South Florida Power Women

Avra Jain

CEO
The Vagabond Group

Avra Jain, a Purdue University industrial engineer graduate, has a reputation for developing projects around her favorite pursuits: art and architecture. The recipient of three Sundance Film Awards, Ms. Jain has directed boutique projects that range from converting a warehouse into luxury loft condominiums to the remake of The Vagabond Motel on Biscayne. She is a board member of the MiMo Biscayne Association.

Arden Karson

Founder
Karson & Co.

Arden Karson is the Founder and Managing Principal of Karson & Co, a real estate advisory, brokerage, and investment firm. Prior to her current role, Karson held senior leadership positions at CBRE and the Related Group Karson also partnered with private equity firm Barrow Street Capital and Advenir Real Estate. Earlier in her career, she worked at Lennar Corporation and Arvida/JMP Partners, where she focused on project management and operational roles across various asset classes and markets. Before entering the real estate industry, Karson worked as a commercial lender at Bank of America and at PwC. She received a BA in International Relations from Tufts University where she graduated summa cum laude and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School. Karson is a designated Financial Expert under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. She holds positions on multiple advisory boards and committees, including serving on the Board of Advisors, Audit, and Investment Committees for ECI Group. She also sits on the Advisory Board of the University of Miami Masters in Real Estate + Urbanism program, the South Florida/Caribbean Chapter of the Urban Land Institute as Treasurer and the Investment Committee of the Michigan Ross Real Estate Fund. Karson also served as a Board of Directors and Audit Committee member for Ashton Woods USA LLC and as an Executive Committee member of Friends of the Underline. Karson is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and events. She has received many community and industry leadership awards. She is also a mentor and active in the entrepreneurial ecosystem and is committed to advancing the next generation of business professionals. She believes in giving back to the community as evidenced by her active fundraising for the Sylvester Cancer Center. Karson is also the proud mother of three children and one grandson, who all live in New York City. When she is not busy with work or family, Arden enjoys traveling with her husband, exploring the local art scene, and hiking the National Parks and beach trails. She is also a foodie and loves dining at new and exciting restaurants.

Allie Hope

Chief Development Officer
Virgin Hotels

Allie is responsible for setting and implementing Virgin Hotels’ global growth strategy. Allie’s primary responsibilities include identifying properties in key markets, and structuring transactions that work for Virgin Hotels and our Owner/Developer partners. Prior to joining Virgin, Allie worked on acquisitions, dispositions and asset management at Sunstone Hotel Investors where she was on a team that completed over $1 billion of hotel transactions. Allie was previously a partner at HMR Analytics, a hospitality asset management firm based in California, and a consultant with PKF Consulting, one of the top advisory services firms in the hospitality industry. Other experiences include hotel operations with Interstate Hotels and Resorts and spa development at Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Allie is a graduate of Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration where she received the Dean’s Baccalaureate Service Award, is a guest lecturer at Cornell Hotel School Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship, Columbia University and NYU, was named Southern California Real Estate “Woman of Influence” in 2007, and is the co-chair of the Dean’s Young Advisory Board for Cornell Hotel School.

Alicia Cervera Lamadrid

Managing Partner, Principal
Cervera Real Estate

Leslie Miller Tomczak

Managing Partner
Akerman

Leslie Tomczak serves as managing partner of Akerman’s Fort Lauderdale office. She is a construction attorney, Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Construction Law, whose practice focuses primarily on the representation of lenders, developers, owners, landlords, contractors, subcontractors, architects and other design professionals, in a wide range of complex construction contract, project administration, lien, and construction litigation matters. Leslie is also a LEED® Accredited Professional who represents clients with respect to sustainable (e.g. "green") building issues. Leslie's notable projects include the representation of various clients involved in the development, leasing, design, and construction of shopping centers, mixed use high-rise buildings, hotels, resorts, apartment complexes, condominium buildings, stadiums, arenas, office buildings, houses of worship, cultural arts centers and facilities, airport projects, schools, hospitals, medical offices and campuses. Leslie has extensive experience in drafting and negotiating development agreements, construction contracts, design (engineering, architect, etc.) agreements, consulting agreements, design-build agreements, integrated project development agreements, requests for proposals, invitations to bid, and all of the various ancillary contract administration and project management agreements such as change orders, waivers and releases of lien, payment applications and affidavits, claims of lien and payment and performance bonds. Due Leslie's prior experience as a commercial leasing lawyer and member of Akerman's Retail Leasing and Development practice group, she also has specific experience with respect to the unique issues surrounding construction within leased/tenant occupied premises and the interplay between the key terms of the lease and those of the design, construction and loan documents. Additionally, Leslie has extensive litigation and alternative dispute resolution experience, is an active member of the Construction Law Committee (CLC) of the Florida Bar, and writes frequently on matters relating to construction contracting in Florida.

