Team members come from leading, global real estate investment managers. Our team’s relentless drive to deliver compelling returns via our next-generation platform powers all aspects of our company’s performance.
Data as of November 2024. Any statements regarding market opportunities, expected returns, or environmental impact projections are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated.
Chief Investment Officer
Lucas M. Bianchi, CFA, is an accomplished finance and operations leader with over 20 years of experience spanning the US, Europe, and India. As the Co-Founder, COO, and Director of Namaste Credit, Lucas played a pivotal role in building the company into India’s leading small business lending fintech. He led the development of an AI-driven automated underwriting system, secured backing from several global VCs, and assembled a high-performing team of over 500 employees. His strategic vision and operational expertise were instrumental in driving Namaste Credit to scale and profitability.
Prior to Namaste Credit, Lucas served as Managing Director of Business Development at Copal Amba, where he spearheaded US growth initiatives and managed key client relationships, including Moody’s, which acquired the business for over $500 million. His earlier career includes significant roles as an equity research analyst and investment banker at Lazard, SG Cowen, Capitalife, and Robertson Stephens, specializing in high-growth technology sectors. With a degree in Economics from Dartmouth College and as a CFA charterholder, Lucas brings deep expertise in financial management, strategic growth, and operational oversight, particularly in AI-centric enterprise software.
Doug Lawrence is Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Urban Innovators Fund, bringing 25 years of distinguished experience in institutional real estate investment and sustainability initiatives. Previously, Doug served as co-Portfolio Manager of JPMorgan’s Urban Renaissance Property Fund, where he pioneered green real estate investment strategies and managed over $5 billion in assets. His leadership garnered nine international and national awards from BOMA, IREM, and NAIOP for outstanding asset management performance. At TIAA-CREF, Doug managed their flagship office portfolio, including the iconic Seagram Building, significantly boosting returns through innovative sustainability initiatives. He chairs the real estate committee of the $500 million Abyssinian Development Corporation and serves on the board of the U.S. Green Building Council. Doug is a frequent speaker on sustainable building topics and holds LEED AP certification. He earned his MBA in International Business Finance from the University of Connecticut and his BA from Yale University.
Chief Sustainability Officer
Aundre, Managing Partner at Urban Innovators fund. Formerly he co-founded AoRa Development in 2019 and is a construction disruptor with an expertise in offsite construction and sustainable development. He oversees the firm’s portfolio, from identifying undervalued acquisitions to raising capital. His visionary approach to architectural design and holistic view of deal-making have positioned UIF as a leader in efficient, sustainable development. His commitment to innovation is evident in his use of cutting-edge technologies, ESG friendly building materials, creative financing and acquisitions strategies. AoRa’s strategic use of renewable energy, PropTech solutions, and PACE financing not only benefits the environment but also boosts investor returns. His innovative sustainability strategy can lower operating costs up to 30%, build and retrofit to net zero carbon emissions, and significantly reduce construction costs.
Aundre has certifications from Cornell’s Commercial Real Estate and Columbia’s Construction Finance Management. He also chairs the Offsite Construction Council with the National Institute of Building Sciences and the finance committee for EIC NY PACE. His innovative prowess was recognized when he won the NYC DOB “Hack the Building Code” contest, creating a solution to expedite permit approval and generate significant revenue for NYC. Aundre’s disruptive approach and holistic perspective make him a valuable voice in ESG discussions and a key player in the future of sustainable development.
Chief Relations Officer
Kim Wales is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of an innovative asset and risk management firm, CrowdBureau Corporation specializing in alternative investment strategies for institutions and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWI). Her firm offers a comprehensive suite of services, including research, benchmarking & indexing, a separate managed account platform, and consulting, with a focus on private credit, private equity, real-world assets, and blockchain-enabled digital assets.
With over 20 years of experience in financial services and banking, Wales has built an impressive career with international clients in the North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, and the West Indies, spanning capital raises to over $500M, mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, regulatory compliance, and risk management. Her product knowledge includes cash management, treasury solutions, fund administration, variable appreciable life insurance, and regulatory frameworks such as Basel II Pillar I and Sarbanes-Oxley.
A pioneer in peer-to-peer lending and securities-based crowdfunding, Wales played a pivotal role in the implementation of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act of 2012. She is also the author of Peer-to-Peer Lending and Equity-Based Crowdfunding: A Guide to the New Capital Markets for Job Creators, Investors, and Entrepreneurs and has served as an adjunct professor at City College of New York since 2014. Her dedication to thought leadership and education complements her entrepreneurial accomplishments.
In addition to her role as a business leader, Wales has an extensive history of board service. She is a certified National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD)® member and has served on public and private boards, contributing her expertise to Audit, Compensation and Benefits, Risk, and Investment Committees.
As a global professional, Wales holds citizenship in the United States, Bermuda, and the United Kingdom, bringing a truly international perspective to her work. Her career is marked by a consistent focus on innovation, governance, and value creation, making her a sought-after leader in the financial services and alternative investments space.
Chief Development Officer
Steve Williams serves as Managing Partner and Head of Urban Strategy at Urban Innovators Fund, drawing on three decades of experience in urban development and community revitalization. As CEO of Danforth Development Partners, Steve played a pivotal role in Harlem’s renaissance, developing over 2 million square feet of mixed-use projects including the iconic Harlem USA center. His innovative approach to combining private investment with community benefits has become a model for urban development nationwide. Previously, Steve served as President of Real Estate at the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, where he deployed over $250 million in strategic investments. He currently chairs the Urban Land Institute’s Urban Revitalization Council and serves on the boards of the Harlem Community Development Corporation and the NYC Regional Economic Development Council. Steve is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program and holds a B.A. in Economics from Howard University.
