Entrepreneurship in Real Estate and Community Development — Panel Discussion

Entrepreneurship, the identification and realization of novel opportunities, is a mindset and skillset with limitless applications. Historically, real estate has been an entrepreneurial industry, but successfully running a community organization or non-profit requires at least as much entrepreneurship, and a good innovative mindset is critical to successful leadership in both areas. This panel brings together local leaders from both the real estate and community development areas to discuss their experiences as entrepreneurs and the real estate business as a social enterprise, and to offer advice to aspiring entrepreneurs in any field. The discussion will be moderated by nationally recognized expert in entrepreneurship, Dr. Denise Williams.

This panel session will provide a flavor of the new minor and undergraduate certificate in Real Estate and Community Development, on which the Colleges of Management and Liberal Arts will be collaborating beginning in the fall of 2022.

Mary Burnton joined Newmark in October 2017 as Managing Director in the Minneapolis office, focusing on Landlord Advisory work as well as serving her office and retail tenant representation clients. Burnton is also the Head of Diversity for the NKF Minneapolis office. Before devoting her work full time to NKF, Burnton served as Senior Vice President at Zeller Realty Group in Minneapolis, where she successfully leased several downtown and suburban office properties at above-market rates, including LaSalle Plaza, Fifth Street Towers, International and Oracle Centers, Canadian Pacific Plaza, Wells Fargo Plaza, Pondview Plaza and Edina Corporate Center. Burnton’s previous commercial real estate stints include leasing director at Eagle Ridge Partners, a Twin Cities developer/redeveloper/investor and leasing director at LaSalle Partners (now JLL).

Renay Dossman is the President of NDC. Her background includes leading teams in merchandising, product development, and design for Target. She also served as Vice President of Bakery and Vice President of Category Development for Southeastern Grocers. Renay and her husband are also the founders of Affirmation House, a not-for-profit for homeless men that provides housing and services to eliminate homelessness. In addition, Renay is a Certified Professional and Executive Life Coach, and has been a business owner herself. Ms. Dossman was named a 2021 Person to Know by Twin Cities Business, was recognized as a 2021 Women in Business Awardee by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, and is a member of the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs. In addition, she serves on the Destination Northside Committee, and participates in the Anti-Racism and Economic Justice (AREJ) Trust located within the Center for Economic Inclusion.

Emily Green is a real estate Broker and Realtor serving the twin cities metro area for almost 30 years. She has an ongoing commitment to safe, quality, and sustainable housing opportunities for all and works locally and nationally with industry professionals and policymakers to advance those goals. She received her MBA from Metropolitan State University and holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing. She was elected by her peers to serve as the President of the largest local Realtor association in the state in 2014 and currently serves as the President-Elect for the Minnesota Realtors Association and as a Director for the National Association of Realtors representing Minnesota. Emily volunteers for local non-profit organizations as a speaker for the accredited Homestretch Workshops and has counseled and assisted many first-generation homebuyers achieve the dream of homeownership. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband and enjoys music, her pets, and other creative pursuits.

D'Angelos Svenkeson is the founder and CEO of NEOO Partners, Inc. and has over 14 years experience in long-range planning, real estate development, project finance, systems solutions and commercial real estate brokerage. D'Angelos has a M.A. in Urban and Regional Planning from Jackson State University, and B.A. in Planning and Community Development from St. Cloud State University.

Dr. Denise E. Williams is a professor and department chair at Metropolitan State University with focus in entrepreneurship, diversity agility, women leadership, and organizational behavior. With a PhD from Kelley School of Business, Indiana University; MBA from Wharton School of Business; and BA in Economics from Spelman College, Atlanta, Dr. Williams combines an extensive intrapreneurial management career with national corporate leaders and a transformational coaching lens into experiential learning experiences for students. Dr. Williams serves on the Jr. Achievement North board of directors and consults in a broad innovative ecosystem.

Lunch and Learn is part of an ongoing monthly series of presentations and discussions hosted by the College of Management. This conversation is open to all educators, administrators, instructional designers, and students of Minnesota State Education System.

Meet new faculty, gather with long-time friends from across Minnesota State, and bring questions and ideas (along with your lunch) to these monthly gatherings that will include conversation starters and an opportunity for both large and small group conversations. For information, contact organizers Dr. Minjung Park or Dr. Allen Bellas.