Registration Questions

Call: 202-684-2034
Email: eventregistration@bisnow.com

Request Speaker Information

Speaker Topics

Tell us a Little More

Event Host

Lakeside Village Expo Center

Lakeside Village Expo Center

Immerse yourself in the exhilarating fusion of innovation, education, and nature at the Lakeside Expo Center, where educational brilliance intersects with environmental harmony. The Lakeside Expo Center takes pride in its flexible indoor and outdoor spaces, thoughtfully designed to foster dynamic engagement.

RECOGNIZING WOMEN LEADERS IN MIAMI COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

Bisnow is excited to bring back our  Women Leading Real Estate (WLRE) in Miami event. Our WLRE initiative honors top-level executives and industry leaders who shape commercial real estate, and brings awareness to the importance of improving the diversity of our industry, particularly when it comes to hiring and promoting women.  

Women still make up a fraction of C-suite positions in our industry. Companies that are leading the way on this front are not only breaking the glass ceiling but also offering the support needed to bring more women into the industry and help them progress and succeed. 

The core purpose of this award program is to enhance the growth of women in commercial real estate and promote industry diversity more generally. Together with our sponsors, partners, and attendees, we aim to promote the importance of the employment of and development of viable career paths for women in CRE. This event will provide education, networking, and resources for professional development. 

Speakers and Panels

PANEL 1: Breaking Barriers

Miami's Female Real Estate Leaders

Hope Dmuchowski

Hope Dmuchowski

CFO

First Horizon

Arden Karson

Arden Karson

Founder

Karson & Co.

Caroline Donaghue

Caroline Donaghue

Director

V1

Vivian de las Cuevas-Diaz
Moderator

Vivian de las Cuevas-Diaz

Partner, Deputy Section Leader

Holland & Knight - National

Hope Dmuchowski

CFO

First Horizon

Hope Dmuchowski is senior executive vice president and chief financial officer for First Horizon

Corporation. She has responsibility for accounting, treasury, financial planning & analysis, line of

business finance, corporate development and investor relations. In addition to her financial

management responsibilities, she also has responsibility for corporate properties, sourcing and

procurement.

Dmuchowski has over 20 years of experience in banking and brings a wealth of finance, accounting and

merger expertise, having served in several key roles running integrated business and economic models,

budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, regulatory reporting and operations. Prior to joining First

Horizon in 2021, Dmuchowski worked at Truist and the predecessor bank BB&T in numerous roles,

including head of financial planning and analysis and management reporting, chief financial officer of

corporate banking, commercial banking and corporate groups, chief financial officer group director as

well as chief financial and operating officer of enterprise operations services. Dmuchowski began her

banking career in the Leadership Development program for the sales and trading division of Deutsche

Bank.

Dmuchowski has a passion for serving her community and is an avid volunteer in every city where she

has lived. She currently serves on the non-profit boards for the National Salvation Army, where she is

the treasurer, 4Word, and the Baptist Hospital Foundation.

Dmuchowski holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Science degree in Business

Management both from Saint Elizabeth University, as well as a Women in Leadership certification from

Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business.

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, KarsAon 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.

Caroline Donaghue

Director

V1

Caroline Donaghue has over 20 years’ experience in the sector, specialising in international luxury real estate marketing. Based in London, UK, she is a Director at V1 Architectural Visualisation, working with some of the best real estate developers globally to bring projects to life through compelling CGIs, visualization and immersive environments. Caroline has launched and co-hosts The Real Rendezvous Podcast, where she delves into the true stories behind the leaders, influencers and personalities within property, luxury and lifestyle. Additionally, she is involved as a judge at the International Property Awards, which reviews the best real estate projects from across the world.

Vivian de las Cuevas-Diaz

Moderator

Holland & Knight - National

Vivian de las Cuevas-Diaz is an attorney in Holland & Knight's Miami office and serves as the firmwide deputy section leader of the Real Estate Section, assisting in managing the firm's nationwide real estate practice.

Ms. de las Cuevas-Diaz's practice is supplemented by her bilingual and multicultural team that facilitates her U.S.-based and international clients' needs in their U.S.-bound projects.

Real Estate Transactions: Development, Acquisitions, Dispositions

Ms. de las Cuevas-Diaz is called to assist in developing solutions for various complex real estate transactions for her U.S.-based and international clients.

Her clients include those with business focused in the areas of multifamily housing, industrial projects, hospitality, retail, residential development and office buildings. Within her residential practice, Ms. de las Cuevas-Diaz has also represented clients in high-end homes. Her experience with this wide range of real estate clients includes acquisitions and dispositions, development and construction, acquisition and construction financing, corporate structuring and joint venture negotiations.

Within her development practice, Ms. de las Cuevas-Diaz is experienced in representing developers in a range of projects, including raw land development, construction of or already built multifamily, industrial and single family development, condominium, office and hotels.

Joint Ventures

Ms. de las Cuevas-Diaz is experienced in handling real estate joint ventures focused on acquisition as well as development for her U.S.-based and international clients. Ms. de las Cuevas-Diaz works closely with a bench of land use and zoning lawyers in Holland & Knight's various offices across the U.S.

Holland & Knight's Joint Venture Group has vast experience in all relevant areas necessary for structuring, drafting negotiation and implementing joint venture real estate projects. She works hand in hand with the firm's corporate and tax teams to structure the joint ventures for various real estate developments and the proper corporate and tax structure for such development projects.

