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CONTENTS
12 DEBORAH SMITH
CONTENTS
24 JAMIE MITRI
CONTENTS
40 LAURYN PARKS
Exeleon Magazine Presents
#MyJo
urney
Coming Soon...
Cover Story
Deborah
Smith
Co-Founder & CEO |The CenterCap Group, LLC
12 E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E
Making
Opportunities
Count
W W W. E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E . C O M 13
Cover Story
ONE
of the striking factors that differentiates
leaders from each other is their ability to
in luence. Often held in a negative
connotation, having an in luence as a
leader conveys one's ability to drive
people's actions towards an aligned goal.
14 E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E
“ Life is full of open and closed doors,
and I am big believer that to be
successful you need to be able to tell
the difference.
“
the journey of Deborah Smith and how she was not on her radar, she decided to take the
made her opportunities count even at the face risk, switch gears, and show up for work.
of adversity.
Starting out as a banker at Morgan Stanley,
WILLINGNESS TO EXPLORE Deborah was almost convinced that her stint
in the inance domain wasn't going to last for
Growing up as a dairy farmer's daughter in long. However, once she took on the job,
rural Australia, Deborah stood out from her Deborah was determined to learn and
peers due to her background. She remembers, establish her reputation by being the best
“Education took a backseat to work, and version of herself.
responsibility was a way of life back then. As
my parents used to say, “the cows don't milk Years later as a veteran in the industry,
themselves!” Deborah looks back at her early days with
fond memories and a heart full of gratitude.
For Deborah, being part of her family “Turns out I had quite a knack for numbers
business as a dairy farmer was almost and picked things up pretty easily, so I had
inevitable. However, with the help of some found the right career for myself.”
incredible mentors along the way, Deborah's
journey was opened to new possibilities. She GRABBING THE OPPORTUNITIES
was the only one in her family to go to the
university after completing high school. In 2005, Deborah joined Wachovia with the
Looking back, she mentions “I recognize that deliberate intention of focusing on healthcare
while I don't consider myself a risk taker, it banking. “I had been a utilities banker for
was the willingness to explore and take risks many years, and I wanted to try something
that ultimately paved my way.” different.”
Perhaps, it was this willingness to explore This period also happened to be the boom for
that eventually led her into the inance world. REIT transactions. Suddenly, Deborah was
Back in law school, Deborah intended on seen making a lot of real estate transactions
becoming a tax attorney. She explains, “I and it eventually cemented her status in the
loved tax law complexity coupled with the real estate banking space.
challenge to ind answers buried within it.”
The emergence of the global inancial crisis in
Although investment banking and finance 2008 saw Deborah co-heading CBRE
Investors Global M&A business and led the
W W W. E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E . C O M 15
Cover Story
“Don’t make
She perfectly sums this up with one simple statement,
“Life is full of open and closed doors, and I am big
believer that to be successful you need to be able to tell
the difference.”
emotion.”
clients and assignments.”
16 E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E
W W W. E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E . C O M 17
Ins
18 E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E
Cover Story
spiring
Deborah elaborates, “I think we are known for
taking on the complicated, the contrarian, and
the non “bread and butter” type assignments.
Sure, we can do the easy transaction processes,
but we're not afraid of doing something
different or complicated. We are pretty
con ident that we can spot an attractive
opportunity when it presents itself.”
Change
Based in Stamford, Connecticut with a recent
expansion to Florida, The CenterCap Group is a
market leader when it comes to thinking about
the role of technology in real estate as well as
niche sectors like cold storage, senior housing,
manufactured housing, and logistics.
