Fireside Chat: The Investment Market

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  Charles Russo

  Charles Russo is a Senior Director and Asset Management Lead (East Region) at Nuveen, a leading investment management firm. Charles oversees the asset management of the office sector on the east coast. With over a decade of experience in real estate investment, Charles plays a vital role in overseeing the management of Nuveen's extensive asset portfolio in the Eastern United States. Prior to joining Nuveen, he served as a U.S. Real Estate Director at Carlyle, where he gained valuable expertise in complex financial analysis and strategic portfolio optimization.

  Nuveen Real Estate

  Asset Management Lead, Workplace, East Region

  Charles Russo

  Asset Management Lead, Workplace, East Region

  Nuveen Real Estate

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  Marcella Fasulo

  Executive Vice Chairman

  Newmark

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  Brian Gale

  Brian Gale is Vice Chairman of Cushman and Wakefield of Florida. Through his 27 year career, Brian has overseen the signing of leases totalling 12 million square feet, with a value of over $2 billion. His team currently represents almost 7 million square feet of office space in South Florida, with buildings in Downtown Miami, Brickell, Coral Gables, South Miami, Coconut Grove, Wynwood, Airport West and has clients which include Metlife, Nuveen, Related, AEW, Prudential, OKO Group, Cain International, IP Capital, CIM, L&B, Banyan and Crocker Partners. From 1993 to 1999, Brian was a broker in the Miami office of CB Richard Ellis and from there he spent the next 18 years as a broker and Principal of Taylor and Mathis before joining Cushman and Wakefield in 2016. Brian is a 2 time “Broker of the Year” winner for Miami-Dade County.

  Cushman & Wakefield

  Vice Chairman

  Moderator

  Brian Gale

  Vice Chairman

  Cushman & Wakefield

Unleashing New Potential

Navigating South Florida Office Spaces for the Future

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  Jordan Bargas

  Jordan Bargas is a Executive Vice President of Development at Related Ross. Since joining Related in 2015, Jordan has served in various corporate roles and has also led several development projects across multiple geographies and asset classes, including his involvement in Hudson Yards—the largest private real estate development in US history. Jordan is responsible for all aspects of the development life cycle, from deal sourcing, design, zoning, capital financing and asset management. Initially born in Palm Beach County, Jordan relocated to South Florida in 2022 after spending ten years working in New York City’s real estate investment market. Prior to Related, he worked at Eastdil Secured on their investment sales team. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a Bachelors of Business Administration and is a board member for the Friends of the Underline.

  Related Ross

  Executive Vice President of Development

  Jordan Bargas

  Executive Vice President of Development

  Related Ross

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  Eduardo Otaola

  Managing Principal

  Constellation Group

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  Daniel Weisen

  Daniel Weisen is a Vice President at Cain International, a private investment firm with over $16 billion in assets under management. Weisen sits in the firm’s U.S. Debt team which has committed over $2 billion in new originations across the United States since 2018. Before joining Cain International, Daniel worked for Angelo Gordon as an associate on their real estate debt team. He has also held roles at Seven Valleys and Terra Capital Partners. Daniel graduated cum laude from Cornell University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in applied economics and management.

  Cain International

  VP

  Daniel Weisen

  VP

  Cain International

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  Juliana Fernández

  Juliana Fernandez is a founding partner of AEI, a world-class commercial design firm that is among the largest in Latin America. Having led projects throughout Latin America, New York and Miami, she is recognized for her expertise in designing corporate and commercial spaces with a vision inspired by global resources and extensive travel. Juliana’s more than 22 years of experience, with clients including Microsoft, Proctor & Gamble, Coca Cola, Globant and Holland & Knight, affords her profound knowledge of professional design that leaves a distinguishable, lasting mark and aesthetically communicates clients’ industry and brand personality. An architect by trade, Juliana graduated with honors from Rhode Island School of Design and attended Brown University. She earned a master’s degree in industrial design from Scuola Politecnica di Design in Milan and is LEED accredited.

  AEI

  Founder

  Juliana Fernández

  Founder

  AEI

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  Shai Fogel

  Shai Fogel has been with Mindspace since 2016. He successfully launched MIndspace’s Warsaw location (as the first high-end co-working space in the country), followed by the launch of Mindspace’s U.S. locations in SF, D.C. and Philadelphia. Since January 2021, Shai has been acting as the General Manager in the US for Mindspace. Formerly, Shai established the Israeli branch of Gaingels syndicate in Tel Aviv. He was the Head of Business Development at Spartacs, establishing the business infrastructure of the company with 150 clients. Shai worked as a Business Development and Publisher Account Manager at IronSource. He was also Founder & CEO of TheFixer, an on-demand personal assistance service, where he established and managed an operation of more than 500 clients. Shai received his B.A. in Social Sciences from Tel Aviv University.

