Thomas W. Toomey, chairman and chief executive officer of UDR Inc., will become the new chair of the ULI Foundation on July 1, 2024. A longtime ULI member and chair of the ULI Global Board of Directors from 2017 to 2019, Toomey brings extensive leadership experience and a deep commitment to philanthropic support for ULI’s mission.
Toomey’s involvement with ULI spans three decades. In 1996, Jeff Stack, founding partner of Sares Regis Group, invited him to present a redevelopment project Toomey was working on to Stack’s product council at a ULI meeting. “What engaged me was all of the amazing people in the room who were luminaries of the real estate industry, listening to my pitch,” Toomey says. “They were willing to share their wisdom and teach me how to improve. That inspired me a great deal.” He credits as mentors James Klingbeil, the late Bob Larson, Preston Butcher, and the late Gerald Hines for their help in guiding his career.
Toomey soon became an active ULI member, serving on the Multifamily Council and the global board before becoming global chair. He helped lead ULI’s strategic plan in 2019 and co-chaired the ULI Foundation’s Our Cities, Our Future capital campaign with Doug Abbey from 2019 to 2022, helping raise some $85 million toward its $100 million goal.
“I am excited for the Foundation’s next phase of growth under Tom’s leadership,” says ULI Foundation President Janice Periquet. “His strong reputation in both ULI and the philanthropic community, coupled with his passion for our organization, will be invaluable as we strive to expand our impact.”
Giving back has been a cornerstone of Toomey’s life and career. He is a member of the ULI Foundation’s Marcus Vitruvius Society for donors giving $5 million or more, as well as the James J. Curtis Society for Planned Giving. “It’s like considering a real estate deal—you have to think, where’s the greatest return?” he says. “I can’t think how you could have more impact on changing cities across the globe for the betterment of all than by giving to the ULI Foundation.”
Toomey’s philanthropic leadership extends to his alma mater, as well. “I received my undergraduate degree and my accounting degree from Oregon State University, and I came away with a very high affinity for professors in the program,” he says. He served on the university foundation board for 13 years, chaired it for two, and led the fundraising campaign for four. He has also donated funds for scholarships and building projects at the university.
As incoming ULI Foundation chair, Toomey is focused on fostering the growth of ULI’s philanthropic spirit and increasing the impact of its initiatives worldwide. He and the ULI Foundation board are committed to ensuring members have opportunities to contribute their time and talent to create great cities around the globe. “I am excited to collaborate with our members to drive meaningful change,” Toomey said. “I also look forward to working with the next ULI Global CEO to expand the leadership and success of ULI’s education and thought leadership offerings, as well as Advisory Services panels, as these efforts have an enduring impact on our members and the cities they build.”
Toomey adds that he is grateful to his capital campaign co-chair Doug Abbey, outgoing ULI Foundation Chair Faron Hill, and the ULI Foundation board. “I look forward to working with the board to help ULI’s philanthropic spirit shine even more,” he says. “There’s so much opportunity to build on our successes in creating better communities worldwide.”