E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E 19
Cover Story
night and then turning around and Nowadays, Deborah oversees the BEING THE BEST
putting on my senior leadership hat day-to-day proceedings of
to explain it all the next day, with CenterCap and the strategic growth “We had our busiest year in 2022
strategy and growth ideas along and development of the irm. and this year I am excited for what
with it.” we have going on and the pipeline
She also mentions, “I am also ahead of us. We are continuing to
With time and experience, Deborah intimately involved in our grow all of our business segments,
evolved her leadership style and consulting practice. I really enjoy but also a new avenue for us is to
gained clarity when it came to building relationships with explore making principal
building a business. One of her companies, iguring out what investments ourselves.” Deborah
biggest learnings in her makes them tick, their culture, realizes that one of their core
entrepreneurial journey is to not strengths, and weaknesses, and strengths is the ability to
assume. She advises emerging then helping them to reposition, underwrite good management
entrepreneurs to continually switch gears, or grow. It's really teams and good opportunities. “We
evaluate their plans, modify, adjust, rewarding and incredibly are now looking to make some
and improve as new information challenging. Every company is investments in early-stage
comes to light. different.” companies, a market segment we
don't spend as much time in. It's
Always mindful of their women- Talking about how she ensures really exciting stuff,” she concludes
owned structure, Deborah re lects work-life balance, Deborah quickly saying.
on their fortune that Lisa Beeson, points out her love for running. “I
an industry veteran, agreed to join run a lot. There is something Going forward, Deborah hopes
them in 2017. “Lisa had previously calming about putting one foot in CenterCap continues striving every
run real estate M&A groups for front of the other on the pavement. day to be the #1 advisor in middle
Barclays, Lehman Brothers, and I do some of my best thinking while market investment banking and be
Wachovia Securities after a long running; when I am actually not the best at every service they offer.
stint with Morgan Stanley's M&A trying to think at all.” But she also looks forward to
group. Her expertise with public building out an investment side of
companies, including REITs, was Being a parent, spouse, and an their business, too. Her grand plan -
pretty much unmatched,” Deborah entrepreneur, she understands the to do it all; and to do it all well.
says, “To have Lisa join us, both a dif iculties that one can face
long-time friend and former juggling between the three. For her,
colleague, was a truly unbelievable it's the clarity of determining what
positive for us.” you want to do, making the
decision, and then just going for it.
It's all in the follow-through.
Exeleon Shorts
One Book Entrepreneurs Must Read – “Grit” One Podcast / Course that you would
by Angela Duckworth Recommend – Bloomberg Masters in Business
Podcast
One Productivity Tool / App that Everyone
Should Use – LinkedIn One Investment Advice that you Follow –
Don't make decisions based on emotion.
One Quote that Motivates you the Most –
Onwards and Upwards
20 E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E
We Embrace Excellence!
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M
24 E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E
IN – FOCUS
Mo s
me
s e
Gu
tru
t he
How Jamie Mitri used engineering and biology to create the first and only
live moss artwork that improves your air quality – Moss Pure.
What was the idea that led to the start In talking with customers and scientists, I
of Moss Pure? What was the market gap found that:
that you wanted to address?
1. No other company was able to use moss
I founded Moss Pure during a startup as an effective air ilter.
competition at the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology in June 2020, called the MIT 2. No other company was able to keep live
Lebanon Challenge. Moss Pure won First moss alive in indoor environments for
Place Startup in the competition in Track more than a few days.
1B Health, Energy, and Waste
Management. From there, the United 3. Existing living walls and moss walls
Nations invited me to compete in their used a great amount of water and
Development Programme in August 2020, electricity and were bulky and required
where it won the Top 10 Startup. time to assemble.
During the competition, I realized that Using engineering and biology, I created
moss has several bene its. But there the irst and only live moss design that
weren't many companies that were using improves your air quality and provides
live moss. Most moss companies use therapeutic relief without needing any
preserved moss or dried moss, which are watering, sunlight, or maintenance. I
no longer living. Because preserved and wanted to create an aesthetically pleasing,
dried moss are no longer living, they are yet simple decor piece that anyone could
not able to improve air quality as only live use in their everyday, modern space.
moss can.
W W W. E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E . C O M 25
IN – FOCUS
26 E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E
IN – FOCUS
W W W. E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E . C O M 27
30 E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E
EXPERT OPINION
THE DOWNTURN OF
THE AMERICAN DREAM
Written By: Michaela Green, Licensed Realtor in Houston, TX
“
T he American Dream” is
widely heard in big speeches
and is a selling point for the
public to aim for big and avail the
opportunity of becoming successful.
