Keynote Roundtable

View from the Top and Up the Coast from Miami Beach to Sunny Isles

• 

  Steven Meiner

  In a historic runoff race on November 21, 2023, Steven Meiner was decisively elected Mayor of Miami Beach, with a clear margin of victory. His journey to the mayoral office was preceded by an extraordinary four-year tenure as Commissioner, during which he distinguished himself through bold and innovative initiatives focused on public safety and the overall quality of life for Miami Beach residents. Meiner’s accomplishments include spearheading legislative changes that significantly increased the successful prosecution rate of municipal misdemeanor arrests, emphasizing accountability for repeat offenders. He advocated for enhanced law and order measures, such as increased police visibility and legislative actions against street-level drug dealing and dangerous biker/bicyclist groups. His commitment to responsible development was evident in initiatives requiring a higher commission vote for building size increases. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Steven Meiner was instilled with a sense of duty to public service and community. His parents, Sheldon Meiner and Dorothy Weiss, served as role models, with his father dedicating nearly four decades to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, and his mother contributing to public education as a teacher and guidance counselor. Following in his parents’ footsteps, Steven has dedicated the majority of his 26- year professional career as an attorney to public service, specifically combating fraud. Steven practiced law in New York City, handling high-profile cases for prestigious international law firms Dewey Ballantine and Mayer Brown. After moving to Miami Beach in 2007, he served as an enforcement attorney with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He is now a senior management executive for The Farkas Group, Inc. Steven has been married to his wife Shanyn for 22 years, and they take pride in raising their two children, Matisyahu and Michal in Miami Beach. Academically, he earned his J.D. Cum Laude from Brooklyn Law School and graduated Summa Cum Laude with Phi Beta Kappa honors from Brooklyn College. Now as Mayor, Steven Meiner’s leadership promises to build upon this foundation, fostering transparency, accountability, and a profound commitment to enhancing public safety with a keen focus on Miami Beach residents.

  Miami Beach

  Mayor

  Keynote

  Steven Meiner

  Mayor

  Miami Beach

• Keynote

  Larisa Svechin

  Mayor

  City of Sunny Isles Beach

• 

  Claudia G. Moreno

  Claudia Gonzales Moreno is a seasoned communications professional with more than a decade of experience spanning journalism and public relations. Trilingual in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, she brings a global perspective to storytelling and strategy. She began her career as a reporter for Valor Econômico in Brazil, where she sharpened her news judgment and ability to translate complex topics into compelling narratives. That newsroom foundation continues to guide her work in public relations, where she specializes in identifying the stories that matter and positioning clients at the center of them. Today, Claudia leads accounts at Levy Public Relations, advising clients across real estate, finance, and lifestyle industries. Known for her ability to build trusted relationships with media and craft impactful messaging, she has helped brands navigate high-profile moments, secure influential coverage, and connect with their audiences in meaningful ways.

  Levy Public Relations & Events

  Public Relations Director

  Moderator

  Claudia G. Moreno

  Public Relations Director

  Levy Public Relations & Events

The Collins Catalyst: How One City Block Is Reclaiming the Beach for Residents and Visitors

• 

  Russell Galbut

  CEO

  Crescent Heights

• 

  Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos

  Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos is the co-founder, President, and COO of Flag Luxury Group, a real estate development firm focused on luxury hotels, boutique hotels, and retail. Dayssi oversees all aspects of the firm’s initiatives, including site selection, finance, acquisitions, branding, management contracts, design, programming, zoning, construction, and asset management. Her renowned portfolio includes the 250-key Ritz-Carlton New York (named a “Best Hotel in New York” by Condé Nast Traveler), ICON Park (named among the “Best Things To Do in Orlando” by US News) and The Ritz-Carlton Residences, South Beach – a collection of “beach houses in the sky” setting a new standard of Miami luxury. Before joining Flag Luxury, Dayssi worked as a commercial real estate financial analyst and broker in New York. She earned a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, where she has served on the Board and as a guest lecturer in its 45th Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series. Dayssi is a valued member of the President's Council of Cornell Women and the Trustee Council of the University. She holds a Master’s in Real Estate Development and Finance from NYU. Dayssi is also the co-founder of Women’s Power Series, a nonprofit empowering women entrepreneurs through accessible networking events. She is the founder of The Friends of New Yorkers for Children, which supports children in foster care through education, mentoring, and career initiatives. She serves on the board of Save Venice, the largest private nonprofit dedicated to preserving the art and architecture of Venice. Dayssi has been honored with multiple industry accolades, including CRE Women in Real Estate, the Casita Maria Medal of Honor, and the Maryhaven Philanthropist of the Year, and has been inducted into Hospitality Design’s Platinum Circle for their lifetime achievement award. Website: flagluxury.com

