2021 Ones to Watch: Zeynep Ekemen, Silver Defender

How do you keep your team motivated despite conflicts and obstacles?
At its core, Silver Defender’s products give back to everyone they touch. The nature of Silver Defender products creates cleaner spaces–work, home,

2021 Ones to Watch: Rhonda Epstein, Esq., NAM (National Arbitration and Mediation)

What led you to your current profession?
With over three decades of litigation experience, I have always listened to my clients and observed, first hand, the toll litigation took

2021 Ones to Watch: Diego Rivera, LERA Consulting Structural Engineers

What recent project, transaction or accomplishment are you most proud of?
Recently, I was awarded the prestigious Hangai Prize by the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS) for my most recent research

2021 Ones to Watch: Ege Ozcan, Jafri Capital, LLC

What recent project, transaction or accomplishment are you most proud of?
At Jafri Capital, we recently initiated the development phase of JafCap which is our brand new PropTech platform. Through this platform, we will be able to

2021 Ones to Watch: Lyle Alper, Vanderbilt Realty

What recent project, transaction or accomplishment are you most proud of?
I recently closed a transaction for

2021 Ones to Watch: Robert Caravella, AKRF, Inc.

What led you to your current profession?
My path to engineering co-director at AKRF began in construction, where I worked for my father’s construction company throughout high school before

2021 Ones to Watch: Nancy Colella, NYS Sustainable Corp.

What recent project, transaction or accomplishment are you most proud of?
NYSSC recently contracted a four-prong multifamily garden complex consisting of a community distribution generation (CDG) solar project within the

2021 Ones to Watch: Jared Sobel, Walker & Dunlop

What recent project, transaction or accomplishment are you most proud of?
I recently refinanced a $21 million Hamilton heights portfolio consisting of nine assets. Working for the number-one multifamily finance provider in the

2021 Ones to Watch: Roy Carrasquillo, Carrasquillo Law Group, P.C.

What recent project, transaction or accomplishment are you most proud of?
Throughout much of 2020 into this year, we worked on a client called LoopLand. Currently, they are developing the former U.S. Naval base on

2021 Ones to Watch: Dominic Coluccio, Samanea New York

What recent project, transaction or accomplishment are you most proud of?
Heading up the rebranding and reintroduction of Samanea New York, an iconic Long Island shopping destination, formerly known as “Fortunoff Mall at the