Marc Norman is the founder of consulting firm Ideas and Action, the Larry & Klara Silverstein Chair in Real Estate Development & Investment, and Associate Dean of the Schack Institute of Real Estate at the NYU. Trained as an urban planner, he has worked in the field of community development and finance for over 25 years. Previous to his current positions, he has held leadership positions at University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business as Faculty Director of the Weiser Center for Real Estate, Duvernay+Brooks, LLC as Managing Director, Deutsche Bank as Vice President in the Community Development Finance Group and led Upstate, A Center for Design, Research and Real Estate at Syracuse University. Norman has worked collaboratively to develop or finance over 2,000 units totaling more than $400 million in total development costs.

Norman works nationwide with cities, for profit and non-profit projects related to economics, wealth building and equitable development. He also engages in numerous public service and academic service activities. Since 1994, he has served as a board member for numerous non-profit, governmental and community organizations addressing issues of affordable housing and design, currently serving on the boards of New York City's Housing Development Corporation, the Governor's Island Trust and the Center for Architecture.  Formerly he served on the boards of MASS Design Group, CAMBA Housing Ventures, and served as Chair for the Federal Reserve’s Community Advisory Council.