
Building for Belonging: Panels
Programming Details for Wharton-Weitzman Future of Cities 2025
[Opening Keynote] Building for Belonging: Shaping the Future of Cities through Equity, Innovation, and Inclusive Growth
This keynote panel will ground the conference in our theme of “Building for Belonging”. It will explore the future of cities through the lens of equity, innovation, and inclusivity. As cities face growing challenges in fostering economic growth and creating environments where all residents can thrive, this discussion will focus on the innovative approaches being implemented across various urban scales to promote belonging and prosperity. Panelists will delve into both the visible and invisible infrastructure—such as housing, transportation, public spaces, and digital systems—that shapes our urban landscapes. They will examine how planning processes, policy decisions, and community engagement strategies can be reimagined to ensure that all communities, particularly marginalized and underserved groups, benefit equally from the opportunities cities have to offer.
Leah Johnson | EVP, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Meera Joshi | Deputy Mayor for Operations, New York City
Thabo Lenneiye | Managing Director, Penn Praxis
[Panel I] The Role of Public Art in Community Transformation
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.
Matthew Britt | Global GM Smart Cities, Honeywell
Andrew Staniforth | CEO, Assembly OSM
Isabelle Granahan-Field | Investor, Camber Creek
John Means | Partner, McKinsey & Company
[Panel II] Advancing Mission-Driven Development
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.
Andrew Rudd | Urban Environment Officer, UN-Habitat
Catherine Seavitt | Chair, Weitzman School of Design, University of Pennsylvania
Erica Smith-Fichman | Community Forestry Manager, Phl Parks & Rec
Gena Wirth | Design Principal, SCAPE Landscape Architecture
[Panel III] Emerging Transportation Solutions - Through the Lens of Freight Innovation
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.
Pamela Jennings | White House Presidential Innovation Fellow, DOT
Grant Engel | Data Policy Manager, SEPTA
Miguel Willis | Innovator in Residence, Penn’s Carey School of Law
Arthur Getman | Senior Engineer, Replica, Alphabet Inc.
Laura Culp | Planning Manager, Bicycle Transit Systems (Indego)
[Panel IV] Built for change: Retrofitting Cities for a Greener Future
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.
Dom McGraw | Deputy Director, City of Phl’s Office of Sustainability
David Klatt | President & COO, Logical Buildings
Christian Kunkel | Director of Data Partnerships and Acquisition, BlocPower
Christina Chu | Co-Founder, Solarpunks
Bill Braham | Director, Center for Environmental Buildings + Design, Penn
[Panel V] Building Reused: Revitalizing Cities through Adaptive Reuse
Adaptive reuse is the ultimate form of urban (or suburban) recycling, breathing new life into historic structures while preserving their cultural significance. These projects require careful planning, community engagement, and thoughtful development. In this panel, industry experts will share insights from their work on adaptive reuse projects, ranging from transforming industrial buildings to public marketplaces in New York City to reimagining America’s malls. Panelists will discuss the innovative processes behind these projects and highlight the positive, lasting impact they’ve had on their communities—economically, socially, and culturally.
Violet Whitney | Co-Founder
William Martin | Co-Founder
[Closing Keynote] The Future of Cities: Navigating the Housing Affordability Crisis and Shaping Tomorrow’s Urban Landscape
The housing affordability crisis has reached a critical breaking point in U.S. cities, with soaring rents and home prices outpacing income growth for millions of families. This panel will examine the implications of rising housing costs on urban communities, with a focus on the challenges facing families. Panelists will discuss the main drivers of this crisis, explore innovative solutions such as housing policy reforms and financing programs, and envision how cities can adapt to ensure they remain vibrant, inclusive and livable for future generations.
Pau Garcia | Co-Founder