Area of Expertise
Roderick A. Hardamon (“Rod”), a Detroit native, is the CEO & Chief Strategist of URGE. URGE is a real estate advisory, development, and investment platform that focuses on systemic change in urban communities through creative place keeping and placemaking. URGE has driven over $300M in investment to date. Mr. Hardamon leverages almost three decades of experience in real estate, strategy, business innovation, mergers and acquisitions, talent management, fundraising, capital markets and operational transformation to support each organizational opportunity.
He is also the Co-founder & Managing Director for the EBIARA Fund, URGE Group’s investment platform. EBIARA, is a first of its kind fund that provides growth capital and advisory services to support the scalability of underrepresented founders of development firms. Launched Juneteenth 2022, EBIARA has invested in portfolio companies stimulating over $255M of development in Detroit. EBIARA is currently transitioning into phase two which features a $100M national fund with a dedicated focus on expanding opportunities for development firms in selected cities across the country.
At the forefront of all of his work, is innovation, collective participation, sustainable impact and systemic change that integrates and honors all stakeholders in an equitable manner.
Formerly, Rod was the North America Head for Citi Alternative Investment Services with over $300B in AUA and the Global Co-Head of Mergers & Acquisition for Citi Markets & Banking.
Throughout his banking career, Rod led over $100B in transactions and managed global businesses across 7 countries leading over 3,000 professionals. Utilizing his various experiences,
Mr. Hardamon, has served on two public SPAC boards across technology and mobility industries.
Rod is an accomplished author, whose book, Trying to Get There: Navigating Your Success, is a guide to all those on the road to success. Mr. Hardamon has been invited to speak at Harvard Business School, the University of Michigan, Morehouse College, and numerous other institutions and civic organizations. Rod spends considerable time volunteering Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan (Board Chair), The Council of Urban Professionals (Retired Board Chair), Friends of African and African American Art for the DIA – Detroit Institute of Arts (Auxiliary Board Chair), Detroit Developer Roundtable (steering committee), READ – Real Estate Association of Developers (Executive Committee ) and with many schools and organizations.
Rod is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Morehouse College. He is joined in life by his wife, Dr. Kaili Hardamon and their children Roderick Jr. (RJ) and Ella Monroe.
