Advisory Board - Robert Traurig-Greenberg Traurig LLM in Real Property Development

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The Real Property Development LL.M. Advisory Board is composed of some of the most distinguished leaders in the industry, including law practice, finance, development, brokerage, architecture, banking, insurance, and marketing.

Hugo P. Arza

Partner Holland & Knight LLP

701 Brickell Ave UNIT 3300
Miami, FL 33131
Tel: 305-789-7783
E-mail: hugo.arza@hklaw.com

Hugo Arza practices in the areas of land use and zoning, real estate, and state and local government advocacy. Mr. Arza represents a wide range of clients, including residential, commercial, and industrial real estate developers, charter school operators and vendors in the business of providing goods and services to government agencies. Mr. Arza regularly represents property owners, builders and developers in Miami-Dade County and every major municipality in the county on land development matters. In particular, he has handled hundreds of comprehensive plan changes, rezoning efforts, and site plan approvals for residential, commercial, industrial, and educational clients. Mr. Arza also regularly advises clients in commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, development agreements and related transactions where there are land development or entitlement issues.

Jeff Berkowitz, JD’74

Chairman, Berkowitz Development Group, Inc.

2665 S. Bayshore Drive, Suite 1200 Coconut Grove, FL 33133
Tel: 305-854-2800
E-mail: jberkowitz@berkowitzdev.com

Jeff Berkowitz is the Chairman and Founder of Berkowitz Development Group. A former practicing attorney, he is widely recognized as one of the pre-eminent retail developers in Miami-Dade County. His expertise includes areas relating to all aspect of development, including leasing, management, construction management, customer and tenant relations, budgeting, projections, and governmental relations. With his formal legal training and active experience practicing law, he also provides support in negotiation and a wealth of experience in dispute avoidance and, if necessary, resolution.

Ellen Buckley

Founder and CEO Prospera Real Estate Collective

Miami, FL
Tel: 786.928.5212
E-mail: ellen@prosperaco.com

Ellen C. Buckley is the Founder and CEO of Prospera Real Estate Collective, LLC, a
national real estate development firm where she stands out as a tenacious trailblazer and pragmatic innovator in a highly competitive industry. Backed by an accomplished academic record, Ellen leads Prospera with a clear focus on delivering timeless, human- centric solutions that consistently provide the highest value to all stakeholders. A top
performer committed to excellence, she holds graduate degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, a Certificate of Real Estate Development and Finance from The Wharton School, and a Master of Science in Historic Preservation. Additionally, she earned a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Miami, where she graduated first in her class.

Rocio Budetta

Managing Director Newland Capital Group

200 Spectrum Center Dr. Irvine, CA 92618
Tel: 310-339-7735
E-mail: rocio.budetta@newlandcapitalgroup.com

Rocio Budetta is the Managing Director and Partner at Newland Capital Group. Mrs. Budetta joined Mr. Newland’s brokerage team in 2019 and focused on all aspects of industrial brokerage including land assemblage opportunities, lease negotiations, institutional landlord representation and market analysis. At NCG, Mrs. Budetta leads operations and finance. Mrs. Budetta holds a Master of Science in Real Estate from the University of San Diego.

Lorne Cantor, JD'99

Partner, Jones Day

600 Brickell Ave
Miami, FL 33131
Tel: 305-714-9703
E-mail: lcantor@jonesday.com

Lorne Cantor, a partner at Jones Day, specializes in mergers and acquisitions, complex joint ventures, and securities offerings, with a focus on the gaming, hospitality, transportation, and technology industries. He has led high-profile transactions, including the $4.9 billion acquisition of the Rational Group by the Stars Group and representing Hard Rock International in its acquisition of the Trump Taj Mahal and other strategic deals. Lorne earned his J.D. magna cum laude from the University of Miami (1999), where he was a member of the Order of the Coif, served on the Law Review, and received The J. Donald and Agnes E. Shoecraft Law Scholarship. He also holds a B.A. in Political Science from Tufts University (1996). Before joining Jones Day in 2019, he advised major gaming operators, online gaming companies, and global engineering firms on a variety of strategic transactions.

