CCAC Executive Committee
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Greg Hummel | Chairman
Senior Counsel | Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
Greg Hummel is a senior partner at the national and international law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP. He is based in Chicago where he leads the firm’s public private partnership practice. His work involves real estate development and finance, as well as, public and project finance. His forty year career unfolded first as counsel to leading national developers, architect/engineers, construction companies, and commercial and investment banks. Today, his practice focuses on the economic development and job creation activities of cities, states and other units of government both in the United States and abroad. He has advised public and private clients on public finance and economic development strategies all over the world including the governments of New Zealand and its capital city Wellington, New South Wales, Australia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. cities of Chicago, Raleigh, and Hartford. Another facet of his practice is incentives where he has obtained financial benefits for private sector clients in the form of grants, tax credits and/or tax exempt debt in over twenty U.S. states. These incentives often make the difference between projects being feasible or not.
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Mr. Hummel also serves as legal counsel to some of the nation’s largest banks, construction companies and real estate developers, for whom he handles all facets of acquisition, zoning, construction, financing, leasing, management and disposition of office, retail, industrial and residential projects.
Christine Carlyle |
Principal & Director of Planning | Solomon Cordwell Buenz
Christine Carlyle, Principal and Director of Planning, founded and directs the SCB’s planning studio and urban design practice. With over 30 years of city planning, urban design, and architectural design, in both the public and private sectors, her work demonstrates an integration of innovative design, cultural responsibility, and sustainability with the successful management and execution of complex projects. She brings a collaborative leadership style, creative design approach, and passion for improving the quality of life for all communities to a wide range of local, national, and international projects. Her clients include governments, public sector agencies, academic institutions, and private developers.
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At SCB, Christine has led many successful community planning and design efforts, with a particular focus on large-scale mixed-use urban redevelopment projects. Some of her recent projects include the 30-acre River District Master Plan in Chicago; the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Red and Purple Line Modernization Transit Oriented District Plan; the Chicago West Loop Design Guidelines; Illinois Medical District Master Plan; and the Arts Block Master Plan for the University of Chicago; Chicago Housing Authority Roosevelt Square Master Plan; Moline Downtown Plan; Concon, Chile, New Town Master Plan; and Capital District, City Centre Master Plan, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
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Throughout her career, Christine has held many civic leadership roles with the Chicago Central Area Committee, Lambda Alpha International Board, The Magnificent Mile Association, Women in Planning and Development, American Institute of Architects- Planning and Urban Affairs Committee, and Urban Land Institute (ULI).
Her work has received recognition through numerous awards including; the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Vision Award, International Downtown Association Planning Award, Congress of New Urbanism Awards; American Planning Association Best Practice Awards; National Endowment for the Arts Grants, three Greater Dallas Planning Council Urban Design Awards and Preservation Dallas Award.
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Christine received her Bachelor of Architecture from Carnegie Mellon University and her Master of Architecture in Urban Design from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design.
Bob Chodos |
Vice Chairman | Newmark
With a career spanning over 30 years and 13 million square feet in completed assignments valued at more than $7 billion, Bob Chodos is one of the premier tenant representation specialists in the Chicago area and nationally. Bob applies a tenacious and focused negotiation style to every transaction and has a proven reputation for delivering the most aggressive deal terms for his clients. He is a recognized leader in corporate headquarter consolidation/relocation projects as well as for assignments ranging from strategic real estate planning, large relocations and build-to-suits, data/technology center site selection and development, big box warehouse and manufacturing site selection, incentives procurement, and construction.
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In order to advise on all potential scenarios, Bob offers a diverse platform of disciplines including Corporate Services, Transaction Management, Lease Auditing, Lease Restructure, Lease Negotiations, Subleasing/Dispositions, Construction/Project Management, Strategic Planning and Benchmarking. Bob’s vast experience, skillset, and tenacity continue to be an asset to his clients and to Newmark Knight Frank.
Kimberly Dowdell |
Marketing Principal | HOK
Kimberly Dowdell is a licensed architect and frequent speaker on the topic of architecture, diversity, sustainability and the future of cities. In her recently completed term as the 2019-2020 national president of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), she worked closely with her board of directors and staff to increase opportunities for women and people of color to gain more equitable access to the building profession. She also more than doubled the organization’s membership and significantly raised NOMA’s profile during her two-year presidency. Kimberly’s career aspirations are rooted in her upbringing in Detroit where she was initially driven to utilize architecture as a tool to revitalize cities.
She earned her Bachelor of Architecture at Cornell University and her Master of Public Administration from Harvard University. Her professional experience has spanned from architecture to government and teaching to real estate development. Kimberly is currently a Principal in the Chicago studio of HOK, a global design firm. She is a LEED accredited professional, a co-founder of the SEED Network and an AIA 2020 Young Architect of the Year awardee. Kimberly was recognized by Crain’s Detroit Business and Crain’s Chicago Business as a 40 Under 40 honoree in 2018 and 2020, respectively. Kimberly’s overarching mission is to improve the quality of life for people living in cities.
