leadership team

Rooted in a commitment to community and inspired by the potential of place, the Metropolis Pointe leadership team brings together deep expertise in real estate, architecture & design, and innovation. Guided by a shared vision of inclusive growth, they lead prioritizing partnerships, sustainability, and long-term value creation and impact.

  • CEO | GRIFFIN VENTURE GROUP, LLC

    JC Griffin, Sr. is the founder, Managing Principal and Chief Executive Officer of Griffin Venture Group, LLC,—a private alternative asset manager with interests in digital infrastructure, aerospace and real estate investment throughout U.S. emerging markets, as well as Latin America and the Caribbean.

    A Chicago native and notable commercial real estate executive, Mr. Griffin is acknowledged for building high-performing teams, delivering comprehensive effective communication and developing innovative, market-driven strategies in capital structuring and economic development initiatives.

    Mr. Griffin is a U.S. Air Force trained mobility aviator and Iraq War combat veteran who brings a strategic, mission-driven perspective to real estate development and investment management. With over a decade of intergovernmental experience across local, state and federal levels, he offers deep insight into capital markets, infrastructure and regulatory environments. His background includes leadership roles in aviation, government administration, U.S. domestic rail freight and urban real estate—positioning him as a valuable leader in identifying and advancing high-impact, cross-sector investment opportunities.

  • Managing Director | WIGHT & CO.

    Jim Mark is the Managing Director of Private Markets and Chief Strategy Officer at Wight & Company, where he leads executive strategy for private sector projects and drives business development across civic, commercial, corporate, education and transportation markets.

    Mr. Mark is a visionary design executive known for delivering high-performing, investment-grade assets that align with client goals and community needs. Prior to joining Wight & Company, he led the Central region as North America Practice Leader at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. An accomplished architect, his portfolio includes numerous LEED-certified and award-winning projects, including the LEED Platinum Chinatown Branch of the Chicago Public Library. Mr. Mark also serves on several civic and nonprofit boards, including The Friends of the Chicago River, the Chinese American Service League, the Will County Center for Economic Development, and the DuPage Foundation.

  • CEO | KIN & COMMONS STRATEGY GROUP

    Kristina Francis is the founder and CEO of Kin & Commons Strategy Group—a multifaceted consulting group reimagining how families, communities, and institutions thrive—together. Prior to the founding of Kin & Commons, Mrs. Francis served as the Executive Director of JFFLabs, where she led innovation initiatives across advisory, acceleration, data, and investing to bridge traditional systems with emerging disruptors—advancing equitable economic mobility for all.

    With over 20 years of experience in corporate operations and entrepreneurship, Kristina brings deep expertise in management consulting, business development, software integration, and impact investing. She has held leadership roles at EsteemLogic, Booz Allen Hamilton, SAIC, General Dynamics, and the American Institutes for Research, where she managed portfolios ranging from $10 million to $80 million and led growth, team development, and cross-sector innovation.