By Brielle Scott
Vulcan Real Estate was recently named NAIOP’s 2025 Developer of the Year, the association’s highest honor for leadership and innovation. Leading the company’s success is Ada Healy, Chief Real Estate Officer. Healy joined NAIOP’s Inside CRE podcast to share what it takes to deliver developments that truly change communities – including the core values that drive Vulcan’s success.
Prosperity
While Vulcan operates as a for-profit enterprise, its definition of prosperity goes beyond financial returns. Each development is designed to generate lasting community benefits – from new jobs that strengthen the local workforce to increased tax revenue that supports essential public services. Prosperity, in this sense, is about creating shared value that uplifts both investors and communities, Healy said.
Sustainability
Environmental responsibility is central to Vulcan’s work. Projects have pioneered innovative stormwater management strategies, like the celebrated Swale on Yale, and have remediated millions of dollars’ worth of contaminated land and water. Historic preservation is another cornerstone: Vulcan has restored and repurposed multiple landmark structures, honoring their past while giving them new relevance in modern developments.
Urban Vitality
Vulcan’s developments prioritize transit- and pedestrian-friendly design, open spaces that invite people in, and retail that brings together local, regional and national businesses. Investments in public art and placemaking create memorable experiences and foster neighborhood identity. With projects intentionally designed to activate spaces well into the evening hours, Vulcan’s goal is to create lively, welcoming environments where people want to live, work and gather.
Community Engagement
Building in a neighborhood can necessitate a long-term relationship, and Vulcan takes that responsibility seriously. The company actively listens to community stakeholders, respects local history, and integrates cultural identity into its projects. From naming developments after historic uses to commissioning murals that celebrate neighborhood heritage, Vulcan ensures projects honor the stories that came before them.
“We bring authenticity to the table,” Healy said. “We want the region to be successful. And the decisions that we make and the behaviors that we exhibit support our authentic desire for success for the broader community in addition to our business.”
Inclusivity
Vulcan recognizes that inclusive growth is essential to lasting impact. The company partners with nonprofits, government agencies, and universities to expand opportunities for small businesses, apprentices, and historically underrepresented contractors.
“We have provided entry points for people of different backgrounds and for small businesses to participate in our projects,” said Healey. “And we have a very robust effort to engage the community and to really understand what they’re looking for as part of a development to try and build trust.”
Apprenticeship programs introduce young people from diverse backgrounds to construction careers, while significant portions of project budgets are dedicated to small and women- or minority-owned (WMB) businesses. For example, apprentices accounted for 15% of labor on Vulcan’s recent commercial projects, and 22% of residential project value went to small and WMB contractors. These commitments not only strengthen individual careers and companies but also broaden the talent pipeline for the entire industry.
Together, these principles shape not just buildings but thriving neighborhoods that reflect and serve the people who call them home.
