Mark Wallace

Board Member

Mark Wallace brings deep expertise in real estate development and nonprofit leadership to the Lower Town Riverfront Conservancy Board.

During his successful career with Hines Interests LP, Mark led more than $100 million in leasing transactions and managed two major development projects valued at over $350 million each. He later served for a decade as President and CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, the nonprofit organization established in 2003 to transform Detroit’s international waterfront through public-private partnerships.

Under his leadership, the Detroit Riverfront expanded dramatically, becoming a nationally recognized destination that welcomes more than 3 million visitors annually. The Riverwalk earned distinction as “Best Riverwalk in the USA” for three consecutive years, 2021, 2022, and 2023.

In 2014, Mark founded Wallace Detroit Guitars, a company that crafts guitars from reclaimed wood sourced from historic Detroit buildings, blending preservation, sustainability, and craftsmanship.

Mark was selected by the Detroit Regional Chamber as one of 10 regional leaders to attend the Young American Leaders Program at Harvard Business School. He was named a “40 Under 40” honoree by Crain’s Detroit Business in 2010 and was recognized as Michiganian of the Year by The Detroit News in 2017.

Mark earned his bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and his master’s degree from the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan. He grew up in Hillsdale and Chelsea and currently resides in Detroit’s Indian Village neighborhood.