Di combines experience in real estate, economic development, and historic preservation to advise on building reuse and urban revitalization projects across the country. Since joining the Trust in February 2017, Di has served as a Real Estate Specialist on a variety of projects and campaigns, developing economic analyses and strategies to inform sustainable planning for projects within the Trust’s National Treasures and ReUrbanism portfolio. Di is currently overseeing and conducting market and financial feasibility analyses on projects at scales ranging from single structures, such as the Mountain View Officer’s Club and LULAC Clubhouse, to corridors and districts including Canal Street in New Orleans and Livernois-McNichols in Detroit, to city-wide initiatives as in Philadelphia, as part of the Mayor’s Task Force on Historic Preservation.
Prior to joining the Trust, Di worked at the real estate and economic development consulting firm HR&A Advisors, based out of New York City, where she conducted economic, financial, and policy analysis to inform implementation strategies for public, private, and institutional clients. Serving on multi-disciplinary teams, Di developed financing and implementation strategies for master planning efforts of large-scale civic projects including the Miami Underline, Historic Fort Wayne, 30th Street Station District, manufacturing districts in North Brooklyn, and the Buffalo Bayou East Sector. Additionally, Di has evaluated the economic impact and value capture potential of transit and open space investments in New York City, Miami, and Detroit, and conducted comprehensive real estate portfolio analysis to identify revenue generating opportunities for property owners. Her analysis and research helped inform decision making on diverse projects that have impacted cities across the country.
Di obtained a graduate degree in historic preservation specializing in planning policy, and attained a certificate in real estate development through the Wharton School of Business. During her Master’s program, she worked at Cooper’s Ferry Partnership, a community and economic development corporation in Camden, New Jersey, where she supported a range of urban development initiatives including performing real estate analysis for the continued redevelopment of the Camden waterfront and planning for open space development, focusing on the revitalization of the legacy city. Di holds a Bachelor of Arts from New York University in Economic Policy.