2026

Leonard Allen-Smith is the Founder and CEO of Allen Smith Equities, LLC, a real estate development and advisory firm. With a deep focus on the New York market, Leonard has executed redevelopment projects, including gut renovations, vertical enlargements, and adaptive use conversions. He oversees acquisitions, development, management, and capital formation for the firm. In addition to his development work, Leonard advises real estate firms on integrating artificial intelligence and automation into their operations, helping them enhance efficiency, decision-making, and deal execution through emerging technologies. Leonard’s prior experience includes serving as Managing Partner at East Chop Capital, where he managed real estate funds focused on the short-term vacation rental market. Earlier in his career, Leonard worked at KPMG providing tax compliance services for real estate funds and REITs. Leonard is a Certified Public Accountant and earned both his MBA and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Hampton University. He is also a graduate of the inaugural Master in Real Estate program at Harvard University.

Jay Norris is a serial tech entrepreneur and visionary founder of Guesst, focused on applying AI to how businesses capture, manage, and convert customer demand. He is also the Founder of ThoughtPartnr and Glocial, where he builds practical AI systems that translate advanced models into tools that drive revenue, improve customer engagement, and increase operational efficiency. Norris works directly with operators across restaurants, retail, real estate, and service businesses—integrating AI into everyday workflows to optimize demand, conversion, and client management. Through Jay Norris & Co., he operates across advisory, venture building, and implementation, bridging strategy with execution. He serves as Co-Founder and Board Member of StartUp Westport, sits on the board of the New York Urban League, and is Chairman of the Technology and Innovation Council at the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. His focus is simple: making AI practical and revenue-generating at the operator level. His broader mission is to train one million SMBs by 2028 in applied AI.

Alexander Mango, PE is Head of Operations at Dextall, where he helps lead the delivery of prefabricated exterior wall systems across preconstruction, design coordination, logistics, and installation. His work focuses on making façade delivery more predictable by connecting technical design decisions with manufacturing constraints, site logistics, constructability, and field quality. Before joining Dextall, he spent nearly a decade at SOCOTEC advising project teams on façade systems, code compliance, delegated design, and building envelope performance for mid- and high-rise projects. He is a licensed professional engineer in New York and New Jersey and holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Columbia University.

Laurence Golan is the Founder & CEO of GSH DEVELOPMENT LLC, leading innovation in advanced manufacturing, automation, building systems, and next-generation construction technologies. Laurence is an international businesswoman, serial entrepreneur, inventor, and manufacturing executive with more than 25 years of experience in engineering, R&D, advanced manufacturing, and global supply chain operations. Multi-lingual (6 fluent languages) and holding dual citizenship, Laurence has built and managed international operations across multiple countries, specializing in delivering integrated smart building solutions that combine AI, software engineering, CAD design, and advanced systems implemented in construction processes. . An inventor with multiple patent filings, Laurence has pioneered intelligent Light Gauge Steel (LGS) and smart building technologies designed to transform the construction industry through faster delivery, precision engineering, lower labor dependency, and major cost savings. Through GSH DEVELOPMENT, she has built a vertically integrated model that provide a turn-key solution by combining: •Advanced CAD design & engineering •AI-driven software solutions •Automated manufacturing systems •Global supply chain implementation •Smart steel building technology •Turnkey construction solutions GSH Development GSH Development founder and CEO Laurence Golan is an innovator in advanced construction technology, smart building system manufacturing, and integrated development solutions. With more than 25 years of experience in manufacturing, engineering, global supply chain, and automation, Laurence has positioned GSH Development at the forefront of the smart building revolution. Under her leadership, GSH Development operates as a direct manufacturer of advanced Light Gauge Steel (LGS) smart building systems for residential and commercial projects. By combining proprietary engineering software, automation, and prefabricated steel technologies, Laurence has developed a construction approach focused on speed, precision, sustainability, and cost efficiency. Her patented and proprietary systems are engineered for long-term structural strength, high accuracy, and optimized construction performance. All core components are prefabricated in-house to ensure superior quality control, reduce material waste, minimize on-site labor, and accelerate project timelines compared to traditional construction methods. Laurence is recognized for bringing innovative manufacturing intelligence into the construction industry through AI-driven engineering, advanced fabrication systems, and scalable smart building solutions designed to address modern housing and commercial development challenges worldwide. Her vision focuses on solving some of the construction industry’s biggest challenges, including affordable housing, construction speed, labor shortages, waste reduction, and project cost optimization.