The Puerto Rico Real Estate Summit is the leading event for professionals
driving the island's real estate market. Bringing together experts from the
residential, tourism, and commercial sectors, this full-day program offers
valuable insights, meaningful connections, and actionable opportunities.

Hear directly from government officials and industry leaders as they share
their plans for development and investment. Stay ahead of the curve with
updates on incentive programs, emerging trends, and the opportunities
shaping Puerto Rico's real estate landscape.

Connect with key players, build partnerships, and gain the knowledge to
make informed decisions in a market full of potential. This is the event for
those serious about shaping the future of real estate in Puerto Rico.

2025 SPEAKERS

HON. SEBASTIÁN
NEGRÓN-REICHARD

Secretary of Economic Development
and Commerce

Bio

Maj. Ricardo Herrero

Deputy Commander
US Army Corps of Engineers

Bio

Sebastián Negrón Reichard serves as the Secretary of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce of Puerto Rico. His career spans leadership roles across government, finance, law, and technology. Prior to his current position, he was Chief of Staff at the Fiscal Oversight Board for Puerto Rico, a strategy consultant at Accenture in New York, an associate at Sullivan & Cromwell, and part of the leadership team at fintech startup Minu in Mexico City. He also served as an advisor to Boston Mayor

Michelle Wu, focusing on economic development, permitting reform, and fostering public- private coalitions to drive systemic change.

Negrón Reichard is a board member of the Harvard/MIT Cooperative Society and has published work in outlets such as the Harvard Latin American Law Review, Harvard Business School, and the Miami Herald. His writing covers a broad range of topics, including economic development, public policy innovation, federal bankruptcy law, government contracting reform, the CHIPS Act, Puerto Rico’s energy modernization, maritime boundary management, and equity in federal programs.

Beyond his professional roles, he has been deeply engaged in civic initiatives. He co- founded Students with Puerto Rico and was a member of the Society Council of the Americas in New York. His leadership and contributions have been featured in major publications, including Forbes, CNN, and HBS Magazine.

Negrón Reichard holds dual bachelor’s degrees from the prestigious Huntsman Program at the University of Pennsylvania—a Bachelor of Science in Economics from The Wharton School and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies. He also earned a Juris Doctor and a joint MBA from Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School.

Major Ricardo Herrero is from San Juan, Puerto Rico and is a graduate of the United States Military Academy where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. He commissioned into the Corps of Engineers in 2013.

Upon completion of Engineer Basic Officer Leadership Course, Major Herrero was assigned to the 20th Engineer Battalion at Fort Hood, Texas where he deployed to Afghanistan as a Route Clearance Platoon Leader in the 510th Clearance Company. Major Herrero then served as the Company Executive Officer in the 937th Clearance Company, 20th Engineer Battalion. From November 2015 to April 2017, Major Herrero served as the Aide-de-camp to then Major General William H. Graham - Commanding General of the North Atlantic Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Fort Hamilton, NY. Major Herrero then attended the Engineer Captain’s Career Course at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri from April 2017 to November 2017 and subsequently earned a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the Missouri University of Science and Technology.

Major Herrero was then assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division in Fort Stewart, GA where he served as the Brigade Battle Captain and Current Operations Officer. From September 2019 to April 2021, Major Herrero commanded Bravo Company, 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion. While in command, Major Herrero led his company through a successful 9-month Regionally Aligned Force (RAF) rotation in Poland and Germany. From May 2021 to December 2023, Major Herrero served as a Project Engineer under the US Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District, working under the Antilles Area Office in San Juan, Puerto Rico. As of January 2024, Major Herrero is the Deputy Commander of the Caribbean District, US Army Corps of Engineers.

Major Herrero’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2OLC), Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, NATO Medal and the Combat Action Badge. Major Herrero is married to Isis Garcia, and they have two children. They live together in San Juan, PR.

Rolando Padua

President
Paulson
Puerto Rico

Bio

Ella Woger-Nieves

CEO
InvestPR

Bio

Rolando E. Padua Meléndez brings a wealth of experience and an unwavering commitment to Puerto Rico’s potential as a premier destination for business and investment. Born in Jayuya, Puerto Rico, Padua has an impressive track record in the public sector, a passion for aviation, and a deep dedication to his community.

Padua’s journey began in a military family, frequently moving and living in various states such as Texas, Virginia, and Florida during his formative years. As a teenager, his passion for aviation took flight when he attended the Aviation Academy at Denbigh High School, a nationally recognized STEM institute specializing in piloting, aircraft maintenance, engineering, safety, and security.

After completing high school, Padua returned to Puerto Rico to pursue a degree in Political Science at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras campus, eventually earning his Juris Doctor. This led to a career in public service, where he held key roles such as Deputy Secretary of State, Deputy Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Aviation Director of the Ports Authority, Executive Director and Legislative Advisor at the House of Representatives, and Advisor to the Governor.

Padua later transitioned into consulting within the export services industry. Through this work, he connected with Paulson Puerto Rico, eventually joining the company and rising to become CEO of Bahia Beach Resort & Golf Club.

In March 2023, Padua was appointed President of Paulson Puerto Rico. Leveraging his extensive public sector experience and passion for service, he is uniquely positioned to navigate challenges and seize opportunities for growth.

