Building New York: The Need for LGBTQ+ Business

Eric Ball is a New York–based architect and Managing Principal of Henning Larsen’s US office, where he leads the firm’s practice across the Americas. Beyond practice, Eric is deeply engaged in New York’s civic and cultural life. He mentors college students in the region through the Architectural Leagues annual program, is a past participant of the Open House New York Weekend Council, services on the Urban Land Institute’s Mentorship Committee, co-chairs the LGBTQIA+ committee at AIA New York, and teaches Professional Practice at CUNY City Tech in Brooklyn.

Speakers

Barton L Jacskon II is a recovering banker and serial volunteer for LGBTQ+ economic development. Barton recently assumed the mantle of Executive Director after supporting nglccNY as a corporate partner and volunteer to foster growth, visibility, and opportunity for LGBTQ+ New York businesses. During his tenure at TD Bank, Barton was co-chair of the Metro New York Forever Proud Business Resource Group, sat on a consumer economic empowerment focus group for the New York State Office of the State Comptroller, volunteered as Outreach Chair, ambassador, and LGBT business enterprise certification site visitor for nglccNY.  Barton often logged over 100 hours a year volunteering in business education programming in partnership with the chambers of commerce, government, and nonprofit organizations engaged in fostering entrepreneurship in New York. He is most proud of creating "Own It!' a now five-year-old nationwide Transgender and Gender Expansive entrepreneurial 101 intensive, powered by TD Bank. His efforts have been recognized in 2019 by Business Equality Magazine's 40 LGBT Leaders Under 40, Gay City News' 2020 Impact Awards, and City & State New York's 2024 The Responsible 100 list.

Patti Harris provides legal and business counsel to architects and engineers across the country. A former corporate attorney, Ms. Harris is the founder and CEO of Licensesure, which provides business and licensing compliance services to design professionals. Ms. Harris is very active in a variety of design industry organizations. She is Past-President and a member of the Board of the Global Design Alliance. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees and serves as General Counsel of the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation, having served as Board Chair in 2015. In 2012, she served on the Mayor's Task Force for Rebuilding New York City. She speaks about business organization and professional licensing to industry organizations such as the AIA and ACEC. Ms. Harris has been recognized for her leadership by the Global Design Alliance which presented her with their Sutherland Award for service to the design industry. She is recognized in Super Lawyers' list of top rated attorneys. In 2024, Ms. Harris was selected to City & State New York’s 2024 “Fifty Over 50 – The Age Disruptors” list. This annual list honors some of the most accomplished individuals in New York who have achieved success and, as part of that, made New York City a better place.

David Kuykendall is the Principal and Owner of MGDK Architects, a New York–based practice specializing in prefab construction, adaptive reuse, and urban design. As an openly gay architect and business owner, David is committed to fostering inclusion within the profession and the communities his firm serves. He remains active in architectural education, regularly serving as a guest design critic at Pratt Institute and Parsons The New School for Design.

Jackie Aleman is the President and CEO at JCA & Associates, Inc., a consulting company that provides architectural, expediting, and construction services to small businesses, property owners, and contractors throughout the five boroughs of New York. She is an accomplished professional distinguished in the real estate and construction industry. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Jackie dedicated 17 years of her career in property management, where she spearheaded National Night Out Against Crime, crime prevention initiatives, and launched back-to-school programs for families in the West Farms community in the Bronx. In 2023, Jackie was elected President of the Chamber of Commerce of Washington Heights and Inwood, an organization established in 1921 and dedicated to being the leading entity delivering outstanding business advocacy services; promoting business growth; and serving as the driving force advancing policies and economic development efforts that benefit its members.