We take a multi-disciplinary perspective to generate pragmatic solutions that respond to community needs.

ABOUT THE FOUNDER

Jennifer LeSar CEO and Founder,
Global Policy Leadership Academy

Jennifer LeSar combines a background of more than three decades in community development, real estate development and investment banking with a deep working knowledge of eco-system change management and organizational strategy.

She is the CEO/Founder of several systems change and sustainable communities-focused firms.

LeSar Development Consultants, founded in 2005, works specifically on systems change interventions to end the housing affordability and homelessness crises. In 2017, Ms. LeSar launched the Housing Policy Leadership Academy (HPLA), an education and engagement program for leaders and influencers designed to forge comprehensive regional housing solutions and identify actions needed to effectuate structural change and solutions.

Ms. LeSar earned an MBA in real estate and finance and an MA in Urban Planning from UCLA, and a BA from Bryn Mawr College in political science and economics. In 2014, she completed the Executive Program in Social Entrepreneurship at Stanford Graduate School of Business.

OUR FACULTY

Craig Adelman Senior Principal, LDC Craig has 25 years working in community and real estate development, lending, CDFI and government sectors. Prior to joining LDC, he served as Managing Director for the Low Income Investment Fund’s SPARCC initiative, Bank of America.
Helmi Hisserich Senior Principal, LDC Helmi is a distinguished leader in housing policy and development with a robust track record of scaling sustainable solutions and aligning the interests of diverse stakeholders.
Gabriel Speyer Senior Principal, LDC Gabe is a high performing affordable developer overseeing all aspects of numerous new-construction and rehabilitation projects including entitlements, design, finance, construction and lease-up.
Jessica Ripper Principal, LDC Jessica specializes in building bridges across the public, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors to advance policy and systems change through strategic planning, community outreach and education, and interactive trainings and workshops.