Building for Belonging: Panels
Programming Details for Wharton-Weitzman Future of Cities 2025
[Panel I] Advancing Mission-Driven Development
10:00 am ET | Salon
This panel will explore how developers, investors, policy advisors, and art institutions are shaping a future where development projects prioritize affordable housing, sustainability and community benefits alongside traditional financial returns. Topics will include innovative financing approaches for mission-based real estate; strategies for building impactful partnerships with local organizations, government agencies and community groups; the role of commercial and retail spaces in fostering community connection and engagement; and the importance of navigating regulatory hurdles and driving effective community involvement.
Nadia Sesay | Chief Community Growth Officer, Bedrock
Vincent Reina | Professor of City and Regional Planning | Weitzman School of Design
Brian Murray | Chief Executive Officer, Shift Capital
Laura Schultz Rog | Managing Partner, LMXD
[Panel II] Emerging Transportation Solutions - Through the Lens of Freight Innovation
11:15 am ET | Salon
This panel will examine innovative strategies for addressing the growing transit challenges in U.S. cities, particularly around freight and last mile delivery systems. When we think about how we keep our streets safe, we must also discuss things like noise and traffic pollution, innovative policy and public planning to ensure that we can all “meet in the street”. The discussion will focus on the role of public-private partnerships in tackling these issues and highlight innovative solutions cities are adopting to improve sustainability and equity in urban transit systems.
Megan Ryerson | Chair of City and Planning, Weitzman
Tiffany-Ann Taylor | VP, Regional Plan Association
Marcus Hoed | Co-Founder, DutchX
Som Ray | Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Juliana Diquez | Southeast Lead, Via
[Panel III] The Role of Public Art in Community Transformation
1:30 pm ET | Salon
This panel will explore the ways in which artists, creatives, storytellers, writers, and poets bring about societal change by taking complex problems and making them digestible and simple. We will discuss different methods through which public art beautifies spaces, builds community, and tackles large-scale problems in digestible ways. Additionally, the panel will address the significant underfunding of public art and explore innovative ways in which corporations can support this important area of work.
Yazmany Arboleda | Co-Founder, The People's Creative Institute
Kendal Henry | AC, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs
Jane Golden | Executive Director, Mural Arts Philadelphia
Aarati Cohly | Moderator and Co-Chair of FOC 2025
Jordana Leigh | Vice President, Lincoln Center
[Panel IV] Built for change: Retrofitting Cities for a Greener Future
2:30 pm ET | Salon
This session will explore the transformative role of deep retrofits in existing urban buildings as a powerful approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while creating economic value. Panelists will examine how investing in extensive energy efficiency improvements not only aligns with global climate goals but also enhances building performance, reduces costs, and increases asset value. This conversation will bridge insights from policy, finance, and engineering, showcasing successful retrofit projects that exemplify how cities can simultaneously drive sustainability and economic growth.
William W. Braham | Director, Center for Environmental Building + Design
Rishika Ghosh | Senior Manager of Partnerships, Philadelphia Green Capital Corp
Rich Freeh | Executive Director, Green Building United
Laura Bowler | Manager, Ramboll Management Consulting