Since 2014, the average household
income has decreased by $2000 in
middle-class families, with an
average household debt of around
130% of the salary. Alarmingly, the
However, over the years, the household savings rate is nearly
American dream has become a zero!
nightmare for young adults,
especially millennials and Gen Z – The last great recession happened in
leading to the downturn of the 2008 that had a lasting impact on
American Dream. Americans. Millennials are drowned
mainly in student loan debts;
The general trend among the unfortunately, the median income is
younger generation is to acquire as the same as in the 1970s, after
many 'assets' as possible. While this considering in lation. Although a lot
releases dopamine and creates a more people are employed today
sense of achievement in their minds, compared to the 1970s, still a fewer
it is essential to realize that the percentage of them own their
American Dream has been de ined houses. Even so, a third of them are
only in terms of material currently living with their parents.
possessions, encouraging Americans
to go beyond their limit and We'll discuss some factors that
eventually face a inancial crisis. correlate with the lack of
W W W. E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E . C O M 31
EXPERT OPINION
homeownership among young In the modern era, property prices On the other hand, the older
adults. are insanely high. Additionally, the generation have kept their ground
average household income is and continued residing in their old
HOUSING BUBBLE failing to maintain a constant ratio homes. This creates a negative
with the rising prices. According to supply and an increasing demand
If you're aware of the Great bankrate.com, the median price of for houses as fewer homes are sold
Recession of 2008, you must know houses grew 30% as opposed to in the market, and more buyers
what a housing bubble is. For an 11% increase in median are looking for relatively
those looking to investigate this household income in the last ten affordable homes.
matter, let's make it simple for you years.
to understand. As the house The boomers are also cognizant of
demand increases, the prices At the time, homebuyers enjoyed the fact that the prices have
follow an upward trend. This is the privilege of property costs signi icantly risen, and taking
exactly what a housing bubble is. ivefold the mean salary. But after advantage of that, they are making
the market collapse in 2008 – aka competitive offers which makes it
Giving a brief history lesson, the Great Recession – that ratio harder for the younger generation
investors shied away from stock increased to sixfold, that stabilized to buy new property.
investments and turned to eventually. Recently, the average
economical mortgage rates, property costs have soared again STUDENT LOAN DEBT
increasing the demand for and are seven times greater than
property at the start of the 21
st
the average household income. According to several research,
Century. Also, to incentivize non- millennials are drowned in college
stock investments, fewer For instance, the national median debt which is correlated with a
regulations were put in place, home price was around $121,500 delay in homeownership. If we
which implied that a high income in the 90s. That was around twice take in to account the in lation, the
was not required to get a the average income of around millennials are far behind
mortgage; however, the turmoil $50,000. Whereas in 2020, home boomers in homeownership rates.
was not anticipated as those prices rose close to $359,000
payments accumulated with while the median income is limited 72% of student debt holders
interest rates rising at the same to around $67,500. believed their debt would delay
time. them from purchasing a home for
This is one of the reasons why the several months up to 8 years. More
The investments were such that younger generation is inding it speci ically, 19% of student debt
when the buyers couldn't pay, the extremely challenging to buy a holders believed their debt would
lending organizations went new property in the current era. hinder them from buying a home
bankrupt, and the lending for more than eight years!
structure crumpled. HIGH DEMAND, LOW SUPPLY
Although we saw an increase in
This proved to be one of the As of now, the millennials are the homeownership among
primary reasons for the slowdown most populous adult generation, millennials during the COVID-19
in the real estate market. Even as outnumbering boomers in 2019. pandemic, there is still a void in
America regained control of its As the population of these young homeownership rates that needs
economy, property building did adults increases, the need for to be addressed. To ill this gap,
not become as normal as it was. homeownership grows incentives should be given, such as
simultaneously. To give some the Transforming Student Debt to
THE GAP BETWEEN PROPERTY perspective, before the COVID-19 Home Equity Act of 2022. This act
PRICES AND INCOME pandemic, homeownership was provides leverage to students who
ever-increasing among millennials. have cleared their student loans,
32 E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E
such as subsidized mortgage
loans, and discounts on
government-owned homes along
with inancial aid for making
down payments.