Under Padua’s leadership, Paulson Puerto Rico is poised to continue its trajectory of success and prosperity on the island. As a proud native of Puerto Rico, his deep connection to its people and culture drives his commitment to fostering lasting, positive change in the community.

Ella applies her 20 years of experience in strategic marketing and management consulting to advance Invest Puerto Rico’s mission. She has counseled an array of leading public and private sector clients and worked with Fortune 500 companies in strategic sectors such as financial services and life sciences. Ella is well-versed in leading and facilitating strategic planning, market analysis and organizational restructuring initiatives for local and multinational corporations across a broad array of industries, including government, manufacturing, and the non-profit sector. Along with its diverse eleven-member Board, Ella was brought on to lead the start-up of Invest Puerto Rico from an operational standpoint in 2018.

A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Economics, Ella began her career at multinational corporations with marketing and strategy consulting roles at Ernst & Young and Johnson & Johnson; moving on to Vision-to-Action, a management consulting firm in San Juan and Miami where she worked with Puerto Rico’s main economic development agencies. Ella moved back to the Island to take on the work at invest Puerto Rico after leading the consulting practice at a consulting firm in Washington D.C.

AGUSTÍN ROJO

President
Puerto Rico Builders
Association

Bio

Carter Redd

President
Moncayo Puerto Rico

Bio

In 2001, Mr. Agustin Rojo earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Finance from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. He later obtained a law degree from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico.

Mr. Rojo began his professional career in real estate development in 2001 as an Assistant Project Manager for VRM Companies. In 2003, Mr. Rojo changed career paths by joining FEMBi Mortgage as Marketing Manager. He was later promoted to Executive Vice President of FEMBi where he was responsible for the mortgage banks’ operations in Puerto Rico .

After 11 years in the mortgage banking industry, Mr. Rojo had the opportunity to join VRM Companies once again in 2014. He currently leads the group’s efforts in the Dominican Republic, where VRM has completed an 18 story 77 unit high-rise residential development and a 288 unit multi-family development. Mr. Rojo is currently developing another 288 unit multi-family development, plus another 72 unit apartment high rise. He is also involved in the day-to-day activities of the companies’ residential developments in Puerto Rico.

In addition to his professional experience, Mr. Rojo actively participates in the Puerto Rico Builders Association board since 2014. He has been a board member of the Mortgage Bankers Association of Puerto Rico since 2011, where he received the honor of being chosen by his colleagues as President from 2013-2015.

With over 30 years of weaving inspired hospitality into resort and club community development, Carter Redd crafts winning teams and brings visionary luxury projects to life across South Florida, the Bahamas, and the Charleston Sea Islands.

Moncayo is an extraordinary private residential community on Puerto Rico’s eastern seacoast that unites stunning natural beauty, ultra-premium residences, high-end amenities, and a vibrant community to achieve a life of enrichment, wellness, and balance. The community will feature approximately 400 residences, including 200 Auberge-branded homes, blending modern luxury with the island’s natural landscape. At its heart lies an exclusive golf and ocean club with a championship course, private beach access, and curated social experiences. Residents will also enjoy premier wellness and racquet facilities, and concierge medicine through Baptist Health (Miami). Moncayo will be home to the Moncayo International School (K-12) and a lively retail village, offering boutique shopping, dining, and essential services—all within a dynamic, gated community.

Carolina Corral

Senior Vice President
Safe Harbor Marinas

Bio

William Bennet

Managing Partner & CEO
Three Rules Capital

Bio

Carolina Corral joined Safe Harbor in September of 2021 upon Safe Harbor’s acquisition of Marina Puerto Del Rey. Ms. Corral serves as the Senior Vice President of Southeast and currently oversees the management of 40 marinas including four state-of-the-art superyacht facilities: Safe Harbor Lauderdale Marine Center, Safe Harbor Charleston City, Safe Harbor San Juan and Safe Harbor Puerto Del Rey.

Prior to joining Safe Harbor, Ms. Corral was a key leader of the executive team at Putnam Bridge, LLC, an investment firm that specializes in the acquisition and development of distressed real estate assets and was also the former owner of Marina Puerto Del Rey. Ms. Corral held several senior positions at Putnam Bridge. She served as Chief Executive Officer of Marina Puerto Del Rey as well as the Chief Operating Officer of Putnam Bridge, overseeing the day-to-day management of all assets located in Puerto Rico. She joined the organization in 2013 as Special Assistant to the CEO where she eventually became the Chief of Staff and later Executive Director of Marina Puerto Del Rey.

Before joining Putnam Bridge, Ms. Corral was an Associate at Lozada Law & Associates where she excelled in the bankruptcy field. As a law student in Villanova School of Law, Ms. Corral immersed herself in different endeavors; she held a clerkship at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and an internship for Copyrait International Lawyers in Spain. She is a strong business development professional with a Juris Doctor focused on Corporate Law from Villanova University School of Law. She also holds a B.A. in Sociology with minors in Business, Psychology, and Italian from Villanova University.

In January of 2022, Ms. Corral was welcomed as a new board member of the Water Revolution Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on the sustainability in Superyachts.

