2020 Winter Alumni Profiles

It's no secret that she holds a tremendous passion for the industry. She has built a team of Real Estate Agents who, with her leadership, allows them to effectively deliver guidance to the community in which they serve. Some of the NY markets they specialize include: The Bronx, Lower Westchester and Upper Manhattan.

Falan Abreu and her team are ready and able to make your dreams come true. Today Falan's concentration and passion is in the investment part of real estate. Managing several of her own properties in her portfolio and concentrating in rehab properties. Helping first time home buyer and investors in achieving needs in real estate.

Falan Abreu was raised in New York and her drive and ambition makes the perfect asset to any business transaction.

Email: falan.abreu@yahoo.com

Ishah Ahumada is a native Angeleno who began with KIPP in 2016. Currently, she is a Senior Facilities Coordinator in the Operations Team at KIPP So Cal Public Schools. In this capacity, she manages 19 charter public schools to ensure safe, structured and clean learning environments for 4,300+ students striving towards academic success.

Ishah began as an Office Manager at KIPP and now serves the Southern California regions of Greater Los Angeles and San Diego. Her grit and determination has allowed her to strive and grow within KIPP. Her involvement within the facilities team includes managing 40+ vendors and interaction with students, families, trade contractors and consultants.

Ishah coordinates facility improvements, requests for proposal processes, janitorial services, security systems, HVAC repairs, among other responsibilities at the combined 450,000 SF of all school sites. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Community Development (Urban Planning) from Portland State University and she is a member of the Project Management Institute.

Email: Ishah.Ahumada@gmail.com

Lisa Baker is Co-Owner and Vice President of Love Those Wings, Inc. and BMB Foods, Inc. where she oversees Development and Marketing for their franchise brands Wingstop, Juice It Up!, and soon to be The Lost Cajun franchise.  Lisa has been in franchising for more than 20 years and has an extensive background in business development, management, residential and commercial real estate, commercial leasing, and marketing throughout the Los Angeles and Inland Empire DMAs.  She regularly interfaces with local governing authorities, developers, brokers and restaurant owners alike.  

Lisa’s background includes having been a corporate Director of Development for national restaurant brands, while currently overseeing all aspects of development and contract negotiations for her company-owned franchise restaurants.  Lisa has successfully completed hundreds of real estate transactions; as well as owned restaurants in Compton, Los Angeles, and several cities within Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

She and her husband are frequent supporters of local community organizations, schools, and non-profits.  Their philanthropic support has not gone unnoticed as they are consistently recognized and receive awards within their respective communities throughout the Inland Empire.  She continuously supports community initiatives, as well as industry organizations such as: International Council of Shopping Centers, CREW – Commercial Real Estate for Women, and National Association of Women Business Owners.  Lisa has also served in many leadership capacities with local and national organizations. 

Lisa plans to incorporate her knowledge gained in the Ross Minority Leadership Program with her existing experience in hopes of developing commercial and mixed-use projects.  Lisa is a native of Los Angeles, and currently resides in Riverside, Ca with her husband and two children.  She is also a proud alumnus of the University of California, Irvine. 

Email: Lisa@bmbfoods.net

Ms. Annette Barraza has started her path to licensure in Architecture and Construction Management-In-Training through the Construction Management Association of American (CMAA). As a Project Designer for the Ramirez Iron Works Group, she actively assists in several non-profit and metro projects for the city of Los Angeles. Before joining Ramirez Iron Works Group, she worked as a Project Engineer for Ceilings Plus, a division of USG Corporation (a building material company) that designs and manufactures custom aluminum ceiling systems. The opportunity and experience allowed her to work on a variety of projects which included mock-ups for Capital One, USC, and Google.

The Shades project by Koning Eizenberg Architects for the Temple Israel of Hollywood, located in Los Angeles, CA was published in the Architectural Record in February of 2017. The expanded courtyard of the temple features wavy aluminum sunshades. Its inspiration is based on the weave and flow of a prayer shawl or tallit. For this project, she was responsible for the creation of shop drawings required for approval, structural engineer submittals, Request for Information (RFI) documentation, fabrication and installation drawings.

