Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI)
Carey Gunn Venditti Women’s Leadership Initiative
The mission of the WLI is expressed in its four primary objectives:
Promote the advancement of women, throughout their careers, as leaders in the real estate industry.
Increase the number of women who serve in leadership positions in the real estate industry and in ULI.
Increase the visibility of women leaders in the real estate industry and in ULI.
Increase the number of women who are active ULI Full members, and support the development of young women members as leaders in ULI and in their professions.
Local Activities and Initiatives
- Lunch with Leaders Series for networking and a discussion on current issues, featuring prominent female leaders in real estate.
- Ambassador Program to help new female members navigate ULI Austin.
- Networking Socials for women to connect with other female ULI members.
- Dinner Series to connect women with different experience levels.
- WLI Market Exchange
ULI Austin’s Carey Gunn Venditti Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) is named to honor the legacy of Carey Gunn Venditti, an Austin area real estate attorney who passed away unexpectedly in January 2019. At the time of her death, Carey was serving as the ULI Austin District Council Chair, and was the first woman to serve as chair for ULI Austin. Carey was passionate about increasing the number and visibility of female leaders in real estate, and helped establish the Women’s Leadership Initiative for ULI Austin. She was integral to ULI Austin’s growth and momentum with her unwavering energy and forward-looking vision.
In honor of Carey’s contribution to ULI Austin, a college scholarship was founded in Carey’s name for an undergraduate in the UT Real Estate Center. The annual recipient of the Carey Gunn Venditti Memorial Scholarship receives $2000. Learn more HERE.
WLI Steering Committee
Chair: Lara Burns, Urbanspace
- Sheri Blattel, Cushing Terrell
- Katie Comer, Cushing Terrell
- Fei Dai, Catellus
- Emily Dale, Berkadia
- Terese Everson, Focus Strategies Investment Banking
- Lauren Fosen, Cushman | Wakefield
- Joanna Just, RSM US LLP
- Allison Lehman, Kimley-Horn
- Roberta Salas, Dunaway
- Kristin Thompson, Ryan Companies
Staff Liaison: Cheryl McOsker
