2026 Fall Alumni Profiles

Asia Denise Duncan is a real estate investor, private money broker, and Principal at Crown Legacy Capital (CLC Lending Solutions), where she helps real estate investors access private capital and structure financing solutions for investment properties. With more than a decade of experience in residential real estate investing, she has worked on acquisitions, fix-and-flip projects, underwriting, capital raising, investment analysis, and connecting investors with private capital. 

In addition to her real estate business, Asia has led donor relations and capital campaign initiatives in the nonprofit sector, directing strategic partnerships and fundraising efforts that strengthened her expertise in financial stewardship, project leadership, and relationship management.

Asia serves as the Las Vegas Chapter Lead for the Private Money Broker (PMB) Network and is an active member of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), the Las Vegas Real Estate Investors Association (LVREIA), the NAACP, and Women in Construction (WIC). She has completed the Blue Wave Supplier Development Program, the MGM Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the Wynn Nonprofit Leadership Program, and the Terrica Lynn Smith Real Estate Investing & Development Mentorship Program. 

Throughout her career, Asia has helped raise more than $750,000 to support survivors of human trafficking and women escaping violence. Since 2008, she has participated in the acquisition, financing, and renovation of more than $10 million in residential real estate transactions. 

Through the USC Ross Program, Asia is expanding her technical knowledge of real estate development to complement her investment experience and prepare for larger-scale development projects. Her long- term vision is to develop communities that create both economic opportunity and lasting social impact through affordable housing, mixed-use developments, and resource centers that support women and 10 families rebuilding their lives. She looks forward to adding the successful completion of the USC Ross Program to her list of achievements. 

Asia resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Pilar Fernandez is a Property Manager at RBM of California, Inc., specializing in the operation of multifamily and mixed-use assets across Los Angeles, with expertise in leasing, resident relations, lease administration, and financial analysis. She oversees a portfolio of more than 150 units and serves as property manager of record for the lease-up of a 92-unit ground-up mixed-use development. 

Prior to RBM, Pilar was an Assistant Property Manager at JR&K Management, serving the Koreatown and Westlake submarkets. She has worked in California real estate since 2017 and independently manages a private real estate portfolio of approximately 27 units across Hollywood and Pittsburg, California. Pilar graduated from Occidental College in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in English & Comparative Literary Studies and Spanish Studies. 

Increasingly focused on the development and investment side of the business, Pilar views the USC Ross Minority Program in Real Estate as a key step toward earning a Master of Real Estate Development and building a career in real estate development. Pilar Fernandez lives in the Leimert Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Dr. Wilma Franco serves as Executive Director of the Southeast Los Angeles (SELA) Collaborative and holds a Doctorate Degree in Education – Organizational Leadership from the University of La Verne. Dr. Franco successfully defended a dissertation entitled “Employer’s Perception of Their Role in Student Learning and Skill Development: A Qualitative Case Study.” Dr. Franco completed her undergraduate work at the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA), where she earned her BA in Political Science and Chicana/o Studies with a minor in Public Policy. 

She went on to complete her Master’s Degree in Public Policy with a Public Management Certification at the University of Southern California (USC). Dr. Franco has close to 25 years of experience in overseeing nonprofits and community-based programs and has a solid background in collective impact and network models. Dr. Franco has also served as a part- time lecturer in the Human Development Department at California State University – Long Beach (CSULB) and is a proud alumnus of Education Pioneers, Magnolia Community Initiative Fellowship, and Center for Nonprofit Management First-Gen Executive Fellowship program. 

Dr. Wilma Franco lives in Gardena.