Asi Cymbal

President and Owner Cymbal Development

3470 N Miami Ave Miami, FL 33127
Tel: 305-573-8700
E-mail: asi@cymbaldlt.com

Asi Cymbal is the President and owner of Cymbal Development, with over 30 years of experience in real estate development, construction, finance, and law. Known for his passion for architecture and community transformation, Asi has collaborated with world- renowned architects and designers, spearheading projects in key neighborhoods such as Manhattan’s Financial District, Tribeca, and the Miami Design District. Under his leadership, Cymbal Development has delivered exceptional returns to investors, turning a
$3 million fund in 2010 into over $180 million, with a target of $700 million by 2026.

In addition to his real estate ventures, Asi has co-created some of Miami’s most celebrated restaurants and clubs, including Sra. Martinez and Bardot. Recognized as a Top 100 Power Leader by the South Florida Business Journal, he also serves as Vice Chair of FIU’s College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts and is actively involved in community revitalization efforts. Asi holds degrees from Vassar College and UCLA School of Law and is a licensed attorney and general contractor.

Daniel de la Vega, MBA '12

ONE Sotheby’s Realty

4100 N. Miami Avenue Miami, FL 33127
Tel: 786-453-3170
E-mail: ddelavega@onesothebysrealty.com

Daniel de la Vega, President of ONE Sotheby’s International Realty, has been pivotal in
expanding the brand along Florida’s East Coast since 2008. Under his leadership, the luxury brokerage spans 30 offices across multiple counties, with over 1,300 associates generating annual sales exceeding $8.1 billion. With a background in finance and marketing, Daniel manages a $7 billion property portfolio, including luxury condo developments and existing listings. His global outreach strengthens the company’s network and bolsters its local and international presence.

A Miami native, Daniel is passionate about the intersection of real estate, art, and culture. An avid art collector with over 100 pieces, he is a Board of Trustee Member at the Pérez Art Museum and active in various arts organizations. He holds a finance and marketing degree from Florida International University and an MBA from the University of Miami, where he serves on the School of Law Real Property Development LL.M. Board.

David Deutch

Co-Founder and President Pinnacle Housing Group

9400 S Dadeland Blvd Miami, FL 33156
Tel: 305-854-7100
E-mail: david@pinnaclehousing.com

David O. Deutch is the Co-Founder and President of Pinnacle, a Miami-based real estate development and construction firm specializing in high-quality workforce, affordable, and market-rate housing across Florida. Since co-founding Pinnacle in 1997, David has overseen all aspects of the business, leveraging decades of experience in the multi-family housing market to develop over 10,000 residential units that set the standard for “best-in-class” living.

A third-generation Miamian, David began his career in corporate banking and business planning before transitioning to real estate development. He holds an M.B.A. from the University of Miami and a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin. An active community leader, he served as Chairman of the Coalition of Affordable Housing Providers, past President of the
Mount Sinai Medical Center Foundation, and is a member of the hospital’s Board of Trustees Executive Committee, among other civic roles.

Anthony De Yurre, LL.M. ’05

RPD Advisory Board Co-Chair
Partner, Bilzin Sumberg

1450 Brickell Avenue, 23rd Floor Miami, FL 33131
Tel: 305-350-2404
E-mail: adeyurre@bilzin.com

Anthony De Yurre is a Partner in Bilzin Sumberg's Land Development & Government Relations Group. His practice exclusively focuses on the representation of real estate developers and investors in complex land use and zoning matters with a focus on transit- oriented development, large scale mixed-use development, public private partnerships, and multifamily workforce housing. As a native Miamian, Anthony recognizes the tremendous need for attainable housing throughout Florida and is heavily engaged in Live Local Act (SB102 and SB328) legislation, interpretation, and application at both the state and local levels. Anthony is an adjunct professor of law at the University of Miami’s LL.M. in Real Property Development where he teaches “Problem Solving Large Scale, Mixed-Use
Development”. He is also Co-Chair of the University of Miami’s Real Property Development LL.M Advisory Board. Upon graduating from Duke University and Vanderbilt Law, Anthony returned home to Miami to earn his LL.M. in Real Property Development from the same program he teaches at today at the University of Miami. Anthony is also fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.