William Bennett is CEO and Managing Partner of Three Rules Capital (“3RC”), an entrepreneurial, values-based real estate investment and development firm focused on luxury residential and resort properties. He co-founded 3RC in 2020 with Roberto Ruiz Vargas.

Under Will’s leadership, 3RC is currently developing Esencia, a landmark resort and residential community on the west coast of Puerto Rico anchored by Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and Rosewood Hotels & Resorts.

Before founding 3RC, Will was Managing Director, Partner, and Head of Development at Irongate, a full-service real estate firm specializing in luxury branded communities in one-of-a-kind locations. There, he led the development of the Ritz-Carlton Residences in Waikiki (completed in 2018) and the Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas (opened in 2019).

He began his career at The Related Companies, a leading privately held real estate firm, where his work included projects such as 70 Vestry and 456 Washington Street in New York City. Prior to Related, Will worked in investment banking and private equity.

Will holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from Wesleyan University, where he captained the men’s hockey team for three years and was a member of the golf team.

José "Peco" Suárez

President & CEO
BluHost

Bio

Rafael Rojo

President & CEO
VRM Companies

Bio

José, known by all as “Peco”, is the founder of BluHost, a Puerto Rico based hospitality management firm specializing in hotel and restaurant operations. José brings a unique perspective to BluHost, having held senior management positions in both the public and private sector. His experience in the public sector includes serving as Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. On the private sector, he managed hotels in the US and the Caribbean before returning to Puerto Rico as President of International Hospitality Enterprises (IHE) for 14 years. During his tenure at IHE he oversaw the development of 4 new hotels, including La Concha Resort and the ultra-luxury Condado Vanderbilt Hotel.

He has served on numerous public and private boards of directors and until recently was Chairman of the Board of Directors of Discover Puerto Rico, the island’s destination marketing organization. He holds a BA in Business Administration from the University of Dayton and a master’s degree from Cornell University – School of Hotel Administration.

Mr. Rafael Rojo is President and CEO of VRM Companies, one of the leading real estate development companies in Puerto Rico. He graduated with a double major in Economics and Business from Springfield College and began his professional career in the housing industry in 1996, working as a project supervisor, working directly in the construction and engineering stages as well as the design, planning, permits, financing, and commercialization of the real estate developments of VRM Companies.

He has supervised and managed the development and construction of several large-scale developments such as Los Palacios in Toa Alta (1,900 units), Palacios de Humacao (1,125 units), Plaza Los Palacios Shopping Center, Estancias de Los Artesanos (432 units), and more recently, Riviera.

In recent years, Rojo has been actively involved in the diversification of VRM Companies, which has led the company to expand the presence of their developments in several US markets and the Dominican Republic. He and his associates have expanded through strategic capital investments, including Million Air San Juan Corp., an aviation services company, and Ron del Barrilito, the oldest rum brand in Puerto Rico.

Since 2005, Rojo has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Builders of Puerto Rico, for which he was elected president in 2007. He served for two years as president, and today, he is still part of the board. In 2016, Rojo co-founded and is currently the president of “Bonistas del Patio” for the holders of local bonds in Puerto Rico. Rojo is also a member of the board of directors of the Puerto Rico Industrial Association and has also been active as a spokesperson for the Private Sector Coalition, leading several initiatives to protect and improve the commercial conditions of the private sector in Puerto Rico.

Carlos Fontán

Co-Founder
Formentus

Bio

Humberto Mercader

Co-Founder
Formentus

Bio

Attorney Carlos M. Fontán earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, in 2006 and a Juris Doctor from the same institution in 2009. He is admitted to practice before the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Court and the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico.

Carlos began his legal career in 2010 at the local firm Iguina Oharriz Attorneys at Law. He later joined the Puerto Rico Department of Justice, where he became the lead attorney in multiple high-profile cases involving tax and expropriation law.

In 2015, he transitioned to the Office of Industrial Tax Exemption within the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (“DDEC”). In 2021, he was appointed Director of the Office of Incentives for Businesses in Puerto Rico, overseeing the implementation and management of Act No. 60-2019, known as the Puerto Rico Incentives Code. Under his leadership, the DDEC set a new record by approving over 8,500 tax decrees across a wide range of programs, including Manufacturing, Export Services, Individual Investors, Tourism, Private Equity Funds, Green Energy, Film, Young Entrepreneurs, and Opportunity Zones, among other key economic development initiatives and decree oversight programs.

In 2025, Carlos co-founded Formentus LLC, a consulting firm specializing in assisting businesses and investors in establishing or expanding operations in Puerto Rico, with a focus on navigating the local regulatory framework and maximizing opportunities on the island.

Humberto Mercader, an electrical engineer by training, served as the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC) of Puerto Rico until December 31, 2024. During his tenure, Puerto Rico reached its lowest unemployment rate in history and saw sustained economic growth across key industries. Previously, as Assistant Secretary for Strategic Initiatives, he led efforts to enhance Puerto Rico’s competitiveness as a business destination, improve access to digital talent, strengthen air cargo logistics, and expand research and development (R&D) activities. Some of the initiatives he developed and implemented received national recognition, including 21st Century Techforce, awarded by the International Economic Development Council for its impact on economic development.