In 2014, Annette graduated from Woodbury University with a Bachelor of Architecture. Her design studio topics were on policy and skid row housing trust. These topics were a complement to her thesis which focused on the abandoned lots and buildings in downtown Los Angeles. Independent studies included Landscape Architecture and Youth Outreach Los Angeles, a non-profit organization serving at-risk youth and their families.

The architectural education combined with work experience has allowed Annette to pursue the development side of Architecture. Her current project includes the development phase for two lots in the city of Lancaster. She currently resides in South Gate, California. She enjoys spending time and going on outings with her family, especially with her two-year-old daughter as she continues practicing environmental photography.

Email: barraza.annette@gmail.com

Lauren works for Southern California Edison as a Planning Specialist in their local department. She creates the design, cost estimates, and options for the construction of distribution facilities needed for new electrical services for commercial and residential customers based on their proposed new load and site plans. Completing these projects often require permits and easements, identifying environmental requirements and coordinate required project components with other departments, governmental bodies, and various external sources. Prior to working at SCE, Lauren worked at Allstate as a Property Claims Adjuster.

Lauren completed her B.S. in Urban Planning with a minor in Sustainability from Arizona State University in 2016, as well as certificates in both AutoCAD and Real Estate Sales. She actively volunteers with the National College Resources Foundation, assisting with Black College Expo events in Los Angeles and Washington D.C. as well as annual walk-a-thon events with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). Lauren currently lives in Long Beach.

Email: lnblack94@gmail.com

Frank Byrd is a Realtor and Senior Real Estate Agent with REDFIN Corporation, who represents buyers in the Greater Los Angeles area. Mr. Byrd has been a full-time agent with REDFIN since January 2016 and closed over 55 transactions totaling more than $35 million dollars in real estate value. These deals span from the Inland Empire (Riverside and San Bernardino Counties), Orange County, and throughout Los Angeles County.

A licensed real estate professional since 2007, Mr. Byrd began his journey towards a career in real estate 2004 while pursuing purchase of his first home in DTLA. The process was complex and confusing as a first-time buyer, which led to a decision to take every real estate course available at Los Angeles City College (LACC). After completing the first 8 courses over 4 semesters, he sat for and passed the DRE exam for licensing. Before being hired by REDFIN, as a contractor in 2015, he completed the remaining course work and earned a Certificate in Real Estate with a concentration in Real Estate Finance from LACC in June of 2015.

As an agent at REDFIN, Mr. Byrd has been a big proponent of customer education, teaching home buying class throughout the market for the entirety of his tenure there and earned the top reengagement award for the third quarter of 2018 REDFIN Customer Education Division. This honor and recognition were earned by four presenters per year out of over 70+ markets nationwide. Frank was the first presenter to earn this award in the Los Angeles market, which is one of the top revenues producing markets in REDFIN.

Prior to being hired at REDFIN, Mr. Byrd had a 10-year career with the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. As a Recreation Facility Director, he led the training and implementation of the departments first fully realized online registration application for over 200 senior, recreation, and childcare facilities throughout the City of Los Angeles. Working closing with the Accounting and Information Technology Departments between 2005 – 2011, over 2,000 full time employees and 5,000 part-time employees were trained utilizing protocols designed by the team Mr. Byrd led.

Mr. Byrd was born in Kingston, N.Y. and raised in Durham, N.C. He studied Philosophy at Howard University in Washington, D.C, and later earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the San Francisco Art Institute. He subsequently completed graduate work earning a Master of Fine Arts in Communication Arts from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

Email: frankebyrd@gmail.com

Luis is the CEO of a Real Estate development and investment company based in Los Angeles, CA. His team specializes in real estate development: value-add residential flips, ground up apartment building development, small lot subdivisions and new home construction. Luis has experience in sourcing investment opportunities, negotiating acquisition, budgeting and building a scope of work, designing, project management and disposition.

Luis earned his Business Administration degree from San Diego State University.

Email: Luis@HillhurstGroup.com

Michelle Colbert is a licensed Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Hollywood Hills.

Prior to becoming a Real Estate agent, Michelle worked in the Entertainment Industry as a Television Production Executive. While working in the entertainment industry, preceding the housing crash in 2008, she invested in real estate and rehabbed properties.  She was always intrigued by real estate and it was only a matter of time before she took the leap in 2016 to make real estate a full-time career. She specializes in residential, multifamily, and distressed properties.

