Development and Investment in Housing by African American Women

Lisa Y. Benjamin, CPA, is a partner of Lexicon Strategies, an Atlanta-based consultant firm specializing in public affairs, communications, and strategic consulting engagements for national and international firms. She is the former Chief Operating Officer for the City of Atlanta where she was the highest-ranking public official appointed by Mayor Andre Dickens. She previously led a staff of 8,500 and was responsible for city operations…

Shelynda Burney Brown, M.B.A. is the Vice President Real Estate Development at Enterprise Community Development (formerly CPDC), and she is responsible for business development as well as all aspects of acquisitions and redevelopment projects undertaken by ECD. Mrs. Brown has worked in the affordable housing finance industry for over 20 years and has managed projects comprising over 4000 units totaling over $425 million in development…

Audra is a senior real estate executive who transitioned into tenant representation following a 23-year career in telecommunications including time with BellSouth and Earthlink. She performed in several senior management roles, including call center management, marketing, product management and national special projects. Audra has worked in tenant representation with JLL, CBRE and Newmark between Atlanta and Washington DC. She represents law firms, non-profits, corporations and…

Sharon D. Guest has been working in the affordable housing arena for more than 25 years. She has been directly involved in the financing and development of more than 50 housing projects totaling nearly $850MM in total development costs. In her various roles, Sharon has partnered with Churches, Non-profits, and Public Housing Authorities. She has worked in partnership with local municipalities, community development departments, housing…