Leasing: Landlord and Tenant Matters

Ms. de las Cuevas-Diaz represents landlords and tenants in retail, commercial, hotel and warehouse leasing agreements. This experience includes negotiations of defaults, deferrals and amendments to leases as a result of COVID-19.

Finance

In her finance experience, Ms. de las Cuevas-Diaz represents borrowers and lenders.

Ms. de las Cuevas-Diaz has extensive experience in complex financial transactions for national and international institutional lenders in commercial lending for various types of projects and developments as well as asset-based loans secured by real estate, inventory, equipment receivables and securities.

In her representation of the borrower, she handles real estate asset-based lending for acquisition, construction and development projects These projects include industrial, multifamily and single family development, condominium and hotels.

Workouts

Ms. de las Cuevas-Diaz focuses on guiding institutional lenders toward resolutions for troubled loans and complex workouts.

Ms. de las Cuevas-Diaz's special assets experience includes representation of lenders and developers across the U.S. with respect to forbearance, negotiation of loan modifications, restructuring and workouts on behalf of lenders and borrowers for various types of loans, deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure, note purchase, and sales and foreclosures affecting numerous commercial properties located throughout the state and nation.

PANEL 2: Shaping Miami's Skyline

Women Leading the Way

Jessica Goldman Srebnick

Jessica Goldman Srebnick

CEO

Goldman Properties

Coralee Penabad

Coralee Penabad

Principal

UrbanX

Tere Blanca

Tere Blanca

CEO

Blanca Commercial Real Estate

Maureen Mascaro

Maureen Mascaro

Founder & Chief Project Officer

The Common Area

Danielle DeVito- Hurley
Moderator

Danielle DeVito- Hurley

Shareholder

Gunster

Jessica Goldman Srebnick

CEO

Goldman Properties

Jessica Goldman Srebnick, Co-Chair of Goldman Properties, is a second generation leader of the company

founded by her late father, visionary real estate developer, Tony Goldman. Founded in 1968, the award-

winning company is a creative real estate firm with a storied history in developing thriving global

destinations across the United States. Marrying real estate and public art to build community, Goldman

Properties is known for recognizing the value in depressed urban areas and transforming them into iconic

neighborhoods such as SoHo in New York City, Center City Philadelphia, Miami Beach, and Wynwood,

site of the acclaimed Wynwood Walls, winner of the 2016 “Global Award of Excellence”- Urban Land

Institute. In August 2018, Goldman Srebnick was recognized as one of Forbes Icons of Impact for her

continued work and leadership. She oversees a diverse portfolio of restaurants, office buildings, galleries,

commercial and retail properties and large-scale public art projects including the iconic Houston Bowery

wall.

In July 2015, Goldman Srebnick founded Goldman Global Arts (GGA), a Miami based creative collective

with co-founder, artist Peter Tunney. For its inaugural project, in 2015, the Miami Dolphins NFL franchise

commissioned GGA to infuse a global art aesthetic into the newly renovated Hard Rock Stadium. In 2019,

Goldman Srebnick authored Walls of Change: The Story of The Wynwood Walls. The book is a retrospective

published by Assouline, showcasing Wynwood’s most celebrated murals, by street art’s most iconic figures.

GGA continues to produce thought provoking large scale, creative projects for a variety of organizations,

including the Miami Heat, Citibank, When We All Vote, and Wynn Hotels. In 2020, GGA was hired by

the NFL to infuse street art into Super Bowl LIV in Miami. As a result, and in partnership with the NFL,

GGA curated several works by five world-renowned artists including the face of the game day ticket and

commemorative program. She also most recently curated a national art campaign for Michelle Obama’s

organization When We All Vote to amplify the importance of voting.

Goldman Srebnick is an active member of the prestigious Young Presidents Organization (YPO). She

graduated from the YPO/Harvard Business School Presidents Leadership Program. She was the Miami-

Dade County Co-Chair for the Miami 2020 Super Bowl Host Committee and currently serves as Chair of

the Town Square Neighborhood Development Corporation (TSNDC) Board. In 2019, she was awarded the

Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Alvah H. Chapman, Jr. Young Leader Award of Excellence. In 2021,

she was selected as one of the Knight’s Foundation Arts Champions, for her community leadership

in helping to enrich arts and culture in South Florida. She is a passionate supporter of the Memorial

Sloan Kettering's Cycle for Survival charity. Goldman Srebnick currently resides in Miami with her

husband Scott Srebnick, CEO of Goldman Properties and are the proud parents of their 3 sons.

Coralee Penabad

Principal

UrbanX

Coralee G. Penabad is a principal at Coral Gables-based URBAN-X Group LLC. A lawyer by training, Coralee’s main focus is the oversight of all acquisitions, financing, marketing and operations to which she brings over 20 years of relevant experience. Coralee has played a leadership role in the acquisition, design, entitlements and finance of River Landing Shops & Residences, completed in 2020.

Prior to launching URBAN-X, in 2006, Ms. Penabad was general counsel to Leviev Boymelgreen Developers (LBD), an Israeli-based real estate partnership. She managed the partnership’s legal issues in Florida, the refinancing of its entire Florida portfolio, the management of all condominium sales and all the partnership’s Florida domestic legal issues. She guided LBD through its development of the Marquis Condominium and other Florida projects, its transition in management, restructuring and eventual buy-out/sale by its members. She was lead attorney on transactions involving more than $750 million of real property for LBD. Ms. Penabad was awarded the Top Dealmaker, Real Estate Finance 2008 Award in South Florida by the Daily Business Review for her efforts in the refinancing and repositioning of LBD’s real estate portfolio. She was also recognized in the “40 under 40” list of achievers in the South Florida Business Journal at that time.

