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Meet the team

Stuart Ackerberg

Stuart Ackerberg

Mr. Ackerberg is the owner and serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Ackerberg. Stu serves on the Governance Committee for Ackerberg, setting strategic direction for the company and executing annual goals.

In addition to his work at Ackerberg, Stuart created a non-profit development corporation, Catalyst Community Partners, wherein he serves as its Chairman of the Board. Catalyst Community Partners, a 501(c)3 corporation, is a social venture organization focused on creating prosperity for underperforming communities through real estate redevelopment with job enterprise creation being the primary objective.

Stu is an active member of the Urban Land Institute (“ULI”), serving as an international Governing Trustee. In 2018 Stuart served as the chairman of the ULI’s global Open Space Awards and in 2017 he served as juror for the ULI Global Awards of Excellence.

Stuart is an advisory board member for the College of Design at the University of Minnesota and is a member of the Real Estate Advisors for the University of Minnesota Foundation. In addition, he serves as a director of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation and the Jewish Family and Children’s Services.

Stu was recognized as one of the “100 People To Know In 2019” by Twin Cities Business. In 2014, as one of Minnesota Business Magazine’s The (Real) Power 50. In 2013, he was recognized as one of Minnesota Monthly’s 75 Most Influential Minnesotans. In addition, in 2012 he was named, an Inaugural, Progress Minnesota Honoree by Finance & Commerce. In 2009, Stuart received the Community Effort Award and the Charles Nelson Award of Excellence from the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota and in 2008 he was honored as the Inaugural E.J. Plesko Distinguished Speaker Series in Real Estate Development from the James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate, University of Wisconsin.

Prior to forming Ackerberg, Stu served as General Partner, President and Chief Operating Officer for Birtcher Financial Services, and was Vice President for Heitman Financial Services, Ltd.

Stuart attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison where he received a Bachelor of Science degree with emphasis on Economics and Real Estate.

Jackie Knight

Jackie Knight

Jackie is the President for Ackerberg. She provides oversight for the Commercial Services division, overseeing the Property Management, Maintenance, Construction Management, and Administrative Services teams. Jackie plays an active role in new development activity as the operational liaison, and directs the development and implementation of programs and strategies for the department. Her focus is on transitioning new properties into the portfolio, maximizing property cash flow, and tenant and customer satisfaction.

Prior to joining Ackerberg in 2011, Jackie worked on behalf of Madison Marquette Realty Services, Northmarq Real Estate Services, and Jones Lang LaSalle, holding positions in property management, operations management, marketing, specialty leasing, and tenant coordination.

In addition to being honored as a top “Woman in Business” by the Minneapolis St Paul Business Journal in 2013, Jackie holds her CDP designation (Certified Development Design and Construction Professional) through ICSC, her CPM designation (Certified Property Manager) through IREM, and her LEED GA designation through USGBC.

Jackie is an active member in multiple professional and neighborhood groups; this includes serving on the Boards of the Lake Street Council and Uptown Special Service District as well as the City of Minneapolis Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Jackie is also active in numerous commercial real estate associations, including ICSC, MSCA, and IREM, the USGBC, as well as the Uptown Association locally.

In addition, Jackie is committed to supporting local schools and non-profits. She has been a very active volunteer tutor with both Minneapolis and St. Louis Park Public Schools, as well as with the Minnesota High School Cycling League. Within Ackerberg, she spearheads the firm’s expanding involvement in community service and has engaged staff in volunteer & fundraising projects to support several local organizations.

Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behaviors. Keep your behaviors positive because your behaviors become your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny.

Mahatma Gandhi