Invest: Miami celebrates a decade of insight, innovation, and impact at 10-year leadership summit
Writer: Eleana Teran
June 2025 — Miami’s transformation into a global business and innovation hub didn’t happen overnight. At the 10-year anniversary Invest: Miami leadership summit, industry leaders highlighted the initiatives, developments, and partnerships that have elevated the city to a new echelon.
The summit, held on Thursday, June 12, at Mr. C Coconut Grove, brought together 200 leaders from business, government, and academia for a morning of conversation, celebration, and strategic insight into the region’s past progress and future priorities.
In her opening remarks, Milena Mignone, senior executive director of caa, welcomed guests by reflecting on the significance of the day. “This is not just another edition of Invest: Miami,” she said. “Today is a celebration of a decade. This is where it all began.”
Abby Lindenberg, founder and CEO of caa, followed with a personal look back at the company’s journey. “We’ve certainly come a long way over these last 10 years,” she said. “Like most stories, it started with a simple idea: to bring real insights to the business and political decision-makers shaping the region’s future. That goal hasn’t changed, but it has developed into so much more, becoming a trusted platform at the intersection of business intelligence and strategic collaboration.”
“We’re not in the business of clickbait. We’re in the business of clarity. And in an age of loud, unfactual noise, clarity is power,” added Lindenberg.
The event featured three panel discussions, each exploring a key dimension of Miami’s trajectory, highlighting regional growth, legacy sector transformation, and the startup ecosystem.
The opening panel, “Magic decade: Examining Miami and South Florida’s stellar decade of growth, and the work needed to maintain momentum,” was moderated by John Owens of Greenberg Traurig and presented by Athalie Edwards of the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust. Panelists included Mayor Alix Desulme of the City of North Miami, Mónica Vázquez of ABANCA USA, Yesenia Sanchez of Cigna, and Jimmy Tate of Tate Capital.
The conversation focused on the effects of rapid growth, including affordability gaps and infrastructure strain, while also highlighting the role of inclusive development, public-private engagement, and long-term planning in maintaining Miami’s upward trajectory. Panelists shared insights on how the region’s diversity, entrepreneurial spirit, and global positioning can be harnessed, but not taken for granted.
“When we talk about the future, Miami is ready because this city knows how to embrace difference and innovation,” said Desulme.
“From a human perspective, I think we’ve become a victim of our success,” noted Tate, pointing to the pressure that population growth and limited supply have placed on housing affordability. “That’s why we don’t wait for the community to come to us. We go to them, engage directly, and work to improve their city and the lives of the people who make it what it is.”
The second panel, “Tracking progress: How traditional industries are competing in a new Miami — and supporting the communities they serve,” was moderated by Scott Brandman of Baker McKenzie and included Leigh Anne Lanier of Verizon, Fernando Mesia of Valley Bank, Jennifer of Shutts & Bowen LLP, and Joshua Rader at Citrin Cooperman as panelists.
The discussion focused on how legacy sectors are evolving in response to rapid technological advancement, demographic shifts, and rising expectations around corporate responsibility. Panelists shared how their institutions are rethinking service delivery, investing in innovation, and doubling down on partnerships to remain competitive while deepening their local impact.
“There’s a need for speed. If you keep building, we’ll keep showing up,” said Leigh Anne Lanier, highlighting the company’s investments in network infrastructure and immersive technologies. “We’re transforming the customer experience, while making sure our work reflects the values of the communities we serve.”
“Miami has always adapted to what’s happening, whether it’s tech, innovation, or financial services,” said Rader. “Traditional industries have grown around that momentum, and it will keep happening. That’s what Miami and its leaders do.”
The final panel, “Empowering entrepreneurs: How Miami is staying ahead of the competition in fostering a dynamic — and sustainable — startup environment,” addressed how the city is building the infrastructure, talent, and financial ecosystem necessary to support long-term innovation. Moderated by Francis Rodríguez of Shutts & Bowen LLP, and presented by Navish Chawla of Hernandez Construction & Development, the panel included Zahir Dossa of the University of Miami Herbert Business School, Paul Gabriele of EisnerAmper, and Brian San Miguel of City National Bank.
Panelists examined Miami’s unique positioning, as a global gateway and lifestyle destination, has helped fuel its rapid evolution into a startup hub. “Miami’s startup ecosystem has grown rapidly, especially over the last five years,” said San Miguel. “We’re a natural bridge between Latin America, North America, and Europe. The ecosystem has surged — we’ve come a long way in a short time.”
“This edition gave us the opportunity to look back at what we proudly call Miami’s magic decade, ten years of extraordinary growth, global relevance, and reinvention,” said Mignone in closing. “What truly sets Miami apart is the people behind the progress. The leaders, innovators, and changemakers who continue to shape this region with vision, collaboration, and resilience.”
To access the Invest: Miami 10th Anniversary Edition report, click here. (Subscription required.)
For conference panel discussions, please subscribe and stay tuned to our YouTube Channel as those videos are released in the coming weeks.
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About Capital Analytics & Invest: Miami
Capital Analytics is an integrated media platform that produces in-depth business intelligence through its annual print and digital economic reviews, high-impact conferences and events and top-level interviews via its video platform, Invest:Insights.
Invest: Miami is an in-depth economic review of the key issues facing the region’s economy, featuring the exclusive insights of prominent regional leaders. Invest: Miami is produced with two goals in mind: 1) to provide comprehensive investment knowledge on Miami and the greater region for local, national and international investors, and 2) to promote Miami and the greater region as a place to invest and do business.
The report conducts a deep dive into the top economic sectors in the region, including real estate, construction, infrastructure, banking and finance, legal, healthcare, education and tourism. The publication is compiled from insights collected from more than 200 economic leaders, sector insiders, political leaders and heads of important institutions. It analyzes the leading challenges facing the market and uncovers emerging opportunities for investors, entrepreneurs and innovators.
For more information, contact:
Milena Mignone
Senior Executive Director
305-938-0293