Ms. Penabad has a unique skill of identifying difficult issues and focuses on implementing simple solutions to turn around struggling real estate projects. In Miami-Dade County, she has worked in the repositioning of developments including Paramount Bay and 151 at Biscayne Condominium. Ms. Penabad has a bachelor’s degree in Business and Finance and a law degree from University of Miami.

Tere Blanca

CEO

Blanca Commercial Real Estate

Tere Blanca is the Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Blanca Commercial Real

Estate, Inc., the leading independently owned commercial real estate services firm in Florida.

She founded the firm in 2009 after identifying a need in the marketplace for a local advisory and

brokerage firm built on a culture of giving clients a highly personalized approach to service. With

Tere’s vision, progressive leadership and foundation of passion, care and commitment to

excellence, teams are purpose built and strategies are customized to fit each clients’ diverse

needs allowing the firm to achieve successful outcomes and setting new market standards.

Blanca Commercial Real Estate now has a dynamic team of more than 45 top professionals that

embrace a culture of collaboration and caring for each other, the firm’s clients and the

community. It is recognized as one of the top commercial real estate brokerage services

companies in Florida, ranked by the South Florida Business Journal as one of the top ten firms

in South Florida, maintaining more than 32% market share of all office lease transactions

executed in Class A and B office space in Miami; the firm’s home base. Expanding across

South Florida, the firm now has 3 offices across the region and has grown its services to include

property management, tenant engagement services and development consulting.

Throughout her 35-year career, Tere has participated and led many significant lease

transactions and new development projects from land acquisition to the master planning,

design, construction, marketing, lease-up, and sale of office and mixed-use assets. Clients of

the firm include Nuveen Real Estate, Allianz, Hines, Agave Holdings, Lincoln Property

Company, Blackstone, TA Realty, Federal Realty, Shorenstein, Stiles, Related Group, AIMCO,

and the law firms of Akerman LLP, and White & Case, LLP; Greater Miami Chamber of

Commerce, Miami Herald Media Company; WeWork; Coastal Construction, Quirch Foods, Inc.;

Insigneo; Inktel, DASI, Neutralogistics, Mexican Consulate and the University of Miami, to name

a few.

Prior to launching Blanca Commercial Real Estate, Tere served for five years as Senior

Managing Director for Cushman & Wakefield of Florida, Inc., where she led the firm’s South

Florida region, achieving significant revenue growth and increased profitability. Tere also held

the position of senior vice president at Codina Realty Services, Inc. ONCOR International where

she was consistently among the top producers during her 14-year tenure.

Tere holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in international marketing

and finance and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Miami and is fluent

in English and Spanish. She is the proud mother of two daughters and resides with her husband

in Coral Gables.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

● Chair of Urban Land Institute (ULI) for Southeast Florida and the Caribbean

● Member of the Board of Directors of BankUnited

● Member of the Board of Trustees of Miami Dade College

● Member of the University of Miami’s Herbert School of Business Real Estate

Advisory Council

● Executive Committee Member of Urban Land Institute (ULI)

● Past chair and current Member of the Board of Miami-Dade County’s official

economic development agency, The Beacon Council

● Member of the Board of Governors of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce

● Member of Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Gold

● Associate member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) Miami/Ft.

Lauderdale Chapter

● Member of Women Corporate Directors (WCD)

● Past member of the Board of Directors of The Miami Foundation

● Past chair of the Board of Directors of City Year Miami

AWARDS & RECOGNITION:

● “Top 100 Power Leaders”, South Florida Business Journal

● “Ultimate CEO”, South Florida Business Journal

● “Most Influential Business Women”, South Florida Business Journal

● “Power Leader of the Year”, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce

● “Office Broker of the Year”, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce

● “Women of Influence: Legends”, Real Estate Forum

● “Women of Influence”, Real Estate Forum

● “Top 25 Women in Real Estate”, Commercial Property Executive

● “Top Dealmakers of the Year”, Daily Business Review

● “Successful Hispanic Women of the Year”, Camacol

● “Philanthropist of the Year”, City Year Miami

● “Community Leader of the Year”, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Maureen Mascaro

Founder & Chief Project Officer

The Common Area

Maureen Mascaro is the Founder of The Common Area, a boutique owner’s representation firm advising commercial and high-end residential clients. She serves as a strategic partner to ownership, guiding projects from early planning through construction and delivery with a focus on protecting outcomes, aligning teams, and driving disciplined execution.

Maureen brings a full-lifecycle perspective shaped by her work alongside developers, landlords, and real estate advisory firms, with deep experience navigating the complexities that arise between deal conception and project completion. She founded The Common Area in 2018 to deliver a more transparent, accountable, and owner-aligned approach to project execution.

A South Dade native, Maureen offers a nuanced understanding of the local market and its evolving development landscape. Her work now spans projects across Florida and the wider Southeast region as well as Texas, New York, and The Bahamas, along with complementary business ventures including Mango Management and Building Standard.

Danielle DeVito- Hurley

Moderator

Gunster

Danielle DeVito-Hurley is a shareholder who joined the firm in 1995. She co-leads Gunster’s Real Property practice.

