About
A Single Standard
At Dabar, we are guided by a simple but deeply held belief: everyone deserves thoughtful, well-crafted places to live. Quality should never be contingent on income, and the classification of a project should never define the standard of care behind it. Whether market-rate or affordable, every development is shaped with the same discipline, accountability, and commitment to creating homes that serve the people who live in them.
We approach real estate as a long-term commitment to the neighborhoods we help shape, the people who call them home, and the communities that grow around them.
This approach is embedded in our development process, from early planning through delivery. Each project is managed with consistent scrutiny, balancing capital structure, design integrity, and long-term durability.
This approach is embedded in our development process, from early planning through delivery. Each project is managed with consistent scrutiny, balancing capital structure, design integrity, and long-term durability.
Founder story
The Founder’s Path
Dabar was founded by Dawanna Williams following a career in top-tier commercial real estate law. Her transition into development brings a unique blend of financial acumen, transaction expertise, and strategic execution to housing and community-serving developments.
Who we Are
Our Team
Our team brings together decades of experience across real estate development, finance, law, and public-private partnerships. Together, we share a long-term commitment to the places we shape and the people they serve.
Dawanna Williams
Founder & Managing Principal
Dawanna Williams is the Founder and Managing Principal of Dabar Development Partners,
a real estate development firm focused on creating transformative housing and mixed-use communities.
Drawing on more than two decades of experience across real estate, finance, development, and business leadership, she has built Dabar into a nationally active development company with completed projects in New York City, Philadelphia, and Atlanta.
a real estate development firm focused on creating transformative housing and mixed-use communities.
Drawing on more than two decades of experience across real estate, finance, development, and business leadership, she has built Dabar into a nationally active development company with completed projects in New York City, Philadelphia, and Atlanta.
Before founding Dabar, Dawanna spent ten years at a prominent international law firm, where she advised developers, financial institutions, private equity firms, and investment funds on complex real estate transactions exceeding $10 billion in aggregate value.
She serves on the boards of public and private companies, as well as leading cultural and civic institutions. Dawanna holds degrees from Smith College, the Harvard Kennedy School, and the University of Maryland School of Law.
She serves on the boards of public and private companies, as well as leading cultural and civic institutions. Dawanna holds degrees from Smith College, the Harvard Kennedy School, and the University of Maryland School of Law.
Matt Lynch
Director of Development, Design & Construction
Brittany Rivera
Director of Operations
Terence Ambida
Director, Project Manager
Naveena Subrati
Associate Director, Operations
John De Guzman
Associate Director, Accounting