Colbert is also the founder of Empowering Women Through Real Estate. Her organization educates women on the process and available resources to acquire both single-family homes and multi-family residences. She also holds a Senior Real Estate Specialist Designation and serves consumers in the 50 and older market.

Michelle attended Grad School at Carnegie Mellon University earning an MFA and Howard University graduating with a BFA. Ultimately Colbert would like to develop large commercial projects and work with high-net-worth individuals that have an interest in building and acquiring real estate assets.  Michelle resides in Los Angeles, Ca.

Email: michellecolbert@kw.com

Jay Cutting, Sr., is the Founder and President of ReVamp Energy, Inc. A Solar Energy and Battery Storage contractor based out of Los Angeles, California. As we transition from dirty fossil fuels to clean reliable renewable energy, Cutting and his team at ReVamp Energy stand as a resource for Homeowners and Building owners to convert to solar power. Since 2014, Cutting has developed over 500 solar and battery projects for throughout the United States. 

Prior to launching ReVamp Energy, Cutting received his Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from the College of Wooster in Ohio where he was a two-sport letterman in Football and Track & Field. Cutting’s first big opportunity came in the medical field managing the Atlanta, Georgia territory for Henry Schein Medical a Fortune 500 company. There Cutting learned how to manage a territory that consisted of thousands of doctors and medical facilities and was able to develop the skills needed that help manage expectations and become a valued resource by being able to under promise and over deliver.

After 4 successful years in the medical field and as one of the top performers, Cutting realized that as long as he was able to be a resource and bring value to the “need” or “pain point” of a company or person you can apply these basic principles to any industry. From there Cutting took his institutionalized training and experience and used it to fuel his passion and bring renewable energy to the masses.

In 2014 Cutting moved to Los Angeles to pursue his dream and in March of 2015 launched ReVamp Energy, Inc. As a Licensed Contractor and Realtor, Cutting started with generating leads for residential solar projects and partnering with local EPC companies to install the solar projects. From there Cutting worked on perfecting his craft as he built his brand and cliental. Cutting and the ReVamp team are now vertically integrated with a team of Electricians and Engineers that specialize but are not limited to commercial properties, storage and battery backup, ground mounts, solar carports, non-profits, funding options: pre-paid PPA’s & PPA’s, new builds and retrofits.

Cutting and his team recently partnered with the Bedford Group of Companies to bring solar power to new community developments and launched a nonprofit campaign that focuses on bringing solar power to churches by leveraging the tax incentives to help fund the project. Jay Cutting, Sr. lives in Los Angeles, (Pasadena) California.

Email: Jay.cutting@revampenergy.com

In his more than a decade of experience, Skyy Fisher has led community involvement efforts for public sector clients, as well as elected officials in Los Angeles County and throughout the State of California.

Throughout his career, he has helped clients ensure that communities are valued stakeholders in projects affecting their everyday lives. A focus in public policy, real estate, communications, and workforce development. Skyy played a crucial role in securing over $500 million in new construction.

A tested union representative, political strategist and communications advisor; Skyy has organized and represented working families across the country as well as played a vital role in electing numerous former and current public officials.

Skyy’s career includes successful tenures in the administrations of several local, state and federal elected officials as well as national labor unions. He began his career in the City of Compton Office of the Mayor and City Council, where he led community outreach for numerous housing and retail developments. Skyy served as an elected delegate for the Los Angeles County Democratic Party, appointed delegate to the California Democratic Party, Founder/President of New Wave Democratic Club and lastly the youngest ever elected Compton School Board Member.

Skyy is a graduate of California State University, Dominguez Hills, and a proud member of several civic organizations. Skyy lives in the south bay region of Los Angeles County.

Email: info@skyyfisher.com

Jessica Garcia is currently employed by the City of Anaheim, doing project management in the Community & Economic Development Department. As part of her career in Community Development, she leverages community assets and public-private partnerships to create vibrant and sustainable communities for the City of Anaheim. This entails assisting in deal structuring, changing land-use discussions, corridor and specific plan studies, and deal making and negotiations for disposition and development agreements between the City and private entities.

