Robert DiCianni Manager, Marketing
ArcelorMittal USA
Robert DiCianni is a Manager in the Marketing Office of ArcelorMittal USA, located in Chicago, Illinois. In this capacity he is involved in economic analysis and forecasting for key steel markets, market research for future steel needs, and strategy development. He is a member of the Federal Reserve Bank’s Industrial Roundtable and is a regular contributor to the Fed’s Beige Book report. He has 30 years of experience in the steel industry and has worked in the US and Europe. He is a frequent speaker at conferences discussing steel industry issues and forecasts. He has undergraduate and graduate degrees from Loyola University of Chicago.
Leslie Appleton-Young Senior Vice President and Chief Economist
California Association of REALTORS (C.A.R.)
Leslie Appleton-Young is Senior Vice President and Chief Economist for the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.). Appleton-Young directs the activities of the Association's Member Information Team. She oversees analysis of housing market and brokerage industry trends, broker relations, and membership development activities. She is also closely involved in the Association's strategic planning efforts and is a well-known speaker in California’s real estate community. She currently serves on the State Controller’s Council of Economic Advisors and in 2017 was recognized as a Woman of Influence by HousingWire, a prestigious honor to high-achieving women across the U.S. housing economy.Appleton-Young earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and her master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
C.A.R. is a statewide trade organization with more than 195,000 members dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate.
Michael D. Alexander Center for Livable Communities Director
Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC)
Mike Alexander is the Director of the Atlanta Regional Commission's Center for Livable Communities. He leads the efforts of five divisions within the regional planning agency: Community Development, Natural Resources, Research & Analytics, Transportation Accessibility & Mobility, and Mobility Services. These divisions account for over 70 planners, engineers, and analysts in the fields of transportation planning, environmental planning, land use, economics and demographic forecasting. Mike has over 20 years of Public Policy focused on regional and local community planning. Originally from South Carolina, Mike attended Auburn University where he received a dual masters degree in Public Administration and Community Planning. He served as a Marine Infantryman in Desert Storm. Mike, his wife Michelle, and their two daughters, live in Decatur.