The ULI Foundation and ULI Chicago are pleased to announce the 2014-15 ULI Jeffrey Kahan Fellows, Molly Ekerdt, Project Manager, Preservation of Affordable Housing, Inc. and Collin McKenna, Director of Acquisitions, Golub & Company LLC.

Molly, a product of a J.C. Nichols-planned and developed neighborhood in Kansas City, has been a Project Manager at Preservation of Affordable Housing, Inc. since 2011.  She has managed over $58 million in affordable housing investment and development in the City of Chicago resulting in the construction or preservation of 190 units of housing, with an emphasis on sustainability and urban design.  Molly previously was Development Project Manager & Policy Coordinator for the Planning Office for Urban Affairs at the Archdiocese of Boston, managing mixed-income and mixed-use developments and advocating for zoning and foreclosure reforms.  She has a degree in History from Grinnell College and a Master of City Planning, Housing & Community Economic Development from MIT.  She is a current Board Member for the Neighborhood Housing Services Redevelopment Corporation and is a LEED accredited professional.

As Director of Acquisitions at Golub & Company LLC, Collin has successfully closed multiple transactions totaling in excess of $300 million.  He analyzes potential value add acquisition and development opportunities nationwide, and sources, negotiates and closes equity and debt for all transactions.  Prior to his position at Golub, he was Vice President Acquisitions & Development at Related Midwest in Chicago handling successful transactions at 500 Lake Shore Drive and 17 distressed properties totaling $254 million.  Collin graduated with distinction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Finance, Investment and Banking.  He is a licensed real estate broker in Illinois and is a member of the Chicago Association of REALTORS, Wisconsin Real Estate Alumni Association (WREAA), and Chicago Real Estate Private Equity (CREPE).  He is also a volunteer and development committee member for Imerman Angels 1-on-1 Cancer Support.

The ULI Jeffrey Kahan Full Member Fellowship honors Jeffrey Kahan, a principal and director of the Investment Services group of Colliers International in Chicago, who passed away in June, 2012.  He was an active member of ULI and a member of the Industrial and Office Park Development Council (IOPC) – Blue Flight.  He deeply believed in the value of the relationships formed and information shared through ULI.  He was a passionate Chicagoan and wanted his life’s work to make a positive impact on the City. This year’s two Fellows share much of Jeffrey’s own view of the world and showcase his varied interests and work ideals.

Congratulations Molly and Collin!

The Fellowship provides opportunities for promising ULI Chicago Young Leaders to participate as a Full Member in ULI for one year.  The Fellowship includes attendance at the Spring and Fall Meetings as well as access to IOPC-Blue functions. Both Fellows will also have an IOPC Mentor and a ULI Chicago Mentor as part of the year-long program and will be attending the ULI Fall Meeting next month in New York City.

A jury of seven ULI members and associates of Jeffrey Kahan reviewed applications and interviewed qualified candidates.  The Fellowship is offered on an annual basis.