  Flag Luxury Group

  Co-Founder, President, COO

  Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos

  Co-Founder, President, COO

  Flag Luxury Group

• 

  Ben Leahy

  Partner

  Ceder Capital Partners

• 

  Alex Fernandez

  Commissioner

  City of Miami Beach

• 

  Sandor Scher

  Sandor Scher is an accomplished entrepreneur and real estate development professional with over 25 years of experience. He has distinguished himself as one of the most respected industry leaders in Florida. Sandor is the founding principal of Claro Development, a Miami based real estate development services firm specializing in development, owner's representation, project management, and asset advisory. Since 2002, Claro Development has advised on over 180 projects in over 70 cities, successfully delivering over $1B of new development in the hospitality, residential, commercial and historic restoration sectors. Claro has led some of the most notable ocean front hospitality projects over the last decade, including the repositioning and development efforts for the Standard Miami Beach, the Raleigh Hotel, Costa d' Este Hotel in Vero Beach for Emilio and Gloria Estefan, Soho Beach House, the Thompson Hotel (later rebadged the Confidant), Faena Hotel, Faena House (Residences) and the Faena Arts district, the Ritz Carlton Residences Miami Beach, the Peter Miller Hotel – Lennox Hotel, the Greystone and the Santa Barbara Hotels. Current projects are the Delano Hotel, the Prince Michael Hotel, the Newport Beach Hotel, Home 2 Suites Jacksonville, and recently completed in 2025 Ascent Naples (multifamily residential) and Shelborne Hotel. In 2014, Sandor co-founded Ocean Terrace Holdings, for the purpose of assembling and developing 2.2 Acres of ocean front in Miami Beach. The $700MM project consists of luxury residential, resort residences, 5-star hotel, spa and street front retail. The creation of the Ocean Terrace district is a catalyst for the transformation of North Beach and includes the construction of a world-class five-acre ocean front public park. Sandor is also deeply committed to the community, having supported dozens of local organizations in Miami Beach, greater Miami areas and throughout Florida. The firm has provided its leadership to The Overtown Youth Center and Chabad of Venetian and Sunset Islands. Sandor has received the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce’s 2018 Champion of Business Award and the 2017 City National Bank Better Beach Citizen of the Year Award, Dade Heritage Trust’s 2016 Annual Historic Preservation Award and has received a proclamation from the City of Miami Beach in gratitude for his involvement and contributions to the City. Sandor currently serves on the advisory board of directors for the University of Miami Real Estate Development program and is actively involved with numerous charities, such as Overtown Youth Center, Kristi House, Colel Chabad and is a member of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce Board of Governors.

