Young Leaders Group
The Young Leaders Group (YLG) is committed to helping build the region’s next generation of land use and real estate development industry leaders.
The ULI Southeast Florida/Caribbean YLG network creates opportunities for young professionals under the age of 35 to develop skills and build relationships that will help advance their careers, foster an understanding of thoughtful development practices, and actively shape the built environment and the future of Southeast Florida’s real estate industry.
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Join us at these upcoming Young Leaders Group events
The ULI Young Leaders Group (YLG)
Creates opportunities for our region’s young professionals to build relationships that will help them advance in their careers, and develop the skills and knowledge needed to become the next generation of successful real estate industry leaders.
Becoming an active YLG member is an invaluable springboard and resource for young professionals looking to catapult the success of their real estate careers. Involvement offers the following benefits:
- Special events for YLG Members include our Happy Hours, Industry Spotlights, and Tours, which are all geared to specifically compliment where you are in your career path. These events often provide helpful industry knowledge while giving you the opportunity to establish and expand networks that will last your entire career.
- Connections & More our speed mentoring and roundtable programs give you access to our regional’s real estate leaders in a casual and candid environment, providing opportunities to lessons-learned and true insight into the path taken by those that have come before.
- Leadership Opportunities – getting involved with council committees, putting together YLG events, and chairing programs gives you the opportunity to set yourself apart in the industry and make close connections with top industry and ULI leaders.
Young Leaders Group Chairs
Erin Ladd
ULI Young Leaders Group Chair
Erin is the Chair of ULI Southeast Florida / Caribbean’s Young Leaders Group and is also leading the YLG’s Habitat for Humanity Park Development Project. Erin is the Principal and Founder of LADD Planning and Development, and is also active with Nova Southeastern University’s MSRED Alumni Committee.
Contact: [email protected], (786) 696-4295
Eduardo Valle
Miami Young Leaders Group Co-Chair
Eddy Valle is the Co-Chair of the Miami Young Leaders Group. Eddy is a Development Associate at Atlantic | Pacific, and Co-Chairs the Young Leaders Group’s Affordable Housing Committee. He is also involved with the United Way of Miami-Dade Young Leaders Group, Belen Jesuit Preparatory School’s Real Estate Alumni Group, and is a Junior Director of the Latin Builders Association.
Contact: [email protected] | 305-457-0941
Liza Perry
Miami Young Leaders Group Co-Chair
Liza Perry is the Co-Chair of the Miami Young Leaders Group. Liza is a Project Manager with CBRE, and leads CBRE’s Rising Professional Organization for South Florida. She also serves on the Host Committee for the 2022 ULI Florida Summit – Miami, and sits on the Women United Executive Committee for the United Way of Miami-Dade
Contact: [email protected] | 305-260-2405
Dominic Gallardi
Broward / Palm Beach Young Leaders Group Chair
Dom is the Chair of the Broward / Palm Beach Young Leaders Group, and also leads the district’s 15 for 15 Series. Dom is a Senior Associate specializing in Real Estate Valuation Advisory at RSM US LLP, is a Student Mentor with the FSU College of Business’ MSF Class, and is on the boards of the Renegades of Reel Estate Fishing Tournament and NAIOP South Florida Chapter.
Contact: [email protected] | 561-542-9765
The Young Leaders Group is supported by the following sponsors:
Executive Committee & Featured Alumni
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MARK GRAFTON, FORMER CHAIR
Mark is the former chair of ULI Southeast Florida / Caribbean’s Young Leaders Group. Mark is an attorney with Shutts & Bowen, where he focuses his practice on Real Estate and Land Use matters.
Contact: [email protected] (305) 381-6060
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OMAR MORALES
Omar Morales
Omar Morales is the former Chair of the Miami-Dade Young Leaders Group. Omar works in multifamily investment and analysis at Berkadia.
Contact: [email protected] -
JUANITA BERNAL
Juanita Bernal is the former Chair of the Palm Beach YLG. Juanita is a Developer Associate at Cymbal DLT Companies.
Contact: [email protected] | 561-312-4265 -
JUSTIN SHAFFER
Justin Shaffer is the Director of Events & Programming for the Miami Young Leaders Group. Justin is a Director of Development at Dezer.
Contact: [email protected] | 305-932-1000 Ext. 220 -
DENISE CASTRO
Denise Castro is the former chair of the Broward County Young Leaders Group. Denise is the Director of Development and Managing Partner for Neucor Construction and Director of marketing and business development at Emerald Construction Corp. Denise recently graduated from the third cohort of ULI’s Leadership Institute, a CRE-focused leadership program for our region’s rising industry leaders.
Contact: [email protected], (305) 928-7653 -
CRISTI SANCHEZ
Cristina T. Sanchez
Cristi is a former chair of the ULI Young Leaders Group. Cristi works in commercial real estate finance at Duane Morris LLP
Contact: [email protected], (305) 960-2262
Get Involved
NETWORKING
Our networking events are hosted regularly throughout the region and will connect you with the local ULI network. Attend one of our networking events to make new connections, and build your local real estate network.
IMPACT
Get involved with one of our working groups to utilize your skills and passion to impact the local Southeast Florida community. Get involved with our Habitat for Humanity Park Development Project, student engagement efforts, Affordable Housing Solutions group, or our Resiliency & Sustainability committee. Contact [email protected] to learn more.
CONTENT, TOURS, & MORE
Our content events, project tours, case studies, and expert speaker series are focused on sharing information on best practices and new industry trends and are designed to expand your understanding of the industry. Attend one of our upcoming events, or share your ideas to help put together the next one! Reach out to [email protected] or your county’s chair.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
As a member-led organization, everything that we do is created and put together by our members. Share your passions and help us put together the next exciting event, launch a new initiative, mentor others in the industry, or lend your skills to improve our local communities.
Get Involved
If you are under 35 and an ULI member, you are already a YLG member! To get the most out of your membership, contact Mallory Barker to get connected with your local group and find out about upcoming opportunities, events, and meetings.
Not yet a member? You can still attend many YLG and greater ULI events as a nonmember (although you won’t have access to special YLG event rates), and are invited to join us at one committee meeting before joining ULI as a member. ULI membership for those under 35 years of age is offered at a discounted rate of $270 per year. To learn more about the Young Leaders Group or try us out, contact [email protected] or your county’s YLG Chair.
Join us at These Upcoming Young Leaders Events
Opportunities for Young Leaders
Attend any YLG or greater ULI Southeast Florida/Caribbean programs and events to start making connections and expanding your industry knowledge. Ranging from informative to networking and mentoring, there is something for every interest and real estate sector background. In addition to YLG-specific events, almost all of ULI Southeast Florida/Caribbean programs offer special YLG pricing and volunteering opportunities.
Interested in attending a local ULI event for free?
Attend an event for free by volunteering at the event, running social media, or writing an event recap. To learn about opportunities, contact Mallory Barker
Development 101 / From the Ground Up
Interested in learning more about how the real estate development process works? Check out our presentations below on the first two phases of real estate development: getting started on a deal and design & due diligence offered as part of our From the Ground Up Series, which walks attendees through the life cycle of a typical development process from start-to-finish. Featuring networking, discussion, and behind-the-scenes knowledge, this series is designed to give you new perspectives, share your own insights, and make connections with players involved at every stage in the development process.
Check out:
Phase 1: Getting Started On a Deal
Presentation | Speakers & Event Info
Phase 2: Design & Due Diligence
Presentation | Speakers & Event Info
Phase 3: Getting A Project Approved
Thursday, March 26 | Registration & Event Info