Maria Juncadella

Managing Principal
Fairchild Partners

Maria is Managing Principal of Fairchild Partners, one of South Florida’s top-rated commercial real estate firms, which she co-founded in 2005. As a real estate advisor, Maria specializes in the sale and leasing of commercial properties in Miami-Dade’s most active submarkets. Maria has spearheaded multimillion-dollar deals in office lease and sales transactions Doral, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, South Miami, and Kendall. CREW-Miami (Commercial Real Estate Women) has recognized Maria with an Outstanding Leadership Award (2016), a Star Award (2015), and an Outstanding Mover & Shaker Award (2014). Maria is on the Board of Governors of the commercial arm of the Miami Association of Realtors, having served as its 2016 President. Maria was 2012 President of CREW-Miami and has served on its board, and on national and chapter committees, in various leadership roles. Maria currently serves on the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami, where she is also co-chair of Women Building up Women, a Habitat initiative dedicated to constructing affordable homes for low-income single mothers and their families. She also serves on the Membership Committee of the University of Miami’s Citizens Board, a select group of business leaders who actively support the University’s philanthropic efforts and promote UM programs.

Jenni Morejon

CEO & President
Fort Lauderdale DDA

In 2016, Jenni Morejon was named President & CEO of the Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority (DDA), the first woman to lead the agency in its 54-year history. The DDA was created in 1965 by the Florida State Legislature to promote and sustain investment in Downtown Fort Lauderdale, now a growing urban center in the Southeast Florida metropolis of 6 million people. Jenni oversees the implementation of projects and programs that require close collaboration with federal, state and local governments and a diverse group of Downtown stakeholders. The agency’s broad scope of work spans from major capital projects to community enhancement programs. She is currently facilitating the development of a new federal courthouse and a new joint city/county government campus, while implementing streetscape beautification projects and public art installations that enhance mobility and improve the urban public realm. Prior to joining the DDA, Jenni served as director of the department of sustainable development for the City of Fort Lauderdale from 2014 to 2016. She led a 185-person team with a total budget of $30 million and was responsible for city planning, economic development, housing programs, code compliance and building permits. At the start of her tenure as Deputy Director in 2012 and then Director in 2014, Jenni managed the consolidation of five separate operating departments into one as part of a citywide reorganization. During this time, her Department processed a record number of site plan applications and building permits (26,000 permits in 2015 with a total job value of $1.7 Billion) while adopting major updates to the Florida Building Code and City Zoning Code. Jenni serves on the National Public-Private Partnerships Product Council for the Urban Land Institute (ULI), was chair of the Women’s Leadership Initiative committee for the ULI’s Southeast Florida/Caribbean District Council from 2017-2019 and sits on the ULI’s Management Committee. She’s served a member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce since 2015 and is currently the Chair of the Chamber’s Downtown Council. Jenni is a proud graduate of the Chamber’s Leadership Fort Lauderdale program in 2014 and Leadership Broward’s Women Leading Broward class three in 2016. Jenni grew up in South Florida before moving with her family to western Colorado as a teenager. She graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in Environmental Design and moved back to South Florida in 1999, starting her professional career with the City of Fort Lauderdale as an entry-level urban planner. She and her husband, Jose, live in Pompano Beach with their two sons, and spend most weekends on the ball fields, in their backyard with friends and neighbors, or cheering on their beloved and beleaguered local sports teams.

Suzanne Amaducci Adams

Partner
Bilzin Sumberg

Lissette Calderon

Principal & CEO
Neology Life Development Group

Lissette Calderon is founder and CEO of Neology Life Development Group, a lifestyle- driven residential and commercial real estate firm that specializes in the transformation of undervalued communities into sought-after neighborhoods. Calderon’s rapid rise in South Florida’s highly competitive real estate industry began with her ability to see the potential in overlooked waterfront land along the Miami River. In 2000, with the introduction of her pioneering and trend setting loft-style residential building NeoLofts, and her subsequent building concepts Neo Vertika and Wind by Neo, Calderon is credited with transforming the Miami River District into one of the city’s hippest, most sought-after neighborhoods. With her most recent flagship project on the Miami River, the 199-unit Pier 19 Residences & Marina, Calderon solidified her reputation as one of South Florida’s most visionary developers. Today, Calderon is spearheading the revival of another historic Miami neighborhood: Allapattah. Neology completed the 192-unit No. 17 Residences Allapattah in 2021 (nominated for a Structure Award by the South Florida Business Journal) and is breaking ground on two more residential projects nearby later this year. Neology’s portfolio consists of 1,200 apartments under ownership that have been recently built or under development in Miami’s urban core, with a pipeline of over 500 more units planned in South Florida and beyond, along with 1,500 condo units previously built and sold representing nearly $1 billion. A second-generation Cuban-American, Calderon was born and raised in Miami and earned a bachelor’s degree from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She launched her career in real estate at the Related Group, and later became the firm’s first female president, serving in that role from 2014 to 2016. She is involved in numerous community organizations including Amigos for Kids, a nonprofit organization serving the needs of South Florida’s abused, abandoned and neglected children. Most recently, Calderon was appointed to The University of Miami’s Master of Real Estate Development + Urbanism Advisory Board. She and her husband live in Coral Gables and have three daughters and three dogs.