Danielle has represented owners and developers in the acquisition, sale and finance of well over $1 billion dollars of commercial, office, industrial, mixed-use, hotel, condominium and condo/hotel parcels. During her tenure at Gunster, Danielle worked for over one year on exclusive retainer with one of Florida’s largest mixed-use community developers. Danielle has represented numerous landlords and tenants in ground and office, industrial and retail

space leases. Danielle also specializes in hotel management, franchise and licensing agreements for her hotel and resort related clients.

Danielle’s focus is helping clients to maximize their profitability and return on investment while minimizing potential risks in order to better achieve successful outcomes. Danielle takes pride in providing prompt, effective and efficient counsel and service to her clients, and, as a result, has forged numerous long standing client relationships during her 25 years

of experience in commercial real estate.

Danielle has successfully negotiated and closed transactions throughout the state of Florida, the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

HONOREES: Leaders of the Year

Laura Kozelouzek

Laura Kozelouzek

CEO

Quest Workspaces

Donna Abood

Donna Abood

Principal, Managing Director - Miami

Avison Young

Melissa Rose

Melissa Rose

Managing Director

JLL Capital Markets

Vanessa Grout

Vanessa Grout

CEO

Aman Property

Jessica Goldman Srebnick

Jessica Goldman Srebnick

Co-Chair

Goldman Properties

Amarjit (Marj) Bains

Amarjit (Marj) Bains

Sr. Managing Director

Cushman & Wakefield

Laura Kozelouzek

CEO

Quest Workspaces

Laura Kozelouzek is a recognized expert and visionary of the serviced hospitality and co-working industry for over 30 years. She is an innovator, and entrepreneur and well respected for her ability to create “high energy” results oriented co-working cultures.

In July 2010, Laura created Quest Workspaces, inspired by a need to provide business owners with a high end, high touch all-inclusive work space solution that offered true flexibility and business building opportunities.

Quest Workspaces operates 10 locations, 9 in Florida, currently Miami’s 3rd largest coworking operator, and 1 in New York City representing over 3,000 clients and 360,000 SF. In 10 years, Quest has become a leading brand, featured in over 65 publications including; Wall Street Journal, CBS News, Fortune Magazine and New York Times, named one of Inc 5000’s Fastest Growing Private Companies in 2016 and 2018 and voted Best Place to Work every year since 2012.

Prior to Quest Workspaces, in 2004 Laura founded Synergy Workplaces, growing the company to 25 national locations, and over 25 million in sales. In 2008, Synergy was sold to Carr Workplaces.

Before Synergy, Laura spent 19 years in the commercial real estate and hospitality industries. During that time, as an executive at HQ/Regus, she was responsible for its most profitable region, representing 80 locations, 5,000 customers and generated $180 million in annual sales. While at HQ, she played a lead role in an industry “roll up” and consolidating the sector.

As a serial entrepreneur Laura has owned a trendy NYC restaurant, launched a NYC real estate newspaper, brokerage business, and is a recipient of dozens of leadership, service and real estate awards. She graduated from the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration and is a member of the President’s Council of Cornell Women.

One of her greatest accomplishment was the creation of Quest Cares in 2012. A program that supports local nonprofits with complimentary office space and services through Quest. To date the program has donate over $650,000 to over a dozen deserving charities.

Laura plays a very active role in the workspaces community as board member of the Global Workspace Association, WANY, and All Good Workspace. She is also a frequent speaker at coworking, real estate and entrepreneurial conferences.

When she’s not in the office she can found spending her time with her teenage son Jordan on the ski slopes, scuba diving, or water skiing or traveling. To say Laura is an adrenaline junkie and adventurer would be an understatement!

Donna Abood

Principal, Managing Director - Miami

Avison Young

With a reputation as one of the most trusted and highly-recognized names in South Florida real estate, Donna Abood serves as Principal and Managing Director of the Miami office of Avison Young, a global commercial real estate firm. She is responsible for the client servicing and revenue of the leasing division and oversees the leasing division’s business development of institutional and local investor clients and tenant representation services, including retail, industrial and office. During her 38-year career, Donna has represented well over 80 million square feet of office buildings on behalf of local and institutional ownerships. Additionally, she has completed hundreds of transactions on behalf of tenants she has represented. What makes Donna different from other brokers in the market is her ability to orchestrate and manage several processes at one time, in the end harmonizing the owner’s and tenant’s goals. She is a leader and top performer in the marketplace, as she serves as a business resource to her clients in creating and implementing marketing plans.

Previously, Donna served as Chairman and Founding Partner of Colliers International South Florida, which was formed in 2002 when she merged her firm, Abood & Associates, Inc. with Wood-Fay Realty Group. Prior to the formation of Abood Wood-Fay Real Estate Group, LLC, she was the principal and sole owner of Abood & Associates, Inc. Created in 1989, the company grew to be the largest privately held, locally based commercial real estate firm in Miami-Dade County. Before her entrepreneurial endeavors, Donna was Vice President of Terranova Corporation. Between 1984 and 1989, she developed and implemented marketing plans for the turnaround of distressed office properties. Donna graduated from Florida State University in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing and Management.

Donna’s professional accomplishments include being named one of the 2020 & 2019 South Florida Business Journal’s 250 Power Leaders, honored with the 2019 Miami Today’s Silver Medal Award, inducted into the 2018 Real Estate Forum’s National Women of Influence Hall of Fame, named one of the Real Estate Forum’s Women of Influence in 2018, 2016, 2013 & 2009, named one of the 2016 Miami Today Book of Leaders, honored with the 2016 Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Business Leader of the Year Award, honored as a "Florida Business Ambassador" by Governor Rick Scott in 2015, honored as the 2015 United HomeCare Claude Pepper Corporate Service Award, named the 2014 – 2015 Chair of the Board of Directors of the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, Miami’s Economic Development Partnership, recipient of the Tom Richardson award; the highest honor given by Colliers International, she was inducted into the Florida State University College of Business Hall of Fame, honored as an “Ultimate CEO” by South Florida Business Journal and 2014 AXA Advisors Businesswoman of the Year Award in the Corporate Leader category.

