MEET THE TEAM
WHO ARE WE?
We aim to thoughtfully preserve and create well-designed affordable housing in the New York metropolitan area with the goal of creating connected communities. Connected communities are environments where residents have opportunities for personal, artistic, and financial empowerment through the provision of sustainable building systems, healthy living conditions, meaningful property amenities, and enhanced support services.
Our team excels in navigating affordable housing financing programs and boasts strong relationships in both the financial and government sectors to execute deals with precision.
PIERRE DOWNING
Founding Principal
With nearly 20 years of experience across public, nonprofit, and private sectors, Pierre focuses on community-centered development and its role in shaping the future of housing. Pierre brings a deeply personal understanding of how thoughtful housing transforms communities. He leads Kalel's work with the belief that lasting stability comes from meaningful collaboration with residents, public agencies, and mission-driven partners.
AMY STOKES
Principal
With decades of experience guiding more than $1 billion in new construction and preservation work, Amy has deep expertise in complex financing and government collaboration. She oversees Kalel's housing development initiatives, forging strategic partnerships between companies, public agencies, and community organizations.
NOEL HENDERSON-JAMES
Principal
Noel brings a people-first approach to housing finance and operations. With over two decades of experience structuring LIHTC investments and developing more than 5,000 affordable and mixed-income units, his commitment to housing that helps families recover, rebuild, and thrive was shaped in large part by his work on Gulf Coast rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Katrina.
JERRY JACOBIK
Chief Financial & Compliance Officer
Jerry is a licensed CPA with over 20 years of experience in public accounting and strategic financial leadership. At Kalel, he oversees financial performance, risk management, compliance, and asset management, with deep expertise in LIHTC, Historic Tax Credits, and complex affordable housing financing structures.
KIM BROWN-HILL
Administrative Associate & Bookkeeper
Kim brings seasoned administrative and operational expertise to Kalel, with prior experience at Henry Street Settlement and Monadnock Development. She holds a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice and is a licensed Notary Public.
ADRIENNE WOLFF
Senior Development Associate
Adrienne’s expertise spans urban studies, real estate development, and operational leadership, all of which she brings to her work at Kalel. She is deeply passionate about affordable housing, public policy, and urban design.
NICHOLAS CALABRESE
Senior Development Associate
Nicholas brings over a decade of experience in real estate development across Chicago and New York City to his role at Kalel. He specializes in market analysis, financial projections, zoning, and development strategy. Nicholas was part of the founding team at Compass Real Estate of Chicago.
nOAH BRAENDEL
Senior Development Associate
Noah leads financing and project management for ground-up construction, drawing on prior experience managing design and redevelopment at major New York City properties including StuyTown-Peter Cooper Village. He holds MBAs in Real Estate from NYU and Finance from HEC Paris.
LUIS MIGUEL PIZANO
Senior Development Manager
Luis Miguel oversees Kalel’s active pipeline projects. With deep expertise across real estate development, asset management, architectural design, and business strategy, Luis has created complex deals including the $516M Manhattan Bundle NYCHA PACT recapitalization. He holds graduate degrees in Architecture and Real Estate Development from Columbia University.