Get to know some of the ULI San Francisco members who work hard behind the scenes to develop the events and initiatives our District Council is known for. These industry leaders come from a variety of real estate land use sectors and lend their expertise and time to drive the work of our committees. We’ve asked Kathleen Burgi-Sandell, the outgoing Co-Chair of the Women’s Leadership Initiative committee, to answer questions around her involvement with ULI San Francisco.

Kathleen Burgi-Sandell, Women’s Leadership Initiative
Vice President Regional Manager, James Campbell Company
Member, Redevelopment & Reuse Product Council

Q. How did you first get involved with ULI and your committee?
Nearly two decades ago I became a ULI member, as the organization began to open up for younger professionals.  I was fortunate to be accepted to a ULI Council through my work with United Properties president Boyd Stofer.  It was Libby Seifel who has been active with WLI since its inception 7 years ago,  who approached me about stepping into the WLI co-chair role after I indicated my interest in working with the committee.

Q. What keeps you engaged with ULI SF and what are you most excited about in the near future?
What keeps me engaged has been the many mentorship opportunities that ULI has supported.  Whether it has been through student outreach or within career development opportunities like the newly formed national WLI Circles, one of which I lead. I’m most excited about the DEI platform that ULI has rolled out. ULI San Francisco has provided some amazing DEI training programs, reading resources and discussions. Through my work with WLI national, I have also been involved in the ULI Speakers Bureau development team, which will ensure that there will be diverse panels on all ULI topics presented.

Q. What’s your leadership philosophy/style?
I’m a firm believer in teamwork, the more bright minds involved with the most diversity provides the best results. Listening closely to what’s important and helping others reach their goals is most gratifying to me. I am constantly amazed by the devotion and energy all the volunteers to ULI provide, particularly to the amazing women in the WLI SF committee.

Q. Outside of work and ULI, what do you enjoy doing?
I enjoy taking hikes in Marin where I live, any time I can get with my kids and friends and tending to our small vineyard where we make a killer Meritage blend Cab!

Q. If you could have any career in another profession, what would it be?
My undergraduate degree was in Archeology and I stay involved in local preservation issues through my past board position with SF Architectural Heritage.