Manny Diaz

Senior Partner Lydecker LLP

1221 Brickell Ave
Miami, FL 33131
Tel: 305-416-3180
E-mail: manny@lydecker.com

Manny Diaz is a transformative leader who served two terms as Mayor of Miami, where he redefined the city as an international hub of diversity, economic opportunity, and quality of life. Under his leadership, Miami underwent significant reforms and gained national recognition for innovative programs in urban design, sustainability, education, infrastructure, affordable housing, and arts and culture.

As a senior partner at Lydecker Law, Manny has served on numerous prestigious boards, including Harvard University’s Institute of Politics, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and the Perez Art Museum Miami. He has received nearly 100 awards, including America’s Best Leaders by US News & World Report, the Urban Innovator of the Year by the Manhattan Institute, and the Urban Leadership Award from the University of Pennsylvania.
Additionally, he is the author of Miami Transformed: Rebuilding America One Neighborhood, One City at a Time. Mayor Diaz’s civic contributions extend to national and international platforms, including serving as Chair of the Florida Democratic Party from 2021 to 2022. A passionate advocate for sustainable cities and climate action, he has consistently been recognized as one of the most influential Latino leaders committed to progress and innovation.

Lyan Fernandez, JD’79

Chief Executive Officer, Attica Consulting Group, LLC

Miami, FL 33155
Tel: 305-772-7162
E-mail:
lyan.fernandez@atticaconsultingroup.com

Lyan Fernandez is President & CEO of OUR Community Bank (In Organization), which plans to open its doors in the first quarter of 2022 as the first community bank chartered in Miami-Dade County in more than a decade. Previously, as CEO of Attica Consulting Group LLC, she led a group of bankers specialized in providing consulting services to the banking industry. Prior to her involvement with Attica, Ms. Fernandez was Chief Operating Officer, Chief Risk Officer and Executive Vice President of TotalBank, a $3.0 billion South Florida, full-service community bank which was acquired by City National Bank. In her previous role, she oversaw all operations and risk management functions, assessing risk exposure and directing all risk management strategies for the financial institution, which had been consistently ranked among the healthiest banks in the U.S. prior to its acquisition.

Raymond Fort

Vice President Arquitectonica

2900 Oak Ave
Miami, FL 33133
Tel: 305-372-1812
E-mail: rfort@arquitectonica.com

Raymond Fort is Vice President and Design Director at Arquitectonica, bringing over a decade of experience in designing and overseeing global architectural projects across residential, commercial, educational, and mixed-use sectors. Licensed in Florida, New York, and Massachusetts, his portfolio includes notable projects such as the University of Miami’s Thomas P. Murphy Design Studio, Mr. C Hotel in Coconut Grove, and Five Park in Miami Beach, with a total project value exceeding $4 billion.

A graduate of Cornell University (Bachelor of Architecture) and Columbia University (Master of Advanced Architectural Design), Raymond also serves as an adjunct professor at Florida International University. He is dedicated to sustainable design and urbanism, aiming to create vibrant, resilient communities. Outside of architecture, he enjoys rowing, surfing, and engaging in Miami’s cultural and civic initiatives.

Maria A. Gralia, JD '99

Shareholder, Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeef & Sitterson, P.A.

150 West Flagler Street, Suite 2200 Miami, FL 33130
Tel: 305-789-3525
E-mail: mgralia@stearnsweaver.com

Maria A. Gralia has nearly 25 years of experience in real estate development with an emphasis on land use and zoning and real estate acquisition. Maria represents developers, businesses, financial institutions, not-for-profit institutions and private property owners in the acquisition, development, leasing and sale of residential and commercial property. Maria has assisted her clients in obtaining the requisite development approvals, master plan and zoning amendments, platting, vacating right-of-ways, design development approvals and development of regional impact development orders, local, state and federal environmental permitting, historic preservation issues, marina permitting, land use litigation and appeals.

Prior to joining the firm, Maria served as Assistant General Counsel to the University of Miami where she oversaw the University of Miami’s real estate portfolio, which included negotiating the purchase and sale of University property, negotiating and drafting commercial leases with private and public entities, and managing all land use and zoning related issues with the City of Coral Gables, City of Miami, Miami-Dade County, State and Federal agencies. While at the University, Maria also oversaw the area of technology transfer on behalf of the General
Counsel’s office. In this capacity, she was responsible for drafting, reviewing and negotiating various agreements to facilitate the commercialization of University intellectual property, including corporate documents for start-up companies, term sheets, license agreements and shareholder subscription agreements.

