
NEXT Committee Leadership:
Committee Spotlight Questions
What is the committee focused on right now, and why does this work matter to ULI SF members?
- The NEXT Committee is currently focused on continuing to provide tangible and meaningful professional opportunities for ULI SF members to stay informed, connected, and future-focused in a rapidly evolving real estate landscape. NEXT supports continued career growth by creating pathways for members to continue their leadership development, engagement within ULI, and long-term relevance in the industry.
What’s a program, initiative, or opportunity you’d like members to know about or get involved with this year?
- NEXT’s signature Cohorts program is a unique, yearlong opportunity to connect with a dedicated group of 10–12 real estate professionals from across the industry. The upcoming cohort cycles launch in March and will bring peers together through project tours, peer-to-peer discussions, and conversations around leadership, management experiences, deal-related lessons learned, and emerging development trends, along with time to build meaningful relationships through shared learning and celebratory gatherings.
Learn More About Each Leader
How did you first get involved with ULI and this committee?
- Dana: I became involved with NEXT during COVID. Even though we were only meeting virtually in 2020, it was such a great way to stay connected to the local real estate community.
- Justin: After hearing great things about the Cohorts program, I participated in 2018. Appreciating the Cohorts program and wanting to give back, the next year I shadowed and then joined the steering committee. I have been engaging with NEXT ever since.
- Anthony: I built up my involvement in ULI over the course of a year in 2018, starting out attending happy hours before being introduced to the NEXT Cohort program in 2019. The Cohort program led to a much broader connection to the community and directly to my involvement on this committee.
What’s a memorable connection or moment you’ve experienced through ULI SF?
- Dana: There are so many: project tours, peer discussions, happy hours, and deal briefs! Our Cohort group this year (’25-’26) has been fantastic, with meaningful and consistent engagement from our members. This has been such a rewarding experience that I’d recommend it to any mid-level career professional who is continuing to advance their experience and network.
- Justin: There are many great ULI memories. Recently, I had a blast at the NEXT leadership teambuilding outing to the Giants game last fall. While the Giants lost (to the Padres, no less), it was great connecting for a social outing at a ballgame to celebrate NEXT.
- Anthony: In my 2nd time in the Cohort Program, I partnered with another member, Evan Schwimmer, to collaboratively build a proforma for a market-rate housing project in Denver. This was a fascinating process to understand the levers of decision-making in size & affordable components in a project.
What keeps you personally engaged with ULI, and what are you most excited about in the near future?
- Dana: The wealth of knowledge and professional experience across this community is truly amazing. It’s also rewarding to speak with newer ULI members, sharing my ULI experience and encouraging YLG members to continue their ULI experience by participating in NEXT.
- Justin: ULI’s membership and programming keep me engaged. I’m able to get top-notch insight on salient issues impacting real estate and the profession while getting to engage with the best of the best. For example, the upcoming climate change and insurance panel will examine California’s homeowners’ insurance crisis.
- Anthony: The genuine connections that can be built through the Cohort program have generated true friendships and mentors throughout the real estate community. Building my network of trusted colleagues keeps me highly engaged.
What’s your leadership philosophy or style?
- Justin: I believe in a collaborative approach. When working on a team, each contributor brings their own perspective and often different strengths. Uniting all in a collegial and respectful manner, I find, results in a better finished product, whether it be a panel discussion, memorandum, or event.
- Anthony: I like to lead through transparency and making connections. I truly believe that feeding as much information to those around you and leveraging the strengths of your team members is the only path to success.
What’s front of mind for you right now?
- Justin: The fall of democracy, global economic instability, potential wars – World War III and another civil war, and the Nobel Peace Prize snubs are all top of mind. But the daily question is what I can cook for dinner that my entire family will eat without complaints!
Outside of work and ULI, what do you enjoy doing?
- Anthony: Outside of ULI, I enjoy spending time with family, getting my two sons engaged in sports and educational adventures, and going to concerts and spending time with friends with my lovely wife, Amy.
What’s at the top of your bucket list?
Thank you, Dana, Justin, Anthony, and Kristian, for all of your dedication and support to ULI SF and the NEXT Committee!