ULI Fall Meeting, Chicago (Oct 2021)

Our Monday program featured Molly Meyer, CEO and Founder of Omni Ecosystems, where we saw first-hand her company's transformational work creating sustainable rooftop environments. We toured Omni’s new headquarters in a renovated historic building, and learn how Omni renovated and financed their HQ in a disinvested neighborhood, has pro-actively engaged with the community, and developed their unique business model. Molly and her dynamic team showcased their headquarters and co-working space ending with a presentation/reception at their spectacular rooftop garden event space where we were joined by other Chicago entrepreneurs.

A pioneering sustainable green infrastructure company, Omni has received awards nationwide for the lush natural landscapes and crop farms it has created on urban rooftops throughout cities such as Chicago, Boston and Milwaukee. Most recently, Omni was named a Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas finalist for its Wild Mile Framework plan along the Chicago River, created in collaboration with SOM. Omni recently moved its headquarters to the history rich Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago, purchasing and renovating an abandoned industrial facility that formerly was a dairy company bottling factory. Omni’s site selection was intentional, designed to build local community wealth and help reverse the historic levels of disinvestment and decades of neglect the greater Bronzeville community has experienced. Omni’s community outreach is substantial, including hiring from the community and creating a ground floor non-profit co-working space that prioritizes Bronzeville residents as members.