Elisa Barnes
is an attorney whose career has focused on social justice issues. Her litigation against handgun manufacturers and distributors won her the “Trial Lawyer of the Year” award from Public Justice. As a former counsel for parents and children in the courts of New York, Elisa has worked closely with many of the non-profit agencies that provide foster care and rehabilitative services. Elisa brings a demonstrated commitment to finding solutions to our most difficult social problems—from gun violence to family breakdown—and a lawyer’s attention to nitty-gritty particulars.
Alan Bell
is a founding principal of The Hudson Companies, Inc., one of New York's leading affordable and market rate housing development companies. Alan has built over 6,600 units of new housing in 50 separate developments, including approximately 2,500 units of affordable housing, over a career in real estate that spans almost 30 years. He has been in the forefront of building for energy efficiency, especially in the use of photovoltaic solar panels. Alan owes his success to an unwavering attention to the complex details of development.
Sam Bell
assists on all aspects of development. Before joining Bell Urban, he was the founder and first Executive Director of Employ America, a macroeconomic think tank focused on full employment. Previously he was a Partner at The Management Center, where he coached national non-profit leaders to build and run effective organizations. Sam switched career paths because he believes that the lack of decent, affordable homes is one of the great challenges facing our country.