Donna serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committees for numerous civic and non-profit organizations. Additionally, she has dedicated her time and fundraising efforts for many organizations throughout South Florida.

Melissa Rose

Managing Director

JLL Capital Markets

Melissa is a Managing Director in the Miami office of JLL Capital Markets, Americas. She

has over 15 years of experience in the real estate industry, securing debt and joint venture

equity financing for a broad range of property types with a focus on Office and Industrial.

Over the course of her career, she has closed more than $3 billion in capital through first

mortgages, mezzanine loans, bridge loans, acquisitions, and joint venture equity for a

variety of asset types throughout the U.S.

Prior to joining JLL, Melissa spent three years as a Managing Director at Ackman-Ziff.

Before that, she held acquisitions and in-house capital markets roles at Maxwelle Real

Estate Group in Aventura, Florida, and Eretz Group in New York City.

Melissa also serves as Director of Programming for the CREW Network Miami Chapter,

and has a seat on the Real Property Development Advisory Board at the University of

Miami School of Law. She earned a B.S. from University of Miami.

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.

Jessica Goldman Srebnick

Co-Chair

Goldman Properties

Jessica Goldman Srebnick, Co-Chair of Goldman Properties, is a second generation leader of the company

founded by her late father, visionary real estate developer, Tony Goldman. Founded in 1968, the award-

winning company is a creative real estate firm with a storied history in developing thriving global

destinations across the United States. Marrying real estate and public art to build community, Goldman

Properties is known for recognizing the value in depressed urban areas and transforming them into iconic

neighborhoods such as SoHo in New York City, Center City Philadelphia, Miami Beach, and Wynwood,

site of the acclaimed Wynwood Walls, winner of the 2016 “Global Award of Excellence”- Urban Land

Institute. In August 2018, Goldman Srebnick was recognized as one of Forbes Icons of Impact for her

continued work and leadership. She oversees a diverse portfolio of restaurants, office buildings, galleries,

commercial and retail properties and large-scale public art projects including the iconic Houston Bowery

wall.

In July 2015, Goldman Srebnick founded Goldman Global Arts (GGA), a Miami based creative collective

with co-founder, artist Peter Tunney. For its inaugural project, in 2015, the Miami Dolphins NFL franchise

commissioned GGA to infuse a global art aesthetic into the newly renovated Hard Rock Stadium. In 2019,

Goldman Srebnick authored Walls of Change: The Story of The Wynwood Walls. The book is a retrospective

published by Assouline, showcasing Wynwood’s most celebrated murals, by street art’s most iconic figures.

GGA continues to produce thought provoking large scale, creative projects for a variety of organizations,

including the Miami Heat, Citibank, When We All Vote, and Wynn Hotels. In 2020, GGA was hired by

the NFL to infuse street art into Super Bowl LIV in Miami. As a result, and in partnership with the NFL,

GGA curated several works by five world-renowned artists including the face of the game day ticket and

commemorative program. She also most recently curated a national art campaign for Michelle Obama’s

organization When We All Vote to amplify the importance of voting.

Goldman Srebnick is an active member of the prestigious Young Presidents Organization (YPO). She

graduated from the YPO/Harvard Business School Presidents Leadership Program. She was the Miami-

Dade County Co-Chair for the Miami 2020 Super Bowl Host Committee and currently serves as Chair of

the Town Square Neighborhood Development Corporation (TSNDC) Board. In 2019, she was awarded the

Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Alvah H. Chapman, Jr. Young Leader Award of Excellence. In 2021,

she was selected as one of the Knight’s Foundation Arts Champions, for her community leadership

in helping to enrich arts and culture in South Florida. She is a passionate supporter of the Memorial

Sloan Kettering's Cycle for Survival charity. Goldman Srebnick currently resides in Miami with her

husband Scott Srebnick, CEO of Goldman Properties and are the proud parents of their 3 sons.

Amarjit (Marj) Bains

Sr. Managing Director

Cushman & Wakefield

Born and raised in United Kingdom, Ms. Bains began her career at JLL in 2002 when she immigrated from UK to

Miami and took on the role as a temporary receptionist. She went on to become a Property Administrator, Assistant

General Manager, General Manager, Group Manager, Associate Director, National Director and now Executive

Vice President. Since November 2013, Marj led the TIAA teams nationally to increase the overall benchmark rating

to above the national portfolio average (approx. twelve (12) million square feet). This rating had never been

achieved between 2009 and 2012. Due to the positive results the firm was recognized amongst its national

competitors and awarded the 2014 Property Management Firm of the Year Award by one of its most prestigious

clients. Due to the increased continued national operational excellence the firm was awarded by the same client for

the 2016 Firm of the Year Award the second time and again in 2017. Currently Ms. Bains manages NRE’s South

Florida Office Portfolio which includes 701 Brickell and Waterford Business District (almost 3 million square feet),

as well as assisting with the national operations for operational compliance for her client. Other areas of

responsibility include construction management, financial oversight, budgeting, sustainability initiatives, vendor

procurement, tenant satisfaction and all other areas as it relates to Property Management. She continues to play a

leadership role in the region.