Joseph M. Hernandez, JD ’96

Partner, Bilzin Sumberg

1450 Brickell Avenue, 23rd Floor Miami, FL 33131
Tel: 305-350-7325
E-mail: jhernandez@bilzin.com

Drawing on his prior experience as a banker and general counsel for a private equity firm, Joseph Hernandez counsels a variety of clients in negotiating and structuring complex commercial real estate transactions. He represents real estate developers, financial institutions, private equity firms, family offices and public entities in all phases of such transactions, with deals across the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean. He handles acquisitions, development, financing, leasing, joint ventures, and advises clients on raising capital for real estate projects.
He also represents developers and investors in the area of condominium redevelopment, which oftentimes involves the bulk-acquisition of condominium units and the complex process of terminating an existing condominium. He helps clients navigate all stages of the process, from due diligence, joint venture structuring, structuring bulk-acquisitions and termination strategies, to acquisition financing, construction financing, and mezzanine financings that facilitate the redevelopment.

Carolina Herrera

Vice President of Land Acquisition Lennar

5505 Blue Lagoon Drive Miami, FL 33126
Tel: 786-586-0472
E-mail: Carolina.herrera@lennar.com

Carolina Herrera is the Vice President of Land Acquisition of the SE Florida Division of Lennar Homes. As the Vice President, Ms. Herrera covers a territory that spans from Key West up to Broward County, and has worked on the acquisition of over 25,000 homesites in the last 5 years. Her role in Lennar has not been limited to land acquisition, land banking, financing and entitlements.
Ms. Herrera has had great involvement in property management in her previous role as Vice President of Property Management, the settlement of Division legal matters and the negotiation of the Division’s contracts. Having started as a temporary employee in the construction department, and ambitiously working her way up through positions such as construction project manager, property manager and land manager, Ms. Herrera represents the spirit of Lennar and its endless possibilities for growth to those who are determined to achieve it.

Jerome Hollo, JD’93, AB’90

Executive Vice President and Co-CEO, Florida East Coast Realty, LLC

100 South Biscayne Blvd., Suite 900
Miami, FL 33131
Tel: 305-358-7710
E-mail: jhollo@fecr.com

Following an internship with the Chief Judge for the Southern District of Florida, Jerome Hollo obtained a Juris Doctorate in 1993. Jerome then practiced with the law firm of Rosenthal, Rosenthal, and Rasco, where he established a leading transactional practice. In 1994, he was recognized by his peers and was elected to the Board of Directors of the Miami- Dade County Bar Association, where he served for three years. Jerome joined FECR in 1995 and presently serves as Co-CEO and General Counsel for the company.
Jerome has been directly involved and routinely liaisons with municipal, community, and civic organizations. In 2002, he was elected to the Board of Directors of the City of Miami Downtown Development Authority (DDA), which oversees the growth and development of
Miami’s core district. In addition, he has been inducted as a Founder of Mt. Sinai Hospital, and, in May 2011, he was recognized by the business community and Business Leader Magazine as a Business Leader of the Year for Commercial Development. Jerome sits on the Visiting Committee for both the University of Miami School of Arts and Sciences and the University of Miami School of Law Real Property Development Committee. He is a Board Member of the Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center and is also involved with JAFCO, March of the Living, Achieve Miami, and Camillus House. Further, he has been named as a Power Leader in Real Estate by South Florida Business Journal in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.

Kimberly Hill Hoover

CEO, RED Multifamily

1312 17th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: 202-309-5209
E-mail: kim@redmultifamily.com

Kimberly Hoover is an attorney, a business owner, a philanthropist, and a donor to progressive causes. She is also a published author of YA fiction. Ms. Hoover arrived in Washington, DC in 1985 after graduating from Duke University School of Law, where she was Executive Editor of the Duke Law Journal, and began a practice that spanned more than 20 years and included stints at top tier law firms as well as her own shop. She honed her skills in the areas of financial services regulatory and legislative practice, working on a wide range of matters for industry clients, including financial privacy, information security, and payment systems. She has served on the boards of several community banks: Treasury Bank in Washington, DC, which was ultimately sold to Countrywide; Monument Bank in Montgomery County, MD, Revere Bank in Howard, Frederick, and Montgomery Counties, MD, ultimately sold to Sandy Spring Bank headquartered in Montgomery County. In the early 2000s, she started a real estate operating company, RED Multifamily, which develops, owns and operates multi-family workforce and affordable housing in the District of Columbia.