Stephen Galler |
Executive Vice President and General Counsel | The Habitat Company
As Senior Vice President and General Counsel for The Habitat Company, Stephen Galler oversees all legal matters, including all acquisitions, dispositions, financing, leasing and development for our real estate concerns.
Before joining The Habitat Company in 2007, Mr. Galler served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel at Related Midwest (formerly LR Development Company), where for 11 years he oversaw and managed all of the company’s legal matters, including such notable projects as Park Tower, 340 on the Park, Roosevelt Square, Residences on Lake Shore Park, Fort Sheridan, and The Mayfair.
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Mr. Galler is a member of the Chicago Central Area Committee and the Urban Land Institute and currently serves on the CCAC – ULI Infrastructure Committee. He also serves on the JFMC Facilities Corporation Steering Committee of the Jewish United Fund. In addition, Mr. Galler is the former Chair of the Real Property Law Committee of the Chicago Bar Association and continues to serve on that committee’s Condominium Subcommittee. He also formerly served on the Executive Committee and Board of Trustees of Beth Emet Synagogue. Mr. Galler has been a frequent speaker at bar association and continuing legal education seminars and has authorized numerous articles for real estate and law firm publications. He is also a member of IRELA, REIA, ABA and ISBA.
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Mr. Galler earned his Juris Doctor from Northwestern University School of Law, and earned his Bachelor of Arts, with Cum Laude distinction, from the University of Pennsylvania.
Tom Kasznia |
Principal, Global Leader for the Corporate, Commercial & Civic Practice | Perkins&Will
Tom Kasznia serves as a Principal, Global Leader for the Corporate, Commercial and Civic practice, and member of the Executive Committee at Perkins&Will. With over 30 years of experience, Tom is a champion for interdisciplinary collaboration and design excellence, continually fostering new partnerships while also nurturing many of Perkins&Will’s long-term client relationships. His philosophy is simple: say yes. When a good opportunity comes along, he says yes, and then works hard to make it a success.
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Tom received his Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is a licensed architect and LEED Accredited Professional. He has a strong presence in the architectural community and is heavily involved with organizations including The City of Hope and Step Up for Kids. He is a Council Member for the Chicago Construction Real Estate Council for City of Hope and has served on panels and juries for the Chicago Central Area Committee, Urban Land Institute, and the Chicago Architecture Center.
Rana Lee |
Principal, Director of Business Development | SmithGroup
Rana is a Principal and Business Development Director at SmithGroup. She is directly responsible for market share growth, client development and coaching high performance teams. Rana partners with leadership to elevate business development strategy from a loosely coordinated set of activities to a more consciously engineered aspect of an organization’s commitment to delivering excellence – resulting in efficient revenue growth and greater value to clients.
Throughout her 25-year career as a business development executive within the AEC and financial services sector, Rana has been recognized as a strong advocate for the client experience. She challenges the status quo and considers “Why?” and “What if?” amongst her favorite questions. When designing a client experience, she’s fully invested in understanding everything about their business – from their point of view.
Rana's an advocate for clients and colleagues, empowering them to imagine bigger futures and greater outcomes. She sees possibilities and doesn’t hesitate to explore ideas – and sometimes with untraditional partners. When Rana wanted a better understanding of hospital campuses, she teamed with Mr. Potato Head to map the patient journey from parking lot to waiting room. Those unique insights led to a series of conversations with hospital leaders about patient-centered care. When she’s not thinking about clients, you’ll find her on the golf course imagining the perfect shot, while at the same time mentoring a young female caddy.
Dr. Suzet McKinney |
Principal & Director of Life Sciences | Sterling Bay
Dr. Suzet M. McKinney currently serves as CEO/Executive Director of the Illinois Medical District. The Illinois Medical District (IMD), a 24/7/365 environment that includes 560 acres of medical research facilities, labs, a biotech business incubator, universities, raw land development areas and more than 40 healthcare related facilities, is one of the largest urban medical districts in the United States. Dr. McKinney is the former Deputy Commissioner of the Bureau of Public Health Preparedness and Emergency Response at the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), where she oversaw the emergency preparedness efforts for the Department and coordinated those efforts within the larger spectrum of the City of Chicago’s Public Safety activities, in addition to overseeing the Department’s Division of Women and Children’s Health.
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Dr. McKinney previously served as the Sr. Advisor for Public Health and Preparedness at the Tauri Group, where she provided strategic and analytical consulting services to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS), BioWatch Program. Her work at DHS included providing creative, responsive and operationally-based problem-solving for public health, emergency management and homeland security issues, specifically chemical and biological early detection systems and the implementation of those systems at the state and local levels.
