Rosalynn Hughey, DEI Committee Co-Chair

Deputy City Manager, City of San José

Q: How did you first get involved with ULI and your committee?

ULI was a great network and partner to the city when I worked in Washington, DC. When I came to San Jose, I sought out the ULI SF community and connected with Michelle Frey and Natalie Sandoval. We shared interest in city trainings, policy development, and decision making that would lead to meaningful, equitable development.

Q: What’s a memorable connection you’ve made through ULI? 

First, the public sector program offerings. In the City of San Jose, ULI SF has provided “Real Estate 101” trainings, UrbanPlan workshop, and a Technical Assistance Panel on parking. Secondly, authentic relationships with DEI Committee members. These folks don’t just talk, they are making an impact, real actions to combat the effects of racist planning and development practices.

Q: What keeps you engaged with ULI SF and what are you most excited about in the near future?

The challenges and opportunities we have in the Bay Area—affordable housing and homelessness, equitable development, mobility, climate change. It’s going to take creative partnerships between the real estate industry and local government to tackle the issues and lift everyone up in our communities.

Q: What do you hope to accomplish in the next year? 

Personally, get a better work-life balance and just have more fun!

Professionally, in this uncertain economic market, get some planning and housing policy work over the goal line. Keep pushing on housing solutions—emergency interim housing, missing middle housing, mass timber, etc. More vitality in our Downtown. Connect more families, workers, and small businesses to COVID-19 recovery resources; many in our community are still struggling.

Q: What’s your leadership philosophy/style?

Collaboration and communication, and I work/live by 5 leadership principles: 1) When in charge, take command. Get input from others, but at the end of it, make the decision; don’t waffle; 2) Do the right thing, the right way, with the right attitude; 3) Seek first to understand, then be understood; 4) Train and champion your team members; 5) Lead by example.

Q: Who has been an instrumental person in your career? 

Several people saw in me what I didn’t see and then challenged me to do stuff I wasn’t comfortable with. People who had big visions and didn’t take “no” for an answer. Alvin Nichols, Mitchell Silver, Harriet Tregoning, Kim Walesh, Kip Harkness.

Q: Outside of work and ULI, what do you enjoy doing?

Facetiming with grandkids, the ocean, visiting/following Chihuly exhibitions.

Q: If you could have any career in another profession, what would it be?

Event planning.

Q: What’s your must-have food or drink?

An avocado a day.