Our Team 

Amro Al-Nimri is an architect from Jordan with 2 years of experience in design and 4 years of experience in construction in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. Amro is currently in his second to last semester at the Master’s in Real Estate Development at the University of Utah and working as a TA at the University of Utah, and an Intern with Ivory Innovations trying to find out-of-the-box solutions to the housing affordability crisis. Amro is into camping, sports, and outdoor activities, apart from his work and study life.

Eleanor supports the Ivory Innovations’ marketing team through copy and content writing. Growing up in Salt Lake, Eleanor has a passion for creating a more accessible, sustainable community. She has a diverse writing background, including television writing for Netflix at Sony Pictures Entertainment. Eleanor is pursuing her Masters in Creative Writing and Literature at Harvard DCE (class of 2027).

Kimberly brings over two decades of leadership in affordable housing policy, finance, and innovation to the role. A nationally recognized housing expert, Kimberly has spent her career designing and evaluating solutions to address the nation’s housing crisis. She comes to Ivory Innovations from Abt Global, where she led cross-disciplinary teams to develop evidence-based strategies to improve housing affordability. Kimberly is a graduate of the University of Michigan Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.

Ian comes from a real estate background with three years of experience managing the development of residential and commercial assets. He holds a Master of Science in Real Estate Development from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in urban planning from Brigham Young University. Ian has always had a passion for housing innovation as a former Hack-a-House competition winner as well as previously launching an innovative parking solutions startup. Outside of work, Ian enjoys golfing and skiing with his wife.

Dimpal’s passion about social impact led her to study Information Systems with a minor in FinTech at the University of Utah. She supports event planning, logistics, and administration operations at Ivory Innovations. Dimpal also serves as the Program Director of the TEK Club and works as an Equity Research Analyst with the Student Investment Fund. When she’s not working, she enjoys crafting and watching Hindi films.

Dejan Eskic is a senior research fellow and scholar at the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, where he leads a range of projects focused on housing, construction and real estate research, fiscal impact studies and economic and demographic analysis. Prior to joining the Gardner Policy Institute, Eskic worked in the retail research industry where he evaluated current and future sales performance for retail sites through statistical gravity modeling reflecting market demographics throughout the Country. Dejan earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Utah, where he is also an adjunct professor.

Vivian manages relationships with project managers and vendors, streamlining the financial operations across all Ivory foundations. Prior to Ivory Innovations, she worked in healthcare and office administration. She joined Ivory Innovations because affordable housing is something that’s close to home for her. She loves being a part of a workplace that is focused on putting good into the world. Outside of work, Vivian enjoys watching football and playing fantasy football, though she doesn’t want to commit to a favorite team at the moment.

Dylan recently joined Ivory Innovations full-time after nearly two years as an intern with the organization. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Information Systems from the University of Utah. With a strong foundation in financial analysis and a passion for housing innovation, Dylan is committed to making a meaningful impact through his work at Ivory Innovations. When he’s not working, Dylan enjoys getting outside to ski and hike.

As Assistant Controller at Ivory Innovations, Manny manages and reports on key financial transactions, ensuring accuracy and efficiency across the organization. Before joining Ivory, he gained valuable experience in tax, audit, and construction accounting, building a strong foundation for his current role. Manny holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Brigham Young University–Idaho and brings both technical expertise and a passion for meaningful work to the team. Drawn to Ivory Innovations’ mission, he values being part of a company with a clear vision to strengthen communities and create lasting impact. Manny grew up in Argentina and has a passion for music. Outside of work, he enjoys playing with his neighborhood rock band.

Ashley Hadfield has 12 years of experience in real estate development and construction, with expertise in retail, warehouse, and residential housing. As a general contractor, she brings a broad understanding of the industry and currently works as a strategic consultant, helping to optimize operations and drive success.

Ivory Innovations was born while Abby was working on the Impact Investing team for the Sorenson Impact Center. Prior to her experience in impact investing, she worked as an intern focused on researching Green Bonds with Equilibrium Capital in Portland, Oregon. Her work has been published in the Stanford Social Innovation Review. Abby graduated with a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Utah in 2016 with an emphasis in Sustainability.

James manages the Marketing Team at Ivory Innovations, overseeing website and social media content and designing marketing materials that highlight the organization’s impact. Before joining Ivory, he worked as an art director in both agency and freelance settings, creating campaigns for brands such as Chili’s, Disney, Buffalo Wild Wings, Priceline, and National Geographic. Originally from Oregon, James enjoys hiking, spontaneous swims, and playing classic Nintendo games.

