ULI Northwest is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive real estate industry that builds thriving, equitable communities.
For generations, land use and urban development decisions and policies have contributed to community divisiveness and disparate economic and social outcomes for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). ULI Northwest recognizes the role that our industry and organization has played in promoting unjust land use policies and practices, and we are committed to making a change.
The power paradigm is shifting to include voices of BIPOC, people with disabilities, LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) individuals, women and other minorities, however there is still significant progress to be made. The inclusion of diverse populations in the real estate industry results in the development of stronger, more equitable, and thriving communities. Recent events and a renewed focus on social justice have strengthened ULI Northwest’s resolve and cemented diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as essential forces in achieving our mission.
District Council leadership is committed to promoting and integrating DEI throughout all levels of the organization. We will implement inclusive ways of operating to welcome and include more people of color in our activities and the broader real estate industry. We will also scrutinize the policies, processes, and structures that may be unintentionally keeping BIPOC from fully participating in and having a voice in the real estate industry. Ultimately, by adopting DEI practices, we will strengthen the quality of our membership, encourage creativity, foster innovation, and facilitate the development of equitable communities in the Pacific Northwest.
To blaze a new trail of diversity, equity and inclusion in real estate that breaks down institutional barriers to entry and advancement within urban development. By pairing education with deliberate action, the institute will pave the way for new and inclusive pathways, policies and practices in the real estate industry.
ULI Northwest provides leadership and education in responsible urban development to create thriving communities that are diverse, equitable and inclusive. ULI Northwest will blaze a new trail of diversity, equity and inclusion in real estate that breaks down institutional barriers to entry and advancement within land use and ownership. By pairing education with deliberate action, ULI Northwest will pave the way for new and inclusive pathways, policies and practices in the real estate industry.
DEI Committee: The Committees will expand on the work of ULI NW’s DEI Taskforce, a group of members that began meeting in May 2020 with a mission to blaze a new trail of diversity, equity, and inclusion in real estate that breaks down institutional barriers to entry and advancement for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). The Taskforce is now transitioning into two Committees in Seattle and Portland that will integrate DEI into all facets of the Northwest District Council.
DEI Committee Chairs
Seattle: Aaron Wofford-Miles, Director of People Services, Lease Crutcher Lewis &
Hal Ferris, Principal, Spectrum Development Solutions
Portland: Joana Filgueiras, Project Manager II, Prosper Portland
DEI Taskforce: ULI Northwest is proud to convene a group of diverse real estate professionals in the DEI Taskforce, whose mission is to set the stage for future DEI efforts for the District Council and the broader real estate community in the Pacific Northwest. Meet our Taskforce Members!
Hal Ferris founded Spectrum Development Solutions in 2008, a real estate development and advisory firm which specializes in community focused development including mixed use, mixed income urban real estate development that enhances the community fabric throughout the Pacific Northwest. Spectrum’s values and professional practice focus on housing affordability, environmental sustainability, and social equity.
Joana Filgueiras is a Project Manager II with Prosper Portland, the economic and urban development agency for the city of Portland. Joana has had experiences in the real estate world in South Florida, New York City and DC, prior to coming to the Pacific Northwest. She is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish, and is an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in all she does.
Damien Hall is Ball Janik LLP’s Chair of the Land Use and Real Estate practice groups. Mr. Hall represents both property owners and local governments, helping them navigate Oregon’s unique land use requirements and political sensitivities to controlled growth and land development. Mr. Hall’s approach is based on working collaboratively with developers, local government, and communities to establish common objectives and allow clients to achieve their development goals. His practice is focused on urban redevelopment and utility scale renewable energy project siting.
