Jolena Presti is a managing director with Baker Tilly’s public sector advisory practice. She has been with Baker Tilly since 2019 and is a practice leader in public sector advisory focused on community solutions in consulting for community growth, strategy and development initiatives around revitalization. Jolena has more than 25 years of experience in the development and advancement of innovative strategies in redevelopment, community and economic development, housing, and program and funding solutions for clients nationwide.
- Develops and advances innovative economic development strategic plans and action strategies for economic development, redevelopment, public-private partnerships (P3) and long-term planning initiatives
- Performs financial analysis of economic development strategies, P3s and development initiatives to optimize available project financing options
- Advises on complex project implementation strategies focused on advancing client growth initiatives across various land uses including mixed use districts, housing, manufacturing and downtown areas, often engaging P3 and multi-partner initiatives
- Develops and implements layered funding strategies including incentives, grants, tax programs and private funding programs that impact client’s growth initiatives
- Provides application and feasibility reviews for federal and state tax credit, financing, and funding programs, including HUD, CDBG, tax increment financing (TIF) strategies and projections and consults on redevelopment and TIF agreements
- Formerly worked as a principal and firm geography leader in economic development and redevelopment-focused urban planning and economic development planning and P3 initiatives consulting to public sector and not-for-profit agencies
- Harbor District, Inc. Milwaukee, Wisconsin, board member
- Fox Point Bayside Educational Foundation, board member
- Industrial Asset Management Council (IAMC)
- MidAmerica Economic Development Council (MAEDC)
- Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA)
- Certified Urban Planner (AICP), American Institute of Certified Planners
- American Planning Association (APA), National and Wisconsin Chapters
