Urban Land Institute (ULI)’s Atlanta District Council is pleased to announce Adetayo (Ade) Sanusi has been selected as the 2023 Chair for the Livable Communities Council (LCC). Sanusi assumes the role from Sharon Gay, who served as the 2020-2022 Chair. In his new role, Sanusi will lead a committee of 50 executives to advance regional conversations around ULI’s global mission, with the goal of building inclusive and healthy cities and communities.

“Ade has been a long-time active member and supporter of ULI, so it was a no-brainer for him to take this key leadership role within our organization,” said Daphne Bond-Godfrey, Executive Director for ULI Atlanta. “His passion for development shines through his professional work and volunteerism with both ULI and organizations like Truly Living Well. We’re excited to see where he takes this council as we work together to shape the future of Atlanta’s built environment and advance important regional issues.”

Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, the LCC as we know it today was formed in July 2013 after the Livable Communities Coalition merged with ULI Atlanta. The LCC’s purpose is two-fold, to 1) Be an educational and exchange forum on relevant real estate development and land use issues; and 2) Be a thought leader and convener. The impact-oriented council focuses on the critical role housing affordability plays in the Atlanta region; infrastructure investment and implementation; ESG and what role the real estate sector plays in the decarbonization of the built environment, and DEI in real estate development. These core issues underpin ULI Atlanta’s broader strategic goals for 2023 and beyond.

“I’ve long admired ULI’s mission, and it’s an honor to have been offered this platform,” said Sanusi. “As Chair, my strategic priorities for 2023 – 2024 will be focused on three key areas in pursuit of LCC’s purpose – 1) Address the housing affordability crisis in Atlanta to foster resilient, inclusive and thriving communities; 2) work closely with thought and practice leaders in both the private and public sectors for infrastructure investment and implementation to increase the stock of affordable housing units amongst other needs and 3) further the ULI diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives to provide access and mentorship to minority students and young professionals. Sharon has left big shoes to fill, but I’m energized by the opportunity to work alongside like-minded individuals on the important issues affecting our city.”

In addition to his involvement with ULI Atlanta, Sanusi serves as Vice President of Asset and Investment Management for Integral and as a member of the Executive Committee and Investment Committee. He is responsible for the asset and investment management activities for the development and operating assets in the company’s real estate portfolio. He joined ULI Atlanta in 2016 and is an alumnus of the ULI Atlanta Center for Leadership. Sanusi also sits on the board of Truly Living Well Center for Natural Urban Agriculture, an organization that focuses on urban agriculture as a place-based strategy to address food injustice in underserved and BIPOC neighborhoods within the city of Atlanta.

Originating from Nigeria, Sanusi now resides in Atlanta with his wife and two sons. His eldest son, Ade Sanusi Jr., was recently selected as an ULI Etkin Scholar, a scholarship program that introduces college and university students to the resources available through ULI membership and seeks to integrate those students into the ULI path of learning. Sanusi holds an MBA degree in Finance and Real Estate from Cleveland State University in Ohio and a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate & Business Management from Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria.

This article originally appeared in the January 24, 2023 edition of the Saporta Report.