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Dr. McKinney serves on numerous boards, committees and advisory boards such as the Board of Directors for Susan G. Komen Chicago, Thresholds, and the African-American Legacy of the Chicago Community Trust, Co-Chair of the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Disasters and Emergencies, a member of the IOM’s Standing Committee on Health Threats Resilience, the Science and Security Board for the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, the Board of Scientific Counselors for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response, as well as the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Advisory Council (NAC) and more.
In academia, Dr. McKinney serves as an Instructor in the Division of Translational Policy and Leadership Development at Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health and as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health. Additionally, she serves as a mentor for the Biomedical Sciences Careers Project, also at Harvard University. She is the author of the forthcoming text: Public Health Emergency Preparedness: Practical Solutions for the Real World, published by Jones & Bartlett Publishers (2018). Dr. McKinney holds her Doctorate degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, with a focus on preparedness planning, leadership and workforce development. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Brandeis University (Waltham, MA) where she was also a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellow. She received her Master of Public Health degree (Health Care Administration) and certificates in Managed Care and Health Care Administration from Benedictine University in Lisle, IL.
Tyler Meyr |
Executive Director | The Lamar Johnson Collaborative
As an Executive Director and award-winning designer with LJC, Tyler Meyr is a leading conceptual thinker with a strong national and international portfolio of projects including built work in Los Angeles, London, Antwerp, St. Louis, and Istanbul. Having earned his Bachelor’s and Master of Architecture from Tulane University and Master of Architecture in Urban Design from Harvard University, he utilizes 20 years of experience in urban design, planning, and architecture to address the complex challenges of today’s urban environment.
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His unique blend of urban design and architecture allows him to serve as a link between the disciplines, synthesizing context and program, along with the input of vital stakeholders into a cohesive vision. As a lead designer, Tyler strategically integrates diverse inputs into vibrant, distinctive, and inclusive environments. Tyler’s passion for cities and their public spaces make LJC a dream opportunity to collectively envision and advocate for the future.
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He also contributes to both civic and academic discourse by serving as a board member on the Chicago Central Area Committee and as a Lecturer at the Sam Fox School, College of Architecture & Graduate School of Architecture and Urban Design at Washington University. He has served as a visiting Design Critic at Harvard Graduate School of Design, Illinois Institute of Technology, and the University of Hong Kong.
Donald Resnick |
Partner | Jenner & Block
Donald I. Resnick focuses his practice in commercial real estate on a national and local basis. Clients seek his counsel on all types of real estate transactions, financing, leasing, development and construction and corporate real estate needs. He also has significant experience in real estate-related loan and equity restructuring and workouts. Mr. Resnick is Chair of the Firm’s Real Estate Practice, Co-Chair of the Firm’s Real Estate Securities Practice, and Co-Chair of its Real Estate Finance Litigation and Workout Task Force.
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Chambers USA has consistently named Mr. Resnick one of the country’s leading lawyers in real estate law. He was listed in Best Lawyers in America for real estate law, elected by his peers as an Illinois Super Lawyer in real estate transactions, and amed a leading lawyer in real estate finance law and commercial real estate law in the Leading Lawyers Network survey of more than 52,000 Illinois lawyers. Mr. Resnick is AV Peer Review Rated, Martindale- Hubbell’s highest peer recognition for ethical standards and legal ability. Mr. Resnick serves the Firm as Co-Chair of the Business Services and Transaction Executive Committee and is a past member of the Management Committee. He has given seminars and written articles regarding various real estate issues including complex like-kind exchanges, real estate workouts and loan and equity restructures, dual agency for brokers and real estate contract negotiations. He is a guest lecturer for the real estate program at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. He is also a member of the Chicago Central Area Committee, a group of civic leaders dedicated to the economic development of Chicago’s downtown community.
Doug Voigt |
Partner | Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
Douglas Voigt is a Director with the Chicago office of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. Together with Philip Enquist, he leads the urban design and planning practice within the global design firm. Over the last couple of years, SOM has been scripting a vision for the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Region that advocates new bi-national thinking and a comprehensive strategy for the future of the region. SOM is currently engaged in discussions with multiple stakeholders in both the United States and Canada to address the issues centered on the phenomenal increase worldwide in human population, the impacts of urbanization, and the threats of climate change that could impact the Great Lakes.
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Since joining SOM in 1995, Doug has focused on complex urban plans and architectural projects. He is interested in the capacity of urban design to build communities and connect people to one another. Doug’s work is distinguished by a passionate appreciation for each project’s unique challenges and the need for a comprehensive and innovative response. Doug balances innovative thinking with a realistic, hands-on process. As a designer and planner, he has worked closely with cities, institutions, and developers across the globe. Although each project has its own story, a common focus on building long-term partnerships with clients and their communities motivates his approach to urban planning. Over the last two decades, he has learned to unite disparate stakeholders under a cohesive vision, transforming abstract ideas into physical realities.
