John Rebchook is a former Rocky Mountain News reporter with more than 30 years of experience in writing and communications... Development experts from both the public and private sector – ranging from the Denver Housing Authority to Forest City Stapleton – will be mentoring women and minorities interested in learning more about real estate and development opportunities.
The Colorado District Council of the Urban Land is partnering again with the Denver Office of Economic Development to help increase awareness of opportunities in the real estate industry among women and minority groups. Applications are sought for the second class of the Real Estate Diversity Initiative. The session builds on the success of the pilot program completed earlier this year. The deadline to apply is Nov. 30.
Mentors
Supported by CBIZ and Wells Fargo, the 2011 initiative will involve 25 to 35 participants who will be partnered with ULI mentors – local real estate professionals – for seven months to learn firsthand what real estate work and development entails.
The groups of six to eight protégés will meet monthly with mentors, either at their offices or on the site of one of the company’s projects. Mentors will present, discuss and demonstrate real estate industry concepts. The program exposes the protégés to options for getting involved in various aspects of real estate, with a focus on development. In its initial program, REDI set the stage for the development of many additional programs at district councils across the nation as part of ULI’s national diversity and inclusion program.
Mentors for the 2011 program are:
- Ismael Guerrero, executive director of Denver Housing Authority.
- Getabecha (Gete) Mekonnen, executive director of Northeast Denver Housing Center.
- Lynn Crist, executive vice president of Mile High Development.
- Chris Achenbach, principal of Zocalo Community Development.
- James Chrisman, senior vice president at Forest City Stapleton.
- Chris Coble, Civil Technology, Inc.
The application process involves completing a detailed questionnaire about the potential participant’s background, knowledge and experience in the industry and goals for involvement in the program.
The cost to apply is $25 (non-refundable application fee). Participants selected will be required to pay $175 prior to the start of the session.
100% participation required
Participants selected must commit to “100 percent participation,” which includes one meeting each month with the mentor and other participants. Upon completion each protégé receives a certificate of completion, and a one-year ULI Colorado membership where they may enhance their knowledge and participation in the industry through programs and networking opportunities. In addition to the membership, the mentoring, networking and instruction involved in the program is valued at more than $15,000 per participant.
The first REDI program last year garnered high praise from its 35 graduates, with 100 percent of them either satisfied of very satisfied with the program.
“We were very happy with our first REDI session, and have been able to use feedback from our first participants to make the program even more effective for this class,” said Tamela Lee, director of the Division of Small Business Opportunity at the Denver Office of Economic Development. Applications may be found at www.milehigh.com. For additional information about REDI contact ULI Colorado at 303-893-1760 or the Denver Office of Economic Development at 720-913-1542. Applications may also be picked up at the Business Assistance Center in the first floor of the Wellington E. Webb Municipal Office Building, 201 West Colfax Ave. Again, the application deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 30.
Contact John Rebchook at JRCHOOK@gmail.com.
sounds fantastic!