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Gladys Margarita is the CEO of the UrbaniZa group of companies, including a newly formed subsidiary called S.A.S.S.I. - Special Asset Support Services, Inc., UrbaniZa Realty and UrbaniZa Planning and Design.

After 18 years as UrbaniZa Investments, Inc. she expanded and created S.A.S.S.I. as an asset management company. The intent is to assist financial institutions and communities to address the challenges associated with abandoned properties, declining revenues and a destabilized real estate marketplace. Incorporating knowledge of design, policy, finance and real estate it has become a bridge between the public and private sector.

An architect and urban designer of entrepreneurial bent, she looked into the future 27 years ago and saw that the securitization of real estate financing would provide easy access to capital, and explode the development industry, opening the way for new professional roles.

Tempted to continue in a design practice in Miami upon completing Cornell University’s architecture program, she expanded her focus by experiencing public administration at the largest public agency in the world (The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey) and capital markets at one of the largest Wall Street firms (Bear Stearns and Co.).

She founded UrbaniZa in Miami, Florida 1991, and has led her multifaceted design/finance/real estate company to success via market adaptability and ‘out of the box’ thinking. UrbaniZa views the problem-solution matrix and quickly comes up with a unique strategy, benefitting projects ranging from affordable housing and community economic development to luxury housing design and construction.

Her passion is to change the way architects and designers participate in the creation of the living and working environment, acting proactively with government and the financial services industry to develop better solutions

She taught at Cornell University from 1994-97, and developed an internship program to expose students to marketplace realities, and expand their career horizons.

Currently serving on the Cornell University Council and Presidents Council of Cornell Women, the Miami Dade Housing Authority Architectural Review Board and Shoreline Review Committee she volunteers in the hope that her contributions will create a better tomorrow.