  Mindspace USA

  General Manager

  Shai Fogel

  General Manager

  Mindspace USA

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  Janis Cheezem

  Janis Cheezem leases, buys, sells, and finances office buildings and mixed use, retail, residential, and industrial real estate for her clients, also providing counsel for property management issues and in workouts and restructurings of commercial real estate assets. She is recognized by Who's Who Legal and The Best Lawyers in America for real estate law. Janis represents landlords, tenants, lenders, sellers, and purchasers in both complex and bread and butter transactions. She has been primarily responsible for the leasing, sale, and purchase of millions of square feet of office, retail, mixed use, and industrial properties. Janis applies innovative and practical solutions to meet business objectives and close deals, even when transactions involve multiple parties and shifting assumptions. Janis is a frequent speaker before numerous professional organizations, including the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), the University of Miami School of Law Annual Real Estate Institute, and the American Bar Association.

  Akerman Miami

  Partner

  Moderator

  Janis Cheezem

  Partner

  Akerman Miami

Unlocking Current Potential

Diving into Today's South Florida Office Markets

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  Jordan Rathlev

  EVP

  Related Ross

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  Steven Burgos

  Steven is a Senior Associate and Director of Design, Interiors in HOK’s Miami Studio, leading teams on strategic vision, technical quality, and design excellence. HOK is a global design, architecture, engineering and planning firm, with 1,600 people collaborating across 26 offices on three continents. Over the past 15 years, he has developed a strong portfolio of work across multiple market sectors such as technology, consumer goods, financial and professional services. This has resulted in cross pollination of thought leadership to create dynamic, carefully curated experiences that help people feel productive, engaged and happy. He has authored articles on workplace design and repositioning office buildings, and is active in the local and national Interior Design community.

  HOK

  Senior Associate and Director of Design, Interiors

  Steven Burgos

  Senior Associate and Director of Design, Interiors

  HOK

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  Francisco Ramirez

  Francisco Ramirez, Vice President at Align1 Solutions, is an esteemed leader in South Florida's commercial interior development sector, recognized for his profound strategic acumen and extensive industry knowledge. Francisco has notably spearheaded architectural interior solutions for major Fortune 500 companies, including the impressive project at Nextera Energy/Florida Power & Light's new headquarters in Palm Beach County. With a career overseeing projects exceeding 5 million square feet and valued at over $50 million, Francisco's team at Align1 Solutions currently manages approximately 1 million square feet of office space furnishings for a diverse range of South Florida businesses, boasting clients such as Nextera Energy/FPL, MOSS Construction, Southern Glazer Wine & Spirits, and the Miami-Dade County Courthouse. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Francisco actively contributes as a member of the University of Miami Citizen's Board and dedicates his time as a leader and volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami (BBBS) for over five years. His versatile expertise spans business intelligence, project management, strategic development, and innovative forward thinking. Moreover, he passionately supports community initiatives such as the Dolphins Challenge Cancer, making a positive impact both within and beyond the business arena. Francisco Ramirez is undeniably a visionary leader committed to advancing both his industry and community.

  Align1 Solutions

  Vice President

  Francisco Ramirez

  Vice President

  Align1 Solutions

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  Roberto Zaldivar

  Robert Zaldivar is an accomplished tax professional and Manager at Citrin Cooperman. Based in Miami, he has nearly 20 years of experience with an emphasis on business planning, consulting, accounting & bookkeeping, QuickBooks consulting & assistance and tax compliance. In his current role, he supports a wide array of clientele, with an emphasis on the real estate sector, specifically developers and investors in the commercial and mixed-use multifamily space. This represents 21% of the Citrin Cooperman South Florida practice, accounting for approximately $3 million in work. Robert also works with clients across healthcare, law, restaurants & hospitality, and technology with accounting, tax and consulting services. His background in family office work, makes him attune to the unique needs of high-net-worth individuals providing services in planning and coordinating tax strategy, general ledger accounting, analysis and process implementation to meet their needs. In addition, he works with medium-sized and small businesses to provide tax work, general accounting and bill payment services. Throughout his expansive career, Robert has had the opportunity to work at a variety of large accounting firms over the years. He’s previously held positions at GEMRT, Kaufman Rossin and Alvarez & Marsal. He earned his bachelor’s in finance and marketing and holds a master’s in accounting from Florida International University. When he’s not working, Robert is enjoying one of his three passions in life. He loves to travel, is an avid foodie and a die-hard Miami Hurricane football fan. A true family man, he enjoys his passions alongside his family, wife, Cristy and two sons, Felipe and Mateo.

  Citrin Cooperman

  Tax Manager

  Moderator

  Roberto Zaldivar

  Tax Manager

  Citrin Cooperman