  Ocean Terrace Holdings

  Managing Director / Founder

  Sandor Scher

  Managing Director / Founder

  Ocean Terrace Holdings

• 

  Ryan Bailine

  Ryan Bailine’s practice focuses on the development and financing of complex real estate projects, including real estate, land use, and regulatory aspects. Noted for his responsiveness to his clients’ needs, attention to detail, and his project development acumen, Ryan represents some of the most active and prolific developers in North America, advising on residential, commercial, industrial and mixed-use projects, including Transit Oriented Developments (TOD), opportunity zone elements, affordable and workforce housing issues, and public-private endeavors. Ryan routinely works with local, regional and national regulatory agencies to facilitate the permitting, construction, development, and financing of real estate projects, including negotiating long-term ground leases, development agreements, development rights transfers, financing documents, joint venture agreements, and qualified opportunity zone structures, along with infrastructure and utility components. Regarding real estate finance, Ryan routinely negotiates and secures debt and equity placement, as well as tax credit based financing, ranging from low income housing, new market and historic tax credits, to other government sponsored programs such as SAIL and HOPE VI funding sources. Clients and real estate professionals regularly turn to Ryan for advice on opportunity zone real estate development and financing issues. He routinely advises developers, property owners, and qualified opportunity funds on regulatory structuring issues related to opportunity zone issues. Ryan has lectured a presented to clients and real estate consultants and professionals across the country on financing and qualified opportunity zone structuring and compliance issues.

  Greenberg & Traurig

  Shareholder

  Moderator

  Ryan Bailine

  Shareholder

  Greenberg & Traurig

Built for the Beach: Coastal Construction, Design & Development Strategies

• 

  Isaac Toledano

  CEO

  BH Group

• 

  Michael Patrizio

  Mr. Patrizio leads development and business plan execution for the Firm’s for-sale residential development projects and select urban multifamily transactions. Mr. Patrizio is a seasoned real estate executive with nearly 25 years since established spanning development, design and construction, and sales/marketing. Over his career, Mr. Patrizio has led projects totaling more than $6 billion in sales and 5 million net sellable square feet of residential space. Prior to joining Mast, he was Senior Vice President of Development for Newgard where he led the Natiivo Miami project. Previously, Mr. Patrizio was Director of Urban Development with Terra Group and executed on projects providing approximately 2 million sellable square feet of for-sale residential resulting in more than $1.8 billion in sales. Mr. Patrizio has also held leadership positions with Qatari Diar, the wholly owned real estate subsidiary of sovereign wealth fund Qatar Investment Authority. As CEO of Qatari Diar United Kingdom Ltd., he was responsible for a portfolio of landmark properties in London valued at over $18 billion, including the 13-acre Chelsea Barracks, the U.S. Embassy in Grosvenor Square, and more than 1,400 rental apartments at the London Olympic Athletes Village. Mr. Patrizio received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Architecture with a minor in Business Administration & Finance from the University of Miami. He has been a member of the board of directors of numerous UK companies and is an active supporter of the University of Miami.

  Mast Capital

  Managing Director

  Michael Patrizio

  Managing Director

  Mast Capital

• 

  Eduardo Otaola

  Managing Principal

  Constellation Group

• 

  Jeff Rossely

  Jeffery Rossely is one of the industry’s most distinguished real estate and development executives, with more than five decades of global experience leading transformative projects across Australia, Asia, the Middle East, and the United States. Over the course of his career, he has held senior roles with both private corporations and government entities, shaping landmark developments worth billions of dollars that blend innovation with cultural integrity. As Senior Vice President of Development for DAMAC International, founded by Hussain Sajwani, Jeff oversees The Delmore – an ultra-luxury condominium in Miami’s Surfside community designed by Zaha Hadid Architects and poised to redefine the city’s skyline. In addition, he serves as Chairman & Director of Turner Walker Robinson in Australia, guiding the firm’s expansion across Melbourne, Sri Lanka, and the UAE. He was previously the Deputy Chairman of Bunyan, an Oman government-owned development company, where he led the planning and delivery of key tourism projects throughout the country. Jeff also spearheaded iconic destinations for Majid Al Futtaim, delivering signature projects such as Mall of the Emirates, Ski Dubai, Bahrain City Centre, The Wave Muscat, and Deira City Centre, while negotiating complex public-private partnerships and joint ventures across the Middle East and North Africa. He has advised the Bahraini government on national tourism strategy and oversaw the redevelopment of the Four Seasons Park Lane in London, along with several other flagship hospitality projects. A former member of both the Urban Land Institute and the International Council of Shopping Centers, Jeff remains an influential voice in global property and design. His ability to unite heritage and modernity, coupled with deep operational expertise, continues to shape some of the world’s most celebrated developments. Jeff earned a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne and completed Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.