Ms. Bains has achieved many honors and awards during her property management career in commercial real

estate. One of the most significant recognitions which Ms. Bains received is the Top 50 under 40 commercial

real estate professionals. She was selected by The Real Estate Forum from a pool of over 500 individuals,

nationally.

In addition to this, Ms. Bains has also been recognized for the following accomplishments:

- 50 Under 40 Real Estate Forum Award

- Connect CRE Annual Women in Real Estate Award

- Client’s Four Diamond Award for eight consecutive years

- Client MVP Award

- National Property Manager of the Year award (JLL)

- Top Performer Award

- Local & Regional Toby Earth Award

- JLL National Team of the Year

- Recognized as participant on the TIAA-CREF Property Governance Council

- Local Spotlight Awards

- Magnet Award recognizing excellent client service

Ms. Bains continues to excel in her profession and provides a class A service to her clients, tenants and colleagues

within the industry.

“VISION WITHOUT EXECUTION IS JUST HALLUCINATION.” - Henry Ford

HONOREES: Innovators of the Year

Selma Rabelo

Selma Rabelo

VP, Corporate Product Standards, Complian

Resia

Catherine Warren

Catherine Warren

VP of Strategic Partnerships

Arch Amenities Group

Tere Blanca

Tere Blanca

CEO

Blanca Commercial Real Estate

Christina Villa

Christina Villa

Principal

Stantec

Julie Northcutt-Dunn

Julie Northcutt-Dunn

Executive Managing Director

Colliers

Tere Blanca

CEO

Blanca Commercial Real Estate

Tere Blanca is the Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Blanca Commercial Real

Estate, Inc., the leading independently owned commercial real estate services firm in Florida.

She founded the firm in 2009 after identifying a need in the marketplace for a local advisory and

brokerage firm built on a culture of giving clients a highly personalized approach to service. With

Tere’s vision, progressive leadership and foundation of passion, care and commitment to

excellence, teams are purpose built and strategies are customized to fit each clients’ diverse

needs allowing the firm to achieve successful outcomes and setting new market standards.

Blanca Commercial Real Estate now has a dynamic team of more than 45 top professionals that

embrace a culture of collaboration and caring for each other, the firm’s clients and the

community. It is recognized as one of the top commercial real estate brokerage services

companies in Florida, ranked by the South Florida Business Journal as one of the top ten firms

in South Florida, maintaining more than 32% market share of all office lease transactions

executed in Class A and B office space in Miami; the firm’s home base. Expanding across

South Florida, the firm now has 3 offices across the region and has grown its services to include

property management, tenant engagement services and development consulting.

Throughout her 35-year career, Tere has participated and led many significant lease

transactions and new development projects from land acquisition to the master planning,

design, construction, marketing, lease-up, and sale of office and mixed-use assets. Clients of

the firm include Nuveen Real Estate, Allianz, Hines, Agave Holdings, Lincoln Property

Company, Blackstone, TA Realty, Federal Realty, Shorenstein, Stiles, Related Group, AIMCO,

and the law firms of Akerman LLP, and White & Case, LLP; Greater Miami Chamber of

Commerce, Miami Herald Media Company; WeWork; Coastal Construction, Quirch Foods, Inc.;

Insigneo; Inktel, DASI, Neutralogistics, Mexican Consulate and the University of Miami, to name

a few.

Prior to launching Blanca Commercial Real Estate, Tere served for five years as Senior

Managing Director for Cushman & Wakefield of Florida, Inc., where she led the firm’s South

Florida region, achieving significant revenue growth and increased profitability. Tere also held

the position of senior vice president at Codina Realty Services, Inc. ONCOR International where

she was consistently among the top producers during her 14-year tenure.

Tere holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in international marketing

and finance and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Miami and is fluent

in English and Spanish. She is the proud mother of two daughters and resides with her husband

in Coral Gables.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

● Chair of Urban Land Institute (ULI) for Southeast Florida and the Caribbean

● Member of the Board of Directors of BankUnited

● Member of the Board of Trustees of Miami Dade College

● Member of the University of Miami’s Herbert School of Business Real Estate

Advisory Council

● Executive Committee Member of Urban Land Institute (ULI)

● Past chair and current Member of the Board of Miami-Dade County’s official

economic development agency, The Beacon Council

● Member of the Board of Governors of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce

● Member of Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Gold

● Associate member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) Miami/Ft.

Lauderdale Chapter

● Member of Women Corporate Directors (WCD)

● Past member of the Board of Directors of The Miami Foundation

● Past chair of the Board of Directors of City Year Miami

AWARDS & RECOGNITION:

● “Top 100 Power Leaders”, South Florida Business Journal

● “Ultimate CEO”, South Florida Business Journal

● “Most Influential Business Women”, South Florida Business Journal

● “Power Leader of the Year”, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce

● “Office Broker of the Year”, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce

● “Women of Influence: Legends”, Real Estate Forum

● “Women of Influence”, Real Estate Forum

● “Top 25 Women in Real Estate”, Commercial Property Executive

● “Top Dealmakers of the Year”, Daily Business Review

● “Successful Hispanic Women of the Year”, Camacol

● “Philanthropist of the Year”, City Year Miami

● “Community Leader of the Year”, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Christina Villa

Principal

Stantec

As a Principal and Senior Architect at the Stantec Miami Office, Christina is involved in projects from initial programming and design through the final construction. She identifies the story behind each project and brings the vision and global perspective necessary to achieve unique, inspiring outcomes. Christina relies on her creative problem-solving skills to satisfy her client’s goals, while respecting the project’s social and urban context. Her passion for architecture and her exceptional knowledge of sustainable design and construction ensures that developments positively impact their communities. Her goal? Encourage additional growth and future professionals with the same understanding. She finds the opportunity to collaborate with her team every day and leads by example in and out of the office.

