Nicole Robbins
Director of housing and real estate development
Martin Luther King Drive Economic Development Corp.
Age: 37
Hometown: Brown Deer
Education: Bachelor’s in business administration from Marquette University; Juris Doctor from University of Wisconsin Law School; Associates in Commercial Real Estate program certification.
Previous position: Court commissioner for Milwaukee County Circuit Court.
How has your experience prepared you?
“I have a myriad of different types of experience within the real estate industry, so that was one of the reasons I was previously asked to serve on the board for MLKEDC. I also have a pretty extensive background in human resources management, so all these things melded together. I previously provided pro bono services to the organization when it came to different real estate needs or negotiations.”
What drew you to the role?
“It really was a fluid transition for me because I had worked before as a board member. What really attracted me is it’s a multidisciplinary role. You’re dealing with the transactional side of things, as well as the people side of things, as we get more involved in community organizing at a grassroots level.”
Challenges you’re looking forward to?
“Our new initiative is called MLK Village, where we’re working closely with the neighborhood association, which is headed by Betty Speed. We’re working with her and her group to get more involvement from community members, whether that’s residents in our developments or commercial tenants. We’ve been hosting meet and greets and we’ve been working with Safe & Sound to decrease crime in the area.”
Favorite thing about Milwaukee?
“A lot of what I enjoy doing is centered around the creative arts. A lot of times I’ll catch a show at the Marcus Center. I also love the art museum and the Milwaukee Public Museum.”
