Since 1983, Conway has worked for GBREB to advocate for public policy on many real estate issues, including affordable housing, home ownership opportunities, fair housing, property taxes and environmental and public health regulations. She has worked as a consultant on real estate projects including a recent national study of brownfields redevelopment and finance. Before joining GBREB, she worked at the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency. She began her career in housing and real estate development in New York City where she worked in the administration of Mayor John V. Lindsay.

Shanahan led many legislative and political battles including the 1994 ballot campaign eliminating rent control and the successful 2002 bid to prevent its re-imposition in Boston. He also created the GBREB Political Action Committee to promote his members' interests. Before joining GBREB, Shanahan served Boston Mayor Kevin White as a deputy director of management and budget.

Living Cities coordinates the investments by national foundations, financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, and the federal government in community development in inner city neighborhoods. In this decade, Living Cities is committed to invest $500 million in many cities across the country, including Boston.