  DAMAC International

  SVP, Development

  Jeff Rossely

  SVP, Development

  DAMAC International

• 

  William O’Donnell

  William O’Donnell has managed the DESIMONE Miami office for 35 years. During his tenure, the firm has designed well over 100 million square feet of projects in Florida. Recent Florida hospitality projects include the Four Seasons in Surfside, Naples, and Jacksonville, the St. Regis in Longboat Key, the Raleigh, Ritz-Carlton Residences, and Miami Beach Convention Center Hotel on Miami Beach, the Broward County Convention Center Hotel, the renovation and expansion of Pier 66 in Fort Lauderdale, and the new Mandarin Oriental on Brickell Key replacing the existing building he designed in 1999. Current Caribbean projects are underway in The Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, and Antigua. He is a graduate of the University of Miami, has been on two industry advisory boards at UM, and is a Trustee for Barry University.

  Desimone Consulting Engineering

  Partner and Managing Principal

  William O’Donnell

  Partner and Managing Principal

  Desimone Consulting Engineering

• 

  James Galvin

  James Galvin is the Founder of Miami Coastline Management, an Owners Rep. firm specializing in ground-up commercial real estate development within the multi-family condominium and hospitality sectors. With hands-on experience from notable projects such as The Surf Club, Seaway at The Surf Club, Hillcrest in Surfside, and The Delmore, James also offers comprehensive expertise in the development, planning, and execution of custom single-family residences and condominium build-outs. James began his career in the South Florida construction industry as an estimator for a local roofing company while pursuing a degree in Construction Management at Florida International University. He simultaneously advanced as a Project Engineer with a local General Contractor while earning his M.B.A. After obtaining his General Contractor’s license, James operated his own construction firm before merging with Shawmut Design & Construction, a leading national builder. Transitioning to the ownership side of the business, he joined Fort Partners' Development Team, managing beachfront projects in Surfside and overseeing pre-development, design, entitlement, execution, and completion phases. More recently James served as Vice President at DAMAC and the company's first U.S.-based employee, he managed DAMAC’s inaugural U.S. project, The Delmore. His extensive background in construction and development, strategic planning, and project management underscores a career marked by growth, innovation, and leadership in South Florida’s dynamic real estate market.

  Miami Coastline Management

  Founder

  James Galvin

  Founder

  Miami Coastline Management

• 

  Kobi Karp

  Kobi Karp is the Founder and Principal of Kobi Karp Architecture and Interior Design, Inc (KKAID). Kobi Karp founded the firm in 1996 and has been the Principal-in-Charge of design since that time. KKAID is a full-service architectural and interior design firm providing a vast array of services, ranging from the design of large-scale, high-rise condominium and hospitality projects to intimate, small-scale low-rise residential and commercial structures. Educated at the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Technology, Kobi Karp earned degrees in both Architecture and Environmental Design. Subsequently, Kobi Karp began his career working on major hospitality and all- inclusive resort projects throughout the United States and the Caribbean. His restoration design techniques have contributed to a renaissance in one of this country’s most cherished areas, Miami Beach’s Art Deco District which is internationally recognized around the world. Kobi Karp has developed expertise in design over the last 20 years, working with a wide range of project types, sizes, complexities, and budgets. It is through this last quarter century working in warm weather climates that KKAID has garnered international acclaim and been selected to spearhead numerous resort projects. Developers and builders in the Caribbean, Black Sea region, and the Middle East have relied on the firm for their design eye and planning. Kobi Karp is a recognized member of the American Institute of Architects, honored for his award-winning designs and buildings and he is a licensed Professional Architect in 9 states and in Abu Dhabi (UAE). His firm has been featured in renowned national and local publications based on their major contributions in the preservation of historical areas.

  Kobi Karp Architecture & Interior Design

  President

  Moderator

  Kobi Karp

  President

  Kobi Karp Architecture & Interior Design