Public-Private Partnerships To Fill Financing Gaps

Collaboration, Policy, and Overcoming Financial Roadblocks to Add Building Supply

• 

  AJ Casavant

  Managing Principal

  The Federation Companies

• 

  Kenya Purnell Pleasant

  Chief Real Estate Development Officer

  Raleigh Housing Authority

• 

  Morgan Mansa

  Morgan Mansa is the Director of Housing for Wake County. In this role she leads the affordable housing development and preservation efforts for the County, investing in more than 4,000 units of affordable housing in the last five years. Prior positions include Director of Housing and Community Partnerships for Cary, North Carolina, Executive Director of Nashville’s Housing Trust Fund, and Senior Policy Advisor for the Tennessee Housing Development Agency. Morgan received a BA in Sociology and Master of Public Policy & Administration from Northwestern University.

  Wake County

  Director of Housing Affordability

  Morgan Mansa

  Director of Housing Affordability

  Wake County

• 

  Landon Cox

  Development Manager

  LDG Development

• 

  Tyler Epps

  Mr. Epps works out of ASCP's Atlanta office and leads originations for the American South Real Estate Fund(s). He is responsible for managing partner relationships and sourcing LP and preferred equity investment opportunities for the funds in workforce and affordable housing projects across the funds' 10-state footprint. To-date, ASCP has capitalized more than $1B of projects across more than 7,000 units. Mr. Epps graduated with a BBA in Finance from Georgia State and an MBA from Georgia Tech.

  American South Capital Partners

  Senior Vice President, Originations

  Tyler Epps

  Senior Vice President, Originations

  American South Capital Partners

• 

  Bill Best

  Bill Best is a Managing Director at Apprise, based in North Carolina. In his current role, Mr. Best leads agency, affordable, and FHA practices across the national platform. He has focused exclusively on multifamily real estate for 25 years. His experience includes property valuation, brokerage, consultation, market/feasibility studies, and site counseling, while analyzing all types of multifamily products. Prior to joining Apprise, Mr. Best was the Senior Valuation Director at Arbor Realty Trust and led the Carolinas Multifamily Team as a Senior Valuation Services Director at Colliers. Mr. Best has been qualified as an expert witness by courts in South Carolina and Georgia. Mr. Best earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from North Carolina State University. He is a certified general real estate appraiser in North Carolina and South Carolina, holds the Appraisal Institute’s MAI designation, and is a certified North Carolina real estate broker.

  Apprise by Walker & Dunlop

  Managing Director

  Moderator

  Bill Best

  Managing Director

  Apprise by Walker & Dunlop

Development Practices To Advance the Triangle's Affordable Pipeline

Overcoming Hurdles in Zoning, Permitting, Cost and Project Duration

• 

  Dionne Nelson

  As President and CEO, Dionne establishes and manages the overall strategic direction, operations, and growth of the company and has more than 25 years of experience in real estate development, finance, and operations. Dionne also serves as President of LSA Management, a property management company serving Laurel Street’s development properties. Prior to founding Laurel Street, Dionne served as Senior Vice President at Crosland and led the company’s affordable housing development and multifamily operations. Previously, she managed investments at NewSchools Venture Fund and Earnest Partners and built her skills in strategy, organization, and operations as a consultant with McKinsey & Company. Dionne began her career in financial services as an Investment Banking Analyst at Salomon Brothers. Dionne serves on the Board of Directors for Cousins Properties (NYSE: CUZ) and the Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) and as a Director for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond – Charlotte Branch. She is also a member of the Charlotte Executive Leadership Council (CELC) and the Real Estate Executive Council (REEC). Dionne is a Trustee for the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and a member of the National Advisory Board for the ULI Terwilliger Center for Housing. She also serves on Renaissance West Community Initiative’s Advisory Board and Real Estate Committee and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s Childress Klein Center for Real Estate Advisory Board. Dionne was also named 2023 Charlotte Woman of the Year for exceptional service and exemplary leadership. Dionne earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard University and graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in economics from Spelman College.

