Great projects don’t happen overnight, and they don’t happen alone. That’s something this business teaches you quickly. I didn’t set out to land in real estate development. I started on the financial side, working in investments, before going back to graduate school in Chicago and shifting full-time into real estate. Early in my career, I was focused on high-rise office buildings, but like many in this industry, the 2008 recession changed the trajectory. It pushed me deeper into development, into details, problem-solving, and ultimately, the part of the business I enjoy most.
That path eventually brought me back to Milwaukee and, not long after, into a project that would shape a lot of what came next: the development of 833 E. Michigan. That’s where I first met the Catalyst team.
At the time, Catalyst was a pre-tenant in the building. What started as a typical developer–tenant relationship quickly evolved. I began working with Catalyst on multiple tenant buildouts within the building, and over time, that working relationship turned into something much more meaningful.
From Shared Projects to Shared Vision
In the years that followed, that relationship evolved into the foundation for something greater. After leaving my role in development, Matt Burrow and I started talking more seriously about collaboration. Matt has always had a strong instinct for development, big picture thinking, relationships, and identifying opportunity. My experience leans more into the day-to-day development process, so together, it’s been a natural complement.
In 2019, we formed Catalyst Partners as a development arm of Catalyst Construction. In 2022, we combined that with Three Leaf Development, founded by Pat Connaughton, to create what is now Three Leaf Partners.
Today, we’re focused primarily on multifamily housing, with projects across the Midwest and more than $700 million in development completed or underway in just a few years.
But what’s just as important as the growth is how we’ve grown, and who we’ve grown with.
A Partnership That’s Built, Not Assumed
There is sometimes a perception that, because of Matt’s involvement in both organizations, Three Leaf automatically partners with Catalyst on every project. But that’s not how it works.
We choose partners the same way any developer should, based on fit, expertise, and what’s best for the project. There have been times where Catalyst wasn’t the right partner for a specific job, but more often than not, we find ourselves working together, and there’s a reason for that: trust.
I’ve known Matt and Adam for over a decade. While we don’t always agree, that diversity of perspective ultimately strengthens our work. The difference is how those disagreements are handled. There’s a level of honesty and respect that allows us to have real conversations, solve problems, and move forward without compromising the relationship. That’s not always the norm in this industry.
What Sets Catalyst Apart
Fundamentally, Catalyst is set apart by its unwavering commitment to ownership and accountability. In construction, things don’t always go perfectly. That’s just reality. What matters is how a partner responds when something doesn’t go according to plan. I’ve seen situations where many contractors would push responsibility elsewhere or issue a change order and move on. Catalyst doesn’t operate that way. What sets Catalyst apart is how they handle problems. In this business, things go wrong. The difference is whether a partner deflects responsibility or owns it. Catalyst consistently chooses ownership, even when it’s not the easiest or most profitable path.
There’s a level of passion across the Catalyst team that stands out. Their people treat every project like it’s their own. Whether it’s responding to an issue over the weekend or working through a design challenge early in the process, there’s a shared commitment to getting it right.
Why Early Collaboration Matters
One of the biggest advantages of our partnership is how early we bring Catalyst into the process. The worst-case scenario in development is designing a project in a vacuum, only to find out later that it doesn’t align with construction realities or budget constraints. That leads to redesigns, delays, and unnecessary costs. Instead, we make it a priority to collaborate early. We sit down early and ask the tough questions: Does it make sense to build? Where can we create efficiencies? How do we protect the vision while staying on budget?
That early alignment saves time, reduces waste, and ultimately leads to a better end product.
A Project That Says It All
A recent project in downtown Wauwatosa, Vista Village, captures what this collaboration looks like in action. From the beginning, we knew it was a high-profile site in a community that cares deeply about development. The first public meeting had more than 170 people in attendance, most of them skeptical of what we were proposing. We listened to the feedback, and we adjusted.
We came back with a plan that reflected community input while still meeting the goals of the project. By the final meeting, the room had gone from standing-room-only opposition to near silence, and ultimately, approval.
That doesn’t happen without collaboration, between developer, builder, community, and stakeholders. Catalyst was a key part of that process from day one.
The Bigger Picture: Impact Through Real Estate
At Three Leaf, we talk a lot about “impact through real estate.” Yes, we’re a for-profit business. We have investors, and we have to deliver returns. But if that’s the only goal, you’re missing the bigger picture. Every project has a ripple effect:
- It brings new residents into a community
- It supports local businesses
- It creates jobs
- It shapes how people live and interact
The best projects balance financial success with community impact, and that requires the right partners.
Final Thoughts
Development is a long game. Projects can take years to move from concept to completion. Along the way, there will be challenges, disagreements, and unexpected obstacles.
That’s why partnership matters.
With Catalyst, it’s not about one project or one transaction. It’s about building something that lasts, relationships, communities, and a pipeline of work that continues to grow because it’s built on trust, collaboration, and doing the right thing. It’s not the easiest way to do business, but it’s the only way that sustains real partnerships and lasting impact.
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