Peggy Hogan Marker

President
Marker Construction

With over 30 years of experience in the construction industry, Peggy Hogan Marker serves as president of Marker Construction Group, a construction management and general contracting firm headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The firm, which she and her husband W. Grey Marker II founded in 2001, specializes in commercial, multi-family, condominiums, hospitality, health care, and very high-end residential construction throughout the state of Florida. Marker’s background includes ground-up development and construction, as well as lease negotiations for large shopping centers, mixed use/retail and apartment buildings. With her unique skill set, Marker offers an in-depth understanding of the construction industry, including the ability to schedule years out, and drive these schedules so all team members ― from multiple architects, engineers, consultants, construction manager, developer and a multitude of other trades ― work in synchronicity to complete the project on time and on budget. In addition, she is a part owner of her family’s real estate development companies. Headquartered in New York, these companies include commercial, multi-family and residential holdings throughout the states of New York and Florida. Marker’s awards include being named a 2019 Influential Business Women by South Florida Business Journal, which recognizes the top 25 most influential business women in South Florida. In addition, she is the recipient of the 2019 Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Mother’s Day award, which honors mothers who exemplify the qualities of outstanding parenthood; demonstrate exceptional leadership, vision and compassion while positively impacting the South Florida community; and present traits and accomplishments aligned with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies’ mission. Past awards include, South Florida Business Journals Up and Comers Award 2007, and Gold Coast Magazines 40 under 40 award. Marker is consistently featured as a construction industry expert in the Miami Herald and The Real Deal, and is frequently asked to appear live on Fox Business as a construction industry expert. Her professional affiliations include the Construction Association of South Florida, Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., Commercial Real Estate Development Association, Urban Land Institute, Commercial Real Estate Women Network, National Association of Women in Construction, National Association for Industrial and Office Parks and Latin Builders Association. Peggy Marker currently sits on the boards of PAWS South Florida Rescue (an organization within the Humane Society of Broward County), Cold Spring Harbor Fire Museum, and the Community Foundation of Broward. She is actively involved with Save the Children, and 4Kids of South Florida ― an organization serving foster children in Broward and Palm Beach Counties. She previously served as a board member for the Museum of Discovery and Science, Humane Society of Broward County, Heart Gallery of Broward County, and Save the Children Long Island Council. She was previously on the steering committee for the Holy Cross Dorothy Mangurian Comprehensive Women's Center capital campaign. Marker holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and English from the University of Vermont. She is married to W. Grey Marker II, who is CEO of Marker Construction Group. They have three children, and reside in Fort Lauderdale.

Teresa Kinney

CEO
Miami Association of Realtors

Teresa King Kinney, Chief Executive Officer of the Miami Association of Realtors for 25 years, has taken the association from 5,000 to over 50,000 total members, creating the largest local Realtor association in the U. S., which is larger than 43 state associations. Kinney developed the largest local International Real Estate Council and Annual Congress in the U.S., winning multiple national and international awards and the only association to have initiated partnerships with more than 174 international organizations throughout the world. The MIAMI association also operates one of the largest MLS systems in the nation and hosts one of the largest Realtors Commercial Alliances nationally with over 2,000 members, has seven offices and hosts 4,000 seminars a year. There are more than 100 leaders serving on the association’s six leadership boards. Kinney has represented the association and the Miami market through hundreds of presentations and exhibits at key real estate conferences nationally and internationally and has hosted dozens of inbound trade missions and programs.