  Laurel Street Residential

  President & CEO

  Dionne Nelson

  President & CEO

  Laurel Street Residential

• 

  Rachel Eberhard

  In her work with CASA, Ms. Eberhard initiates and evaluates new development opportunities, including analyzing potential project sites and negotiating acquisitions while leading the Real Estate Development team. Ms. Eberhard is also the founder and managing principal of Apiary Community Consulting, a consultancy that guides planning and development processes to build more equitable and inclusive communities. Prior to forming Apiary, Ms. Eberhard worked in the acquisitions group at Enterprise Community Investment which serves as a national low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) syndication firm. Her team managed investments in multifamily affordable housing with a focus on business across the Southeast. Ms. Eberhard began her consulting career in Washington, D.C. with IBM and Accenture serving mission-driven organizations, local communities and federal government. Her work with IBM’s City Forward inspired her to earn her Master’s degree in City & Regional Planning at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and devote her career to improving and empowering communities.

  CASA

  Senior Director of Real Estate Development

  Rachel Eberhard

  Senior Director of Real Estate Development

  CASA

• 

  Ernest Brown

  EB Capital Partners currently maintains offices in Raleigh/Durham and Portland/Vancouver. Ernie oversees key aspects of EB Capital Partners business divisions: conventional acquisition, and asset management — focusing on strategic planning and new business development. As the founding member of the company, he provides leadership on day-to-day corporate growth and internal execution of operational details. Ernie is involved with investment and financing activities—including the identification of attractive assets for acquisition and corporate relations with financial partners. He made his first acquisition of an apartment complex in 2004 and has been fully engaged in commercial real estate since January of 2008. Ernie has an extensive history in office and multi-family assets in the Southeast and Midwest. He is a graduate of The University of Alabama with a B.S. in Business Management. In 2004, he obtained his MBA with a focus in finance and real estate from The University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB).

  EB Capital Partners

  Founder

  Ernest Brown

  Founder

  EB Capital Partners

• 

  Linda Lavis

  Linda Lavis, AIA, is a seasoned architect and industry leader in multifamily housing design. As Principal and Director of Low Density Multifamily at JDAVIS, Linda brings over 30 years of experience in the design and project management of multi-family residential developments, with a particular focus on affordable housing, townhomes, and condominiums. Linda’s approach is rooted in collaboration, ensuring that each project balances innovation, functionality, and community impact. She is deeply committed to designing housing solutions that not only meet the financial and regulatory challenges of affordability but also create vibrant and dignified places for people to call home. Her expertise spans the entire development process—from entitlements and planning to execution—making her an invaluable resource for both clients and communities navigating the complexities of affordable housing. At JDAVIS, Linda leads a team dedicated to crafting thoughtful, cost-effective housing solutions that align with community needs and long-term sustainability. Under her leadership, JDAVIS has become a trusted partner in shaping the future of affordable housing, integrating design excellence with a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape. Linda’s participation in this panel brings an expert perspective on the evolving challenges and opportunities in affordable housing, from policy impacts to innovative design strategies that maximize livability while ensuring economic feasibility. Her passion for creating inclusive communities drives her work, making her a leading voice in the field.

  JDavis Architects

  Principal

  Linda Lavis

  Principal

  JDavis Architects

• 

  Matt Bolyard

  Matt Bolyard brings over two decades of experience in the construction industry to his role as Senior Vice President – Southeast for Southway Builders. He has been instrumental in managing large-scale projects, including historic restorations and multi-family housing. Under his leadership, Southway is expanding its presence into the Southeast, continuing our commitment to quality, dependability and integrity. Matt first joined Southway in 2008 as a Project Manager and has proven himself to be a tremendous ambassador for Southway’s purpose: to serve others to help them achieve their maximum potential. Matt has served as a National Board Member for Associated Builders & Contractors, earned his BS in Civil Engineering at Florida Institute of Technology, and his MBA from Loyola University in Maryland.

  Southway Builders

  SVP, Southeast

  Moderator

  Matt Bolyard

  SVP, Southeast

  Southway Builders