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Doug is a strong advocate that the principles of sustainable design underlie every plan. He is a committed to pursuing new ideas to advance the design of mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented communities with accessible public transportation, renewable sources of energy, healthy ecologies, and a balanced approach for development.
Leon Walker |
Managing Partner | DL3 Realty
Leon I. Walker, Esq. has spearheaded cutting-edge community development projects that have generated thousands of new jobs, and brought grocery stores and health care services into the food and health care deserts on Chicago’s south side. Over the next 10 years, his vision is to help create 10,000 jobs and 10 million square feet of new commercial space in Chicago’s neighborhoods.
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Mr. Walker is at the forefront of economic development, utilizing new financing tools and blended funding streams. During his career, Mr. Walker has structured more than $100 million in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC), including the award-winning Roseland Medical Center, which was the first project to finance new construction with NMTCs in Chicago. He was also the first Chicago developer to use crowdfunding for new construction, as part of the capital stack for the nationally recognized Englewood Square retail center, anchored by Whole Foods.
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As the Managing Partner of DL3 Realty, Mr. Walker works closely with municipalities, anchor institutions, and Fortune 500 companies to implement projects that are sensitive to a neighborhood’s character. Mr. Walker’s projects are more than just bricks and mortar. They are designed to provide a stimulus that ultimately lifts economic prospects and quality-of-life for local residents. He calls his work “Venture Development,” as described in a recently released discussion paper that can be downloaded at dl3realty.com/venturedevelopment.
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Mr. Walker serves as a Board member of the Greater Chicago Food Depository, the Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate at Roosevelt University, Graaskamp Center for Real Estate at the University of Wisconsin School of Business, and as a Commissioner of the Roseland Community Medical District. He is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago, Realty Club of Chicago, International Council of Shopping Centers Government Relations Committee, and The Business Leadership Council.
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Prior to taking on the leadership of DL3 Realty, Mr. Walker worked in corporate real estate services at Jones Lang LaSalle, and in real estate capital markets at Citicorp Securities. He is a graduate of the University of Chicago’s Law School and Booth School of Business, and received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. He lives with his wife and two children in the Kenwood historic district on Chicago’s south side.
Mark Hopkins |
Executive Director
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Mark Hopkins is known as an executive who gets things done and successfully implements positive change. Based on a foundation of strategy with complete implementation planning, execution and evaluation, Mark has been able to lead organizations large and small, for-profit and not-for-profit, to success. Whether a large international organization or a start-up, each has benefitted greatly from Mark’s work.
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Prior to his appointment as Executive Director of Chicago Central Area Committee and President & CEO of Alliance for Regional Development, Mark served as CEO and Chief Strategy Officer of TCMH Strategy LLC, a boutique strategy development and implementation company with clients ranging from non-profits seeking to grow rapidly or merge with another organization to Fortune 100 companies with specific strategy and implementation challenges.
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Just prior, Mark was Chief Strategy Officer of AAUW, the leading membership organization working toward gender equity in America and around the world. Additionally, for almost a year, Mark was Interim Chief Executive Officer of this $24+ million organization during a time of significant organizational change and growth while they searched for a new permanent CEO.
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Prior to being Interim CEO, Mark also held the Chief Strategy Officer position and had responsibility for all revenue generation, including membership growth and fundraising, strategic alliance and collaboration development, strategic planning, and strategic communications initiatives among several other duties. Mark also evaluated and managed the sale and acquisition of multiple real estate and program intellectual property assets including the sale of the national headquarters building and subsequent lease, build-out and relocation of the 100-member staff.
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With over 25 years experience working for and with non-profit organizations and major corporations, Mark has been an executive with American Lung Association/American Thoracic Society, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and USO World Headquarters. As a consultant in his own practice he has worked with Target Corporation, The Estée Lauder Companies, Nike, JP Morgan Chase & Company, and several others on strategy and implementation, innovation development, strategic alliance and business development projects, as well as strategic philanthropic efforts.
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Also known as a dynamic speaker, Mark has made several international presentations including research presentations at APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) forum meetings in Hanoi, Vietnam and Lima, Peru, as well as a strategy presentation in London, United Kingdom.
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Mark has served as a volunteer with several non-profit organizations, currently as a member of the Board of Trustees of the U. S. Capitol Historical Society and also as a member of multiple committees with The University Club of Washington DC. Past service includes an international multi-year forum with the Pan American Health Organization and the National Leadership Council of the National Hemophilia Foundation.