Prior to joining the Anaheim team, Jessica completed a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara with concentrations in Comparative Politics and International Relations. She worked in a congressional internship capacity on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. for California’s 31st District. Deciding to pursue a career in public administration, Jessica completed her Master of Public Administration from California State University, Fullerton.

Currently, Jessica is working on complex, catalytic mixed-use projects in Anaheim, including a 30 acre (former landfill) horizontal mixed-use development, a 2 acre commercial project site, a 115 for-sale unit residential development, and relocation of a historic home identified for an adaptive reuse project. Jessica lives in Anaheim, CA.

Email: jgarcia3@anaheim.net

Kayla Gomez is a commercial real estate professional with interests in development, urban planning and construction. She moved to Los Angeles from a small rural town and became interested in learning how cities evolve. Kayla studied development and urban planning as an undergraduate at UCLA.

Kayla is an Assistant Real Estate Manager at CBRE where she helps with the operations, marketing and leasing of a 450,000 sf REO retail property. Previously, she was an Assistant Property Manager at Legend Real Estate Management, an owner/developer/operator. In that role, Kayla assisted with the operations of a portfolio of over 1 Million SF, which included Class-A office, open-air retail, mixed-use residential, medical and industrial properties throughout Southern California.

Kayla is passionate about connecting people to professional development and philanthropic opportunities. She leads CBRE’s Hispanics Organized to Leverage our Advantage (HOLA) chapter in Los Angeles/Orange County.  

Kayla is looking forward to grow her knowledge in commercial real estate and to build connections with ambitious professionals with whom she can collaborate in the future. 

Email: kaylaarango@gmail.com

Morgan is an environmental leader and activist advocating for carbon-neutral cities in the Angeles region. As Director of the Sierra Club’s Angeles Chapter, Morgan helps focus the environmental organization on how dense, infill housing is necessary to fight climate change, and on how seeking to end racism is synergistic to environmental goals of clean air, water and land. 

Previously, Morgan served as a Town Councilmember and Mayor of Truckee, California. In that role he helped focus the town's efforts on building locals housing and reducing climate emissions by welcoming density into the town's core. He championed projects that are reshaping the small town away from a sprawling suburban model and toward a more urban pattern that will benefit from mass transit and allow more residents to live without cars. 

While in Truckee, he also co-founded the Truckee Roundhouse. This community makerspace makes tools, classes and shop space available to the public to learn and create with wood, metal, ceramics, textiles and electronics. Morgan served as chair of the board from the founding of the organization, through its grand opening two years later, and then through a period of expansion and stabilization. 

Prior to joining the Sierra Club, Morgan worked for ten years as an Online Campaigner with the global advocacy group Avaaz, matching technology to advocacy needs and connecting millions of members with decision-makers worldwide. 

Morgan has worked with dozens of developers in various capacities through the town of Truckee, but only recently ventured into real estate. He is a co-owner of the Truckee River Cohousing LLC, a group of 15 households who are building a 35 unit multi-family development along the Truckee River in which the owner households will eventually reside. 

Morgan attended Williams College where he graduated Cum Laude with a major in Chinese language.

Email: morgan.goodwin@sierraclub.org

Boris Gresely is a Public Affairs Representative for the Carpenters/ Contractors Cooperation Committee (C/CCC), a construction industry watchdog comprised of signatory contractors and the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters. At the C/CCC, Boris works with elected leaders, communities, developers, and contractors to strengthen labor compliance and to create quality construction jobs. On the policy level, Boris is engaged with local jurisdictions on land use and housing policy efforts to promote workforce housing and mixed-use development in Orange County and San Diego.

Prior to the C/CCC, Boris was a Principal for C9Concepts and an Associate Account Executive for Beckerman PR, where he provided digital communication and marketing support to several organizations and campaigns.

Originally hailing from the Garden State, Boris received his B.A. in Political Science and minor in Policy Studies from Syracuse University. During his time at SU, he was elected and served as Student Body President, representing over 15,000 undergraduates in matters regarding university policy, academic affairs, and overall student welfare.

In his spare time, Boris can often be found enjoying some southwestern BBQ and rooting for his favorite sports teams -- Boca Junior, LDU and the San Antonio Spurs.