In recognition of his contributions to economic development, in January 2025, Humberto was named one of the 40 Under 40 in Economic Development by Development Counsellors International and Jorgenson Pace, Inc. in the International Economic Development Council.

In 2025, Humberto co-founded Formentus, a strategic consulting firm that helps companies navigate Puerto Rico’s business environment, establish operations on the island, and support local entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses.

Before entering public service, he worked in consulting, digital marketing, and technology, specializing in sectors such as telecommunications, banking, healthcare, and government. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, where he co-led HackPR, a nonprofit that hosted the largest student hackathons in the Caribbean.

Colton Wandke

Co-Founder & Partner
DECA Analytics

Bio

Harish Venkatesh

Partner
Three Rules Capital

Bio

Colton Wandke is the Co-Founder & Partner at DECA Analytics, LLC, where he focuses on executing the firm’s capital markets services and strategic initiatives for clients. With significant expertise in transaction advisory and non-dilutive capital structuring, Mr. Wandke leads the firm’s tax credit, grants, and debt financing programs.

Before co-founding DECA Analytics, Mr. Wandke worked in investment banking and private equity, where he gained significant industry experience in the financial services industry. In his prior roles, he led numerous buy-side and sell-side M&A transactions and participated in debt and equity capital raises for clients focusing on the Life Sciences and Technology industries.

Mr. Wandke holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the SDSU Fowler College of Business and the designation of CAIA (Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst). With his diverse expertise and experience in the financial services industry, he continues to drive the success of DECA Analytics and its clients.

Harish Venkatesh is Chief Investment & Financial Officer of Three Rules Capital, with over a decade of experience investing across premier private and public platforms, and more than three years of operational leadership in high-growth startups.

Before joining 3RC, Harish was President and CFO of Alerzo Limited, a leading West African B2B e-commerce platform. He was instrumental in scaling the business from $1 million to $30 million in monthly volumes and led all financing rounds from seed to Series B. He remains a Board Member of the company.

Harish was previously co-Managing Partner of a Singapore-based family office and held leadership positions at Latimer Light Capital, Reservoir Capital, and KKR, where he helped build the infrastructure investing platform and contributed to the technology private equity team. He started his career at UBS in Los Angeles, focusing on M&A and restructuring.

Harish earned his MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School and holds an Honors BBA with distinction from the Ivey Business School at Western University, where he was named an Ivey Scholar.

Adolfo "Tito" González

President & CEO
Empresas Caparra

Bio

Margaret Peña
Juvelier

Founder & President
Sotheby’s
Puerto Rico

Bio

Engineer González is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Empresas Caparra/Caparra Center Associates since 2012, a Puerto Rican family-owned company comprised of fifteen corporations dedicated to real estate development, with over 1,000,000 square feet of leasable space including offices and retail areas. Since 2020, he also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Puerto Rico Shopping Centers Association (ACCP), an organization representing 15 companies and 54 shopping centers, advocating for industry interests and contributing to the island's economic development. Previously, he was President and Partner at Desarrollos Urbanos, Inc. for 15 years, a firm focused on residential and commercial development, and served as President of the Puerto Rico Home Builders Association in 2006–2007. He has received multiple awards, including Developer of the Year from both the Puerto Rico Association of REALTORS® and the Home Builders Association, Private Sector Person of the Year by Caribbean Business, and Distinguished Civil Engineer by the Puerto Rico College of Engineers and Surveyors. A licensed civil engineer and Certified Green Professional (CGP), he holds a degree in Civil Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. He is also a licensed real estate broker and an active member of several industry organizations, including CLICC, ICSC, the Urban Land Institute, and serves on the boards of the Caño Martín Peña ENLACE Project and the Puerto Rico Home Builders Association.

Internationally minded, hitherto with a laser sharp focus on her Caribbean community, Puerto Rico Sotheby’s International Realty’s Founder and President, Margaret Peña Juvelier, brings an unprecedented set of skills, expertise and knowledge to Puerto Rico’s ever-changing real estate market; that has led her sales team of professionals to achieve $1 Billion in sales volume, since establishing the company in 2012.

As a native New Yorker, Margaret launched her real estate career at Sotheby’s International Realty’s flagship office in New York City, where she constantly ranked amongst the top-10 producing Senior Vice Presidents and Associate Brokers, achieving over $1 Billion in personal sales, throughout her 28-year tenure.

Since opening its doors, Puerto Rico Sotheby’s International Realty, continues to thrive under Margaret’s leadership and management style, elevating Puerto Rico’s placement on the global stage.

Margaret is frequently called upon to share her industry insights at events, conferences, and panels, due to her acumen and fluency in, English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.

In addition to fulfilling her management and leadership duties, Margaret is committed to supporting a number Puerto Rico based charitable institutions, including Foundation for Puerto Rico, Partnership for Modern Puerto Rico, Boys and Girls Club Puerto Rico as well as other educational programs, to name a few.

