The Programs Committee plans monthly educational and informational meetings including our flagship monthly breakfast series, trends conferences, and networking events.
Chair: Michael Gonzalez, Sands Investment Group
Get Involved
As a member-based organization, none of our work would be possible without the support of our volunteer committees. Our committees are comprised of ULI members active in the field of land use and real estate and are chaired by dedicated ULI leaders that have been appointed by staff and our board.
The Urban Land Institute’s Austin District Council is committed to advancing ULI’s mission to shape the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide. ULI Austin is the leading multidisciplinary real estate organization in the region for expanding your network and increasing your industry knowledge.
Committees and Councils offer both in-person and virtual participation options
See All Member OpportunitiesOperational Opportunities
The Membership Committee develops and implements innovative member retention, recruitment, and engagement strategies (such as Monthly Coffee Chats, Quarterly New Member Socials, and Welcome Ambassadors) to help cultivate, grow, and maintain membership in ULI.
Chair: Luci Miller, Miller IDS
The Communications Committee manages storytelling across platforms—helping promote events, highlight member impact, and shape ULI’s voice online. It’s a great opportunity to grow your creative skills, expand your network, and get more deeply engaged in ULI’s mission.
Chair: Patti Larson
The Sponsorship Committee solicits financial support of ULI Austin from local companies and organizes sponsor appreciation activities. Annual sponsorship provides over half of ULI Austin’s operations budget and 100% of donations remain local in Austin.
Chair: Marissa Garza-Christensen, GarzaEMC
Short-Term Opportunities
Special Events Committees
The Special Events Committee plans ULI Austin’s three signature events including identifying venue and program and soliciting guest speakers and sponsors. Committees mostly meet biweekly for three months before the event.
Chair: Danea Dickey, WorkplaceSolutions
ULI Austin’s annual Impact Awards recognize and celebrate projects and people throughout Greater Austin that exemplify ULI’s mission: to shape the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide.
Marketplace is THE must-attend event for anyone involved with urban development and redevelopment spanning from Waco to New Braunfels. It showcases the hottest emerging real estate projects in the Greater Austin Area and brings together hundreds of industry leaders—all under one roof.
ULI Austin’s Game Day is a unique networking event held at Butler Pitch and Putt, a historic 9-hole course in Austin’s urban core. Participants celebrate this renovated green space with a fun-filled day of activities for golfers and non-golfers.
Education Committees
ULI has several initiatives focused on education for individuals ranging from school-aged to college and industry professionals. ULI needs mentors and presenters for these programs.
Education Chair: Tricia Williamson, Kimley-Horn
The Hines Student Design Competition (December–February) challenges college students to collaborate across disciplines to imagine a more innovative and sustainable built environment. ULI members play a key role by mentoring and coaching local university teams throughout the competition.
Chair: Rebecca Leonard, Lionheart
UrbanPlan Exchange is a hands-on workshop facilitated by ULI members, designed to help participants—particularly public leaders—understand the fundamental forces that shape the built environment. Through interactive, role-based exercises, participants explore the complex trade-offs and decisions involved in land use planning.
Co-Chairs: Guy Dudley, Manhard Consulting; Devin Williamson, Raba Kistner
Building Industry Leaders (BIL) is a partnership between ULI and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area that mentors high school students on careers in commercial real estate. The program builds professional skills, promotes leadership, and supports greater ethnic and gender diversity in the industry.
Chair: Anastasia Megdanis, RedLeaf
Leadership and Professional Development
ULI NEXT offers small groups (flights) where members between the ages of 35-45 meet for presentations of topical interest to seed candid discussion from diverse perspectives. All members ages 35-45 are eligible to participate in NEXT programming (no application required). Program runs September through May.
Chair: Dan Loss, The NRP Group LLC
Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) strives to promote the advancement of women and increase the number of women who serve in leadership positions in the real estate industry and in ULI. The steering committee plans the overall direction of WLI and the various events and initiatives. All female ULI members are eligible to participate in WLI programming (no application required).
Chair: Lauren Fosen, Cushman & Wakefield
Young Leaders (YL) events and activities offer early-career professionals and students under 35 the chance to build meaningful connections, grow their professional skills, and deepen their understanding of responsible development practices. All ULI members under the age of 35 are automatically considered Young Leaders and are welcome to participate in YL programming.
Chair: Karin Montgomery, Brookfield Residential
The Mentorship Forum For Young Leaders pairs small groups of early-career professionals with experienced, senior-level members to build leadership through a broad understanding of all facets of the real estate industry. Program runs September through May; $275 Annual Fee
Chair: Al Pool, Manhard Consulting
Mission Advancement Opportunities
Local Member Councils are topically focused, multidisciplinary groups that meet regularly to exchange ideas, explore industry trends, and share best practices around a specific area of real estate in a collaborative setting. Applications are accepted once a year in January. Programming is offered year-round, with a $250 annual participation fee (in addition to ULI membership dues).
Chair: Nina Farrell, JLL
Local Member Councils: Commercial | Housing Innovations | Industrial | Master Planned Communities | Multifamily | Placemaking | Public Private Partnerships | Resilience & Sustainability | Regional Growth | Small Scale Development
The Committee for Inclusive Excellence plays a unique dual role within ULI Austin as a resource in bringing an equity, diversity and inclusion lens to the work of our local District Council leadership; and as a catalyst for facilitating change in the real estate industry.
Chair: Jenell Moffett, Downtown Austin Alliance
Strategic Councils partner public and private entities to discuss and impact local issues. We are currently seeking experts and stakeholders.
Affordability – Chair: Michael Wilt, Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation
Local Climate Impacts – Co-Chairs: Caitlin Admire, Freese & Nichols; Ashley Besic, Building Decarbonization Coalition
Creative Culture – Chair: Kate Meehan, Rhode Partners
Transportation – Chair: Nick Samuel, CAMPO
Technical Assistance Panels (TAPs) leverage ULI members’ knowledge to provide expert, multidisciplinary advice to local governments, public agencies and nonprofit organizations facing complex land use and real estate issues. The committee vettes TAP opportunities and reviews previous TAP outcomes. Participation on a panel requires two full-day commitment with follow up emails per TAP.
Chair: Allen Wise, IBC Bank
Expectations of Committee Members
- Lead or support at least one committee program or project as a sub-committee member
- Be an active contributor to the committee (e.g. active participation in committee meetings, reviewing meeting minutes, completing assigned action items within set deadlines, etc.)
- Be proactive in identifying goals, objectives, and ideas to drive the organization’s membership and growth
- Support ULI Austin programs (e.g. attend major programs, webinars, invite industry contacts to participate, volunteer as a mentor, etc.)
- Be familiar with the products and services provided by ULI and publicly promote them
- Attend 75 percent of committee meetings per year (3 excused absences) – your participation is critical to the operations of the committee and ULI Austin overall
- Be a ULI member in good standing