Valerie Jahn-Grandin, JD’83

Vice President, Senior Underwriting Counsel, Alliant National Title Insurance Company

7900 Glades Rd #435
Boca Raton, FL 33434 Tel: 305-485-2031
E-mail: vgrandin@alliantnational.com

Valerie Jahn Grandin, Vice President and Senior Underwriting Counsel, brings a wealth of commercial real estate experience to her position, including commercial acquisition, conveyance, financing and development, as well as title insurance underwriting. Prior to joining DOMA, Valerie was Senior Underwriting Counsel at Attorneys’ Title Fund Services, LLC, in Orlando, Florida, where she provided underwriting assistance to commercial law firms, foreclosure practices and residential title agents. From 1999 to 2007, she handled all phases of commercial and residential real estate for Burr & Forman in its Winter Park office. She also managed a real estate caseload for Miami-based Shapo, Freedman & Fletcher for four years prior to that. Valerie is an honors graduate of Rollins College in Winter Park and earned her Juris Doctorate at the University of Miami School of Law. She is a member of the Florida Bar, CREW Miami and previously CREW Orlando where she was voted Most Outstanding Member in 2010. She serves on the Board of the Robert Traurig, Greenberg Traurig LL.M in Real Property Development at the University of Miami School of Law. She has earned the Florida Bar Board Certified Real Estate Lawyer designation.

Kobi Karp, R.A., AIA, NCARB

President, Kobi Karp Architecture and Interior Design, Inc.

2915 Biscayne Blvd, Suite #200
Miami, FL 33137
Tel: 305-573-1818
E-mail: kobikarp@kobikarp.com

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.

Michael F. Kashtan, JD’83

General Counsel

9133 Collins Avenue, Suite 4E Surfside, FL 33154
Tel: 305-571-8228
E-mail: mfkashtan@gmail.com

Michael F. Kashtan has over twenty-five years’ experience in the practice areas of construction litigation, commercial litigation, insurance litigation, arbitration, and mediation. He has successfully represented numerous architects and engineers, contractors and developers on issues ranging from simple contract disputes to multi party construction disputes with claims of over $50 million dollars. After practicing as a founding member of Daniels Kashtan for many years Michael joined Fort Partners LLC as General Counsel in 2014. Fort Partners is involved in the management and development of high-end hotels and residential properties in the United States, in Europe and the Caribbean. Notable projects include the Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Fort Lauderdale, The Surf Club, and Four Seasons Palm Beach. Michael F. Kashtan was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and raised in Rochester, New York.

Camilo Lopez

CEO & Managing Partner TSG Group

4100 N. Miami Avenue Miami, FL 33127
Tel: 305-438-1259
E-mail: clopez@tsg-group.com

Camilo Lopez is from Bogota, Colombia and relocated to Miami in 1999. He was recognized in 2019 and 2017 as a Power Leader in Real Estate by the South Florida Business Journal and is a member of the Real Property Development Advisory Board from the University of Miami. Camilo Lopez has 20 years of experience in the structuring, development, and disposition of real estate assets. He utilizes his extensive knowledge to identify new trends, areas, and opportunities for growth. Camilo founded TSG Group in 2008. In the years following, he was able to arrange the private equity to tactically acquire a total of 4,000 income-producing properties in South Florida. During Black Salmon’s early years, TSG was the company’s development brand until 2022, when the brands merged under Black Salmon.

As an expert and visionary, Camilo heads the development of Black Salmon’s landmark projects, including both prime commercial and residential properties; as well as the acquisition of prime properties in prominent areas of Miami including Wynwood, Edgewater, the Design District, Brickell, the Health District and the Miami River.