With her previous role as the Senior Manager of Accounting for the MBA & Executive Education department at the University of Utah, Mary gained experience in financial management, university administration, strategic planning and HR. Mary’s values of people, details, and problem-solving guide her work at Ivory Innovations. She graduated from Utah State University with a degree in business management. Outside of her professional endeavors, Mary finds joy in (and keeps busy by!) spending time with her 4 kids and husband.

Jenna leads strategy and partnership efforts that support the innovative organizations and entrepreneurs recognized by the annual Ivory Prize for Housing Affordability. She attended Harvard College and holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Having worked with technology start-ups, political campaigns, and small business owners, Keni loves helping people accomplish their goals. She completed the Master of Real Estate Development program at the University of Utah in May 2024, and works as a real estate broker in Utah. Keni's varied background gives her a unique perspective on the challenges of bringing affordable housing to the market. In addition to real estate, Keni loves to read, play golf, and learn about wine.

Prior to joining Ivory innovations, Tyler co-owned a small development company renovating commercial office space to multi-family apartment units. He received his bachelors in Accounting from Weber State University in 2005 and recently earned his Masters in Real Estate Development from the University of Utah. Before that he worked as a Budget Officer and Financial Manager for the National Weather Service and the Department of Energy. He is a retired Staff Sergeant with the US Army reserves Finance Battalion where he did a tour in the Middle East in 2004. He is a proud husband and father of 4 children and 2 grandchildren. If he is not working, he is with his family or off smoking/bbq some meat for the next get-together.

Porter has a background in real estate finance and development. Prior to joining Ivory Innovations, he worked as a commercial real estate relationship manager for Wells Fargo and before that in development with a boutique retail developer. He is passionate about making a positive impact through real estate and creating value for people, communities, and the environment. Porter holds both a BS in Finance and a Master of Real Estate Development from the University of Utah. He loves his wife and 3 boys and enjoys skiing, cycling, and camping.

Chad joined the Ivory Innovations team after winning Ivory’s Hack-a-House competition as a Master in Urban Planning student at Harvard. He has been interested in housing since college and has worked for various organizations in the sphere. Most recently, Chad worked as a researcher at Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, where he continues to consult on a series of papers focused on manufactured housing. When he’s not working, Chad enjoys tinkering with vintage bikes, playing basketball, and watching the Twins play.

Jason has a strong nonprofit background, having previously worked as an accountant at a school for neurodiverse students in Utah County. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master’s of Business Administration. He enjoys working for a meaningful organization and is passionate about improving processes to create the best impact for those in need. Jason loves spending time with his wife and daughter, ultimate frisbee, and keeping up with the latest in STEM.

Amy combines her background in public sector land use and community planning with a passion for housing solutions at Ivory Innovations, where she leads policy strategy to strengthen state and local housing ecosystems. A thought leader in missing middle housing, Amy previously helped launch Vermont's Homes for All Toolkit and worked at the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies researching missing middle policy reform for Massachusetts. She holds a B.A. i n Urban Studies from Stanford University and a Master in Real Estate from Harvard University. When she's not thinking about housing, you can find her training for triathlons, exploring mountain trails, or practicing Italian.

Tue Tran is currently pursuing an Accounting degree at the University of Utah, with plans to further her education through a Master’s degree and additional certifications. Throughout her studies, she has gained experience across various areas of accounting and tax work, including real estate, and is passionate about using her career to uplift and empower others. Tue is excited to be working with Ivory Innovations, where she has the opportunity to contribute to housing affordability and support positive change in the community. She believes in the transformative power of education and is committed to making a meaningful impact through her work. Outside of her professional endeavors, Tue enjoys traveling, staying active, and spending quality time with her loved ones.

Jason Wallace brings over 25 years of construction industry experience spanning all phases of project development through completion. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management with a minor in Business from Utah Valley University. At Ivory Innovations, Jason leads efforts to turn housing innovation concepts into reality through strategic collaboration and forward-thinking construction practices. Passionate about creative change and community impact, he is dedicated to advancing innovative building methods and processes that shape the future of housing. Outside of work, Jason enjoys paragliding, dirt biking, adventuring, and snowboarding.

Cannon is responsible for Ivory Innovations’ content creation, including social media across all platforms. He was born in Salt Lake and is currently studying marketing in his senior year at the University of Utah. He’s involved in various student organizations, including the student agency AdThing and the MUSS Board. Outside of his studies and work, Cannon is an avid skier and enjoys art and cinema.