For more information, contact Trisha Riggs at [email protected]; 202-624-7086

WASHINGTON (July 14, 2011) – Lela Agnew has joined the staff of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) as the new executive vice president for strategic communications. She joined ULI from the Historic Charleston Foundation, based in Charleston, S.C. and Washington, D.C., where she served as director of philanthropy and consultant. Ms. Agnew brings to ULI more than 20 years of experience as a highly regarded executive with expertise in communications, philanthropy, not-for-profit management, and real estate.

ULI is a global research and education institute dedicated to responsible land use and sustainable community building. Currently, ULI has nearly 30,000 members worldwide, including more than 2,300 in 14 countries across Europe. The Institute’s European operations are run from offices in London and Frankfurt, and its operations in Asia are based in Hong Kong.

Agnew will work with ULI’s leadership and staff to strengthen the Institute’s brand as the preeminent global authority on the responsible use of land. She will coordinate the messaging for ULI’s program of work, which emphasizes the creation of thriving, sustainable communities worldwide. She will create an overarching communications strategy that integrates and showcases the Institute’s research and education efforts supporting the long-term sustainability of urban areas.

According to ULI Chief Executive Officer Patrick Phillips, Agnew will help create and implement a comprehensive global communications strategy to expand ULI’s reach, raise its visibility, and strengthen the connection between existing and potential members, opinion makers, media, and elected officials. “Lela’s unique non-profit and corporate experience will serve ULI well as we seek to identify and build strategic partnerships that advance our mission. And our membership will benefit from her ability to build relationships, leverage resources, and engage traditional and new media to tell the ULI story.”

“I am honored to join the talented ULI team. I look forward to helping tell the story of ULI’s 75 years of extraordinary contributions to the economic, physical, and cultural success of cities worldwide,” Agnew said. “ULI’s members and their legacy of responsible, innovative land use are the organization’s greatest asset. By telling their story, we will help lay the foundation for ULI’s next 75 years of excellence.”

At Historic Charleston Foundation (HCF), Agnew helped create and implement fundraising strategies to support HCF’s internationally recognized architecture, preservation and education programs. Earlier in her non-profit career, she served as executive director for Youth Service Charleston and Water Missions International. Agnew also worked in the corporate sector as a senior executive for Access International in Cambridge, Mass., a major software company that provides membership, fund raising and relationship management software to non-profits, and co-founder of Civic Square, a real estate development and consulting firm where she worked with land use professionals that mirror the broad spectrum of ULI’s membership.

Agnew has a distinguished history and passion for community building and volunteer service, including leadership roles for the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry, Mayor’s Commission on Homelessness and Affordable Housing, Hyde-Addison Elementary in Washington, D.C., Incontri in Terra di Siena Music Festival in Italy and student exchange programs in New York City and Denmark.

About the Urban Land Institute
The Urban Land Institute (uli.org) is a global nonprofit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. Established in 1936, the Institute has nearly 30,000 members representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines.