Closing the Housing Gap in Chicago

Attorney, Leon Walker, CEO of DL3 Realty Advisors, works closely with municipalities, anchor institutions, and Fortune 500 companies to execute projects that are sensitive to a neighborhood’s character while creating economic opportunities for local businesses and residents. DL3’s projects are more than just brick and mortar— they are designed to provide a stimulus that ultimately lifts economic prospects and the quality of life in urban communities. 

DL3 recently celebrated 25 years in business, and in the past five years, DL3’s projects have created over 3,000 jobs on Chicago’s South Side, and the firm is actively pursuing projects that will create over 10,000 new jobs in Chicago’s neighborhoods by the end of the decade. 

DL3 is executing transformative investments at several key transit nodes on the South Side by developing new, luxury affordable, mixed-use anchor housing under the “Thrive” brand that offers both market rate and affordable options for residents. Thrive Exchange and Thrive Englewood are designed to increase walkability and attract additional capital to the surrounding community. 

DL3 is the first Black owned private development firm to successfully win and close a City of Chicago 9% low- income housing tax credit award. Recently, DL3 partnered with Riverside and AmTrust RE to convert a portion of the Field Building on LaSalle Street into approximately 400 apartments and 90,000 SF commercial space as part of the City of Chicago's LaSalle Street Investment Initiative. 

Prior to taking on the leadership of DL3, Leon worked in corporate real estate services at Jones Lang LaSalle, and in real estate capital markets at Citicorp Securities. He is a graduate of the University of Chicago Law School, Booth School of Business, and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. Leon is civically engaged and currently serves on the boards of World Business Chicago and University of Michigan Weiser Center for Real Estate, among many others. He is a frequent speaker and student of historic architecture and lives with his wife, Rian, and their two children in a prominent office-to-residential conversion in downtown Chicago.

Matt Fiascone, president of The Habitat Company, has led a full range of real estate development and investment activities for more than 35 years. Since joining The Habitat Company in 2011, Matt has been instrumental in strategizing, executing and managing capital events including development joint ventures, recapitalization of existing ventures and acquisitions. Matt has also established new relationships for both debt and equity, as well as strategic partnerships. 

As President, he leads the day-to-day activities of the company across its business lines and the integration of the strategic vision and cherished culture of Habitat. Under his leadership the company has enhanced its 50+ year history of being a leading provider of housing for residents across the income spectrum while continuously enhancing the experience of its team members, partners and residents. The company has grown both through acquisition of properties and development. 

Previously, Matt served as senior vice president for Inland Real Estate Development Corporation, where he originated and implemented real estate transactions involving assets valued at over $1 billion and negotiated and managed equity joint ventures. 

Matt serves as Chairman of the Board of SolvTrust Financial—the holding company of PanAmerican Bank, and a member of the Bradley University Business and Engineering Advisory Council. He is also a member of the National Multifamily Housing Council Board of Directors. Previously he served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Inland Bank and Trust; as an original member of the Advisory Board for PSP Investments’ Downsview Development in Toronto, Ontario and as a member of the Board of Directors of The Illinois Energy Conservation Authority NFP. Matt has been a frequent speaker and panelist for industry events. In addition, he is a licensed real estate broker in Illinois, Florida, Wisconsin and Missouri. 

Matt has a bachelor's degree in business and economics from Bradley University.

Sarah Wick is a longtime advocate for affordable housing and currently leads the affordable housing development business at Related Midwest. In her role, Wick has played a pivotal role in preserving and building over 10,000 affordable residences across Chicago and the Midwest. Since joining Related, she has overseen more than $1 billion in investments that create or modernize safe, welcoming, affordable communities that families are proud to call home.

Wick has led several significant projects for Related Midwest, including the transformation of Lathrop, a multiyear, multiphase redevelopment that is revitalizing a historic riverfront site into a vibrant mixed-use, mixed-income community. Under her leadership, Related has delivered 488 units of mixed income rental housing, along with a renovated park and riverwalk. Wick is currently leading the next phase of redevelopment, which includes the renovation of seven historic buildings and construction of a new residential building, bringing an additional 309 mixed-income units to the community. 

In 2021, Wick led Affordable Illinois, an advocacy effort to enact state legislation that offers a reduction in real estate taxes for property owners who provide a set-aside of affordable housing. The change in state legislation has paved the way for the creation of numerous affordable housing units, including 60 at The Row Fulton Market, a 300-unit rental tower Related Midwest completed in 2023 as the first major project in Chicago to utilize the incentive. 

Wick is an active member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), a current board member of the ULI Advisory Council, a former board member of the ULI Chicago Women’s Leadership Initiative, and a past protégé of the ULI Chicago Mentorship Program. Wick has also received a ULI Young Visionary Award, along with a ULI Women’s Leadership Initiative Achievement Award Scholarship. She was named to Crain’s Chicago Business’ 2019 class of 40 Under 40, honoring proven leaders with substantial business and civic contributions. 

Wick holds a master’s degree in regional and urban planning from the Pratt Institute and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

A seasoned professional in community development, real estate, finance, and government with over 30 years of experience, Doig serves as president of CNI.

Prior to leading CNI, Doig worked in a variety of capacities within the administration of Mayor Richard M. Daley, including General Superintendent and CEO of the Chicago Park District and First Deputy in the Department of Planning and Development and initially in the City’s Department of Housing.   

As Park District Superintendent, Doig oversaw a $350 million operating budget and a staff of over 3,000. Under his leadership the Park District’s bond rating improved and the District issued its first revenue bonds. Serving in Planning and Development Doig managed its neighborhood division which operates city programs to spur economic development and job growth in neighborhoods throughout the city. 

In over thirty years of living and working in the city of Chicago, David Doig has become an expert on how cities and neighborhoods work.