about rooted
Creating rootedness – and building lasting relationships – is especially difficult in a place challenged by transience, emptying downtown offices, and an affordability crisis. However, the roots of the DC community run deep. We found our own sense of rootedness here, are raising our families here, and are personally invested in DC’s future.
Based in Washington, D.C.
We invest in communities where we have personal history + direct connection.
Our core values drive every project we undertake, as we deliver more equitable and sustainable environments.
BOLD
We create bold and inspiring places through collaboration with community leaders, economic developers, investors, builders, and community members. We create new solutions to complex challenges.
CONNECTED
We bring people together to deepen connections that generate energy and vibrancy in our communities and the places we invest in.
INTENTIONAL
We make decisions and investments purposefully to ensure we fulfill the Rooted Communities mission. We develop places to fulfill our vision for transforming communities and we evaluate every choice through this human-centric lens.
AUTHENTIC
We lead with integrity and honesty. We create places that are intentional and represent distinct history, culture, and possibility.
We reflect our values and cherish the needs of members who live in the spaces we create.
RESPONSIBLE
We responsibly create a positive impact on our communities, supporting diversity in industry, combating forced labor, and minimizing possible environmental effects on surrounding neighbors and properties.
REGENERATIVE
We regenerate places rather than tearing down. We build responsibly upon existing foundations, invest in community assets, minimize our footprint, and bring new spaces to life.
John Means
I believe in the future of cities as the place where people can most greatly thrive.
about the founder
I believe people thriving together in rooted places have the power to transform our local communities, cities, and ultimately, the world. I am committed to leveraging real estate to catalyze sustainable, inclusive growth and promote productivity, inclusivity, wellness, and sustainability across communities.
With more than 20 years’ experience as a real estate development executive, professional engineer, and general contractor, I have led all aspects of property investment, development, and operations while participating in more than $200B in developments and more than 500M square feet of portfolio space across asset classes on six continents.
As a Partner and leader of McKinsey & Company’s real estate practice, I led complex, mixed-use programs from economic strategy through development and designed digital solutions to improve tenant experience and streamline property operations.
As a construction project leader at Skanska and a professional engineer (PE), I have overseen management and fieldwork to construct complex mixed-use, housing, life science, healthcare, academic, and civic buildings.
I have served on the leadership teams of a number of community organizations including on the Leadership Council for Miriam’s Kitchen, as an Elected Trustee for the National Building Museum, on the founding team of the Greater Washington Partnerships, and on the Advisory Board for the Global Parliament of Mayors.
Building on years of commitment to investing in communities, I founded Rooted Communities to ensure that investments drive economic, social and environmental outcomes, and most importantly, belonging for generations to come.
meet rebecca
I moved to DC in 2007 and fell in love with this incredible city. I have a lifelong commitment to ending homelessness and housing justice, and I am personally committed to hyperlocal and car-free living, supporting local social entrepreneurs, public education, and responsible consumption.
I have catalyzed systemic, transformative change to better honor people and the planet as the founder of a DC-based social enterprise, ESG adviser, labor and employment lawyer, policy leader, and advocate.
I love creating thoughtful, transformational, and win-win partnerships that span the public, private, and social sectors. A former labor and employment lawyer for the federal government, I deeply care about ensuring people are treated well across all projects, partnerships, and supply chains. I am especially passionate about eradicating forced labor in supply chains, and I recently organized and led a federal congressional briefing on this and related topics.
I am highly involved in my local community, including serving on the Board of Directors of Miriam’s Kitchen. I also serve as the Vice President for Community Building for the PTA of our local public elementary school, support Sharing DC through the Greater Washington Community Foundation, and I am an advocate in the Safe Streets movement. I previously ran a DC-based nonprofit focused on homelessness, hunger, and hospitality, which included a transitional and emergency shelter as well as high-quality meals created using reclaimed food in partnership with DC Central Kitchen.
I have led ESG and partnership creation for two decades and I am thrilled to bring my background improving supporting social and environmental impact to Rooted Communities, ensuring deep integration with our mission in all that we do.
Rebecca Ballard
I create win-win partnerships across the public, private, and social sectors.
