Avra Jain Shares Vision on Adaptive Reuse, Leadership, and Women in Real Estate at CREW Miami Event
- lisa315696
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
In celebration of Women’s History Month, Commercial Real Estate Women Miami (CREW Miami) hosted a compelling Fireside Chat with Avra Jain, renowned real estate developer and founder of The Vagabond Group, on March 19 at Mayfair House Hotel & Garden. Moderated by Emily Butler, Managing Partner at CohnReznick and CREW Miami’s President-Elect, the conversation highlighted Jain’s unconventional journey, her pioneering adaptive reuse projects, and the evolving role of women in real estate development.
Jain captivated the audience with personal anecdotes, tracing her path from an industrial engineering degree at Purdue University to Wall Street trader, filmmaker, and ultimately, a visionary leader in Miami’s real estate scene. Throughout the discussion, she emphasized the importance of risk mitigation, intuition, and surrounding oneself with creative, driven individuals.
Key Takeaways from the Conversation
Risk Mitigation & Adaptive Reuse:
Jain shared how her background on Wall Street taught her to evaluate risk swiftly and decisively—a skill she applies to every real estate project. She has developed over 500,000 square feet of adaptive reuse projects, repurposing underutilized buildings to revitalize neighborhoods while minimizing downside risk.
Leadership & Execution:
She underscored the importance of hands-on leadership and full execution oversight, stating, “I project manage my own developments, from property acquisition to completion.” Jain’s decision to bring licensed architects and project management in-house is central to her efficiency and success.
Women in Real Estate Development:
Reflecting on her early years as one of the few women in engineering and finance, Jain commented on the necessity of resilience:“There’s a glass ceiling, but it’s transparent. I never saw it. Being a woman worked both for me and against me, but I focused on doing the work, being prepared, and knowing I deserved to be there.”
She encouraged women in the room to trust their intuition, continuously learn, and surround themselves with individuals who support their growth—insights that resonated strongly during the audience Q&A session.
Look Ahead: April 16 Lunch & Learn – Sustainable Real Estate Practices in Miami
Continuing its commitment to professional growth and leadership in commercial real estate, CREW Miami invites industry professionals to its next Lunch & Learn event on April 16, 2025: Building Resilience – Sustainable Real Estate Practices in Miami.
Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Location: Mayfair House Hotel & Garden, 3000 Florida Ave., Miami, FL 33133
Registration: Register Here
Join guest speakers Anya Freeman (Kind Designs), Marta Marello (Miami-Dade County Office of Resilience), Patrice Gillespie Smith (The Underline), and Dorota Lopez (GFD Group, Moderator) for an engaging session on innovative design solutions and resilience strategies that address climate challenges while enhancing sustainability in Miami’s real estate landscape.
About CREW Miami
CREW Miami is dedicated to advancing women in the commercial real estate industry (CRE). We are committed to bringing more women into commercial real estate by offering programs like CREW Careers and UCREW that educate young women about the career opportunities in the industry; supporting CRE higher education and training through college scholarships and internships; and providing mentoring to those new to or looking for change within the industry. Additionally, CREW Miami hosts monthly forums for professionals actively involved in the commercial real estate industry. These events encourage professional interaction and networking while providing a support network for commercial real estate professionals. CREW Miami is part of a global organization of 14,000+ members and 80+ chapters and affiliates, providing our members global access to professionals in our industry.
For more information, visit CREWMiami.org.
Media Inquiries: Please contact Lisa at lisa@allegorypr.com