Janice Mason is an Associate Principal at Mackenzie, an integrated firm headquartered in Portland, Oregon. For more than ten years, she has served as Mackenzie’s marketing and communications director, and she is fluent in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry functions and operations. Jan works with other colleagues in both Oregon and Washington to advance marketing strategies and business development while managing an in-house marketing team. She is Mackenzie’s liaison for small business partnering initiatives and a member of the firm’s corporate social responsibility committee on diversity, equity, and inclusion, which addresses staffing, contracting, organization culture, and community engagement.
Chris co-founded Capstone Partners LLC a Northwest focused commercial real estate development and investment firm in 2002 with offices in Portland and Seattle. Since 2002, Capstone Partners has acquired and developed over 4.5 million square feet of office, industrial, urban retail and multi-family property including 1,876 Multi-family units representing $1.5 Billion of total project cost. Chris is a founding Board Member of KairosPDX, a North Portland non-profit that runs a K – 5 school, Early Learning Network and Family Connections programming for underserved children and families of color. He is the District Council Chair of Urban Land Institute NW’s Portland Chapter and is a partner in Social Venture Partners Portland.
Erica is a passionate and seasoned PR strategist and media relations expert. Erica Perez delivers premier PR counsel, strategy and execution. She understands that meticulous planning, creativity, responsiveness and sharp attention to detail are essential. These talents, combined with her natural ability to build trusted relationships with her clients, the media and valued stakeholders, while bringing a client’s brand to life, are keys to her success. For more than 20 years, Erica has worked across numerous industries including commercial real estate, food & beverage, retail, technology, professional services, and small business. She holds a reputation for delivering targeted and top-tier local, regional and national media placements, creating, maintaining, protecting and elevating a client’s profile amongst its target audiences/customers, and providing exceptional internal and external communications.
Patricia Raicht is Senior Director at JLL responsible for the company’s local market research platform for the Western half of the US. She has been in commercial real estate research and advisory services for over 30 years. She is a passionate advocate for racial justice and LGBTQ+ issues. At JLL, Trisha is the national Co-lead for the company’s employee resource group, Building Pride (LGBTQ+), serves on the PNW DEI Advisory Committee, is part of the company’s West DEI Council and is responsible for the DEI efforts for the US Research & Strategy group. In the industry, she serves on the ULI DEI Taskforce and on the PSU Center for Real Estate Advisory Board.
Mark Washington is a Senior Vice President at Eastdil Secured responsible for investments sales, equity and debt capital market transactions within the Pacific Northwest region. He has been in the commercial real estate industry for nearly 14 years and has held a number of industry positions. Similarly, Mark covered the Pacific Northwest with JLL and spent over 10 years at TIAA, now Nuveen Real Estate.
Aaron joined Lewis in 2019 with strong expertise in human resources. She comes to work every day because people matter—their needs, their futures, their struggles—and everyone deserves a voice. Aaron is an Everett native and says family and friends are a huge part of her life (many since childhood, including some favorite teachers who are friends today!). An Edward Everett Hale quote is a frequent inspiration: “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.”
For more information about the DEI Taskforce, reach out to the ULI Northwest staff.
Leadership for Change: A webinar series based loosely on our Center for Leadership program, which will educate mid-career professionals in the history of racial injustice and land use in the Pacific Northwest and provide a space for reflection and personal growth. More information coming soon. **Scholarships available for BIPOC professionals.**
UrbanPlan in Portland: UrbanPlan is a realistic, engaging exercise in which participants—community leaders, university students, high school students, or public officials—learn about the fundamental forces that affect real estate development in our communities. ULI Northwest’s UrbanPlan will focus on reaching community members and students who have not historically participated in land use decisions.
Fee Waivers: ULI Northwest offers fee waivers to BIPOC professionals to join our local Product Councils; please email our team for more information.
National DEI Taskforce: In summer 2020, our staff participated in a national effort to make ULI a more diverse and inclusive organization. Working with ULI staff members from across the country, we provided recommendations to national ULI leadership to center equity throughout the organization. Read more about ULI’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts at the national level.
Interested in supporting our DEI efforts? Contact us!