Jorge L. Rodríguez

Founder & CEO
ILE

Bio

James Connor

CEO
Sygnus Capital

Bio

Jorge L. Rodríguez is the founder of PACIV, an international industrial automation engineering firm servicing the life sciences industry. PACIV is the largest system integrator of industrial automation systems in Puerto Rico and Indiana, with USA offices in Rhode Island and Chicago, as well as international offices in Cork, Ireland. PACIV is recognized as the first-ever Harvard Business School case study of a Puerto Rican-based company, CSIA Social Responsibility Award 2019, 20 Best Employers in Puerto Rico, and Eli Lilly & Co. Global Supplier of the Year. Jorge has been recognized as a “Most Distinguished Graduate” by the University of Puerto Rico, Caribbean Business’s “40 under 40” business leaders in Puerto Rico, “Puerto Rico Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce, “Puerto Rico Young Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Sales & Marketing Executives of Puerto Rico, and most recently “Citizen of the Year 2020” by the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce.

Jorge serves on the Advisory Board of Colmena 66 at the Puerto Rico Science and Technology Trust. He previously served as President of the Board of the Puerto Rico Construction Cluster and has been a member of the non-for-profit boards at the Puerto Rico Supreme Court Historic Foundation, La Fondita de Jesús, and Fundación Chana y Samuel Levi. He was also a professor of Business Administration at the University of Puerto Rico. He has been a member of Consejo Empresarial de América Latina (CEAL) and is an active member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and the Puerto Rico College of Surveyors and Engineers.

Jorge was a fellow and senior fellow at Harvard University, graduating from the Advanced Leadership Initiative (ALI) program with a concentration in economics, development, and government. Jorge is an alumni of Harvard Business School, where he graduated from the Owner/President Management (OPM) Program. He holds an MBA from the University of Puerto Rico and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University.

James Connor is a dynamic force in impact alternative investments, dedicated to expanding access to capital for small and middle-market companies operating in underserved sectors. As Chief Executive Officer of Sygnus Capital Puerto Rico, he leads the firm’s mission to drive economic growth and foster sustainable financial solutions for businesses that traditional lenders often overlook.

With an extensive background in finance and investment, James was a founding partner and CEO of Acrecent Financial, which transitioned to become Sygnus Capital Puerto Rico in December 2023. Under his leadership, the firm established the LIFT Puerto Rico Business Impact Funds, a pioneering initiative now central to Sygnus Capital’s portfolio, designed to fuel economic resilience and entrepreneurial success.

Throughout his career, James has played a pivotal role in deploying over $3.5 billion in capital and raising more than $500 million in equity and debt financing. His strategic vision has directly supported thousands of businesses across Puerto Rico and emerging markets, ensuring their continued growth and sustainability.

Before joining Sygnus Capital, James spent nearly a decade at GE Capital, where he rose to the position of President of Caribbean Operations. In this role, he managed a $1 billion portfolio, providing financial solutions to more than 3,000 businesses across the region.

James holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance from Columbia Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from Purdue University Daniels School of Business. During his time at Purdue, he was actively involved in leadership development as a member of the Mortar Board National Honor Society and the Purdue Student Union Board.

Beyond his professional achievements, James is deeply committed to promoting economic opportunity, justice, and inclusion. Through his leadership, he continues to champion financial solutions that empower disadvantaged communities and catalyze lasting, positive change.

Alejandro Brito

President
Brito Development Group

Bio

Francisco Luis

Partner
Kevane Grant Thornton

Bio

Alejandro Brito is the owner of Brito Development Companies. In the last 20 years, Mr.Brito has overseen the design, construction, development and management of over 2,000 residential units in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Currently, the company is developing different types of real estate projects including, Sereno Guaynabo, a luxury housing project, Egida 837, a 192 unit LITHC/CBDG Senior Housing project and Murano Town Center, also in Guaynabo, a Mixed Use lifestyle center encompassing retail, offices and 200 rental apartments. In addition, the company developed in 2017 via a P3, The Conector Los Filtros, the only toll road outside of the Abertis/DTOP space.

Alejandro, is a Past President and still Board Member of the PR Builders Association, is on Foreign Advisory Board of CEAPI (Consejo Empresarial Alianza por Iberoamericana) and Fundación MIR in the Dominican Republic. Alejandro graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Economics and from Columbia University in New York with a Masters in Real Estate Development and Finance.

Francisco Luis is a Tax Partner at Kevane Grant Thornton, with over twenty-eight years of experience in public accounting, including the “Big Four” and private consulting practice.

Francisco engages in the design and development of tax planning and consulting strategies, including mergers and acquisitions, business reorganizations, partnership transactions, tax incentives and exemptions, individual and corporate tax issues, and others. He has participted in multiple international and global business transformation engagements, including post-acquisition implementation and executing strategies focused on reducing global effective tax rates, mostly interplaying with Puerto Rico's tax incentives.

Francisco has significant experience assisting clients before the Internal Revenue Service and the Puerto Rico Treasury Department, and possesses extensive tax compliance knowledge.

