If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that change is inevitable, unpredictable and constant.  This past election week signaled yet another period of significant change:  a change in the highest office of the land; new city councilmembers, and mayors in cities like Sacramento, Elk Grove, and Stockton; new supervisors in counties like Sacramento and Placer.  These changes brought excitement to some and fear to others.  During a time as divided as this period has been, how we at ULI handle this change as a region and an industry is key to meeting our mission of “providing leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide.”

Our district council has had to change as well.  All of our events have been virtual since March, which has been difficult for many.  Our annual Vision Honors Awards event has been postponed to the spring due to COVID-19.  We miss seeing the familiar faces of our colleagues.  But, if we have learned anything from this anomaly of a year, it’s that despite chaos and despair, these changes also create opportunity.  I am so proud that our ULI Sacramento District Council and membership has leaned in and maximized on this period to our members and the cities and counties we serve.

Our programming has continued and has been locally focused, while leveraging technology to ensure top notch panelists from across the US that only ULI can produce.  In the last 3 months we have heard from national experts Elizabeth Foster and Leah Shephard on fire resilience, had Goldman Sachs Stacy Sonnenberg, one of the 50 most powerful people in sports, give us insight on how COVID-19 is impacting arena and stadium projects across the world, including Sacramento’s MLS stadium, and hosted online Community Planning workshop with residents from Meadowview and speakers from Chicago and Washington DC.  Our sponsors and members have remained steadfast in their support and have made this pivot possible.  Our volunteer executive committee has remained active and have leaned into this moment with the creation of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion task force led by Austyn Cromartie and Ellen Martin.  These events would not have happened under normal circumstances, they were a result of embracing change and seeing the opportunity that lies within.

Change can be good and is necessary for any jurisdiction or organization to grow and move forward.  I must say that I am excited to announce a change in ULI leadership that is indeed great for the organization and the region.  This past month the ULI Governance Committee selected Isabel Domeyko-Taylor as the next ULI Chair beginning in 2021.  Isabel is a dedicated ULI Member who has had tremendous success in the industry. Isabel is a co-founder of Taylor Builders, serves as President of Domeyko Taylor Holding Company, and is President of the Lincoln Potters minor league baseball team.  Isabel was the founding co-chair of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Young Leaders Group in 2004 and has served as the Vice-Chair of the ULI Sacramento District the last two years.   Isabel’s leadership is top notch and we are in good hands moving forward in 2021.  Her tenure will provide us with an opportunity to grow in ways that ULI has yet to see.  I am truly excited to serve under her leadership beginning in July.

Regardless of who is president, who is chair, or when COVID-19 will end, one thing that will remain consistent is ULI’s commitment to top program content and network connectivity to over 42,000 of the world’s best minds in development and land use.  We hope to see you at our upcoming events on November 12^th– The Impact of COVID-19 on the Sacramento Housing Market and our December 2 Emerging Trends Event.  We have a great lineup of speakers for both events and hope to see you there.

We realize that the cumulative effects of the year have left many of us feeling helpless, hopeless, and downright angry.  But I remain hopeful because of all of you and ULI.  As we faced horrible fires, civil unrest, and a pandemic this year, it is ULI members that are rebuilding cities, restoring power, creating safe spaces, providing connectivity, and finding better ways to prevent our communities from being devastated in the future.  We are the problem solvers who will see change, embrace it, identify the positive opportunities, and ensure that the next generation have access to sustaining thriving communities throughout the Sacramento Region.  As we head into this holiday season, I am truly thankful for the honor of representing such a prestigious organization and am excited to see how we continue to grow.

Be safe and stay well,

Jose Bodipo-Memba

Chair, ULI Sacramento 2019-21