Marti Mang

SVP, Lender
City National Bank

Marti Mang is senior vice president of corporate lending at Miami-based TotalBank, a $3.0 Billion community Bank, where she manages more than $150 Million assets. With more than 40 years of experience, she uses her creativity to provide innovative and customized financial solutions to her clients. Her commercial real estate experience includes financing of shopping centers, multi-family properties, hotels, industrial properties, as well as office buildings and her clients include owner/users, investors and local municipalities. Marti’s loan portfolio also includes asset based and other commercial lines of credit for a broad spectrum of clients. Marti loves working in a fast paced and challenging atmosphere and strives to deliver exceptional service to her clients. She considers herself to be a customer advocate. As an avid networker, she enjoys connecting people, and mentoring young people both inside and outside of her organization by helping them discover their strengths and building their self- confidence and leadership skills. Marti serves on the Board of Directors of CREW Miami, where she is a Past President and currently the Liaison for the local chapter and the CREW Network that has more than 10,000 members in 70 major markets. She is also on the Board of the Miami-Dade/Monroe County Chapter of CCIM. She has served on numerous other community boards including the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce OWIT, Sundari Foundation, Beta Gamma Sigma South Florida Alumni Chapter. Additionally, Marti is an active member of CIASF. Her business excellence and involvement have resulted in a number of awards including the Thelma Gibson Award of Excellence, the AXA Business Woman of the Year Award, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Organization of Women in International Trade for her service to that organization and overall community involvement. Marti obtained her BA in Mathematics from The Colorado College and her MBA from Georgia State University, where she was elected to Beta Gamma Sigma. For fun, Marti likes to travel and is an avid reader.

Enid Weisman

Mayor
City of Aventura

While Enid Weisman is best known for her current office as Mayor of Aventura, the loin’s share of her life’s work has been in public education. She began as a teacher, ascending the ranks of the Miami-Dade County Public School System to work as a Vice Principal and then Principal of large high schools. Weisman was the founding principal of Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School from 1997-2001. Weisman went on to undertake “major-league” positions in regional School District administration, including that of Region Superintendent from 2003-2009, in which she supervised 57 schools with over 50,000 students and oversaw construction of new schools and additions to existing schools valued at close to $400 million. Just before being elected Mayor, from 2012-2014, she held the position of Chief Human Capital Officer of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, in which she was responsible for 50,000- employees and where she conducted negotiations with five different labor unions. For her excellence in education Weisman has been honored by six different municipalities and has received numerous other awards, including State Master Teacher, Outstanding Social Studies Educator in the State of Florida, Administrator of the Year (twice), and Principal of the Year. Weisman’s passion for bettering our community and supporting diversity coupled with her strong beliefs against antisemitism resulted in her being honored by the Anti Defamation with its Community of Respect Award Her exceptional leadership abilities have also taken shape in her involvement with both the medical profession and the fine arts. To cultivate the relations between local communities and the Aventura Hospital and MedicalCenter she created an Ambassador Program comprised of volunteer liaisons. Weisman holds the distinction of being the first woman elected Chair of the Aventura Hospital and Medical Center Board of Trustees, a position she held since 2013. She remains a Board of Trustee member of the hospital today. Additionally she is Chair of the Executive Board of New World School of the Arts where she has been a member since 2008, and in 2012 she was honored as Champion of the Arts for her committed and enthusiastic support. More recently she was honored by the Dade County Commission for the Status of Women by receiving the prestigious Mayor’s Pioneer Award.

Alyce Robertson

Executive Director
Miami DDA

As executive director for the Miami Downtown Development Authority (DDA), Alyce M. Robertson directs the activities of the public organization and help drives its mission to make Downtown Miami the most livable urban center in the nation and strengthen its position as an international center for commerce, culture, and tourism. With more than 36 years of experience in local government, Ms. Robertson has been instrumental to the development and execution of projects countywide. The Miami DDA won awards in 2012 from the American Society for Public Administration, South Florida Chapter for Agency of the Year and in 2014 the Economic Development Award from Miami Association of Realtors.

Nancy Klock Corey

Regional Vice President
Coldwell Banker

Nancy Klock Corey, regional vice president of Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate’s Southeast Florida region, brings nearly 40 years of experience in nearly every aspect of the real estate business to her position. Corey oversees operations for 19 branch and satellite offices, supporting 1,700 affiliated agents. In addition to her role as regional vice president, Corey continues to help lead the company’s award-winning Miami Beach office. Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate is the No. 1 residential real estate brokerage in Florida. After graduating with honors from Hiram College in Hiram, Ohio, Corey began a remarkable real estate career as a receptionist for the Coral Gables office of The Klock Company Realtors, then owned by her parents and mentors, real estate icons Joe Klock, Sr. and Mary Dot Klock. Corey excelled in leadership positions within the company, gaining crucial experience and knowledge within relocation, referral and education programs, all of which she uses today to help agents build their book of business and drive productivity. When The Klock Company, with nine offices in three counties, merged with Coldwell Banker in 1983, establishing its presence in Florida, Corey launched the Property Management and Home Rental division, holding the position for 10 years while overseeing the brokerage’s acquisitions statewide. She grew the division to well over 1,000 properties and managed six profit centers around the state. Corey stepped into branch management at the company’s Kendall office in 1994. She successfully managed multiple branch offices before moving to the Miami Beach office in 2010, where she works closely with The Jills, the company’s No. 1 team in Florida. In 2019, Corey was named one of South Florida Business Journal’s Influential Business Women. The awards recognize the top 25 most influential business women in South Florida who have made unique contributions to the community and business world. She earned her LGBTRES (LGBT Real Estate Specialist) designation in 2008. She participated in the NRT Leadership Development Program in New Jersey in 2007. In addition, she is a Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager, ePro Certification and Real Estate Cyberspace Specialist, and participated in the 3-day ePower Group with international speaker, author and thought leader Michael Russer. She is a contributing editor for the Coral Gables Gazette and Pinecrest Tribune, Florida Realtor Magazine, and the Miami Herald; and contributed to the 2007 book “The Real World of Selling Real Estate.” She is a highly regarded motivational speaker, as well as a speaker on subjects such as management by objective, ethics, and discrimination. She has served as a panelist for the Public Forum on Tax Referendum in Miami-Dade County, and the Miami Herald State of the Market. Corey is married with five children. She is a past treasurer for the American Youth Soccer Organization, and former Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader.