Julie Northcutt-Dunn

Executive Managing Director

Colliers

Julie Northcutt-Dunn serves as

Executive Managing Director and

Market Leader for the South Florida

region. In this role, Julie directly

oversees all Brokerage operations and

service lines in South Florida, which

includes offices in Miami/Coral Gables,

Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West

Palm Beach. She will also focus on

new business development, talent

recruitment, talent retention, growth

and marketing. Julie brings more than

15 years of industry experience to

Colliers, offering an in-depth knowledge

of utilizing innovative sales and

marketing strategies to differentiate

and win business.

HONOREES: Deal Makers of the Year

Arden Karson

Arden Karson

Founder

Karson & Co.

Vicky Lee

Vicky Lee

Senior Vice President, Development

Focus

Peggy Olin

Peggy Olin

CEO

OneWorld Properties

Coralee Penabad

Coralee Penabad

Principal

UrbanX

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.

Vicky Lee

Senior Vice President, Development

Focus

Vicky Lee is Senior Vice President, Development at Focus where she manages and leads the company's

expansion into different markets across the Southeast region of the country. As a Management Team

member, Vicky is responsible for defining and implementing internal strategies and policies with the

goal to grow the organization. In addition, she leads real estate acquisition, development, and

architectural design activities on multiple projects, totaling more than $800mm for both Focus and

third-party clients.

Within seven months of kicking off the Focus expansion, Vicky and her team tied up two sites in Florida

and are currently full-steam-ahead in the predevelopment process of both sites. Other notable

achievements include spearheading entitlement and acted as owner’s rep for The Atworth at Mellody

Farm. She maintained an excellent relationship with the Village of Vernon Hills, achieving and

maintaining mutual respect. This has led to Focus recognition in suburban placemaking, catalyzing the

company's most recent 4 new mall-redevelopments in Vernon Hills and Aurora.

Vicky’s combined experience in urban planning, architecture, and business has propelled Vicky into an

industry leader. She currently serves on the Advisory Board for ULI Chicago, Vice Chair of ULI Public

Private Partnership Council (Blue), Vice Chair of ULI Chicago Product Council (Green), and Chair of

Cornell Real Estate Council Chicago Chapter. Her philanthropic activities include serving as Board of

Directors for the nonprofit organization, Teachers Supporting Teachers.

Vicky received her MBA at the S.C. Johnson School of Management at Cornell University and a BA in

Architecture at University of Notre Dame.

Peggy Olin

CEO

OneWorld Properties

Peggy Olin, Chief Executive Officer of OneWorld Properties, is a renowned strategist and broker regarded for her expertise in the luxury real estate industry. Since founding the company in 2008, she has been responsible for over $4 billion in luxury property sales, continuously connecting with buyers from major cities across the United States and over 60 countries. OneWorld Properties has maintained an active inventory of approximately $1 billion throughout Florida. Current projects include Cove Miami, 2200 Brickell, 600 Miami Worldcenter, The Crosby, 501 First Miami, Legacy Hotel + Residences, and PARAMOUNT Miami Worldcenter. The firm has offices in Miami and Fort Lauderdale and is one of the only U.S. firms to have a permanent presence in China with offices in Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen. Peggy is actively involved in her community as a board member of the Broward Performing Arts Foundation, Miami Bridge, Birch State Park, Broward Workshop, Trustee for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, and an active member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO).

Coralee Penabad

Principal

UrbanX

Coralee G. Penabad is a principal at Coral Gables-based URBAN-X Group LLC. A lawyer by training, Coralee’s main focus is the oversight of all acquisitions, financing, marketing and operations to which she brings over 20 years of relevant experience. Coralee has played a leadership role in the acquisition, design, entitlements and finance of River Landing Shops & Residences, completed in 2020.

Prior to launching URBAN-X, in 2006, Ms. Penabad was general counsel to Leviev Boymelgreen Developers (LBD), an Israeli-based real estate partnership. She managed the partnership’s legal issues in Florida, the refinancing of its entire Florida portfolio, the management of all condominium sales and all the partnership’s Florida domestic legal issues. She guided LBD through its development of the Marquis Condominium and other Florida projects, its transition in management, restructuring and eventual buy-out/sale by its members. She was lead attorney on transactions involving more than $750 million of real property for LBD. Ms. Penabad was awarded the Top Dealmaker, Real Estate Finance 2008 Award in South Florida by the Daily Business Review for her efforts in the refinancing and repositioning of LBD’s real estate portfolio. She was also recognized in the “40 under 40” list of achievers in the South Florida Business Journal at that time.

Ms. Penabad has a unique skill of identifying difficult issues and focuses on implementing simple solutions to turn around struggling real estate projects. In Miami-Dade County, she has worked in the repositioning of developments including Paramount Bay and 151 at Biscayne Condominium. Ms. Penabad has a bachelor’s degree in Business and Finance and a law degree from University of Miami.

