Minnesota Icons 2025: Stuart Ackerberg, Ackerberg

Stuart Ackerberg is owner and chief executive officer of Ackerberg, a real estate development company. He serves on the governance committee for Ackerberg, setting strategic direction for the company and executing annual goals.

Ackerberg created Catalyst Community Partners, a nonprofit development corporation where he serves as chairman of the board. The 501(c)3 corporation is a social venture organization focused on creating prosperity for underperforming communities through real estate redevelopment with job enterprise creation as the primary objective.

Ackerberg is an active member of the Urban Land Institute, serving as an international governing trustee. In 2018, he served as chairman of ULI’s global Open Space Awards and in 2017 as juror for the ULI Global Awards of Excellence.

He serves as 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. He serves as a director of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation and the Jewish Family and Children’s Services.

Prior to forming Ackerberg, he served as general partner, president and chief operating officer for Birtcher Financial Services and was vice president for Heitman Financial Services, Ltd.

Ackerberg attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he received a bachelor of science degree with emphasis on economics and real estate.

His approach to development emphasizes workforce housing, low-income housing and solutions for the unhoused population. He advocates for welcoming new people into Minnesota and supporting those interested in trade schools. Through his nonprofit work with organizations including the Urban Land Institute and the University of St. Thomas Real Estate Board, Ackerberg focuses on creating thriving communities through commerce and real estate development.

Ackerberg’s career reflects sustained leadership in real estate development, commitment to community revitalization and dedication to creating economic opportunity through strategic property development.