Avra Jain
CO-FOUNDER
With a career path that has taken her from bond trading on Wall Street to developing properties along some of Miami's trendiest streets, Avra Jain has earned a reputation for identifying the next it neighborhood. The recipient of three Sundance Film Awards for the documentary Dark Days, this industrial engineering graduate from Purdue University develops projects based around two of her favorite pursuits: art and architecture. Jain suggests “Through art and architecture, life and lifestyle are integrated. Through life and lifestyle, communities and neighborhoods are created.” To date, that vision has resulted in numerous boutique projects that range from converting a 100,000-square foot warehouse to luxury loft condominiums in New York's Tribeca neighborhood to the remake of The Vagabond, from Motel to Hotel on Biscayne Boulevard. When Avra is not re-imagining skylines, she spends time with her 14-year-old daughter Alexandra, whom she affectionately refers to as "my greatest accomplishment". Some of her recognitions include: Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce R.E.A.L. “2015 Winner of Developer Commercial Category”, the Women’s Chamber of Commerce “15th Thelma Gibson Award of Excellence”, the AIA Miami “Developer of the Year 2016”, and the "2017 Community Catalyst Award", amongst others. Avra serves on the Miami Foundation Board, Dade Heritage Trust, Locust Projects, and University of Miami's Master of Real Estate Development + Urbanism Advisory Boards.
Dalia Lagoa
co-FOUNDER
After a 20 year career in Structured Finance on Wall Street, Dalia is now responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Vagabond Hotel and Restaurant in Miami, and The Cliff Hotel & Spa in Negril, Jamaica and for financial and accounting oversight of rental properties owned by the Vagabond Group (office, retail, and residential).
Amanda Bonvecchio, NCARB, AIA, LEED GA
Director of DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT
Licensed Architect in the state of Florida, Amanda holds a Masters degree in Real Estate Development + Urbanism from the School of Architecture at the University of Miami where she graduated top of her class. She earned a Bachelor of Architecture from UM with a double minor in Business, and Ecosystem Science + Policy, graduating the program with Honors. Member of AIA Miami and NCARB, she is also an accredited LEED Green Associate. Amanda spearheaded the restoration of the Gold Dust Hotel in MiMo, the Historic Miami River Inn in Little Havana, and Casa Florida bar & restaurant which included the first permanently permitted “container” structure in City of Miami. In 2018, she completed the drawings for the 225 Midtown Renovation Project, now home to Anatomy Gym. Additionally she co-led Vagabond Group as Design Architect for a new 8-story creative Class A office building in Midtown. Amanda is Managing Director of New Development at The Vagabond Group. New projects under her purview include the adaptive reuse of a 200,000 square foot mattress factory, the Historic Preservation of the Seven Seas Motel, and the designation of the first warehouse structure in the City of Miami. Amanda is Co-Founder of Vagabond Architecture, a local Architecture firm. She also sits on the MRED+U Board as Alumni Representative.
Natalia Cebollero, AIA
DIRECTOR OF CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN
Having developed an interest in Puerto Rico’s vernacular architecture throughout her whole life growing up in the island, Natalia decided to base her studies in Architecture at the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico. After concluding her studies, she leaves the island looking for better job opportunities. This brought her to Central Florida where she worked for Charlan Brock and Associates, an award winning multifamily architecture firm in Orlando. While working there she got introduced to the “Business of architecture”, aka the world of development. This prompted her to make the move down south to Miami to pursue studies at the University of Miami’s Masters in Real Estate Development and Urbanism Program, where she graduated highest honor of her class. Today, Natalia works with The Vagabond Group as the Managing Director of Construction. She is currently spearheading the renovation of 23 affordable housing units with Miami Dade County and the adaptive reuse of an old shoe warehouse into Class A office in the heart of Miami’s Design District. Natalia is also an active member of AIA Miami, the Urban Land Institute and participates in the University of Miami MRED+U Alumni Committee. Natalia is Co-Founder of Vagabond Architecture, a local Architecture firm. She also sits on the MRED+U Board as Alumni Representative.
Natalia Vergara
DeVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
Natalia holds a Masters degree in Real Estate Development + Urbanism from the University of Miami, where she received the Outstanding Student in Real Estate Development + Urbanism Award, the top award voted on by both student peers and faculty. While pursuing her Masters, she also worked at The Related Group providing development support in the form of market and feasibility studies, zoning analyses, and routine market research. Prior to earning her Masters degree, Natalia worked in the real estate industry for 5 years. Her experience covers expansive grounds including leading lease up and property management of 40,000 SF of flex office, directing sales and marketing efforts to effectively sell out a new construction luxury condominium building, and successfully punching out and turning over 67 condo units from general contractor to each individual buyer. Natalia has well-honed management and organizational skills, understands value-creation throughout the real estate development process, and has a deep passion for idea generation, design and community building.