Neisen Kasdin received his Bachelor of Arts at Northwestern University, and his law degree at the University of Florida. He is an attorney specializing in Land Use and public incentives for development and is Chairman of the Land Use Practice Group at Akerman Senterfitt, in Miami, Florida. Among the projects he has recently worked on are, Midtown Miami, Gulfstream Village, and the expansion and redevelopment of the Eden Roc, Saxony (Cipriani) and former Doral Beach Hotel. He is a member of the board of Directors of the City of Miami Downtown Development Authority, and South Florida Regional Transportation Authority and served as Past Chairman of The Beacon Council, Miami-Dade County's economic development organization and past chairman of the Southeast Florida and Caribbean District Council of the Urban Land Institute. He is Chair of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce's New World Center Committee. He served as City of Miami Beach Commissioner from 1991 – 1997 and as Mayor from 1997 to 2001. He also served on the Boards of numerous civic and governmental organizations, including the City of Miami Beach Planning Board, the Miami-Dade County Performing Arts Center Trust, and as member of the Metropolitan Planning Organization for Miami-Dade County.

During his tenure as a member of the City's Planning Board, as Chairman of the Miami Beach Community Development Corporation and as an elected official, Neisen took a leadership role in redrafting the City's land development regulations, the creation and expansion of the City of Miami Beach's historic districts and the revitalization of South Beach. He also oversaw the creation and implementation of successful public/private projects which extended the City's remarkable revitalization, including the Loews Hotel and Ballet Valet parking garage and retail shops.

Neisen also led the City in creating or expanding facilities for the Bass Museum of Art, Miami City Ballet, New World Symphony and other cultural organizations and in establishing a Cultural Arts Council and endowment for the arts. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the New World Symphony and the Wolfsonian Institute/Florida International University. He was instrumental in bringing Art Basel to Miami Beach.

Neisen has been honored as Elected Official of the Year by the Dade Cultural Alliance, as Outstanding Public Official in the Field of Redevelopment by the Florida Re-Development Association and Florida Main Street Conference, and as recipient of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award. He also received the first Governmental Leadership award presented by the American Institute of Architects, Miami Chapter and numerous other awards and citations. Neisen frequently speaks for the Urban Land Institute and other organizations on land use, urban revitalization and development and has authored many articles on the subjects.