Jennifer Horne is a visionary real estate developer and strategist whose work sits at the intersection of urban transformation, community equity, and sustainability. As CEO and Founding Partner of Urban Campus & Core, a Nashville-based real estate development and advisory firm, she is redefining how inclusive development is planned, financed, and delivered in America’s rapidly evolving urban centers.

I’m currently focused on building AI systems into our operations and explore more prop tech solutions, especially in the early phases of development. From site selection to community engagement and project feasibility, I see huge potential for technology to enhance how we work, make decisions, and deliver impact. It’s an exciting learning curve, but one that aligns with my commitment to innovation and creating more accessible, efficient development models.

With more than two decades of experience in development operations and business intelligence across global real estate platforms, Jennifer brings a rare blend of analytical rigor, place-based empathy, and creative foresight to her work. Her firm’s projects—including the 87-unit Monroe Park development in North Nashville—are designed not just to house people, but to anchor community, support intergenerational mobility, and preserve cultural legacy.

A lifelong learner and innovator, Jennifer is currently exploring how AI and proptech can enhance site selection, community engagement, and feasibility planning—particularly in early-stage development. “Technology,” she notes, “can help us deliver smarter, more equitable outcomes—faster and at scale.”

Her leadership philosophy is grounded in the ethos:

“Leave things better than you found them. Even if you can’t solve every challenge, push closer to a solution if you have the means and capacity.”

Jennifer holds an executive sustainability certification from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, as well as undergraduate and graduate degrees in organizational leadership from Vanderbilt University, with a focus on corporate social responsibility.

She has earned recognition for her thought leadership and commitment to impact-driven development from organizations such as:

• ULI Nashville
• Urban League of Middle Tennessee
• The Housing Solutions Collaborative

Jennifer credits her deep commitment to excellence and place-making to leaders like Sheila Johnson, whose evolution from BET co-founder to luxury resort developer inspires her to build spaces that reflect culture, connection, and belonging. “She didn’t just build resorts—she invested in stories, spaces, and legacies,” Jennifer reflects. “That’s the kind of impact I want to create in every community we touch.”

For younger professionals following in her footsteps, her message is clear:

“Trust your instincts and protect your vision. The world will try to shrink you. Don’t let it. Your difference is your strength.”

Jennifer continues to mentor rising leaders, drive institutional partnerships, and advance a model of real estate rooted in dignity, innovation, and long-term community wealth.