Advisory
Council
Council members hold advanced academic degrees in fields relevant to our mission, have served in public office, or have completed meritorious original research on issues related to housing supply. They serve voluntarily, independently of the organizations and institutions they represent.
Meet Our Advisors
Arica Young, Ph.D.
Associate Director
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Arica is a member of Up for Growth's Advisory Council. She has over 25 years of experience combining research, analysis, and operations in developing policies related to housing and community economic development.
Arthur C. Nelson, Ph.D., FAICP
Professor Emeritus of Urban Planning & Real Estate Development
University of Arizona
Chris (short for Christian) applies demographics and economics to address long range planning and development challenges facing local, regional and state governments, and federal agencies.
Caitlin Walter, Ph.D.
Vice President of Research
Caitlin is the Chairwoman of Up for Growth's Advisory Council. She is based in Washington, DC, and has deep expertise in multifamily market trends and housing supply policy.
Ed Pinto, J.D.
Senior Fellow and Director
American Enterprise Institute Housing Center
Ed is the Vice Chair of Up for Growth's Advisory Council. He researches how to increase the entry-level housing supply for first-time buyers and renters who earn hourly wages.
Emily Hamilton, Ph.D.
Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Urbanity Project
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Emily is an economist at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. She studies land use regulations and housing affordability.
Hans Riemer
Former Councilmember
Montgomery County Maryland
Hans Riemer is a former elected official on Montgomery County Council (2010-2022). Based in Washington, DC, he has expertise in local government, transportation, economic development, and social justice.
Richard Kahlenberg
Director
The Progressive Policy Institute
Richard is the Director of Housing Policy and the American Identity Project at the Progressive Policy Institute.
Samar Jha
Government Affairs Director
AARP
Samar Jha is a director with AARP Government Affairs, where he specializes in state and local housing and livability policy.
Sara Myerson
Managing Director
Msquared
Sara brings over 15 years of finance, design, development and public-private partnership experience with a focus on sustainable and resilient development in emerging and transforming urban markets.
Steve Guggenmos
Vice President of Multifamily Research and Modeling
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac)
Steve is the former Vice President of Multifamily Research and Modeling at Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”).
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a Member
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