HONOREES: Rising Stars

Jessica Stefanowicz

Jessica Stefanowicz

Development & Investments Associate

Atlas Real Estate Partners

Cassie Resnick

Cassie Resnick

Managing Director

Mast Capital

Emilia Howard

Emilia Howard

Associate

Gridline Properties

Shannon Wilson

Shannon Wilson

Associate Director

Berkadia

Merritt Etner

Merritt Etner

VP, Asset Management

Link Logistics

Jessica Stefanowicz

Development & Investments Associate

Atlas Real Estate Partners

Jess is responsible for assisting in managing the company’s new development projects and existing value-added projects. She oversees design, development, and construction operations of ground up projects, and manages various ongoing capital improvements for the existing portfolio.

Prior to joining Atlas, Jess was a Staff Engineer and Assistant Project Manager at Pennoni Associates, a multidisciplinary engineering firm where she was a lead engineer and assistant project manager on a variety of land development projects in the commercial, residential, multi-family, and institutional sectors. Jess received her B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Miami. She holds an Engineering Intern Certificate with the State of Florida. Jess is based in Atlas’s growing Miami office.

Cassie Resnick

Managing Director

Mast Capital

Ms. Resnick serves as Managing Director. In this capacity, she provides oversight to all of the firm’s investments, asset management activities and business plan execution. Cassie is also involved in all facets of the acquisition, disposition and financing processes for the firm.

Prior to joining Mast, Ms. Resnick was an Associate at Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels in New York. During her tenure at JLL, she provided advisory and disposition services on hospitality and mixed-use assets valued in excess of $5 billion. Additionally, she was responsible for underwriting equity and debt transactions ranging in size from $50 million to $1 billion across recapitalization, restructuring and other value recovery strategies for non-performing positions. Prior to JLL, Ms. Resnick was an Analyst at WR Hambrecht + Co., a San Francisco-based investment bank where she evaluated initial and secondary equity offerings, and merger and acquisitions opportunities for technology-focused companies. Previously, Mr. Resnick was an Intern at Ernst and Young where she analyzed hotel markets and worked on feasibility studies.

Ms. Resnick received her Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Administration from Cornell University. She is often a guest lecturer at FIU’s hospitality master’s program, actively participates in the South Florida Chapter of the Cornell Hotel Society, Pi Beta Phi fraternity for Women, and Renew, a real estate network empowering women. Ms. Resnick Cassie came in first place in the New York Road Runners 31st Annual NYRR Empire State Building Run-up. She also holds a Series 7 license as well as a Real Estate Salesperson license in New York. Ms. Resnick spends time volunteering at Tribe events and is an active supporter of Kiva, an international nonprofit founded in 2005 that connects people through lending to alleviate poverty.

Emilia Howard

Associate

Gridline Properties

Emilia Howard is a seasoned professional with a decade and a half of experience in the retail sector. Emilia lends her extensive knowledge of Miami's business operations and consumer trends to her clientele at Gridline Properties.

From previously managing the Shinola Wynwood store while working closely with the Wynwood BID, Emilia fully understands the support that small businesses need to sustain themselves within the market as well as lead pathways for established brands and emerging brands to integrate themselves into an area to minimize the disruption of the neighborhood’s synergy. Her intricate understanding of Miami's diverse and ever-changing neighborhoods is a formidable advantage for the property owners and the tenants she represents, ensuring their success in the dynamic Miami market.

Emilia is a proud alumna of the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX, where she earned her Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree. In her downtime, Emilia revels in beach activities, explores new places and enjoys uncovering Miami's hidden culinary treasures alongside her loved ones.

EMCEE

Virginia Baker

Virginia Baker

Director, Event Production

Bisnow

Brittney Bacon

Brittney Bacon

Senior Event Manager

Bisnow

Why You Can't Miss This Event

What you will learn:

  • How are women overcoming barriers and biases in the real estate industry?

  • What is being done to address diversity, equity, and inclusion in Miami's real estate market?

  • How is the industry developing affordable housing in Miami's increasingly expensive market?

  • Hear what lessons have been learned and advice for women starting their careers in real estate.

  • The importance of mentorship and networking for women in real estate and how successful women have built their networks.

  • The changing nature of Miami's workforce and how women in leadership are adapting their real estate strategies to meet changing demands.

How You'll Do More Business: Expand your network by connecting with other professionals in the real estate industry, particularly women who are making an impact in Miami. Gain insights and knowledge from the successful women who have made a name for themselves in Miami's real estate industry as they discuss diversity and mentorship in the workplace, career advancement, financing and investment strategies, and marketing and branding. 

Who You'll Meet: South Florida's top women CRE owners and developers, investors, brokers, and more! 
 

For questions regarding content, speaking, and sponsorship opportunities, please email our Senior Event Producer, Virginia Baker, at virginia.baker@bisnow.com

To request disability-related accommodations, please contact brittney.bacon@bisnow.com no later than seven business days prior to the event.

Agenda

Time Activity
8:00 PM
8:30 PM
Registration
8:30 PM
9:00 PM
Breaking Barriers: Miami's Female Real Estate Leaders

A Leadership Conversation on Diversity & Mentorship in the Workplace, Career Advancement, Recruitment, Retention and Empowering Professional Development within the CRE Industry

9:00 PM
9:30 PM
Shaping Miami's Skyline: Women Leading the Way

A Conversation on navigating the complexities of real estate financing and investment, Strategies for successful real estate marketing and branding, and where women are making an impact in the construction and development arena.

9:30 PM
10:00 PM
Awards Ceremony
10:00 PM
11:00 PM
Cocktail Hour and Networking