TERE BLANCA

FOUNDER, CHAIRMAN & CEO, BLANCA COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE, MIAMI

Blanca spent six years as senior managing director for Cushman & Wakefield of Florida before opening her own commercial real estate firm in 2009. Today, it has three South Florida offices and commands nearly one-third of Miami’s Class A and B office-lease transactions. Blanca is active professionally and communitywide, having served on the boards for BankUnited and the Miami Dade College Foundation, the University of Miami’s Herbert School of Business Real Estate Advisory Board and as chair of Urban Land Institute’s Southeast Florida & Caribbean District Council Advisory Board.

EDUCATION: University of Miami (BBA, MBA)

FIRST JOB: My first job out of college was serving as a sales representative for a technology company throughout Southern California. I learned the sales process and discovered how much I enjoyed the interaction with people of all backgrounds. I became a top producer, which led me later to embrace a career in commercial real estate.

DREAM ALTERNATE CAREER: I would be a developer of office and mixed-use projects.

SOMETHING SURPRISING: I was born in Cuba and raised in a small town, Ponce, in Puerto Rico. When I was a teen living there, I enjoyed motocross and driving fast cars.

HOBBY: I love being out on the boat with my husband, my family and friends. Cooking is also a passion for me, so I truly enjoy when I have time to cook for family and friends.