Jessica Melendez

Vice President of Development, The Related Group

2850 Tiger Tail Avenue, Suite #800
Miami, FL 33133
Tel: 305-460-9900 x2416
E-mail: jmelendez@relatedgroup.com

Jessica Melendez brings a universal knowledge of the development process gained from her 20 years’ experience in multiple real estate sectors. As Vice President of Development, Jessica oversees the day-to-day operations and is responsible for sourcing new deals, vision implementation and design, entitlements, financing, construction, lease-up and disposition of Related Developments multifamily division. At Related, Jessica has developed over 3,000 residential units. She is a real estate executive with demonstrated success in executive leadership and leading a team encompassing a diverse background.

Prior to joining Related, Jessica spent 15 years as Vice President for Dayco Group. A privately held South Florida real estate development firm. She was responsible for overseeing all aspects of development from acquisition, development, stabilization, asset management, and disposition. She graduated from the University of Miami with a B.S. in Finance and is a State of Florida licensed General Contractor. She is also an Advisory Board Member at the University of Florida.

Martin Ferreira de Melo

Director, The Melo Group

425 NE 22 Street, Suite 301
Miami, FL 33137
Tel: 305-438-1001
E-mail: martin@themelogroup.com

Originally founded in 1948 by Armando Ferreira de Melo in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Melo Group is one of the strongest family-owned, full-service real estate development firms operating in South Florida today. Within the organization, a strong family bond continues to ensure the future excellence and reputation of The Melo Group. In 1998, Mr. Martin Ferreira de Melo, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with a Master’s Degree in Economics from the University of Belgrano (Buenos Aries, Argentina) joined the company. Martin Ferreira de Melo is also a US Certified General Contractor. The company has been focused on delivering a more intelligent approach to development, design, construction, and management of luxury properties. To date, this unique philosophy has been the guiding force behind more than 50 successfully completed projects, and the company remains actively involved in real estate development in Argentina as well as in Montevideo, Punta del Este, Uruguay. The Melo Group has 18 projects in South Florida. The total number of units Melo Group has delivered in Miami since 2003 has reached 4,896 — almost as many as they have built in Argentina.

Melissa Rose

Managing Director, JLL Capital Markets, Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc.

1450 Brickell Avenue, Suite 2110
Miami, FL 33131
Tel: 305-421-6547
E-mail: melissa.rose@am.jll.com

Melissa Rose 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 $5 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 on the small-scale development National Product Council at the Urban Land Institute 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.

Tom Roth

CEO and Founder Roth Investment & Advisory

Miami, FL
Tel: 305-525-2535
E-mail: tom@rothadvisory.com

Tom Roth is an accomplished real estate professional with over $1 billion in commercial development and acquisitions across the U.S. and internationally. With expertise spanning development, financing, leasing, marketing, and asset management, he has led transformative projects, including the redevelopment of Chicago’s Navy Pier, the Diagonal Mar Centre in Barcelona, and Miami’s iconic 2525 Ponce de Leon Building. As a co-founder of Grass River Property, he spearheaded the redevelopment of CocoWalk, a landmark urban retail center in Coconut Grove, Florida.

A Chicago native, Tom earned his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. Beyond real estate, he actively supports civic and charitable initiatives and serves as an advisor to the Lab Ventures Real Estate Technology Fund, reflecting his passion for innovation and community impact.

Gary Saul

RPD Advisory Board Co-Chair Shareholder, Co-Chair, Miami Real Estate Practice Greenberg Traurig LLP

333 SE 2nd Avenue, Suite 4400
Miami, FL 33131
Tel: 305-579-0500
E-mail: saulg@gtlaw.com

Gary A. Saul is the Co-Chair of the Miami Real Estate Practice. He is a nationally recognized attorney who represents a broad range of clients in connection with the
structuring, development, ownership, and financing of real estate projects, including many high-profile, luxury and mixed-use, commercial, retail, hospitality and residential condominiums and vertically subdivided projects.

