Dr. Gina Merritt is an award-winning real estate developer, social innovator, and community development leader with more than two decades of experience advancing equitable, community-centered development. She is the Founder and Principal of Northern Real Estate Urban Ventures, LLC (NREUV), a real estate development and advisory firm specializing in complex, public‑private and mission-driven real estate projects. Over the course of her career, Dr. Merritt has been involved in more than 7,500 units of housing in various stages of development, overseeing entitlements, capital structuring, financing, design, and construction execution.

Dr. Merritt is recognized for her expertise in managing large-scale development projects with sophisticated financing and ownership structures. Her professional background includes underwriting more than $4 billion in real estate transactions across asset classes such as mixed-use developments, multifamily housing, condominiums, single-family housing, and public-private partnerships. Through NREUV, she is currently managing over $500 million in development activity and advisory engagements nationwide.

In recent years, Dr. Merritt has led and completed several high-impact projects that underscore her commitment to neighborhood revitalization and inclusive growth. She successfully completed Ninety‑Four Ten Hough, a 116‑unit affordable housing development located in the historic Hough neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio, delivering quality housing while honoring the cultural legacy of the community. In Washington, DC, NREUV, lead developer, was selected redevelop the Deanwood Metro Station, a transformative transit‑oriented development project that will bring new housing, economic opportunity, and community-serving uses to Ward 7.

Dr. Merritt’s work has been widely recognized for its vision and impact. She is the recipient of the Visionary Award from the FAMICOS Foundation, honoring her leadership in community development and her innovative approach to connecting real estate, workforce development, and economic empowerment.