Women Influencers

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Heather Konopka, CCIM, a commercial real estate leader whose journey from extreme hardship to professional success is nothing short of extraordinary. As a child, Heather grew up in poverty, unaware of just how difficult her circumstances were—scavenging for clothes, caring for her father with alcohol addiction issues, and becoming self-reliant at an early age. That upbringing sparked a fierce determination to break the cycle, leading her to become an entrepreneur by age 10 and later, the first in her family to attend college.

Heather shares how her path led her unexpectedly into real estate, starting in residential sales while working as a flight attendant. Eventually, she earned her CCIM designation and built a thriving commercial real estate firm, specializing in multifamily housing. When the Great Recession hit, she lost nearly everything—including her office building and marriage—but refused to let it define her. She rebuilt with grit, passion, and purpose.

One of Heather’s proudest moments came when she helped transform 82 acres of Texas land into a thriving residential community. Watching families thrive there today reminds her why she does the work. Heather’s story is a moving reminder that no matter where you start, you can build a life—and a legacy—of impact.

“Know your why.” - Heather Konopka, CCIM

Connect with Veronica:

https://www.capstackcommercial.com/veronica-malolos-ccim

https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-malolos-ccim-401649218/

Connect with Catherine:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-konopka-ccim/

https://www.sperrycga.com/people/?brokerId=heather.konopka%40sperrycga.com

#womeninbusiness #CRE #commercialrealestate #businesspodcast #realestatepodcast #commercialbroker #entrepreneur #CCIM

This week on Women Influencers, we compiled three of the great questions my guests have asked me. I am honored to have the opportunity to chat with amazing, influential women on the podcast and it is always an honor to consider and respond to insightful inquiries.

Cindy Carrillo asked how I've embraced change in my life.

Josie Legido Correa asked what other career I would have done if I wasn't in Commercial Real Estate.

Michelle Fraser asked what advice I would give my younger self.

Watch to find out how I answered!

Connect with Veronica:

https://www.capstackcommercial.com/veronica-malolos-ccim

https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-malolos-ccim-401649218/

#womeninbusiness #CRE #commercialrealestate #businesspodcast #realestatepodcast #commercialbroker #entrepreneur

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Diane Allen, concertmaster, violinist, TEDx speaker, and best-selling author of Flow: Unlock Your Genius, Love What You Do. Diane shares how a childhood moment at a Cleveland symphony ignited her passion for the violin—a passion that evolved into a career not just in music but in helping others access their “flow state,” a neurological state that fuels joy, purpose, and peak performance.

Diane opens up about the challenges she faced, including performance anxiety, personal burnout, and caring for her mother with Alzheimer's while raising a rebellious teenager. These moments pushed her to reverse-engineer her own path into flow and create a three-step strategy to help others do the same. Her transformation—from classical violinist to electric violinist and corporate keynote speaker—underscores the power of reinvention and purpose-driven living.

Reflecting on leadership and influence, Diane speaks about leading an orchestra without saying a word, and how being in flow creates a ripple effect that influences others energetically. Her advice? “Get into your life the way a musician gets into the music.” Through purpose and presence, she believes we can all tap into our deepest genius and love what we do.

Connect with Veronica:

https://www.capstackcommercial.com/veronica-malolos-ccim

https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-malolos-ccim-401649218/

Connect with Diane:

https://dianeallen.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianeallenspeaker/

#womeninbusiness #CRE #commercialrealestate #businesspodcast #realestatepodcast #commercialbroker #entrepreneur #CCIM

In this episode of Women Influencers, I had the pleasure of speaking with Michelle Hensley, the remarkable founder and CEO of Nifty Gift Package Company, the number one mobile gift-wrapping service in the country. Michelle’s journey is one of incredible faith, resilience, and reinvention. From being a young widow and stay-at-home mom to wrapping gifts for the Kardashians, the White House, and leading celebrities, she is a shining example of what’s possible when purpose meets perseverance.

Michelle shared how, after losing her husband to cancer at age 50, she had to completely rebuild her life. What began as a simple idea—wrapping gifts out of her van—turned into a booming business. Along the way, she had to relearn everything from profit margins to team management, but she never lost her faith or drive. Her big break came when she landed a job with Too Faced Cosmetics and soon after, the Kardashians. Today, she oversees a nationwide team and continues to innovate in the luxury gift space.

