on Jan 26, 2024

Celebrating a New Generation of Leadership at HR&A

 

 

 

HR&A is proud to announce the elevation of Aaron Abelson to Managing Partner of our Texas office, Connie Chung to Managing Partner of our Los Angeles office, and Alex Lebow as Managing Director. These talented new leaders will be supporting recently appointed CEO Jeff Hébert in these key markets and in the management and oversight of the company.  

 

“Connie, Aaron, and Alex represent the best of HR&A.” said Hébert, “They are some of the brightest interdisciplinary thinkers in our industry and have helped steward a new culture of leadership and management within the company. What inspires me most about them is their approach to deeply connecting with our clients and collaborators as well as our employees. All three are incredible mentors for our people and are also invested in the growth of our company particularly in key markets.”   

 

 

Conversations with Connie Chung, Aaron Abelson, and Alex Lebow 

Learn more about our newly elevated leaders and how they plan to help shape HR&A’s next chapter in these interviews.   

 

 

A Conversation with Connie Chung, HR&A Los Angeles’ Managing Partner 

Connie shares insights from her career, California’s role as a national leader in problem-solving at the urban scale, and what’s in store for HR&A in the LA region and beyond. Read more… 

 

 

A Conversation with Aaron Abelson, HR&A Texas Managing Partner 

Aaron discusses his career at HR&A, the unique challenges facing cities and communities in Texas, and what makes the Lone Star State one of the most exciting places to work in the country. Read more… 

 

 

A Conversation with Alex Lebow, HR&A’s Managing Director 

Alex discusses the future of HR&A and how there’s no better time to be working in cities. Read more… 

 

 

 

Celebrating Promotions and Emerging Leaders 

 

Our leaders are only as good as the teams that support them, and we are excited to share promotions across the company. These emerging leaders reflect the diverse and passionate talent that sets HR&A apart. Our deep bench of analytical and creative talent will continue to help HR&A grow and expand our services to meet the challenges facing cities today and those yet to come.  

 

 

Alexander Meeks — Alex supports the design and implementation of policies to promote inclusive economic development, decarbonization, and climate change adaptation in cities.

 

Christiana Whitcomb — Christiana advises public and private sector clients on strategies and policies to support healthy housing markets, promote fair access to housing and encourage the clean energy transition.

 

Sylvia Xiaomeng Li — Sylvia shapes transformative urban development, robust planning efforts, and regulatory innovations to advance housing and economic equity.

 

Sharon Carney joins HR&A DC  — Sharon Carney, Former Chief of Staff for the Washington DC Deputy Mayor for the Office of Planning and Economic Development joins HR&A as a Principal in our Washington DC office. Sharon brings deep experience spanning local government, research, and advocacy, and she specializes in developing strategies that blend data-backed approaches with real-world pragmatism to achieve concrete results. Read more about Sharon… 

 

 

 

 

 

Asha Bazil — Asha collaborates with public and private stakeholders to develop equitable, resilient, and future-ready infrastructure.

Ashley So — Ashley draws on her multidisciplinary and international background to provide research and analytical work across a wide variety of urban projects at HR&A.

Jill Schmidt Bengochea — Jill helps to make communities more resilient through climate mitigation and equitable development projects.

Mark Kubaczyk — Mark manages projects that advance transformative visions, revitalize neighborhoods, implement public-private strategies, and improve how people connect to economic opportunity and mobility.

Nick Hughes — Nick works with cities, developers, and institutions to create value for their communities through innovative development.

 

 

Anna Gallicchio — Anna specializes in housing affordability, building decarbonization, and economic development, working with city governments and non-profits to implement community-centered and data-driven solutions.

Ejiro Ojeni — Ejiro leads analytical and research support for projects at the intersection of resilient infrastructure, community empowerment, and environmental restoration.

Ella Brady — Ella Brady advises public and private sector clients on advancing equity and innovation in government systems. She develops strategies to foster vibrant digital ecosystems across states, counties, cities and communities.

Ethan Paik — Ethan leverages his expertise in place-based strategic planning and impact analysis to guide the implementation of transformative urban projects and initiatives.

Harman Singh Dhodi — Harman works to make cities more equitable, accessible, and sustainable through urban infrastructure projects.

Rachel Webster — Rachel works with public, non-profit, and private sector clients to devise equitable real estate strategies that consider the needs of under resourced communities through targeted investments and involvement during the development process.

Solomon Abrams — Solomon supports real estate advisory, economic development, and TOD projects.

Tommy Truong — Tommy draws on his experience in community engagement, data analysis and democratization, and public policy to support equitable and inclusive urban development.

 

 

Andrew Bolton — As an Analyst in the New York office, Andrew provides financial and data analysis to real estate and economic development projects across the county.

 

Anna Messer — As an analyst in our New York office, Anna is passionate about equitable economic development, affordable housing, and urban resilience.

 

Astha Puri — Astha provides research and analytical work for a variety of real estate and infrastructure projects.

 

Garrett Robinson — Garrett supports local governments and private institutions in crafting solutions to their most pressing challenges, particularly in the areas of displacement and equitable urban development.

 

Kayley Estoesta — Kayley works across digital equity, food justice, community development, and more to help build cities that are more just. She’s passionate about designing systems, programs, and places that better serve communities of color and the working class.

 

Kelly Pang  — Kelly is invested in community-grounded and data-driven approaches that build more equitable, just cities. She works on projects ranging from affordable housing and equitable economic development to cultural placemaking.

 

Samuel Jacobs — Samuel Jacobs provides research and analytical support to real estate and economic development projects including knowledge economies and innovation districts, affordable housing transactions, transit-oriented development, and sports anchored entertainment district.

 

Shoshana Wintman — Shoshana is an Analyst based in the New York office. She is passionate about equitable urban development, parks and open spaces, and resilient climate adaptation planning.

 

Sophie Danish — Sophie provides analytical support for HR&A’s transit-oriented development, affordable housing, and climate practices.

Allie Belyaev Manager, Strategic Initiatives — Alexandra serves as HR&A’s Manager of Strategic Initiatives. She brings extensive experience in shaping collaborations that center dignity, generativity, and abundance.

 

Julian Phillippi Director of Talent — Julian leads Talent Acquisition, Talent Development, and Resource Management at HR&A.

 

Sam Moeller Director of Communications — Sam helps HR&A tell its story — guiding our communications strategy to support intentional growth and advance our mission.