David Clay II (panelist)
Community Outreach and Special Events Coordinator, Harvey
My name is David Clay II, and I am the Community Outreach and Special Events Coordinator for the City of Harvey and previous Deputy Chief of Staff. I was born at Ingalls Memorial Hospital and have lived down the street from the hospital for all 22 years of my life. I received my bachelor’s degree in Public Policy and Communication’s from Vanderbilt University in May of 2021, and I am currently working on my master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Chicago—which I will receive in June of 2023. I am interested in urban planning, communications, geopolitics, and organizational studies.
Nick Greifer (panelist)
Director of Economic Development, Harvey
Mr. Greifer is an experienced economic development professional responsible for the day-to-day administration of the City’s economic development program. As Director of Economic Development, he manages the City’s TIF Districts, reviews and coordinates incentive requests and is the liaison to the business community.
Mr. Greifer previously served as Community & Economic Development Director for the Village of Brookfield. He was also a Vice President with Kane, McKenna and Associates. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Public Policy.
Mayor Rich Hofeld (keynote speaker)
Homewood
Rich Hofeld and his family have lived in Homewood since 1970. He has served as your Village President since1997, during which time he has spearheaded exciting business and other development projects throughout theVillage, creating a climate of economic growth. He was twice named "Municipal Leader of the Year" by the ChicagoSouthland Convention and Visitors Bureau (in 2004 and 2014) and has served as the 2011-2012 President of theSouth Suburban Mayors and Managers Association (SSMMA).
Angela Mesaros (panelist)
Director of Economic and Community Development, Homewood
Angela Mesaros is Director of Economic and Community Development with the Village of Homewood. In this role, she advises on economic development strategy and execution. A primary focus is revitalization of downtown through Transit-Oriented Development. She holds a master’s degree in Public Policy and Urban Planning from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Angela is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and serves on the board of the Homewood Arts Council and the South Suburban Land Bank and Development Authority.
Audrey Wennink (moderator)
Director of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Council
Audrey directs MPC’s transportation efforts and coordinates transportation initiatives with other facets of planning including affordable housing, land use, equity and the environment. She leads transportation research and advocacy efforts including pursuing sustainable funding for transportation in Illinois, integration of performance-based planning methods into transportation practice, and developing efforts to boost transportation equity. Under her leadership, MPC developed the Toward Universal Mobility report defining needed improvements to the region’s transportation system to benefit people with disabilities and seniors. The Where the Sidewalk Ends report documents the state of municipal ADA transition planning in the Chicago Metropolitan Area. Her work on transportation equity includes contributing to research on understanding mobility barriers for marginalized communities, studying how equity is used as a project prioritization criterion by metropolitan planning organizations, and development of a toolkit for employers to support transportation needs of workers in disconnected communities. The Transit Means Business report she spearheaded highlights the need for transit investment to support jobs in the region. She also leads the MPC Transportation Advisory Committee, comprised of regional business and public policy leaders.
A Chicago resident for more than 20 years, Audrey is an advisory board member of the Greater Chicago chapter of WTS, a professional organization to advance women in the transportation industry. She also serves as member of the national advisory board of Young Professionals in Transportation. Additionally, she is a member of Lambda Alpha International, an honorary society focusing on land economics and planning issues. Audrey also serves on the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s transportation committee. She holds a B.A. in English and Spanish from Colby College and a Master’s in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is a fellow of the University of Chicago’s Harris School’s Civic Leadership Academy.