Email: borisgresely@msn.com

Sua Iris Hernandez is the Director of Asset & Property Management for East LA Community Corporation.  East LA Community Corporation is an affordable housing developer who believes in accountable, community-driven development, equitable housing, transformation through socio-economic justice, and building wealth through financial empowerment.

Sua began her career in the affordable housing industry since the late ’90s after an ELACC organizer introduced her family to the organization and politics of economic justice.  The awareness she gained from that experience is the foundation through which she understands the systemic inequities that plague communities of modest means that lead to housing insecurity.

Since then, Sua has sharpened her knowledge of the industry by working towards solutions from different angles.  She has worked closely with affordable housing residents as a lead organizer, campaigning around land-use, tenant rights, and economic justice issues.  More recently, working in the asset management team of one of the strongest syndicators in the country, she gained insights into the intricacies of the LIHTC program and an analytical understanding of portfolio performance.  Her position at Enterprise Community Asset Management gave her a glimpse into the of 1500+ LIHTC properties as her work closely involved providing investors with information about the financial and compliance status of their LIHTC interests. 

Sua holds a BA in urban and environmental policy from Occidental College.

Email: suairis@gmail.com

Taylor Kay is an Assistant Planner for the City of Inglewood where she serves as a project manager as well as a land-use policy author and advisor. She processes land use entitlements and permits for residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects according to federal, state, and municipal laws. She also identifies and presents actionable mitigation measures for both development teams and elected officials when proposed real estate projects have foreseeable impacts. Taylor also conducts research and recommendations for City-wide land use entitlements, land use policies, and economic development programs. Previously, she interned for an elected official, a public opinion research center, an affordable housing firm, and a redevelopment agency.

Taylor earned a dual master’s degree in Urban Planning and Public Administration, with an Economic Development concentration, at USC. There she earned honors on her Comprehensive Exam with City of Long Beach as the client. Previously, she earned a B.A. in Urban Studies from LMU. She most recently completed the REAP program in Los Angeles. She is a member of ULI, NAIOP, ICSC, and APA. She is on track to receive her AICP credential as well. Her priority is to improve urban quality of life through a triple bottom line approach, produce projects that create a unique sense of place within communities, and ensure the highest and best use of land.

Taylor resides in Los Angeles and loves traveling as well as curating and attending arts and culture events.

Email: taylorakay04@gmail.com

Stephen Lambert is the Principal of Lambert Investments, LLC. He educates owners of residential and multifamily properties how to acquire and manage their assets. Stephen started investing in Real Estate in 2017, when he realized a large number of property owners didn't allow their properties to reach their full potential. He then founded Lambert Investments, with a mission to bridge the wealth gap through the acquisition of Real Estate. 

Lambert is also a licensed Realtor with Sovereign Enterprises and Real Estate Investments in Upland. He's represented clients across the Greater Los Angeles area since 2017. 

Stephen completed his B.A. in Kinesiology with Cal State Dominguez Hills University in 2016. He has been passionate about Real Estate since he was about eight years old. His long term goal is to develop a housing complex in the community he grew up in. Stephen currently lives in Los Angeles. 

Email: Lambertinvestmentsllc@gmail.com

Isaiah Madison is an area representative for Empowerment Congress West Area, the neighborhood council of Leimert Park, Baldwin Hills, & Crenshaw. He is the chair of their Planning, Land Use, and Beautification Committee. In 2019, Isaiah graduated from UC Berkeley’s Urban Studies program focusing on land use and real estate finance, while there he helped reestablish the undergraduate real estate club. After graduating, he worked briefly for a Southern California homebuilder in land acquisitions.

Isaiah aims to utilize his passion for community engagement and knowledge of the planning process to bring transparency and community voice to projects in gentrifying South Los Angeles. He hopes to find solutions to development induced displacement while facilitating the growth of high-quality jobs, retail, and middle-income housing and is dedicated to ensuring voices in South Los Angeles are considered in proposed state legislation involving land use and redevelopment. Isaiah is lives in the Crenshaw district and is a SoCal native.

Email: isaiahm@berkeley.edu

Thailin L. Martin currently serves as Economic Development Coordinator/Housing Associate for the City of Montclair.  With over ten years of experience with the City, Thailin began her career in the Human Services Department and after completing her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Spanish from Whittier College, later working for Economic Development. 