Francisco is a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, major in accounting. He obtained his JD degree from the University of Puerto Rico Law School. He is a member of the Puerto Rico State Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He is also former president of the San Juan Chapter, and past member of the Board of Directors of the Puerto Rico State Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Francis Xavier González

President
Curzon Puerto Rico

Bio

Andrew Carlson

Managing Director
JLL

Bio

Francis Xavier Gonzalez serves as the President of Property Management for Curzon in Puerto Rico. He is also the former Vice President of the Puerto Rico Shopping Center Association (ACCP). With 25 years of experience in the shopping center industry, he currently manages a portfolio of nine malls and open-air centers across the island. Known as Xavier in the industry, he has previously held the positions of State Director for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as Government Chairperson for the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) in Puerto Rico. Xavier is a Certified Shopping Center Manager and holds a Juris Doctor degree.

Mr. Carlson is the JLL Managing Director Caribbean and Country Manager for Puerto Rico. Andy provides transaction, consulting services and market planning to clients in the administration of their real estate throughout Puerto Rico and the Caribbean region.

He is responsible for customer relations and the integration of all JLL business lines to provide comprehensive solutions throughout the life cycle of all asset classes of commercial real estate. Mr. Carlson has over 35 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry, including positions in consulting, planning, property management, development / construction, asset management, transactions/capital markets, agency leasing and tenant representation.

Mr. Carlson holds real estate broker license in Florida and Puerto Rico.

Ryan G. Christiansen

President
Christiansen
Commercial

Bio

Nick Pastrana, Esq.

Broker & Owner
Aire Real Estate

Bio

Ryan G. Christiansen, President and Founder, has been a key player in elevating commercial real estate services in Puerto Rico to compete on a global stage for more than a decade. First entering the industry as a commercial brokerage professional in 2004, Christiansen quickly became one of the island’s most sought-after real estate advisors. Striving to establish a new standard of industry excellence, he created Christiansen Commercial Real Estate in 2012 and has since grown the full-service firm into one of Puerto Rico’s leading commercial brokerages.

While success has led to the growth of a talented support team, Christiansen’s passion for brokerage keeps him involved in nearly every transaction that passes through the firm. As one of the island’s leading brokers, he is equipped to handle the needs of both private and institutional investors of office, industrial, retail, land and most all other commercial properties.

With more than $1 billion in gross sales volume, Christiansen brings with him superior market knowledge, deal-making expertise, and influential industry relationships.

In 2019, Christiansen was selected to represent the buyers in a joint acquisition of the island’s largest industrial portfolio. Following the transaction, the new ownership group was in need of a trusted and dependable property management and leasing team for the properties. Once again seeking to raise the industry bar, Christiansen partnered with Hector Del Rio Jr to create Puerto Rico Industrial Solutions Management (PRISM), where he concurrently serves as the Chief Executive Officer.

Ryan G. Christiansen was born in Springfield, Virginia and graduated in 2002 from the University of Dayton with a Bachelor’s degree in International Business. Dedicated to his craft, he went on to earn CCIM designation from the Certified Commercial Investment Member Institute and served as President of the Puerto Rico CCIM Chapter from 2012 to 2014.

Nick Pastrana is a seasoned real estate professional with a background in economics, law, and public policy, with over 12 years of experience representing real estate investors and retail clients. Furthermore, his contributions extend beyond his expertise in the private sector.

In the public sector, he served as the Executive Director of Puerto Rico's Senate Finance Committee and played a pivotal role in shaping several laws, including Puerto Rico's bankruptcy settlement legislation, Puerto Rico's Earned Income Tax Credit, and the University of Puerto Rico Endowment Fund.

In the non-profit sector, he has been involved in initiatives to revamp rural aqueduct infrastructure with solar power. To date, these initiatives have provided energy resiliency to water utilities for more than 14,000 people.

Allan Weiss

CEO
Valshares Management
Weiss Analytics

Bio

Pinsy Rivera

Managing Director
Empresas Rivera Siaca

Bio

Allan Weiss is founder and CEO of Valshares Management. He is also CEO of Weiss Analytics.

Allan is the architect of the technology behind Valshares including the Weiss House Specific Indexes, their patented display and patents pending on the Valshares technology. Allan has personally closed several Valshares and leads development for scalable growth.

Allan is co-founder of Case Shiller Weiss creator of the Case-Shiller Index where he was CEO from inception of the business to its sale ten years later. He is also co-inventor along with Nobel laureate Robert Shiller of patented Macro Securities which reached $2b in AUM on the New York Stock Exchange.

Allan holds a BA in computer science and physics from Brandeis University and a masters in management from Yale University.

Ms. Pinsy Rivera Ortiz is the Director of Empresas Rivera Siaca (ERS), a family-owned conglomerate founded in 1974. The primary focus is in the commercial/housing and development of real estate primarily in Puerto Rico along with various other businesses.

Ms. Rivera-Ortiz’s set out over 28 years ago to tackle challenges that were faced by the population of PR. Pinsy’s uncanny ability to see opportunity has brought innovation and creativity to a predominately man ruled island as she was able to successfully bring an impactful result building over 1 million square feet of construction projects. Pinsy possesses the knowledge to compete and the heart to understand the vast challenges that the Puerto Rico real estate market has. She tackles each project with an assertiveness, clarity and with a unique ability to envision what others simply can’t see.