What inspired me most was Michelle’s passion for lifting other women. She now runs a nonprofit providing microgrants to widows, and a training program that equips women to launch their own mobile businesses under the Nifty brand. “If I can inspire others to believe they can rise again, then I’ve done my job,” she told me. And that she has—beautifully wrapped in strength, purpose, and joy.

"Embrace adversity and manage your expectations." - Michelle Hensley

Connect with Veronica:

https://www.capstackcommercial.com/veronica-malolos-ccim

https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-malolos-ccim-401649218/

Connect with Michelle:

MichelleMHensley.com

Free Book: https://www.michellemhensley.com/get-free

Mobile Gift Wrapping Business Coach:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNhq8NmR9DgAIwSQNBZvQ0A

http://niftypackage.co/

#womeninbusiness #CRE #commercialrealestate #businesspodcast #realestatepodcast #commercialbroker #entrepreneur #CCIM #niftygiftco #presidentialgifts #celebritygiftwrapping

This week on Women Influencers I spoke with Laura G. Patac, who grew up in communist Romania and transformed from a shy math student into a powerful storyteller and leader. Laura discovered her creative voice through poetry and journaling during a difficult time in her youth, which helped her express emotions and connect with others.

After Romania’s shift to capitalism, Laura joined corporate American companies as they moved into Romania during her 20s, building a 25-year global career across five continents. She overcame challenges like speaking up and language barriers by combining her love of storytelling with her analytical skills. Eventually, she returned to her passion for writing, publishing her first book Stories with Purpose during the pandemic and launching a podcast to conquer her fear of exposure. Laura’s journey shows how blending creativity with leadership can inspire and influence others.

Now, as an entrepreneur, Laura aims to reach 100,000 people with her message about the power of personal stories. She believes thinking big and leading with purpose create lasting impact beyond titles or results. Laura invites listeners to connect with her on LinkedIn and explore her book on Amazon, encouraging everyone to embrace their unique stories and the courage to share them.

“Thinking small makes you limited.” - Laura G. Patac

Connect with Veronica:

https://www.capstackcommercial.com/veronica-malolos-ccim

https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-malolos-ccim-401649218/

Connect with Laura:

www.linkedin.com/in/laura-g-patac

https://www.youtube.com/@empowerquest1-p9l

https://store.bookbaby.com/book/stories-with-purpose

https://a.co/d/685gRMo

#womeninbusiness #CRE #commercialrealestate #businesspodcast #realestatepodcast #commercialbroker #entrepreneur #CCIM #storieswithpurpose

This week on Women Influencers, we compiled three of the great questions my guests have asked me. I am honored to have the opportunity to chat with amazing, influential women on the podcast and it is always an honor to consider and respond to insightful inquiries.

Natasha Falconi asked what encouraged me to begin investing in Commercial Real Estate.

Janet Perez Eckles asked what has happened in my life that could have set me back but instead kept me going forward with more passion.

Candis Pressley, CCIM asked how I stay motivated.

Watch to find out how I answered!

Connect with Veronica:

https://www.capstackcommercial.com/veronica-malolos-ccim

https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-malolos-ccim-401649218/

#womeninbusiness #CRE #commercialrealestate #businesspodcast #realestatepodcast #commercialbroker #entrepreneur

In this episode of Women Influencers, I sit down with Karina Garcia, Vice President of Gain Properties. They are a family office managing 17 retail assets in South Florida, and looking to expand. Karina shares her journey growing up in a real estate family in Miami, where visits to shopping centers with her family sparked her early interest in the business. She reflects on being educated locally and how, together with her sister, they have successfully transitioned the family business into the next generation.

Karina talks about the challenges of working with family, emphasizing the importance of clearly defined roles and building their own professional networks beyond their father’s connections. She explains how her team manages a diverse portfolio of retail properties and nurtures long-term tenant relationships to foster a strong sense of community.

She then shares a key accomplishment—founding a support group for second-generation women in family businesses, creating a space to share advice and navigate the unique challenges of family dynamics in real estate. Karina also highlights the value of building strong networks, encouraging collaboration among women in the industry rather than competition.

The conversation closes with Karina’s enthusiasm for the annual Women’s Investment Summit, a conference she regularly attends for inspiration and connection with other women investors. Reach out to her via email or social media to connect and grow together!

