WDC Current Programs

Upcoming Program

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Third Tuesday at Noon ET: AI Collaborative for WDC Members

Monthly exploration and knowledge sharing with WDC members on how to use AI tools effectively. Email wdcadmin@seifel.com if you would like to participate or speak at a virtual AI program

September 17, 2026 at 5:30 PM ET: Insiders’ Development Tour – Mabel Chelsea

Join us on September 17th for an insiders’ tour of The Mabel Chelsea, a sustainable rental development in one of Manhattan’s most vibrant neighborhoods. Developed by MAG Partners and designed by renowned COOKFOX Architects, The Mabel is a Passive House building that blends thoughtful design, natural beauty, and innovative, environmentally conscious living. Named after pioneering writer and conservationist Mabel Osgood Wright, the building reflects her legacy and vision for harmony between people and nature.

Hear from Andie Krefsky and Ruo Chen of the construction and asset management team about the vision behind this groundbreaking development and how it came to life. Light snacks and refreshments will be served at the reception, followed by the tour. Register Here

September 23, 2026 at 6:00 PM PT: Book Society in Berkeley

Join WDC on Wednesday, September 23, 6–8pm at Book Society in Berkeley for an evening with Bay Area author Ellen Barker, who began her career as an urban planner and spent many years working for large consulting firms and managing data systems. Ellen is the author of captivating novels that merge her passion for urban issues with her lived experience in Silicon Valley and corporate America.

Karen Murray of VMWP will lead a conversation with Ellen to explore her journey as an author and discuss Still Needs Work, a story of resilience, fortitude, and industriousness, told from a no-nonsense, can-do perspective, featuring protagonist Marianne, who is laid off abruptly while attending a conference in San Francisco.

Book Society is a bookstore and wine bar in Berkeley founded by Laura Guzman, who drew on her AEC industry background to build a community gathering hub for bibliophiles and wine lovers.

Wine and light bites will be served. Copies of Still Needs Work will be available for purchase. Register Here

October 25, 2026 at 2:30 PM ET: WDC in Miami Day 1 – Groundbreaking Women, Enduring Places in Miami Modern District (MiMo)

WDC’s Miami program kicks off in one of the city’s most colorful neighborhoods: the Miami Modern District (MiMo), known for its retro roadside hotels, glowing neon and entrepreneurial spirit that never goes out of style. Here, we’ll meet the groundbreaking women who look at derelict buildings and see undiscovered potential, create unique businesses and gathering places, and forge public-private partnerships that turn bold ideas into reality.

Along the way, we’ll trace Miami’s development story from past to present to future, with candid conversations on policy hurdles, climate change, propelling affordability, and how to successfully raise capital to build exceptional projects in fast-changing cities.

Program hosts and speakers include developer Avra Jain, whose restoration of the Vagabond Hotel sparked MiMo’s revival; architect and planner Elizabeth “Lizz” Plater-Zyberk, the force behind the Miami 21 zoning plan that reshaped the city; and Jane Gilbert, the world’s first Chief Heat Officer, leading the charge for a more resilient world — joined by a wider circle of hosts and speakers, including Robin Bachin, Amanda Bonvecchio, Ellen Buckley, Michele Burger, Natalia Cebollero, and Karla Ebenbach, among others. Register Here

October 26, 2026 at 8:30 AM ET: WDC in Miami Day 2 – Pioneering Women, Creative Destinations

WDC’s Miami program continues in Wynwood, the once-forgotten warehouse district turned global hub for pioneering arts, the creative economy and nonstop innovation. Wynwood is now one of the most visited destinations in the world and an acclaimed model of ingenious neighborhood reinvention.

We’ll start inside Wynwood Plaza, where a new generation of mixed-use development is reshaping how people live, work and gather. Conversations then turn to the importance of cultural anchors that convene, inspire and promote artists locally and globally— Wynwood’s Bakehouse Art Complex and Project Peach in neighboring Overtown. We continue our exploration into innovation with spotlights on funding strategies for unique Florida developments and how technology is rapidly scaling partnerships and projects as we end our program at Northeastern University.

Program speakers include women development leaders in Wynwood and beyond: Mandy Bartle, Allison Greenfield, Anne-Sophie Hall, Avra Jain, Angela Kyle, Cathy Leff, Diana Mendez, Sandra Seals, Gabriela Gongora-Svartzman, and Laura Weinstein-Berman. Register Here

Recent 2026 Programs

August 25, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET: Knowledge Forum – Directing AI Effectively

As AI rapidly evolves, honing our AI skills is fast becoming a critical way to maintain our professional edge. Olya Krasnykh of Contor.ai guided us through best practices. We covered how to approach any AI technology confidently, focusing on the key repeatable building blocks: the tool-agnostic framework of working with AI, prompting fundamentals, multi-step workflows, and review loops. We learned the “why” behind some of the most common rough edges — like sycophancy, hallucinations, and why reproducibility can be tricky. Most importantly, we see why AI can be a major unlock to our work. The session included live Q&A and hands-on troubleshooting.

Visit 2026 Archive for more details:

  • January 29, 2026 At 12:00 PM ET: Three Keys to Elevate Your Brand In 2026
  • February 24, 2026 At 1:00 PM ET: Exploring Agentic AI To Accelerate Your Projects
  • March 17, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET: Real Estate Investing with Retirement Funds
  • April 15, 2026 at 6:30 PM PT: Dinner in SF to Celebrate Women Housers!
  • April 21, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET: Strategically Examining AI Together + AI Collaborative Launch
  • May 3, 2026 at 2:30 PM CT: Women Leading Neighborhood Revival and Restoration in East Nashville
  • May 4, 2026 at 2:30 PM CT: Women Setting The Stage with Creative Activation in Wedgewood Houston (WEHO)
  • May 20, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET: Strategies to Build Your Career
  • June 25, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET: In Conversation with Developers Belinda Watts and Karin Liljegren
  • August 5, 2026 at 4:00 PM PT: The Kelsey Civic Center Tour in SF
  • August 25, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET: Knowledge Forum – Directing AI Effectively

Save the date!

Follow Our Linkedin Page for Upcoming Programs
  • September 17 at 5:30 PM ET Insider’s Development Tour – Mabel Chelsea (In-person)
  • September 23 at 6 PM PT Book Society in Berkeley (In-person)
  • October 12 at 4 PM ET Developer Peer Group for WDC Members
  • Save the Date October 13 at Noon ET WDC Investment Forum – Directing AI to Evaluate Real Estate Deals
  • October 20 at Noon ET AI Collaborative for WDC Members
  • October 25, 2026 at 2:30 PM ET WDC in Miami Day 1 – Miami Modern [MiMo] (in-person)
  • October 26, 2026 at 8:30 AM ET WDC in Miami Day 2 – Wynwood (In-person)