Jon Ippel is the Executive Director of Amplify GR, a Purpose Built Community. Amplify GR seeks to widen pathways to generational prosperity through holistic community development in southeast Grand Rapids, Michigan. Under Mr. Ippel’s leadership, Amplify GR is leading more than $250 million of neighborhood-endorsed investments contributing to:

- 600+ new or rehabilitated mixed-income housing units,
- 500+ new jobs,
- 50+ BIPOC-owned businesses,
- and community facilities that include an early learning center, health clinic, a multi-tenant community center, and more than 3 acres of new urban green space.

Prior to Amplify GR, Mr. Ippel served as the assistant to the city manager in Orlando, Florida facilitating more than $1 billion in redevelopment and infrastructure-related projects. He is a graduate of University of Michigan (Master of Urban Planning) and Calvin University (Bachelor in psychology), and experience in a variety of tax credit programs (LIHTC, NMTC and ITC), opportunity zones, performance bonds, philanthropic patient investment, and program related investments.

Mr. Ippel is actively involved in several working groups with Purpose Built Communities, PNC’s Community Advisory Council for the West Michigan region, the City of Grand Rapids Community Energy Taskforce, and mostly proudly serves as the assistant coach for the Grand Rapids Pacers Prep wheelchair basketball team.