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Shima is the Mapping & Research Director at Concentric, where she leads their digital mapping, data visualization and demographic and geographical research. She finds and validates complex layers of data to give clients the most accurate view of their developments and impact.

Shima is an experienced, strategic problem-solver who is passionate about understanding the impact of real estate development on communities. She shares her technical expertise so team members understand the role of data in development. She was previously a Geographic Information System (GIS) Specialist at Waterman Steele Real Estate Advisors, where her digital and paper mapping work supported agents and brokers in market optimization reports. She is a lifelong learner and regularly takes courses on GIS software, spatial analysis and more. Shima earned a Master’s degree from Islamic Azad University, as well as a Bachelor’s degree from Iran University of Science and Technology.

Angela Deese is the Office Manager at Concentric Community Advisors, where she uses her extensive knowledge to navigate the crucial administrative processes that allow the team to support clients in socially equitable real estate development.

Angela has over thirty years of experience in the real estate industry, both residential and commercial, becoming an expert in client relations and managing complex projects across departments. She has a talent for balancing everything from maintenance and vendor relations to accounting and event planning without missing a beat. She held a similar position as the Office Manager at Waterman Steele Real Estate Advisors, where she evolved her role over time as her administrative and organizational capabilities grew. Previously, Angela was a certified real estate professional in San Diego, Las Vegas and her native Houston.

Lance Gilliam is the Managing Partner of Concentric Community Advisors. He guides the firm as an experienced, hands-on collaborator, ensuring developments stay aligned with community and stakeholder needs. Lance has decades of experience building strong public-private partnerships to support community reinvestment. He has shared responsibility for leasing a number of significant projects, including opening over seventy grocery stores in “food deserts” across Houston.

Lance has over a decade’s worth of experience in community-centric, socially equitable investments. Most recently, Lance was a Partner at Waterman Steele Real Estate Advisors, where he focused on community reinvestment and built strong public-private partnerships. He has shared responsibility for leasing numerous significant retail projects, including the opening of over seventy grocery stores in areas with limited food access across Houston. Lance has extensive experience in retail user-driven transactions representing local, regional and national firms and restaurateurs including ALDI, H-E-B, Frost Bank, Macy’s and more. He earned a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from the University of Southern California, as well as a BBA in Real Estate and graduate studies from Southern Methodist University. Lance is currently a Doctoral Student for Community and Regional Planning at the University of Texas at Austin.

Community Engagement:

• Former Chairman, Board of Directors, Coalition for the Homeless Houston / Harris County
• Former Chairman, Houston Housing Authority
• Board of Directors and Co‐Chair of the Public Policy Committee, children at RISK
• Former President, Board of Directors, Children’s Museum of Houston

August Hamilton is a Principal at Concentric Community Advisors, where he leads the firm’s education portfolio focused on expanding affordable housing opportunities for education employees.

August was previously the Chief of Staff of the Houston Independent School District, where he was a strategic advisor to the Superintendent and oversaw the Communications, Government Relations, Board Services and Family and Community Engagement departments. He spent over a decade in the nation’s seventh-largest school district, starting as a Teach for America Corps member and eventually leading multiple successful, data-driven initiatives and coordinating with government officials, private industry, philanthropy, and community members alike. August earned an MBA from Rice University and a Bachelor’s degree from Princeton University. He is currently pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of Texas at Austin.

Community Engagement:

• Associate Member, Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO)
• Associate Member, Urban Land Institute
• Board Member, BridgeYear

Sam Newman is a Principal at Concentric Community Advisors, where he leads the firm’s food initiatives to expand fresh, affordable and community-driven food access in growing neighborhoods.

Sam has built a career at the intersection of food, health, and development. He is the founder of Little Red Box Grocery, a tech-enabled, mission-forward food store that provides the essentials to address the issue of food deserts in low-income, low-access neighborhoods. He has extensive knowledge and leadership experience in the food/retail landscape. He was previously the Executive Director of the nonprofit Brighter Bites, where he delivered produce and nutrition education directly to schools nationwide. He was also the Manager of Customer Insights for H-E-B which entailed designing research-based initiatives to improve access, affordability and quality of food for communities. Additionally, he supported the efforts of The World Bank and the U.S. Department of Commerce. Sam earned an MBA from Georgetown University and a Bachelor’s degree in Government from the University of Texas at Austin.

Community Engagement:

• Board Chair, The Common Market Texas
• Founder, Little Red Box Grocery

Kennedy Oliphant is a Financial Analyst at Concentric Community Advisors, where she ensures projects will meet their financial goals and facilitates the underwriting and approval process for socially equitable real estate development.

Kennedy is deeply passionate about the unique financial processes behind collaborative, cross-disciplinary development and the way that housing impacts every facet of a thriving community. She has previous experience navigating complex land-use discussions with both public and private sectors, as well as financial modeling for redevelopments to create win-win scenarios for stakeholders and communities alike. Additionally, she was a Financial Planning Intern for State Farm, where she worked closely with the Accounting Operations team on automating and supporting efficient financial processes. Kennedy has a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Louisiana State University.

Community Engagement:

• Associate Member, Urban Land Institute

Matt Zeis is a Partner at Concentric Community Advisors, where he leads the firm’s socially equitable housing initiatives to facilitate investments that unite the public and private sectors.

Matt was Vice President at Waterman Steele Real Estate Advisors, where he supported clients’ socially equitable investments. Previously, he was Director of Finance for a US-based international distribution services company and Finance Director for an energy trading firm, where he gained a wealth of experience collaborating with corporations, governments and law enforcement agencies. He has additional experience in non-profit finance and fundraising and ethics compliance. Matt earned an MBA from Rice University with a concentration in finance and real estate as well as an undergraduate degree from Stephen F. Austin State University in political science and history.

Community Engagement:

• Appointed Chair, Houston Land Bank
• Chair, City of Houston’s Board of Public Trusts (Houston Foundation)