Carol L. Schoffel Faber, JD’83

Partner and Co-Chair, Distressed Property Practice, Akerman LLP

Three Brickell City Centre
98 SE Seventh Street, Suite 1100
Miami, FL 33131
Tel: 305-374-5600
E-mail: carol.faber@akerman.com

Carol Faber has extensive experience representing clients for over 30 years in a wide range of real estate transactions, including financing, leasing, and acquisition and sale transactions. Her financing experience includes representing borrowers and lenders in mortgage loans, ranging from several million dollars to hundreds of millions of dollars, on vacant land and developed property of all kinds, including industrial property, office buildings, shopping centers, hotels, condominiums, and apartment buildings, as well as construction loans, real estate related asset-based loans, leasehold mortgages, securitized loans, mezzanine loans, and loan participations.

Tadd Schwartz

President, Schwartz Media Strategies

1101 Brickell Avenue, Suite 1402 – North Tower Miami, FL 33131
Tel: 305-858-3935
E-mail: tadd@schwartz-media.com

As president of the largest independent public relations firm exclusively serving Florida clients, Tadd Schwartz brings more than 25 years of experience developing integrated communications campaigns on behalf of public companies, multinational corporations, nonprofit organizations, and entrepreneurial firms.

Respected by clients and journalists for his industry knowledge, resourcefulness, and grasp of the national and regional communications landscape, Tadd partners with clients to achieve their business goals, raise their community profile, and connect with target
audiences. Throughout his career, Tadd has led successful sales and marketing campaigns for real estate developers, developed national branding and thought leadership campaigns for law firms, banks, and financial firms, and raised the profile of business and civic
leaders across a range of sectors. Tadd is active in several civic organizations and currently sits on the boards of directors for Lotus House and Developing Minds Foundation. Tadd is also a member of the University of Miami’s Real Property
Development LL.M. Advisory Board. A native of Miami, Tadd earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida.

Oscar Seikaly

CEO and Owner, NSI Insurance Group

5875 NW 163rd St, Suite 207 Miami Lakes, FL 33014
Tel: 305-556-1488 x235
E-mail: oscars@nsigroup.org

Oscar Seikaly serves as CEO of NSI Insurance Group, one of the largest privately-owned firms that specializes in insuring families and businesses
throughout the US and in over 100+ countries. Under Oscar’s leadership, NSI has tripled in size in the past five years and was named “Agency of the year” by National Underwriter magazine in 2022. He is the recipient of several professional awards and designations in the insurance industry.
Oscar graduated from Colgate University and attended Columbia University to specialize in the Foreign Policy of the People’s Republic of China. He is a member of the Collector’s Council and Benefactor of the PAMM, Board Member of the Bass Museum of Art, Collector’s Council of the ICA Miami, member of the Advisory Board of UM School of Law’s RPD program and Sponsor of the Miami City Ballet. He is active in numerous other civic and charity organizations such as, The Pompidou Foundation, Doctors Without Borders and a member of United
Way’s Tocqueville Society. He was a member of the Producer Advisory Council of AIG and is a member of the Advisory Board of Vault Reciprocal Exchange.

Nicole Shiman

Vice President, Investments EDENS

515 East Las Olas Boulevard, Suite 1010 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Tel: 954-622-4208
E-mail: nshiman@edens.com

Nicole Shiman is Vice President of Investments, leading the Florida Region and office for EDENS. 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 served as a founding Board Member of the Wynwood Yard.

Jaret N. Turkell, LL.M.’09

Senior Managing Director, Berkadia

2255 Glades Road, Suite 419A Boca Raton, FL 33431
Tel: 561-573-6140
E-mail: jaret.turkell@berkadia.com

Jaret Turkell is a Senior Managing Director of Investment Sales at Berkadia, based
in Florida. Jaret has 15 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry and has completed over $7 billion in sales volume over the course of his career. Turkell is based in Berkadia’s Miami and Boca Raton offices and plays a leading role in the growth
throughout the region.

Prior to joining Berkadia, Turkell served as Managing Director in HFF’s Miami office, where he specialized in the sale of multifamily assets and land, as well as raising joint
venture equity for developments. Prior to that, he practiced real estate and land-use law at a prominent global law firm in Miami. Turkell holds a J.D. from Duke University and a
Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Real Property Development from the University of Miami. He is a member of The Florida Bar and the Urban Land Institute and sits on the board of advisors for the University of Miami’s LL.M. program in Real Property Development.