ULI NEXT
Austin’s ULI NEXT initiative identifies, connects, and elevates the next generation of leaders for the built environment and ULI. The NEXT initiative provides mid-career members a meaningful way to be active in ULI as their careers advance into leadership positions in the industry. ULI NEXT members are Full or Associate members, generally within the ages of 35-45, who have exemplified leadership at work and within ULI.
Applications to join ULI NEXT are accepted once annually, in June.
ULI NEXT provides a range of benefits to participants as they develop their leadership skills and build lasting relationships among peers, with ULI leadership, and throughout the ULI network. The program will give members:
- Valuable networking opportunities, information, and connections to move careers forward.
- A relevant voice in the organization and its program(s).
- Leadership opportunities to meet individual goals.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
NEXT “flights” are organized geographically and meet monthly, September through May, for presentations of topical interest chosen by members to promote candid discussion from diverse perspectives. NEXT flights are member-driven and led by flight leaders. Each flight determines its own program content, guest speakers, and meeting schedule.
FLIGHT STRUCTURE
Flights are comprised of 15-18 ULI members representing a diverse cross-section of the industry. Each Flight is self-directed and the topics for each meeting are selected by NEXT members.
Meetings: Each flight meets monthly, typically for breakfast or lunch. Meeting times, format and locations are decided by the members in each flight. Flight leaders typically poll members at the start of each season (September) to collectively determine a time/location that works for all members. Based upon the collective interests of participating flight members, each flight will decide whether to hold meetings in-person, virtually, or hybrid. Many are choosing formats based upon meeting purpose (e.g., project tours in person, whereas guest speakers, panels, and group discussions may be virtual or hybrid).
- Approximately 9 sessions will be scheduled from September to May, taking a break during the summer months.
- Members are required to attend at least 75% of the meetings, and to actively participate in presenting and/or facilitating one or more of those meetings. VIEW PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES
- Members are required to pay an annual participation fee of $125 to cover expenses associated with meetings along with other ULI operational costs for supporting the program. The participation fee is separate and in addition to a member’s annual dues to belong to ULI. The participation fee must be paid by September 30th, 2023.
- Once admitted to ULI NEXT, members may continue participation year-after-year without reapplying, until they turn age 45.
In an effort to keep Flights <20 people, additional flights may be added annually. Each June, an interest form will be available to ULI members. The goal is to place as many members as possible into small diverse groups, however admission/placement is not guaranteed.
For more information contact:
Chair: Chris Kemp, Austin Title Company
Staff Liaison: Molly Harvey

APPLICATION PROCESS
In order to foster an engaging atmosphere, NEXT has a selection process to identify members for each flight to ensure a diversity of professional sectors and interests. Participants must:
- Be a current ULI Member;
- Be in a leadership position within your firm;
- Generally, be within the age of 35-45;
- Attend 75% of meetings; and
- Pay $125 annual participation fee to cover expenses associated with flight meetings, as well as ULI’s operational costs for supporting the program.
ULI NEXT Flights
Central One | Central Three | South | North |
---|---|---|---|
Max Atherton, Austin City Realty | Lara Burns, Boyda Urbanspace Real Estate + Interiors | Cora Brown, Word + Carr Design Group | Alex Arregui, Door Capital Partners |
Logan Blok, Espacio Benchmark | Laurel Chick (Flight Leader), JLL | Craig Friedson, TOPO | Ben Bittner (Flight Leader), Synermark Properties |
Whitney Blunt, Blu Fish Collaborative | Trae Compton, Linbeck Group, LLC | Rob Hellams, 5th Dimension Architecture | Julio Carrillo, Parkhill |
Scott Daniels, Independent Financial | Lance Coplin, Frost Bank | Allison Lehman, Kimley-Horn | Robert Deegan, Rialto Studio |
Michelle Davidson. Newmark | Luke Esser, Dunaway | Dominic Padilla, White Construction Company | Jonathan Fleming, KTCivil |
Olga Finkelshteyn, Studio8 Architects | Kirk Garza, Bowery Valuation | Wesley Salazar (Flight Leader), KW Landscape Architects | Marcel Garza, SWSG (Southwest Strategies Group) |
Dan Loss (Flight Leader), The NRP Group | Taylor Hardee, Studio 8 architects | Lee Sawyer, Rudick Construction Group | Amelia Harlow-Leggett, Turner Construction |
Laura Malek, Bartlett Cocke General Contractors | Cristina Jones, Page | Peggy Scott (Flight Leader), CBI Group | Bryan Warne, Hitchcock Design Group |
Kate Meehan, Rhode Partners | Chris Kemp (NEXT Chair), Austin Title Company | Amy Westermeyer, Studio8 Architects | |
Ryan Quinn Quiddity, Engineering | Jesse Malone, Malone-Wheeler | A.J. Zorn, Brookfield Properties | |
Abby Shaver, MWM DesignGroup | Chris Mastin, Brookfield Residential | ||
Gregory Smith, Windsor Group | Erin Roberts, Ryan Companies | ||
Jena Stude, Good + West Residential | Katie Strain, GBA | ||
Ryan Sullivan, Kruger Carson Group | Kate Tomlinson, Martinez Moore Engineers | ||
Evan Tantum (Flight Leader), ECS Limited, LLP | Efrain Velez (Flight Leader), Waterloo Greenway Conservancy | ||
Russell Thomman, RVi Planning + Landscape Architecture | |||
Justin Westmoreland, Prosperity Bank |