Sandra Cardona

VP, Development & Capital Planning
Hersha Hospitality Trust

Born in New York City, Sandra Cardona’s passion for architecture and the urban landscape began at a young age. Her career has spanned over 20 years, across a broad range of disciplines from architecture, interior design and art into commercial real estate with a focus on hospitality design and project management. Since 2011, Ms. Cardona has led Hersha Hospitality Management’s Development and Capital Planning team in overseeing development, construction and complex renovation projects. Projects have varied from multiple, ground-up, high-rise branded hotels in NYC to complex multi-phase projects such as the 93-room tower addition at the Courtyard Miami Beach Oceanfront which most recently underwent a full redesign conversion to the Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, an Autograph Collection, and winning recipient of the 2019 Miami HD Design and People’s Choice Best Overall Hotel awards. Prior, Ms. Cardona has held positions as architect and designer at Gene Kaufman Architect, Richardson Sadeki Design Group and Datumzero Design Office. She received a Bachelor of Architecture from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY and began her training at the prestigious William B. Tabler architectural firm where she played a critical role in numerous landmark and ground-up NYC projects. In 2018 and 2019 Sandra was honored by Bisnow as one of South Florida’s Power Women in Commercial Real Estate.

Wendy Kallergis

President & CEO
Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association

Lori Hartglass

Partner
Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr

Lori Hartglass is a partner at Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr, a national law firm with 400 attorneys and 16 offices across the US. In her position in the firm’s Fort Lauderdale office, Ms. Hartglass has successfully climbed the ranks in the legal profession and has become an influential advocate for more women in commercial real estate. Ms. Hartglass is a key member of the legal team behind the American Dream Mall Miami project being planned in western Miami-Dade County. As lead counsel for the nation’s largest mixed-use retail, entertainment, amusement, recreation and hotel complex, she has been tasked with assembling the land and putting together a winning team of lawyers to get the project approved by the Miami-Dade County Commission. As a result of her leadership, the $4 billion development was approved in May 2018 despite strong opposition from interest groups. Ms. Hartglass’ client, Triple Five, is now on schedule to commence construction of one of the biggest entertainment and retail destinations in the US in coming years. Prior to joining Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr in 2012, Ms. Hartglass served as in-house counsel for a major developer of luxury condo high-rises and mixed-use developments. More importantly, Ms. Hartglass is founding president of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Fort Lauderdale/Boca Raton Chapter. CREW is a national organization with a mentoring program that has helped educate college women in real estate-focused coursework about the opportunities available to them in their respective markets. Ms. Hartglass is also past president of the CREW Miami chapter. In 2014, Ms. Hartglass received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the current CREW Fort Lauderdale/Boca Raton chapter. Additionally, the chapter created the honorary Hartglass Visionary Award in 2009, which was awarded to a member who performed outstanding services to the organization.

Iris Escarra

Shareholder
Greenberg Traurig

Iris Escarrá is Co-Chair of Greenberg Traurig’s Land Use Practice and a deeply experienced attorney in zoning and land use law. Located in the firm’s Miami office, Iris regularly represents property owners and developers in large development projects valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars. With her counsel, dozens of high-profile commercial, mixed-use, and residential projects have been completed throughout Miami over the past two decades. A Florida Bar Board Certified Specialist in city, county, and local government law, Iris guides clients through the municipal zoning and land use process to seek approvals for some of South Florida’s largest and most complex projects. She routinely helps clients obtain full entitlements for development, including navigating subdivision, zoning, and other applicable development regulations. She also assists in procuring government contracts and conducts due diligence to assess a property’s development potential. Her clients include many of South Florida’s largest developers, who appreciate her creative and pragmatic approach to their complex legal matters. Clients frequently praise Iris for her ability to leverage her wide-ranging knowledge of zoning and land use law to help bring their development projects to fruition.