Her combined job description entails management of the Montclair Housing Corporation (MHC), the City’s nonprofit housing entity responsible for management of its affordable housing units, and the City’s economic development.  She is involved in the daily operations of the MHC and construction management of its single-family and multifamily affordable rental properties, current development projects, long-term planning projects, the City’s General Plan update, works in close liaison with CIM Group’s Montclair Place (regional mall in the City), and the City’s Chamber of Commerce. 

Thailin is also an active member of ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) and coordinates the City’s participation in ICSC events.

Thailin was born and raised in Southern California where she currently resides with her husband, daughter, and three dogs.

Email: tmartin@cityofmontclair.org

A highly accomplished, results-oriented executive with over 26 years’ experience in the manufacturing and food industry, Mr. Medina has a successful record of domestic and international experience working in publicly traded and private companies to identify significant cost savings and additional revenue which resulted in EBIDTA growth.

He has held the President & CEO position at Ramonas Food Group LLC since 2014, having a powerful impact on improving processes, revenues, and the bottom line.  He has been featured in Hispanic Executive Magazine and was a semi-finalist for the Los Angeles 2018 Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Edward has always been involved in improving the local communities. He has volunteered with Junior Achievement and was on the Board of the USC Latino Alumni Association from 2018-2019.

Email: edward@ramonas.com

Whittier Trust Company is the oldest and largest multi-family office headquartered in the West, and we deliver comprehensive wealth management solutions to high net worth individuals and families. Wealth management solutions are customized for each relationship, often by incorporating one or more of the company’s five pillars: Investment Management, Trust Services, Real Estate & Energy, Philanthropic Services, and Family Office Services.

Dana’s role in the Real Estate department includes assets management and property oversight that may include property acquisition and disposition of commercial, industrial and residential assets.   Dana is currently engaged in the department’s acquisition of a major multi-family asset located in Utah, and she has also been involved in numerous transactions in 2019 throughout Southern California, the Southwest and the Southeast regions. 

Prior to working at Whittier Trust Company, Dana acquired 17 years of residential real estate experience specializing in initiating start-up real estate brokerages such as Trevino Properties, Carmona Real Estate, and Definitely Investments among others. 

Dana is a native Angelino and has always felt a strong personal attachment to her beloved hometown. Following graduation from the University of Phoenix with a BA in psychology, Dana directed her energies to areas that would allow her to leverage her love of helping people and real estate. Her career began working for a Real Estate Investor at Sharma Developments in San Dimas, CA where she managed a portfolio of over 100 homes. Subsequently, she obtained a California Real Estate License and has been involved in closing over 300 real estate transactions which have ranged from low-income homes to multimillion-dollar transactions.

Following the completion of the Ross Minority Program, Dana plans to use her new knowledge to work toward a promotion to Vice President of Real Estate.

Email: drea@whittiertrust.com

Jaclyn Rivera is the president of Alliance Construction Services Inc., a DBE/MBE/SBE/WBE construction firm based in Los Angeles, CA. She is the get-things-done management professional you want on your team. She believes in and practices pull planning and continuous improvement as a way of life.” With over 10 years on construction maintenance on facilities and property improvements, Jackie has repeatedly demonstrated her skills at managing resources to meet client goals. She has completed multiple projects in sensitive work locations where work safety, tenant relations, and protection of pedestrians during construction have been major factors.

Since 1999, her professional background has trained her in banking and finance, oil rig manufacturing, construction services on public works, commercial high-rises, retail spaces, educational facilities, and multi-unit structures. She is adept at planning and project management and her diverse experience has been developed across a broad range of projects with high-compliance requirements. Her completion of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business and the SBA Emerging Leaders programs are a testament of her drive for continuous improvement,

Her affiliations with non-profits like IFMA Los Angeles, WCOE California, NAWIC Los Angeles, and NAMC Southern California speaks of her commitment to serve the professional community that has given her the opportunity to grow. She currently serves on the board of NAWIC LA and NAMC SC with the latter giving her the 2019 Champion of Change Award for her untiring service of advocating for minority contractors.

It has always been Jackie’s desire to elevate people whether by providing employment to her team or transforming spaces for their clients. She hopes to be able to grow her business in the real estate space and make housing affordable. At night she prays to be like the rising tide that she may lift all ships.