Pinsy, is one of the few women in Puerto Rico in the real estate sector. Ms. Rivera has made a steadfast commitment to carry her father’s legacy, the industrialist and engineer Luis Rivera Siaca and founder of ERS, “to improve the lives of Puerto Rican families and to look out for those less fortunate”. This has led her to incorporate her father’s vision and mission in ambitious projects to create affordable housing to underserved communities with a design that combines empathy and dignity to new homeowners.

In a parallel effort, she has assumed the responsibility for the leasing management, administration, maintenance, and development of the commercial spaces hosting the central administration offices of government agencies with an economic impact in the Island’s local construction sector, design, architecture, materials, and indirect services.

Adding to her diverse professional journey, Ms. Rivera is a turnaround senior executive where she assumed the Presidency of Grana, an iconic Puerto Rican textile company and one of ERS’s portfolio. She transformed the company’s culture and operating structure from a local conservative approach to one with a competitive global vision where profit margin grew from 17% to 32% and then sold the company 2 years later.

Most recently, Pinsy has expanded her love of nature on the premise that economic development and nature preservation can coexist in perfect balance. Her new venture Agro Excel Caribbean, where she serves as the President, is an eco-farm to grow the native Puerto Rican limes. The new farm has surpassed its production goals and is proud of its accomplishment of meeting the local demand of the Puerto Rican community.

Pinsy continues to stay focused on opportunities in and outside Puerto Rico as she searches for projects to exemplify her passion for design, sustainability affordability in both the housing, and eco-farming arena.

Acknowledging the importance of philanthropy, Pinsy serves as part of the Board of CNE (Centro para la Nueva Economía), and since 2019 she has served as the President of the Board of the Ricky Martin Foundation. In addition Pinsy is a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), a prestigious global networking platform for executives.

Pinsy obtained a bachelor’s degree in Food Marketing at Saint Joseph University in Philadelphia, where she later obtained a master’s degree in International Marketing and recently, she completed the Executive Education Program at Harvard Business School. She serves and is an active member of various trade organizations such as the National Association of Home Builders, Puerto Rico Builders Association, Urban Land Institute, and the Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association.

Her biggest accomplishment ever is being the mom to her three college bound sons. Pinsy resides in San Juan, Puerto Rico and travels extensively to industry related events.

Gerardo Portela

Executive Director
JP Morgan

Bio

Julio de Puigdorfila

Senior Vice President & Division Manager for Corporate Real Estate, Popular Inc.

Bio

Gerardo Jose Portela Franco is a distinguished finance professional with over 20 years of experience, having held pivotal roles at leading financial institutions such as J.P. Morgan, UBS, Santander, and Samuel Ramirez. In the investment banking sector, he has been instrumental in executing over $10 billion in Puerto Rican taxable and tax-exempt bond issuances, showcasing his expertise in complex financial structures and public-private partnerships transactions. Transitioning to the public sector from 2017 to 2019, Gerardo served as both Chief Restructuring Officer and Chief Investment Officer for Puerto Rico. During this time, he led the island's municipal bankruptcy proceedings—the largest in U.S. history—and helped revitalize its investment environment through transformative policies. His dual experience in both sectors underscores his ability to drive significant financial and fiscal transformations.

As a seasoned investment banker specializing in public finance, Gerardo leads J.P. Morgan's U.S. territorial coverage, focusing on Puerto Rico. He has been instrumental in executing numerous municipal financial transactions over the past few years and has played a pivotal role in reshaping Puerto Rico's financial landscape. Most recently, as the lead settlement agent for the Government of Puerto Rico, he successfully closed the $34 billion Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Plan of Adjustment in 2022, marking the largest restructuring in U.S. history. Additionally, as an advisor to the Puerto Rico Public-Private Partnership Authority, he spearheaded the $2.85 billion Puerto Rico Toll Roads transaction in 2023, the largest public-private partnership deal of its kind in the island's history.

Portela's expertise in financial restructuring was honed during his tenure in key governmental roles in Puerto Rico. As the Executive Director and Chairman of the Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority (AAFAF) from 2017 to 2018, he led and managed the island’s efforts in its initial bankruptcy proceedings, the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history, under PROMESA. He paved the way for the restructuring of over $30 billion in debt and helped certify the only Fiscal Plan to date in 2017, a $20 billion turnaround strategy that significantly reduced government expenditures. In his role as the island’s first-ever Chief Investment Officer (from 2018 to 2019), Gerardo led initiatives to revitalize Puerto Rico's investment climate through transformative public policies, including the implementation of Opportunity Zones. His efforts were crucial in redeveloping key assets and enhancing the island's economic competitiveness.

Gerardo holds an MBA from the University of Virginia's Darden Graduate School of Business Administration as a Consortium Fellow and a BBA in Finance, Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus.

Julio Puigdorfila serves as Senior Vice President and Division Manager of the Corporate Real Estate Division since January 2025. He previously held the title of Vice President and Operations Manager of the Corporate Real Estate Division for nearly six years after he joined Popular for a second stint in 2019, supervising Facilities Management and Branch Services, Leasing and Asset Acquisitions Dispositions, Parking Operations and Warehouse Management. Julio initially worked at Popular from 1999 to 2007 in the Strategic Planning Division as well as a Private Banker and Wealth Advisor before leaving the Bank to embark on his now 19-year career in real estate.  He worked in capital acquisitions and contract negotiations in Puerto Rico and Charlotte, and spent 6 years as Vice President of Las Brisas Property Management, managing operations, leasing, marketing, and special projects, before returning home to Popular Inc.

