The Dallas Business Journal announced Katy Slade, Area Vice President of Investments for Gables Residential, to Dallas Business Journals’ 40 Under 40 honor. In addition to her role at Gables Residential, Mrs. Slade has been the CEO and Chairman of the Board at Uptown Dallas Inc., Uptown’s public improvement company, for 3 years and has been a member of the board since 2013.
Her role in the public improvement company’s recent endeavors include projects like the anticipated two-way conversion of McKinney Avenue and Cole Avenue, which was approved by Dallas City Council last December. This project was one of many that Katy has led in a carefully researched effort to make Uptown more walkable by revising Uptown’s streets and sidewalk patterns.
“Katy has a rare understanding and endless curiosity for complex urban challenges. Her leadership, diligence, and focus have been critical to the efforts of Uptown Dallas as the neighborhood sets course for its future, which is evolving from a livable neighborhood to a memorable one and molded by people like Katy who are dedicated to realizing the vision,” said Patrick Kennedy, Urban Planner and DART Board Member.
As CEO and Chairman of the Board, Katy also led the recent renovation of Uptown’s Griggs Park, an 8-acre oasis in Uptown’s State Thomas Neighborhood which includes the new additions of a half-court basketball court and Uptown’s first public playground, both of which will be celebrated next week.
Mrs. Slade is also well known in the Dallas area for her work with local communities in gathering feedback for development projects like Gables McKinney Avenue featuring the Whole Foods Market. This project has been recognized as a finalist for the Best Mixed Use Development Award by the Dallas Business Journal in 2016; was awarded the Outstanding Multifamily Development Award by D Magazine in 2015, and most recently received the Preservation Dallas Achievement Award.
“Katy is dedicated and highly motivated to make Uptown the best it can be,” said Neal Sleeper. “She has an excellent understanding of urban development issues and the importance of creating and maintaining a quality public realm.”
Katy Slade is certainly leaving her mark on the city of Dallas and her approach to hands-on community involvement, urban development and mentorship of future leaders is to be commended. She spends more than twenty hours each week volunteering her time to organizations such as Uptown Dallas, Inc.
“Her encouragement and guidance to those around her is inspiring,” said Anita Simmons, Marketing Director for Uptown. “She’s a ‘make things happen’ leader and Uptown and the City of Dallas are lucky to have such a spirited and passionate person championing for this city.”
About Uptown Dallas, Inc.
Uptown Dallas, Inc. (UDI) is the nonprofit management company focused on the public improvement of the Uptown district (PID), with emphasis on capital improvement projects, maintenance, mobility, public safety, urban design and marketing. Uptown is Dallas’ premier live, work, play district. For more information, visit uptowndallas.net and follow Uptown Dallas on social media.
