In anticipation of the ULI Resilience Summit, the Institute’s annual climate adaptation event to be held May 15, 2025, in Denver, Colorado, Urban Land spoke with Karen Mahrous, a member of the ULI Programs Committee who helped shaped the event’s content, to learn more about what attendees can expect at this flagship event.
The Resilience Summit brings together global leaders in real estate and resilience to explore innovative means of protecting cities and portfolios, including strategies for assessing and mitigating climate risks, how to finance resilient properties, and the role of public policy in fostering climate-ready development.
Mahrous, an industry leader in sustainability at Clarion Partners, joined the firm in 2021 to develop and implement net zero frameworks and strategies, as well as various sustainability and resilience initiatives.
Urban Land: Can you tell us a bit about your role at Clarion Partners, as well as your involvement with ULI?
Karen Mahrous: For Clarion Partners, I am responsible for overseeing our sustainability and resilience initiatives and our responsible investment process. This work is constantly evolving . . . . My involvement with ULI supports my continuing education and helps me stay on top of the ever-changing landscape of this field. I am involved with ULI Greenprint [and] the Sustainable Development Council, and I try to get involved with other initiatives as often as possible. For this year’s Spring Meeting, I was part of the Programs Committee for the Resilience Summit, helping to shape . . . that event.
UL: Tell us about your engagement historically with the Resilience Summit. How long have you been going?
Mahrous: What has your experience been like attending? I have attended the Resilience Summit on and off over the years. It’s always a great day, because it is well-attended—I love the opportunity to spend time with my peers—and, because it’s a smaller setting than the broader conference, it’s easier to connect with people. I also appreciate that the Resilience Summit is also typically held somewhere off the beaten path. Evaluating climate risk and resilience for . . . Clarion’s existing properties and across markets where we operate is a key component of my role, so having a day to focus on this topic is also helpful.
UL: What are some of the biggest challenges or trends in resilience that you expect will take center stage at this year’s Summit?
Mahrous: The insurance market continues to be a huge challenge. What we can do to maintain insurability at our assets and limit the rising costs is always a big discussion topic. This past year, we also all experienced a few major climate events in the U.S.—notably the L.A. wildfires—so I expect there to be some conversation around what happened there and what lessons can be learned from that tragedy.
UL: The Summit brings together a diverse mix of industry leaders. How do you think networking at this event benefits professionals in real estate, investment, and development?
Mahrous: The networking is always helpful and, again, a bit easier in this smaller setting than [at] the larger conference. It’s helpful to hear new perspectives on this topic, learn from what others are doing, and share resources. I feel I usually encounter a mix of old friends and new connections at the Summit. Not only have I made great connections and learned from peers at this event, but [also], over time, I have even been able to make friends with people I see year after year, and that is invaluable.
UL: What would you tell a new attendee to expect from the Summit?
Mahrous: It’s a quick day, but very focused. You will typically learn about regional climate risk issues, based on where the conference is being held. And the more frequently you attend these events, the more familiar you become with the people in the room. At all career stages, I think there is something that can be learned at these events. Last year, I had the opportunity to speak on a panel [about] water scarcity at the Resilience Summit . . . . Even as a speaker, I learned so much from the other panelists, and [I] was exposed to other perspectives on the same topic. I now know who to call for questions on water scarcity.
UL: As resilience continues to shape real estate investment and development, what do you think are the most critical next steps for the industry?
Mahrous: More connection to local resilience officials in the markets where we invest, a changing relationship with the insurance industry, and a continued focus on protection of assets are critical components of a strong resilience program for the real estate industry. Climate risk management and resilience [constitute] a critical component of my firm’s ESG program and we are constantly trying to learn more, improve the way we analyze our assets, and find the right tools and partners to help us do this.
To register for the ULI Resilience Summit, ULI’s annual climate adaptation event to be held May 15, 2025, in Denver, Colorado, click here.