Julio graduated from Juris Doctor at the Interamerican University Law School in 2006 and previously majored in Investment Finance and Economics at the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1999.

Federico J. Sánchez

President & CEO
Interlink

Bio

Jorge Guerrero, PE

Vice President
Creative Developments

Bio

Federico J. Sánchez is the President and CEO of Interlink Group, a full-service real estate investment firm founded in 1977. Based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Interlink has in-house capabilities in development, construction, and asset management with regional coverage of the Caribbean and South Florida.

Interlink’s signature developments include, Sheraton Puerto Rico Convention Center Resort & Casino Metro, AC Hotel San Juan in Condado; Cosmopolitan, a luxury condominium in Miramar; Hotel El Convento in Old San Juan, Bahía Beach Resort & Golf Club, St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort; Residence Inn, Isla Verde and Las Casitas Village at El Conquistador Resort, among others.

Mr. Sánchez is Full Member of Urban Land Institute (ULI), Young Presidents Organization, a Governor of the Urban Land Foundation, a board member of the PR Builders Association, the PR Conservation Trust, PR Tourism Business Council, Invest PR, and Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola.

Bio coming soon.

José A. Torres

Managing Partner & Founder
Monllor Capital

Bio

Henry Keenan

CEO
Red Atlas

Bio

Jose A. Torres, born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, is the managing partner and founder of Monllor Capital Partners LLC (“MCP”), a minority owned alternative asset management and advisory firm located in San Juan Puerto Rico since 2018.

MCP’s mission is to make and facilitate tax-advantaged investments in Puerto Rico. MCP, as General Partner, organized Puerto Rico Opportunity Zone Fund, LP (“PROZ”), a Qualified Opportunity Fund, in 2020 and recently launched Puerto Rico Opportunity Zone Fund II, LP (“PROZ II”). PROZ and PROZ II are investing in renewable energy, sustainable business, and infrastructure/real estate in opportunity zones throughout Puerto Rico to achieve socially sustainable impact investing that will help the environment, the economy, and the residents of Puerto Rico.

Mr. Torres is also the Managing Partner and Co-Founder of MasCap, LLC, a Puerto Rico private equity fund established in 2022, under Puerto Rico’s Act 60 Incentive Code. MasCap is focused on providing private debt and equity capital to real estate, infrastructure, and sustainable companies in Puerto Rico.

Prior to founding MCP, Mr. Torres worked for 13 years at Ares Management/Energy Investors Funds (“Ares EIF”) in San Francisco, CA, where he led the San Francisco office for the last 4 years. At Ares EIF, Mr. Torres was a partner in the Private Equity Energy Infrastructure Group and a member of its Investment Committee. His role included all aspects of origination, due diligence, negotiation, and execution of investments.

From 2003-2006, Mr. Torres held various positions at CoBank in Colorado, including vice president and head of structure finance group, where he was responsible for a $1 billion loan portfolio of non-recourse project finance transactions in the energy sector.

From 1993-2003, Mr. Torres also held various investment banking positions at ING Barings (Chile, Amsterdam, New York) and Société Generale (New York).

Mr. Torres holds a B.A. in Economics from The Colorado College and an International M.B.A from the American Graduate School of International Management (“Thunderbird”).

Henry is the founder and Chief Executive Office of RED Atlas. Prior to founding the company, he led the research team for JLL in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. During his time at JLL Henry spearheaded several initiatives for the firm, including creating a searchable automated valuation model and database that serves multiple Fortune 500 accounts in the region, led a research initiative aimed at the reshoring of Pharmaceutical and Medical Device manufacturers to Puerto Rico, and managed the internship program for JLL in the Caribbean.

Henry was previously a business development manager for Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (Sobi) pharmaceuticals in Dubai, where he identified opportunities for distribution and collaboration in providing access to innovative treatments for people with rare diseases in the Middle East and North Africa.

Henry holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley. He speaks English, Spanish, and Arabic. In 2023 he was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

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Real estate investors
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owners and developers
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Presented by

RED Atlas is Puerto Rico's leading real estate data platform,
delivering AI-driven insights, user-generated analytics,
and comprehensive property information to empower businesses in
making data-informed decisions. From property valuation and
ownership details to market trends and investment analysis,
RED Atlas provides essential tools for real estate professionals
across the Island.

Partnership for Modern Puerto Rico (PMPR) is a nonprofit
organization driving economic development and improving
quality of life in Puerto Rico. Founded by former Economic
Development Secretary Alberto Bacó-Bagué, PMPR unites
private sector leaders, diaspora, and multinational companies
to foster initiatives that ensure long-term growth and stability.
With a socially conscious, nonpartisan approach, PMPR
transforms emerging trends into meaningful investments for
Puerto Rico.

Habitat for Humanity of Puerto Rico is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for families in Puerto Rico. We are an affiliate of the global entity, Habitat for Humanity International, which operates in all 50 states across the United States and in over 70 countries worldwide.

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