     Edith Hernandez is a Quality Assurance Economist at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics National Office and an expert in labor market analysis, market research, and government program management. She leads quality assurance for a major federal survey, reviewing microdata from seven regional offices. She applies federal economic data to real estate and economic development decisions, including regional labor markets, wage and occupational trends, and industry performance.
    Prior to her current role, Edith was a Field Economist with the Bureau, partnering with state and local agencies on economic assessments and business intelligence reports that informed workforce policy. Her public service began in 2010 as a Quality Assurance Regional Technician with the Decennial Census. Her real estate experience dates to 2006, when she became a Real Estate Broker with American Network Lending in Claremont, California, directing sales and business development. She has also served as Associate Executive Director of a nonprofit, overseeing operations, strategic planning, and fiscal oversight.
    Edith is a Master of Public Administration candidate at USC. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Woodbury University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Economics from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. She is a member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and a mentor for USC's Mentorship for an Accessible Price (MAP).
    Through USC's Sunstone Economic Development Challenge, Edith consulted for a Southern California municipality on redeveloping a business plaza, developing strategies to strengthen tenant mix and foot traffic. She is a recipient of the District Award of Merit from Scouts of America.
    Following the Ross Program, Edith intends to combine her economic analysis and public administration background with real estate finance and development expertise to advance commercial redevelopment and public-private partnerships across Southern California. Edith Hernandez lives in Los Angeles, California.

Lisa Odigie is a real estate agent, nonprofit director, and community engagement specialist whose mission is to keep communities healthy, rooted, and resourced. As a cross-sector leader, she is making the connection between the built environment and health outcomes. 

Lisa has her Bachelor's degree in Nutritional Science and her Master's in Public Health, and has demonstrated leadership through her roles on the Board of the Altadena Chamber of Commerce and Eaton Fire Collaborative. She continues to provide professional development training on community engagement, nonprofit fund development through storytelling, and housing recovery post-disaster. 

Whether managing complex programs or navigating the housing market, Lisa takes a thoughtful, people- first approach to building relationships and solving challenges. Through her media platform Modern Arroyo, she writes, edits, and produces hyperlocal content around the businesses in the Pasadena and Northeast Los Angeles area, recognizing the correlation between a strong economic sector and the local real estate market. 

Lisa continues to develop anti-displacement programs for survivors of the LA fires, implementing a housing recovery program designed to help displaced residents find emergency-to-long-term, stable housing developments created through recovery dollars. 

Lisa currently resides in Los Angeles.

Jarred Rickard is a real estate professional and property manager with nearly eight years of experience at LAPMG. His background includes residential property management, client relations, and real estate, and he is passionate about the opportunities real estate can create for individuals and communities. 

Jarred is a licensed California real estate agent and holds the Accredited Residential Manager (ARM) certification through the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). He is also a commissioned Notary Public, has earned a Fair Housing certification, and is a member of AAREP, a professional network that supports education, networking, and advancement within the real estate industry. Through his work in property management and real estate, he has gained hands-on experience working with residents, property owners, and other real estate professionals. 

Jarred is currently participating in the USC Ross Program to expand his knowledge of real estate development and build meaningful relationships within the industry. His long-term goal is to collaborate with developers and other real estate professionals to create thoughtful mixed-use projects that bring new housing, businesses, and opportunities to underserved communities. 

Jarred lives in Los Angeles, California.

Adreanna Solis is a public steward serving the community as an Analyst in the City of Santa Ana by providing access to affordable homeownership. She oversees affordable homeownership opportunities such as the City’s down payment assistance program and the sale of new affordable residential units. She administers multiple aspects of the Down Payment Assistance program, including grant management, timely expenditures, programmatic structure, and applicant eligibility. Through the program, she creates accessibility for income-limited households to afford a market-rate purchase in Santa Ana. Her role allows her to collaborate with lenders, real estate agents, developers, and community partners all working towards creating affordable homeownership.

 Prior to her role as an Analyst, Adreanna served the public through various temporary and permanent housing solutions. Adreanna began her housing career in 2015 when she aided unhoused individuals and families in navigating public systems to secure temporary, subsidized, or affordable housing. During her seven (7) years in the non-profit sector, she served at-risk and vulnerable families, seniors, youth, and survivors experiencing housing insecurity. During that time, she advocated for affordable housing solutions alongside numerous non-profit and County leaders. 

Adreanna earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology at California Lutheran University. She went on to pursue her Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration at California State University, Long Beach. She graduated in 2020 and was one of two graduates to have earned Graduate Student Honors from her cohort. In participating in the Ross Program, Adreanna seeks to gain knowledge in creative, affordable homeownership opportunities and create solutions for the “Missing Middle”. Adreanna lives in Orange, California.