Leon Walker
Leon Walker has been the Managing Principal of Chicago-based real estate development firm DL3 Realty for the past 20 years and is one of one of the most active and successful developers in Chicago’s low-income communities. UDF has assisted in several excellent projects for DL3 as developer or consultant bringing much needed food and grocery resources, medical, housing (LIHTC) and corporate offices including Blue Cross Blue Shield and Discover Cards to low-income areas in Chicago’s south side.
During his career, Walker has structured more than $100 million in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC), including the award-winning Roseland Medical Center, which was the first project to finance new construction with NMTCs in Chicago. He was also the first Chicago developer to use crowd funding for new construction as part of the capital stack for the nationally recognized Englewood Square retail center, anchored by Whole Foods.
Prior to DL3 Realty, Walker worked in corporate real estate services at Jones Lang LaSalle, and in real estate capital markets at Citicorp Securities. He is a graduate of the University of Chicago’s Law School and holds a Master of Business Administration from the university’s Booth School of Business and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan.
Walker serves on the board of the Greater Chicago Food Depository, the Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate at Roosevelt University and is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago, The Civic Federation, Economic Club of Chicago, Realty Club of Chicago, International Council of Shopping Centers, and The Business Leadership Council.
Mr. Walker has received many awards for his excellent service to Chicago from the Urban Land Institute, Chicago Association of Realtors and Roosevelt University to name a few.