Jessica Browdy

Founder & President
J. Kelly Advisors

Jessica is an experienced design and construction Executive with a demonstrated history of working in the design and construction industry. Skilled in project planning, budgeting & value engineering, design management, construction management, and project completion. Strong project Executive Management professional with 2 years of architecture experience, 9 years of commercial construction experience at one of the country's largest construction firms, and 3 years of project management experience. She holds a degree in Architecture (B.Arch.) graduating magna cum laude.

Mindy Szarowicz

Director - Business Development
Baker Concrete Construction

Mindy Szarowicz joined Baker Concrete Construction in 2008 and is the Director of Business Development for Baker’s South Florida office. She is responsible for developing and managing client relationships, as well as planning and executing strategic sales and marketing initiatives. Mindy was a dual major at Nova Southeastern University where she earned her Bachelor degrees in Business Administration and Environmental Science. In 2012, she received her Masters in Business Administration from the University of Florida. She is a member of multiple organizations and is on the Urban Land Institute’s Florida Product Council for Hospitality and Recreational Development, is a Board Member of the Construction Executives Association and was the first female to serve as President of the Construction Association of South Florida (CASF) from June 2017-2018 and is currently on the Executive Board of Directors for the association. Mindy was also named one of the Top 100 Outstanding Women of Broward County in 2017.

Amanda Hertzler

Executive Managing Director & Director of Design
MKDA

As executive managing director and director of design at MKDA, a Miami architecture and interior design studio, Amanda Hertzler, NCIDQ, leads an innovative design studio that produces spaces unmatched in creativity yet rooted in the business of real estate. Since establishing the studio in 2013, Amanda has been a trusted advisor on investment and development opportunities to major real estate owners and their agents, including East End Capital, Brickman, Goldman Properties, RedSky, The Safra Family, The Gindi Family and Metro1, among others. She helps owners define opportunities and possibilities in areas under transformation—such as the Design District, Downtown Miami and Wynwood Arts District, where she was invited to sit on the Board of the Wynwood Design & Review Committee. She also assists owners and their agents with marketing, leasing, design and build-out. This work includes: Wynwood Park, the adaptive-reuse of a full city block in Wynwood into 50,000-SF of retail space and 20,000-SF of green rooftop space on behalf of the Gindi Family 2407 NW 2nd Avenue, the adaptive-reuse of a Wynwood art gallery into two floors of retail and outdoor space on behalf of owner Redsky. 2509 N. Miami Avenue, the adaptive-reuse of a former Wynwood printing warehouse into a three-story office and retail building on behalf of co-developers Link Real Estate and Jameson Equities. 100 Biscayne, the repositioning of 100 Biscayne Blvd., formally New World Tower, in Downtown Miami on behalf of East End Capital. The MKDA upgrades include an amenity space, conference and fitness center, common corridors, bathrooms and prebuilt spaces. 80 NE 40th Street, the adaptive reuse of a dated Design District retail showroom into a 6,000-SF premier retail destination on behalf of Century Realty. Under Amanda’s leadership, the studio has also completed work on Douglas Entrance, La Puerta del Sol, Brickell City Tower, Courthouse Tower and 200 Southeast First. She is additionally leading the design of a Wynwood hotel, and has undertaken hospitality assignments in Miami and the Caribbean, where the firm is nearing completion on Spanish Court Hotel Resort, a $12.5 million, 120,000-SF redevelopment. Amanda is committed to being on the leading edge of design trends and the use of advanced technology, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and 3D virtual reality, but it is her design vision—designing for the desired behavior of a space as well as functionality—that serves her clients well. In addition, she utilizes her marketing background to hone in on her clients’ strategic marketing positions to create branded environments alongside logos and signage to provide a cohesive image. This integrated approach has aided Amanda in the design of many successful workplaces for brands that include Creative Artists Agency, SproutLoud, DLD Lawyers, Ink Global, Retail Outsource, Bayview Loan Services, Burr and Forman, VUMI, Liberty Power, Fanatics, Banyan Street Capital, and Offizina, a 16-story, ground-up office condo in Coral Gables. Amanda has been named a 2019 South Florida Business Journal Most Influential Woman, 2018 Bisnow South Florida Power Woman and 2017 South Florida Business Journal 40 Under 40 Honoree. She has also secured a place for MKDA as one of South Florida Business Journal’s 2017 Best Places to Work. She earned a Masters in Interior Design at New York’s prestigious Pratt Institute School of Art and Design after studying design and architecture in Paris, France at the Université de Sorbonne. Prior to joining MKDA, she worked for large, world-renowned architecture firms and was an owner of her own successful design studio. Lastly, Amanda spent many years as an adjunct professor at Miami International University of Art & Design, teaching coursework that includes a variety of creative design studio and technology classes. She was also a former Committee Chair of UCREW, a subcommittee of CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women), a group that holds University programs to foster interest in commercial real estate and related fields as career choices.

