finance from the Smeal College of Business, Ms. Steeb is currently a board member for the Institute of Real Estate Studies at Penn State, and has been a guest lecturer for the Real Estate Boot Camp and several senior and graduate level real estate classes. In addition to being a founding and current member of the Pittsburgh chapter of CREW, Ms. Steeb is also a member of ULI and ICSC, as well as a board member for PEIDC in Pittsburgh.

As the Director of Real Estate Research for PwC, Andy is responsible for monitoring all aspects of real estate, including space market fundamentals, capital market trends, regulatory changes and operational developments. For the past two years, Andrew has co-authored the US and Canadian editions of Emerging Trends in Real Estate. Andrew is a frequent speaker on issues affecting the real estate market and has also authored numerous articles for internal clients and national real estate publications. Andy brings extensive knowledge of the real estate life cycle, specifically the analysis of the potential impacts of economic fundamentals and capital market influence on the real estate industry. Andy also has significant experience developing and implementing real estate investment strategies across the risk spectrum. Prior to assuming his current role, Andy served as the Managing Director of Real Estate Research for Principal Global Investors, the fourth largest institutional real estate manager in the U.S. At Principal, Andy held a progressive level of analyst and management positions over his 25 year career, During this time Andy developed a wide range of models to predict market performance and measure risk/return analytics. He represented the research function on Principal’s flag ship separate accounts and also served as a fiduciary voting member on individual client funds focused on industrial, retail, student housing and sustainable investing. Andy earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from the University of Nebraska and a Master of Science degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Iowa. He has earned the right use the Chartered Financial Analyst, CFA, designation and is a Counselor of Real Estate. He is also a member of the Appraisal Institute, and the International Council of Shopping Centers.