I. Lanre Ajakaiye

Idrees “Lanre” Ajakaiye (lanreajakaiye.com) is a force of innovation and impact. Featured in MSN, The Boston Globe, and AfroTech, he is a transformative real estate developer, social entrepreneur, and technology strategist whose work bridges community revitalization, economic mobility, and emerging AI. A first-generation American raised in Providence, Rhode Island, Lanre’s journey reflects resilience, vision, and achievement against all odds.

Lanre is the visionary behind The Green District PVD (thegreendistrictpvd.com), a pioneering $125M+ smart district and mixed-use redevelopment transforming Providence’s Olneyville corridor after more than 60 years of disinvestment. His development model integrates housing, innovation hubs, AI-enabled infrastructure, vertical agriculture, and inclusive economic ecosystems. As the first developer in New England to secure SEC Regulation Crowdfunding approval for a real estate project, he democratized ownership—bringing more than 188 community investors directly into the revitalization process.

A builder of platforms as well as places, Lanre is the creator of PeakPlus.ai and co-founder of Newsly.global, leveraging AI to advance literacy, learning, and adoption. He is the author of Build to Win and AI Unlocked and the originator of the A.I.H.O.® frameworks (Artificial Intelligence with Human Oversight / Optimization), guiding organizations in adopting AI responsibly and effectively.

Lanre’s leadership foundation was forged at MetLife, where he ranked Top 2 in the nation for sales and advanced into leadership overseeing growth, lead generation, up-sell/cross-sell strategy, and retention across 2,500 associates. His operational oversight spanned five domestic locations and international sites in Costa Rica, El Salvador, and the Philippines, driving enterprise-scale performance and transformation.

He has since secured $48M+ in capital, led multimillion-dollar growth portfolios, and built high-impact regional initiatives including the RISE Women’s Leadership Conference and large-scale community events serving more than 6,200 people.

Lanre is a sought-after speaker known for delivering clarity, energy, and actionable insights on the future of cities, community wealth building, AI transformation, and the human side of innovation."

KEYNOTE TOPICS

• The Future of Cities: How AI, Real Estate & Community Wealth Building Will Redefine Urban America
• Democratizing Development: How Regulation Crowdfunding Will Reshape Real Estate & Community Ownership
• From Underserved to Unstoppable: Building Impact-Driven Ventures That Transform Communities
• The Human Side of Innovation: Leadership, Resilience & Vision in a Transforming World