Beth Azor

Owner
Azor Advisory Services

Affectionately known as ‘The Canvassing Queen™’ Beth Azor is the founder and CEO of Azor Advisory Services (AAS), a leading commercial real estate advisory and investment firm based in Weston, Florida. As its principal, Beth currently owns and manages six shopping centers in Florida valued at over $100 million. She travels the U.S. consulting with, brokering deals for and training associates in the commercial real estate industry. A partial list of Beth’s clients includes Phillips Edison & Co., Brixmor Properties, The Shopping Center Group, Urban Edge Development and DLC Management Group. Prior to founding AAS in 2004, Beth was the President of Terranova Florida’s largest 3rd party asset manager. Beth also has over thirty years of experience in managing, developing, redeveloping and teaching commercial real estate leasing agents all over the country. She wrote two books detailing her experience in the real estate world and her secret sauce for success. Don’t Say No for the Prospect was published in 2019 followed up by The Retail Leasing Playbook in 2020. Beth was named a Retail Influencer by Real Estate Forum/Globe Street and received a Real Estate Award from South Florida Business & Wealth in 2021, and was named a South Florida Power Women by Bisnow in 2019. She co-founded the South Florida Independent Retailer Awards held annually in Broward County. A graduate of FSU, Beth is a former Foundation Trustee and is past Chairwoman of the Board, and Founder of the FSU Real Estate Foundation. Beth is a past President of the Board of Directors of HOPE Outreach Center in Davie, Florida and co-founder of 100+ Women Who Care in South Florida. She resides in Davie with her two boys, Alex and Mario.

Dana Goldman

City Commissioner
Sunny Isles Beach

Dana Goldman is Of Counsel to Shutts & Bowen LLP’s Miami Office, where she is a member of the Real Estate Department. She represents national and regional homebuilders, handling matters relating to the development of their condominiums and planned development communities. Ms. Goldman also holds a real estate broker license and a mortgage loan originator license, which allows her better access to real estate and finance opportunities in the market for her clients. In addition to her legal experience, Ms. Goldman has extensive prior experience as a business owner and operator. Ms. Goldman is a full-time resident of Sunny Isles Beach, Florida and has extensive ties to this community. Born and raised in Miami Beach, she grew up amid the family’s business, Pumpernik’s Restaurant, a virtual historic landmark. She graduated from Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale and went on to distinguish herself with an A.B. from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, magna cum laude with High Honors in History, before obtaining her J.D. from George Washington University in Washington, DC. Since returning to South Florida in 1994, Ms. Goldman has been actively involved in the community as a contributing member of various organizations, civic boards and associations including the Miami Coalition of Christians and Jews (MCCJ), Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) – Miami, the Miami Association of Realtors, and the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar, Condominium & Planned Development Committee. Most recently, she has served as Chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee for the City of Sunny Isles Beach, Florida where she has been involved in various initiatives, including social media, electronic signage, and the “Condominium Workshop Series” in partnership with the City. Ms. Goldman is married to Michael Gates and has a daughter, Julia. Ms. Goldman enjoys power-walks, travel, politics and people.

Vanessa Grout

CEO
Aman Property

An accomplished real estate executive, Vanessa Grout has over two decades of expertise in the real estate market. Vanessa is Head of Global Residences and Club for Aman, the world’s preeminent hotel group, as well as CEO of Aman Property, the exclusive residential sales and marketing company of Aman Residences. Within her roles, Vanessa oversees various aspects of global development and sales for Aman, including 15 branded residential developments in 10 countries, plus a short-term pipeline of a further 21 projects globally. Notable current projects within Vanessa’s remit at Aman include Aman New York, located within the iconic Crown Building, which was recently completed and Aman Miami Beach (2026) which is currently undergoing construction and designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma. The wider pipeline includes an array of urban properties, reflecting the strategic vision of the company to offer the tranquillity of the Aman experience in dynamic city settings. These include, Aman Residences Tokyo (2023), Aman Nai Lert Bangkok (2024), and Aman Beverly Hills (2027). Additionally, resort destinations with Aman Residences will include Amanvari (Mexico, 2025), Aman Niseko (Japan, 2026), and Amanzoe (Greece). Prior to joining Aman (from 2014 to 2020), Vanessa was President of CMC Real Estate, and successfully developed Brickell Flatiron, a 1 million square foot residential and retail condominium development in the center of Miami’s downtown district. Vanessa also previously served as Executive Vice President of New Valley and CEO of its subsidiary Florida real estate brokerage, Douglas Elliman (from 2007 to 2013). During her tenure, Douglas Elliman grew from a single office with a handful of agents to a powerful national presence. Vanessa is deeply committed to contributing her time and financial resources to charitable organizations that promote the health and well-being of South Florida’s citizens as well as the economic growth of the region. She is an advisory board member of University of Miami’s School of Architecture and Real Estate Development, FIU College of Architecture and The Arts, as well as a mentor for The Women of Tomorrow.

