Joanna Frank

Joanna Frank is the Founding President & CEO of the Center for Active Design (CfAD), where she advances design and development practices to foster healthy and engaged communities. CfAD is the operator of Fitwel, a unique certification system originally developed by the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Fitwel has translated the global public health evidence base into practical design and operational strategies for buildings and communities to optimize health. Prior to launching CfAD in 2013, Ms. Frank worked for the City of New York during the Bloomberg Administration, where her positions included Director of Active Design and Director of the NYC FRESH program. Ms. Frank's career started in real estate development as a partner at Bright City Development, LLC where she was responsible for mixed-use residential projects that prioritized sustainable design. She is a member of the Urban Land Institute's Affordable/Workforce Housing Council and the National Council of State Housing Agencies’ Advisory Group on Financing Healthier Affordable Housing, as well as an active partner in ULI's Building Healthy Places initiative. Ms. Frank was named in the 2021 Commercial Observer Power 100 which recognizes the 100 most influential real estate professionals in the United States.