W W W. E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E . C O M 33
Murshidah
Said
36 E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E
IN – FOCUS
EMPOWERING LEADERS,
CREATING COMMUNITIES
Murshidah Said, Founder of the LOVE & Her daughter thus became her 'WHY'
RESPECT Transformation Centre, is one factor in helping her ind purpose. Making
such transformational leader who strives the best of available resources at hand,
to drive purpose among individuals and Murshidah stepped into her superpower
world leaders to add value to their and surpassed the challenging times in the
businesses, by creating a chain of positive fastest manner possible. In less than two
reactions in communities. Being an weeks, Murshidah was carrying $5000 in
entrepreneur, corporate trainer, life coach, her pocket. She realized she had all the
and keynote speaker for over a decade, resources; she just didn't use them
Murshidah is transforming corporate effectively.
leaders' and individuals' lives by guiding
them and creating ripples of positive The moment was nothing short of a
change in organizations. eureka for her, which became the
foundation bricks of her training business,
transforming people's lives for 14 years.
W W W. E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E . C O M 37
IN – FOCUS
38 E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E
IN – FOCUS
W W W. E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E . C O M 39
EXELEON EXCLUSIVE
Interview with
Can you please introduce it's more personal & direct I am in the business of
yourself and your when it comes to selling my repurposing clothing. Think
background as a woman items. “one man's trash is another
entrepreneur. man's treasure” but for
Throughout the last year, clothing, where most of the
My name is Lauryn, I it's been all going uphill, clothing I obtain, was
started my business as a from selling to local stores someone's “trash”
result of being racially to inding myself in many (Donation) and I am giving
discriminated against in my markets, vending, and these items another chance
workplace and ired. I've bringing my eccentric at “life” by bringing them to
always had a great clothing & energy to the my racks & public events
relationship with second- public eye. I enjoy people's for people to enjoy.
hand clothing, I've always positive responses to my
enjoyed buying & selling it. inventory as I have a wide I prefer to market my
I've loved making people range of sizes for everyone clothing as gender neutral
happy with clothes I've to very or unisex as well, as I'm
picked and provided for affordable/reasonable marketing towards the
them! prices! I am a small queer communities. I want
sustainable clothing to provide EVERYONE (All
After that traumatic business as of right now & sizes and identities) with
experience, I decided it was looking forward to what's unique clothing at
time to go into business for next for me! reasonable prices. I want
myself doing exactly what I the people to look at feel
enjoy most – Buying & Talk to us about your good within them too!
Selling. Helping people by brand. What is the nature
providing clothing for them of your service or Being a woman
to look & feel good in! Now solution? entrepreneur, what are
40 E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E
W W W. E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E . C O M 41
42 E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E
EXELEON EXCLUSIVE
some of the biggest challenges own lane, but I am viewed as Where do you see your business
that you faced in your journey? competition and there are others, or your brand in the near future?
male resellers, who are potentially
The main challenge I've faced but threatened by me and have I see my brand going nationwide, I
not major challenge, is with my disclosed their dislike for me due to want to take it across the country! I
business name. Occasionally but my great “eye” for women's clothing am currently working on setting up
not often, I will have to alter the items. This is minor, I doubt there in a shop to have my clothes on
name of my business to make sure would be any harm caused, but I do display during business hours, but
all people are comfortable/not get dirty looks and cold shoulders that's a huge step up from just
offended! But even within those from some men in common events & vending markets.
situations, I've never received any thrifting spaces.
negative feedback on my business This will be huge exposure for my
name, nor suggestions to change it, What according to you makes one brand. Big dream, is to get a short
just that the word “bitch” may be an empowering woman? bus, renovate it for my business and
offensive to some women. Which I'd travel it around to different states
understand if I was using it to refer What's empowering to me is for different pop-up shops! I want
to them, but the business name is someone who keeps going, no people in New York, ATL, Florida,
“Bad Bitch Thriftin” which is a matter how many challenges they California, Arizona & Texas to be
reference to me. face. No matter their opposition, shopping Bad Bitch Thriftin' I've
internal & external struggles, a already sold to people in those
Another challenge I've faced is woman who keeps going but also areas through online sales, I know I
personal time management. It's knows when to take a break for can make a mark in some
completely different from time themself, is an empowering woman. communities in those states too!