Meg Daly

Founder & President
Friends of The Underline

Meg Daly is founder and president of Friends of The Underline, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization leading the initiative to transform the underutilized land below Miami's Metrorail into a 10-mile, urban trail and linear park. A 30-year sales and marketing veteran, Meg owned First Media Direct, a breakthrough target marketing company catering to the broadcast television industry. She has also held executive marketing and management positions in the public relations, advertising, technology, and real estate industries. Meg has a BA in English from Vanderbilt University and has served on a number of philanthropic boards. She is also chairperson of the Coral Gables Cultural Affairs Board and a member of the Bike305 Executive Committee. For her love of community and desire to serve others, she was recently named one of Miami's Angels by the Miami Herald.

Barbara Liberatore Black

Managing Director
JLL

Barbara Liberatore Black is a Managing Director of JLL since December 2015. Prior to joining JLL Brokerage, Barbara was one of four Founding Partners of Cresa nationally. Barbara began this career in 1980, specializing in tenant representation and handling the real estate needs of tenants. During her career, Barbara has completed office lease transactions totaling more than 10 million square feet. Barbara is an expert in law firm transactions having represented over 60 law firm transactions; recent transactions include Shutts & Bowen which was the largest downtown office lease in South Florida and Gray Robinson for 35,000 RSF. Recently she handled US Century Bank for 40,000 RSF and is currently representing Modernizing Medicine, CHG, Marsh, Weiss Serota, to name a few. She has also been the exclusive representative for many financial institutions, corporations and Not-For-Profit organizations.

Annette Taddeo

Senator
State of Florida

Jodi Macken

Director
Macken Companies

Jodi Macken serves as Director of Macken Companies, a vertically integrated firm with real estate investment, development, construction, financing and brokerage entities. Over the course of 30 years, Macken Companies has been instrumental in the repositioning and revitalization of neighborhoods throughout South Florida. As a fully integrated firm, Macken Companies’ affiliate entities—VCM Builders, Macken Realty, SFCS, Sefran, G&A Strategic and MTV Investments—work in tandem to offer clients complete residential and commercial real estate solutions.www.mackencompanies.com. As Director, Jodi plays an integral role in new construction sales and marketing for Macken Companies’ residential and commercial projects, working hand-in-hand with the firm’s development team. Recent notable projects include the successful development and sellout of Parallel 1 and Parallel 2 Townhome communities in Downtown Fort Lauderdale as well as the new Beach House single-family home development in Dolphin Isles. All three projects wererecently recognized at the City of Fort Lauderdale Community Appearance Awards and also set new benchmarks for the highest price per square foot in their respective neighborhoods. In addition, Jodi also serves as Director of Macken Realty, thefirm’s affiliate real estate brokerage, comprising approximately 160 agents in two South Florida offices, where she oversees the firm’s dynamic international and robust REO divisions. As a leading luxury real estate agent, Jodi concentrates her efforts on high-end luxury residential properties and maintains a diverse portfolio of high-profile clientele that include professional athletes, celebrities, and Fortune 500 executives. With clients including Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Cash Money Records, and NFL players Brandon Marshall and Mark Ingram, her commitment to providing exceptional service is unparalleled.

Nicole Shiman

SVP – Regional Lead, Florida Region
EDENS

Nicole Shiman is Senior Vice President of Investments, leading our Florida portfolio and office. She brings extensive experience in acquisitions and dispositions, as well as portfolio oversight and management, to the investment team. Nicole previously served as Vice President at Miami-based 13th Floor Investments, where she was responsible for leading acquisition initiatives, new business procurement and capitalization efforts. She was actively involved in the ongoing oversight, development, management and disposition of 13th Floor’s and its affiliates’ real estate portfolios. Prior to her work with 13th Floor, Nicole spent many years with The Boston Consulting Group in their Toronto, New York and Miami offices. Nicole graduated from The Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and received her Master’s in Business Administration from Harvard Business School. Nicole sits on the ULI Southeast Florida/ Caribbean Advisory Board, she serves as a Board Member for The University of Miami School of Law LLM program, and serves as a founding Board Member of the Wynwood Yard, a culinary incubator and community space located in Wynwood, Florida.