Interview: Stephanie Brown, executive director, Urban Land Institute of Minnesota

As the new executive director of the Urban Land Institute of Minnesota, Stephanie Brown assumes a leadership role with an organization dedicated to creating, among other things, “sustaining and thriving communities.” That’s a big job in any era, let alone at a time when Minnesotans are dealing with a global pandemic and struggling with issues of social injustice. Brown is also filling some big shoes as she takes the baton from Caren Dewar, who served as ULI-Minnesota’s executive director for 17 years. But Brown, who officially starts her new job Oct. 1, brings plenty of her own experience to the job. An urban planner and strategic consultant, Brown has worked across the globe to address needs ranging from housing to utilities, according to ULI. Most recently, Brown was a principal with Yellow House Ideas, a strategic planning consultancy with clients such as the McKnight Foundation, the Itasca Project, and Greater Twin Cities United Way. Previously, she had a five-year run with McKinsey & Company, where she served clients in construction, infrastructure and the public sector. In the following interview with Reporter Brian Johnson, Brown reflects on her experience as an urban planner, discusses her job duties at ULI and offers insight into the challenges and opportunities that await Minnesota communities during these difficult times.