management during college life. It's
where you put more hours than you A woman who doesn't accept “No” Thank you so much. Do you want
even recognize into your business, and inds another way, because to add anything else or any other
yet still feel like you haven't gotten there is always a way to succeed in information?
anything done. Its spending too your business. A woman who is also
many hours as well as all of the very aware of their actions & Just wanted to thank you for this
money you make, going directly emotions is empowering. Someone opportunity to share my
back into your business. who tends to their needs and experiences as a Black Woman
doesn't ignore issues at hand, but Entrepreneur. I speci ically say this
One more challenge I've faced is works through them & experiences because I am Nonbinary but will
within social media, it can be growth because of that, is an always hold the identity of a Black
dif icult to maintain multiple empowering woman. Woman, proud and true as my
moving pieces of a business and experiences are unique to Black
still have energy left to update & What would be your advice for women. I am queer and I want to
provide context to various social aspiring and emerging women bring my clothes back to my
media platforms on individual entrepreneurs? communities as well as for
items. Another challenge is a everyone and bring people together
physical one, having so many Just do it! I ind that we can be our through unique, thrifted & vintage
clothes to bring to & from events is own worst enemies, if you have any items. I also hope that its known
a lot of physical labor that I'm truly dreams you want to see through, that the bitch in Bad Bitch Thriftin'
not built for but I have had help just do it! There is no right time to is very non-derogatory, a term of
along the way that I am so thankful wait for, the best time is now! endearment or even a reclamation
for. Waiting for “the right time” is a of the word itself for myself.
waste of time towards
My last challenge is with accomplishing any goals/dreams
competition. I do not view them as one may have!
competition because I am in my
W W W. E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E . C O M 43
EXELEON EXCLUSIVE
Na di a McKoy
46 E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E
W W W. E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E . C O M 47
EXELEON EXCLUSIVE
48 E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E
EXELEON EXCLUSIVE
strolling this journey alone because there will Where do you see your business or your
be plenty of times when you'll have to. With brand in the near future?
that, you have to know and take in that you
aren't for everyone, everyone isn't for you, and I plan to have my products in a few stores that
that is completely okay! are intentional about natural care. I'd love to
work with brands and people who are also in
Find out what your values are and stick to them the business of self-care like Tabitha Brown,
no matter what. You'll ind grounding in that, KeKe Palmer, Nats Locs as well as some of my
and it'll show you who is truly supposed to be community sisters in and out of state.
around you. Be gentle with yourself—life is
hard enough and you don't need to be hard on I'd love to have pamper parties nationwide, and
you as well. And get you a prayer life going. It'll I de initely wouldn't made if Qveeng Bee's made
show up for you when you feel you have nothing it out of the country. Lastly, feature on a few
left. podcasts/electronic mags to spread knowledge
of holistic care.
W W W. E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E . C O M 49
a
K—
50 E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E
RAW AND BOLD
a—i l
IN
e y L i l
TERVI
le
E
r
W W ITH
MODEL
Then, an old friend of mine asked me to model for her brand, and I
fell in love with being in front of the camera. It became a way for me
to take control back of my life and my body. Modeling allows me to
show off my creativity and express myself. Modeling is also my way to
inspire and show other people, that may have been in similar
situations as me, that there's always a way back to yourself.
Even if you're at your lowest point, as long as you take the time to
heal, you can do anything you want to do. You can make it back from
anything. I just want to continue to inspire and show others anything
is possible.
W W W. E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E . C O M 51
men photographers try to be more than just the
photographer. Sometimes, it's other women that will
tear you down due to their own insecurities or ego.
Sometimes, there's men in this industry that do not I see my brand growing as I take these next few steps
always respect the female models. I've experienced in my career. I walk in LA Fashion Week on March
shows where the man in charge had no care in the world 11th, and I'm hoping this opportunity opens doors and
that female models were changing, and him being in the puts new people in my life to continue to help me
room was making the group feel uncomfortable. I've had grow and evolve in this industry.
52 E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E
RAW AND BOLD
W W W. E X E L E O N M AG A Z I N E . C O M 53
w w w. e x e l e o n m a g a z i n e . c o m