Lissette Calderon is the founder and CEO of Neology Group, a vertically integrated, impact-driven development firm based in Miami. As the first Latina to lead a major development firm in her hometown, she’s led the transformation of the Miami River and Allapattah neighborhoods through “attainable luxury”—providing high-quality, amenitized housing for the local workforce. With over 1,500 units developed and more on the way, Lissette proves that profitability and purpose can—and should—coexist.
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Key Takeaways
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Lissette began her development career at The Related Group and went on to break ground on her first high-rise—Neo Lofts—at just 28.
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Neology’s focus on “attainable luxury” creates aspirational, amenitized workforce housing in overlooked neighborhoods.
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Her team uses public-private partnerships, cultural awareness, and design-forward thinking to catalyze community growth.
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Lissette bootstrapped her first deals through savings, small checks, and networking her way to institutional equity partners.
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She views workforce housing as both a business opportunity and a social mission to serve overlooked middle-income renters.
Topics
From Wall Street to the Miami River
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Started as an investment banker but realized her passion was in real estate development.
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Left banking to work for The Related Group—eventually becoming their first female developer.
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Used her experience to launch Neology and develop her first major project, Neo Lofts.
Why Lissette Focuses on Workforce Housing
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Identified unmet demand from up-and-coming professionals being priced out of desirable locations.
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Targets neighborhoods with potential (e.g., Miami River, Allapattah) and adds value through design, amenities, and affordability.
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Believes in “impact per square foot,” building purpose-driven communities, not just properties.
Executing a Vision Without a Playbook
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Faced skepticism from lenders and investors when pioneering the Miami River corridor.
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Collected 199 condo reservations in 3 months to prove demand and secure financing.
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Partnered with the city to reopen parks and build early phases of the Miami Riverwalk.
Scaling Development Without Losing Soul
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Developed over 1,500 units, including 40-story high-rises and ground-up towers in emerging areas.
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Opened “Fourteen” with 237 units in Allapattah—67% leased in two months.
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Blends institutional discipline with local cultural integrity and community engagement.
Advice for Aspiring Developers
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Start by working under an experienced developer or firm to learn the process and build relationships.
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If going solo, begin with smaller, less risky projects like townhomes or build-for-rent.
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Execution, discipline, and team-building are essential to success—vision alone isn’t enough.
Make sure to download our free guide, 7 Questions Every Passive Investor Should Ask, here.
Round of Insights
Failure that set Lissette up for success: Leaving investment banking felt like failure at the time, but it opened the door to her true path in development.
Digital or mobile resource: AI tools for leasing, construction, and resident experience. Also uses Monday.com for real-time collaboration and task tracking across projects.
Book recommendation: Shoe Dog by Phil Knight — for its honest portrayal of entrepreneurship, grit, and resilience.
Daily habit: Spends five minutes each morning in silent gratitude and intention-setting—grounding her day in purpose.
#1 insight for being a successful developer: Blend passion, purpose, vision, and execution. You need all four for success—none can stand alone.
Favorite restaurant in Miami, FL: Versailles.
Next Steps
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Learn more at neologylife.com
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Follow Lissette’s journey on social to see how design, culture, and business can intersect for good
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Look beyond profits—invest in projects that uplift communities and create long-term value
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