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 costs. She has particular expertise and familiarity with Low Income Housing Tax Credits, HUD affordable housing programs, tax-exempt bond financing, the Arlington Housing Initiative Fund, DC Housing Production Trust Fund, Maryland CDA Rental Housing Production Programs and the Montgomery County Housing Initiative Fund. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Nevada Las Vegas and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Georgia. She also holds a Certificate in Project Management from Georgetown University Continuing Education; and was awarded a certificate of completion for the NeighborWorks Achieving Excellence Program, August 2016 - September 2017, John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Executive Education.
Speaking at
Wed Feb 26
10:30 AM — 11:30 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time
Hilton Atlanta, Grand Ballroom D, Level 2
Pink Collar Housing and Issues Affecting Women of Color in CRE
This engaging roundtable, led by Lisa Benjamin and Althea Broughton, brings together top African American Executive Women who are fostering innovation and leading in the commercial real estate (CRE) industry to explore the challenges and opportunities in housing development, investment, and economic mobility. Panelists will discuss barriers to entry, access to capital, and workforce housing disparities, particularly the impact of Pink Collar Housing - affordable housing critical for women in professions like teaching and nursing.
The discussion will also address systemic challenges facing women developers and CRE professionals, including navigating capital markets, overcoming bias in deal-making, and scaling projects. Additionally, panelists will examine how shifting policies and the evolving political landscape shape funding, tax incentives, and regulations affecting women entrepreneurs and affordable housing development. With a focus on economic opportunity, industry inclusion, and long-term sustainability, this session will offer actionable strategies and policy insights to empower women leaders in CRE and drive meaningful change in housing investment.
The discussion will also address systemic challenges facing women developers and CRE professionals, including navigating capital markets, overcoming bias in deal-making, and scaling projects. Additionally, panelists will examine how shifting policies and the evolving political landscape shape funding, tax incentives, and regulations affecting women entrepreneurs and affordable housing development. With a focus on economic opportunity, industry inclusion, and long-term sustainability, this session will offer actionable strategies and policy insights to empower women leaders in CRE and drive meaningful change in housing investment.