Sean Elsbernd, President & CEO, SPUR
Lewis Center Sustainability Forum at the Fall Meeting in San Francisco
June 10, 2025
Mission Rock | Source: Henning Larsen
The Lewis Center Sustainability Forum, generously supported by ULI Foundation Governor Randall Lewis, brings together leaders in decarbonization, health and equity, and resilience, and real estate to discuss what they are doing, planning, and observing in the field. The forum will be a content-heavy, interactive discussion and exchange.
This fall’s forum, organized in collaboration with ULI member leaders, will focus on advancing urban strength and adaptability in downtown San Francisco. As cities face increasing climate pressures, economic disruption, and shifting social dynamics, this gathering will explore proactive strategies that position communities not just to endure change, but to lead through it.
The Forum will highlight how inclusive planning, proactive action, and strategic investment can reinforce both the physical infrastructure and social fabric of the city. Case studies like Mission Rock and The Kelsey Civic Center will illustrate how forward-thinking development can drive opportunity, foster equity, and build lasting capacity for the future.
Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] with any questions or concerns.
When: Monday, November 3rd from 9:00am – 5:30pm PT
Where: SPUR Urban Center, Mission Rock
Registration: Open to all Fall Meeting registrants, who can register by adding the “Lewis Center Sustainability Forum” to their Fall Meeting registration. Members and non-members who are not attending Fall Meeting but are interested in attending can reach out to [email protected].
Forum Goals
- Provide a place for ULI members who are passionate about sustainability, resilience, health, social equity, and development to meet and engage.
- Offer an opportunity for ULI members to share knowledge and insights.
- Update forum participants on the latest work at ULI and other organizations regarding the intersection of sustainability, resilience, health, social equity, and real estate.
- Dig deep into local efforts to advance sustainability, resilience, and health and equity
Agenda (subject to change)
| Time (PT) | Activity |
| 8:45-9:00am | Meet at Marriott Marquis Lobby |
| 9:00-9:15am | Arrive at SPUR Urban Center |
| 9:15-9:55am | Start of Programming: Welcome Remarks and Light Breakfast |
| 9:55-10:55am | Mission Rock Presentation and Q&A |
| 10:55-11:05am | Break |
| 11:05am-12:05pm | The Kelsey Presentation and Q&A |
| 12:05-1:15pm | Lunch |
| 1:15-2:30pm | Urban Strength Panel and Large Group Discussion |
| 2:30-3:15pm | Small Group Breakouts |
| 3:15-3:25pm | Closing Before Tour |
| 3:25-3:35pm | Break |
| 3:35-4:10pm | Travel to Mission Rock |
| 4:10-5:10pm | Mission Rock Tour |
| 5:10-5:30pm | Travel to Marriott Marquis- End of Programming |
Preview of Forum Speakers
Michael Auger, Senior Vice President & Chief Business Officer, Ever-Green Energy
Noah Fennessy, General Manager, California Operations, Ever-Green Energy
Jonathan Flaherty, Managing Director, Global Head of Sustainability and Building Technologies, Tishman Speyer
Paul Rode, Managing Director, Head of Engineering and Property Operations- U.S., Tishman Speyer
Louisa Bukiet, Senior Manager of Housing, The Kelsey
Fiona Ruddy, Senior Project Manager, Mercy Housing California
Kate Gordon, CEO, California Forward
Laurie Johnson, Principal, Laurie Johnson Consulting
Tyrone Jue, Director, San Francisco Environment Department
Senator Scott Wiener, Senator of District 11, California State Senate
Colleen Graham, Senior Director, Tishman Speyer
Kristian Weeks, Senior Director, Tishman Speyer
Randall Lewis, Executive Vice President, Marketing, Lewis Management Corporation
Rachel MacCleery, Executive Director, Randall Lewis Center for Sustainability in Real Estate, Urban Land Institute
Beth Nilsson, Director, Healthy Places, Urban Land Institute
Lewis Center Sustainability Reception
To conclude the day’s programming, all forum registrants are invited to attend a special evening reception organized by the ULI Randall Lewis Center for Sustainability in Real Estate. This gathering offers an opportunity to continue conversations, connect with fellow participants, and engage with leaders advancing sustainability in the built environment.
All individuals registered for the forum will receive a formal invitation to the reception with registration instructions sent from [email protected].