Catherine Bean

  • Principal, Element Properties
Catherine Bean Headshot

I'm a real estate development professional over a decade at Element Properties, where I've led diverse projects from permanent supportive housing to affordable housing conversions and commercial repositioning. My career spans both private and public sectors—I spent four years with HUD managing the FHA's Breaking Ground Program and overseeing $13.6 billion in Recovery Act funding, plus post-Katrina rebuilding work with New Orleans Habitat for Humanity.

What mentees might find interesting: I've navigated everything from federal bureaucracy to local zoning battles, learned to balance profit with purpose in affordable housing, and discovered that the most rewarding projects often face the biggest obstacles. I'm passionate about creating housing solutions that strengthen communities.

I hold a BA from UVA and MBA from Harvard Business School, have served on a number of nonprofit boards, including All Roads, and somehow manage three kids, a husband, and our dog Huckleberry.

My advice to students...

Embrace the messy middle. Real leadership isn't about having all the answers—it's about staying curious and adaptable when things don't go according to plan. Whether I was navigating federal red tape at HUD or working through complex zoning issues in Boulder, the most valuable skill has been learning to ask better questions rather than rushing to solutions.

Be a "do leader," not just a thought leader. The world has plenty of people with great ideas—what's scarce are people who can turn those ideas into reality. Whether converting 230 apartments to affordable housing or managing post-Katrina rebuilding, I've learned that execution separates real leaders from those who just talk about change. Roll up your sleeves, master the details, and be the person who makes things happen.

Start before you feel ready. I took on post-Katrina rebuilding work fresh out of college, managed billions in federal funding in my twenties, and jumped into development projects I'd never done before. Competence often follows courage, not the other way around.