Spiegelman named Allston Initiative director:

Associate Vice President for Planning and Real Estate Kathy Spiegelman has been named chief University planner and director of the Allston Initiative. Spiegelman will start in the new position Jan. 1, 2003. Spiegelman will report directly to Sally Zeckhauser, vice president for administration, and the position has close ties to the provost’s office as well.

Spiegelman has been vice president at Harvard Planning and Real Estate (HPRE) since 1995. In her new role, she will direct the planning and public approvals units currently located in HPRE and lead a new Allston Initiative Office.

Harvard will initiate a nationwide search for a new director of real estate, a search that will involve examining current and anticipated real estate needs and evaluating existing capacity and services. Together, these appointments and reformulated structures will enhance the University’s capability to plan and manage properties in a time of greatly increased real estate activity.

Spiegelman and her team will focus on Allston planning and development within the context of the university planning process across Harvard. This group will also continue to help the Schools and Departments meet local planning and regulatory needs.

Provost Steven E. Hyman commented, “Kathy’s appointment will enable us to devote more focused attention to Allston, where the University faces enormous challenges and opportunities. Success will require an extraordinary and concentrated effort, which Kathy’s appointment will make possible.”

“Under Spiegelman’s strong leadership,” said Zeckhauser, “HPRE has driven the Allston planning process; managed an increasing portfolio of commercial, institutional, and residential properties; greatly enhanced the University’s property information systems; negotiated numerous town/gown agreements and PILOT payments, most recently in Watertown; navigated complex regulatory and public approvals processes; and overseen large numbers of construction and renovation projects, including the new housing complex at One Western Avenue in Allston. Her 17 years of physical planning experience at Harvard, as well as her outstanding skills in creative community relations and team building, make her ideally suited to lead this complex and critical project.”

The property and project management units currently in HPRE will, with their new director, be responsible for developing new approaches to providing an exemplary array of real estate services to the schools and departments. Sara Oseasohn, current director of financial services/CFO for HPRE, has agreed to lead the new property and project management organization on an interim basis while the search for a permanent director is conducted.