CREATING POSITIVE RACE AND WEALTH EQUITY OUTCOMES IN NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
Aequo Fund
Ernst Valery
Mr. Valery is President and a Managing Member of SAA | EVI and founder and president of Ernst Valery Investments Corp. (EVI), a private, minority-owned real estate investment firm established in 2001.
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Mr. Valery has extensive experience in affordable and market rate housing development and investment, including providing due diligence capabilities and extensive skills in budget planning, design development, marketing, and the supervision and guidance of contractors, architects and engineers.
He is responsible for the securing and structuring of financing, including expertise in securing Historic and New Markets tax credits. Mr. Valery has successfully invested in and developed real estate in Maryland; Washington, D.C.; Pennsylvania; Virginia; California; and New York. For the past 20 years, he has been involved with development projects ranging from mixed-use, multi-tenant rental properties, single-family renovations and condominium conversions.
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Mr. Valery is also active in social entrepreneurship and volunteer work, including a collaboration with a team of professionals and graduates from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Community Innovators Lab (MIT CoLab) and Oxfam UK to address housing finance needs in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, as well as efforts at incubating businesses around the world that help alleviate poverty and increase the earning potential of low-income individuals, families, and communities.
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Mr. Valery graduated from Columbia University’s Master of Science program in Real Estate Development. He also obtained a Master’s Degree in Policy Analysis and Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban and Regional Planning with a concentration in International Relations, both from Cornell University. Ernst is also a Mel King Community Fellow at MITs CoLab.
David Alexander
Mr. David Alexander is Vice President and a Co-Managing Member of SAA | EVI and shares overall responsibility for the day-to-day operations and execution of SAA | EVI projects and relationships, as well as working to guide future business opportunities for SAA | EVI.
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Mr. Alexander brings diversified experience in real estate development to SAA | EVI, including finance, land acquisition, sourcing of equity and debt, as well as construction management and administration. He has completed the development of projects with over $750 million in total value encompassing both affordable and market rate projects in New York City; Miami, FL; Boston, MA; Baltimore, MD; Philadelphia, PA; and his hometown, Buffalo, NY. Additionally, Mr. Alexander worked in real estate private equity at Real Estate Capital Partners, New York City, where he worked on financing joint venture partnerships to develop residential condominiums and apartments throughout the United States.
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David graduated from Columbia University’s Master of Science Program in Real Estate Development in 2004. He also obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Boston University in 1997, graduating Magna Cum Laude.
Kathy J. Christian
As Chief Operating Officer of the Aequo Fund, Kathy is responsible for deploying funds to approved projects, tracking progress, and supporting people of color and women developers in underserved neighborhoods. Her leadership is pivotal in fostering a collaborative ecosystem of mission-driven developers committed to sustainable and inclusive growth.
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Kathy brings a wealth of experience and strategic acumen to the Aequo Fund leadership team. A native New Yorker with Caribbean Island roots, she has a robust background in financial management and community development. At AXA, she spent 20 years managing multi-million-dollar budgets, leading financial analysis, and overseeing large-scale financial offering projects (private placement memorandums), honing her skills in fiscal responsibility and operational excellence.
Her career took a decisive turn in 2016 when she served as Chief of Staff to a Baltimore City Councilmember. In this role, Kathy developed legislative agendas, managed district budgets, and fostered partnerships with community organizations. This political experience complemented her financial expertise, enabling her to drive impactful policy and community engagement initiatives.
In 2020, Kathy became the Executive Director of the Midway Community Development Corporation (CDC) in Baltimore, MD. There, she led initiatives focused on racial equity and economic justice, securing funding, and implementing revitalization initiatives in East Baltimore. Her strategic vision and ability to foster partnerships resulted in successful affordable housing projects and improved quality of life for residents.
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Currently, as Chief Operating Officer of the Aequo Fund, Kathy is responsible for deploying funds to approved projects, tracking progress, and supporting people of color and women developers in underserved neighborhoods. Her leadership is pivotal in fostering a collaborative ecosystem of mission-driven developers committed to sustainable and inclusive growth.
Giving access to black, brown, women, and immigrant developers so they can help shape our cities and neighborhoods.
Who We Are
Ernst Valery Investments Corp. (EVI) is a Private Real Estate Investment Firm
Established in 2001 and incorporated in 2004 (NY), we exist for the purpose of investing in select underserved and undervalued key emerging domestic real estate markets, defined as urban transitional areas with high residential and retail demand.
EVI Continues to Expand Its Focus Toward Strategic Relationships
Since formation, EVI has expanded its focus to include investing in small business development, particularly that which is women and minority owned. EVI has strategic relationships with a network of seasoned local developers and small business owners who work in emerging markets in
Our Affiliates
Solid Financial Returns
EVI is committed to investing in local developers and small business owners that strive to achieve strong economic returns with mitigated risk. We seek forward commitments from lenders to establish clear exits upon stabilization. By utilizing state and federal government subsidies, such as affordable housing tax credits, new market tax credits and historic tax credits, costs are reduced for a greater return on equity.
Supporting Communities
EVI is committed to building healthy, stable communities that are characterized by multi-income, multi-ethnic, and multi-generational populations. We seek developers and small business owners committed to the same focus. By revitalizing urban transitional neighborhoods experiencing high residential and retail demand, EVI seeks to replace vacant properties with affordable and work-force housing, local businesses and a new sense of place.
Sustainability
EVI is committed to working with developers and business owners with a focus toward environmental responsibility and sustainability. EVI invests in affordable and market rate built to suit green housing developments and employs historic tax credits and adaptive reuse techniques, recycling obsolete assets for their highest and best use and preserving the historic fabric of the urban core.