ULI MEMPHIS TAPS TONYA MEEKS, NEW DISTRICT COUNCIL COORDINATOR

ULI MEMPHIS SERVES AS CONVENING VOICE IN LOCAL BUILT ENVIRONMENT, AIMING TO RAISE THE REAL ESTATE IQ IN MEMPHIS AND THE MID-SOUTH

Urban Land Institute (ULI) Memphis District Council recently appointed Tonya Meeks as its new coordinator.

Meeks, who has already assumed the role, serves primarily as the local liaison to the ULI national office, while also supporting strategic partnerships on behalf of the membership organization here in Memphis.

Tonya Meeks brings to the role nearly 15 years of experience as a consultant to nonprofits and local government, honing her focus on strategic planning, fund development, strategic communication, and general business operations support. She was most recently COO for Freedom Preparatory Academy Charter Schools, where she served as a key member of the Leadership Team responsible for the development and implementation of operational processes and systems and cultivation of relationships with key partners. Meeks has also served as development officer for Shelby Farms Park Conservancy and in roles ranging from PIO to special assistant to both city and federal government officials.

 “Tonya’s deep experience working with nonprofits, coupled with her warm personality and understanding of our programs and initiatives, really stood out to all of us during the interview process. We know she will be a great asset to the organization as we continue to bring together smart people to build a stronger community. Please join me in welcoming her to ULI Memphis,” said Paul Young, Chair – ULI Memphis Management Committee (Board)

“I’m genuinely excited by the opportunity to serve in this new role with ULI Memphis. It’s a gem of a chance to reposition ULI’s signature programming, reengage membership, and increase funder support – particularly in light of the last 20 months of nonstop change brought on by the pandemic. ULI Memphis is already a leading voice in the local built environment. I hope to use my skills in growing and sustaining nonprofits to elevate that voice as the premiere one in the region,” said Meeks.

Meeks replaces Anna Holtzclaw, who led ULI Memphis for 10 years. Under Holtzclaw’s leadership, ULI Memphis became a national model of member engagement with a slate of programs, partnerships and initiatives that continue to shape the built environment narrative in the broader region and, more particularly, here in the Mid-South.

Among many accomplishments in her role with ULI Memphis, Holtzclaw spearheaded the inaugural RegionSmart Summit, which ultimately led to the formation of the standalone and locally focused entity, RegionSmart.

Post her role with ULI Memphis, Holtzclaw continues to lead RegionSmart as its executive director. Young added: “Anna is someone who unites agencies in this community, serving as a sounding board and advisor to many. While we will miss Anna’s leadership at ULI Memphis, I am confident she will remain just a call away and will continue to be a great thought partner for the organization. I am honored to call Anna a great friend and I look forward to working with her in the future.”

Founded in 1936, ULI is a nonprofit organization in the build community with 44,000+ members in more than 80 countries throughout the world. Our mission is to shape the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide. For nearly 15 years, ULI Memphis (DC) has been a local convening voice that aims to elevate the conversation in the built space, facilitating around government, planners, developers, and everyday citizens adopting best practices and emerging trends for better thriving communities. Ultimately, our goal at ULI Memphis is to raise and maintain the Real Estate IQ in Memphis and the Mid-South.