Email: jackie@havealliance.com

Christianne has more than 12 years of commercial real estate experience driving successful marketing and business development strategies. A strong believer in doing well by doing good, Christianne currently serves as Director of Marketing and Business Development for Sustento Group, a private consulting company working at the intersection of climate, policy, and real estate, developing solutions that prepare our communities for tomorrow, while making them more prosperous and equitable today. 

Prior to joining Sustento in 2019, Christianne was the Marketing Director, US Capital Markets - Brokerage for Colliers International. At Colliers, she held multiple roles and was the marketing arm of over $1.5 billion in transactional value and over $50 million in estimated commissions. Before her career in real estate, she held management positions in both architecture and retail. 

Impassioned about diversity in real estate, Christianne serves as Vice-Chair for US Green Building Council’s Women in Green Committee and is part of the Urban Land Institute Women’s Leadership Initiative GROW Mentorship Program 2020. While at Colliers, she was actively involved in its Diversity & Inclusion Program, serving as a mentor and in the Women’s Recruitment sub-committee.

She is also a member of International Council of Shopping Centers, Sierra Club, American Marketing Association, American Institute of Graphic Arts, and Toastmasters International.

Christianne earned her Bachelor of Science in Management degree from Pepperdine University, and has a certificate from the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate, through its Ross Minority Program in Real Estate Development. 

Email: christianne@sustentogroup.com  

Khanh “Kelly” Tran has been a Real Estate Investment Advisor with KW Commercial since 2013, specializing in multifamily properties. As a 20-year San Gabriel Valley resident, Kelly concentrates on developing long-term relationships with local, national and international clients whose portfolios include investment grade properties in the San Gabriel Valley and surrounding areas. Kelly has completed several continuing education programs, holds three State licenses, and most recently certified as an International Property Specialist (CIPS®).

Kelly presently serves on the board as vice-chair of the Global Real Estate Committee of the Arcadia Association of Realtors (AAR).  This committee focuses on growing investment opportunities in the international arena by learning different cultures and business transaction practices among international and domestic investors.

Prior to joining KW Commercial, Kelly's prior professional experience includes freelancing as a Certified Court Reporter, where she transcribed spoken or recorded speech for depositions and court proceedings. She also managed a successful family owned nail salon in Valencia, CA.

As a mother of two Eagle Scout boys, Kelly volunteered as a Parent Committee member for the Boy Scouts of America, Troops 228 and 365. In addition to participating with routine activity planning, she also served as the Eagle Advancement Chair and advised individual scouts on completing the requirements necessary to advance to Eagle Scout.  She currently volunteers with a senior living community to identify fund raising opportunities to assist those residents who outlive their resources.

The Ross Minority Program in Real Estate will help Kelly further pursue real estate development in underserved communities.  While there are many different ways to lend her skills and experience to help others, she is most interested in connecting developers with community leaders to invest and/or build multi-family buildings.  The current emphasis in affordable housing is a long-term vision of both State and local governments, and as a real estate professional she wants to continue participating with identifying and implementing solutions for it.

Email: trannk@sbcglobal.net

Mari Zamora is a native Angeleno and is passionate about creating special places for citizens and visitors of Los Angeles.

Mari joined The Ratkovich Company as a property assistant after graduating from Loyola Marymount University with a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Fine Arts and worked her way through property management, accounting, operations, and construction. In her career with the company, she oversaw the redevelopment of The Bloc in downtown Los Angeles where she spent five years, the last three as Operations Manager. The Bloc is a mixed-use project consisting of a Sheraton Grand hotel, retail space, and 722,000 square-feet of creative-office space.

In 2018, Mari joined Skanska’s Commercial Development Business Unit. In this role, Mari is working with the local team to explore opportunities to expand Skanska’s real estate development business into Los Angeles. She will assist with the development and design of new projects, tenant leasing strategy and execution of future projects. Skanska USA Development invests in and develops customer-focused and highly sustainable office and multi-family properties.

Mari is an active member of the Urban Land Instituted and the U.S. Green Building Council. She is also involved with Fitwel and recently became a Fitwel Ambassador.

Email: mzamora86@gmail.com