“Building your network and being able to rely on it is extremely important.” - Karina Garcia

Connect with Veronica:

https://www.capstackcommercial.com/veronica-malolos-ccim

https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-malolos-ccim-401649218/

Connect with Karina:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/karina-garcia-9a3b1b44/

https://www.instagram.com/gameproperties

#womeninbusiness #CRE #commercialrealestate #businesspodcast #realestatepodcast #commercialbroker #entrepreneur #CCIM #Systems #GameProperties

In this episode of Women Influencers, I sit down with Sylvia Rohde-Liebenau, an executive and leadership coach, writer, and public speaker. Sylvia shares her journey from growing up in Munich to becoming a leadership expert. She reflects on her childhood where she demonstrated creativity and a deep connection to purpose, which was influenced by her parents' focus on service and making a difference in the world. Sylvia talks about how her early experiences in spirituality and psychology shaped her career path and her decision to study political science and law at university.

She then shares her transition from working in development cooperation at the European Commission to becoming a leadership coach at the European Investment Bank. Sylvia explains how her role as a career advisor and organizational transformation consultant led her to focus on leadership development and change management, which she later took to the next level when she founded her own company in 2022.

Sylvia also opens up about a challenging moment in her career, where she had to take a stand in a high-stakes negotiation. She talks about how connecting to her sense of purpose helped her navigate the situation despite feeling unsupported.

Throughout our conversation, she emphasizes the power of purpose-driven leadership and the importance of staying grounded in one’s values during tough times.

“Create stillness inside.” - Sylvia Rohde-Liebenau

Connect with Veronica:

https://www.capstackcommercial.com/veronica-malolos-ccim

https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-malolos-ccim-401649218/

Connect with Sylvia:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sylvia-rohde-liebenau-phd-b51b0328/

https://www.smartpowermethod.com

https://www.smartpowermethod.com/the-book

Who's In Charge?: Lead with Real Power and Create an Impact in a Chaotic World eBook: https://a.co/d/040OBPP

#womeninbusiness #CRE #commercialrealestate #businesspodcast #realestatepodcast #commercialbroker #entrepreneur #CCIM #Systems #SMARTPowerMethod

In this episode of Women Influencers, I sit down with Dolly Elizondo, a single mom, former educator, and now a highly successful real estate developer in her hometown of Mission, Texas. Dolly’s journey into commercial real estate began after a life-changing divorce, when she transitioned from a stable career in education to a part-time job in real estate. That bold move would eventually lead her to become a top-producing agent, a CCIM designee, and a self-made developer with over 17 projects under her belt.

Dolly shares how she went from selling land to leading development projects, all while raising two daughters on her own. With no formal background in development, she taught herself the business—spending hours at the university library studying microfiche before the days of Google. One pivotal moment came when she saw the profit margins on a client's project and asked herself, “How do I do that?” That question led her to initiate a partnership that’s now spanned over two decades.

A proud hometown girl, Dolly’s heart for teaching never left her. She has mentored others in the field and was the first Latina south of San Antonio to receive the CCIM designation. Her story is rooted in faith, resilience, and a deep commitment to time management—crediting systems like Franklin Covey’s True North to help her navigate the demands of single motherhood and entrepreneurship.

Dolly’s influence extends far beyond her business. She’s inspired others, including fellow single mothers, to pursue their dreams through education and grit. Her advice is clear: surround yourself with people who know more than you, ask questions, and never be afraid to go for it.

As Dolly says, “Iron sharpens iron.”

Connect with Veronica:

https://www.capstackcommercial.com/veronica-malolos-ccim

https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-malolos-ccim-401649218/

Connect with Dolly:

https://www.dollyelizondo.com/

#womeninbusiness #CRE #commercialrealestate #businesspodcast #realestatepodcast #commercialbroker #entrepreneur #CCIM #RGVRealEstate

In this episode of Women Influencers, I sit down with Tinna Jackson, Executive Coach, Consultant, Author, and Founder of Jackson Consulting Group, whose story is a powerful journey of resilience, self-discovery, and leadership. Born and raised in Washington, DC, Tinna grew up in a close-knit Filipino and African-American family where faith, creativity, and structure were central values. Those early lessons would go on to shape her entire approach to leadership and life.

While Tinna had studied cosmetology and was looking into opening a hair salon, she got a job at a Law Firm with a lobbying practice. It was there where she met a man who convinced her to work with him on Capitol Hill, leading to a 10 year career in the Senate which ended with Tinna as Deputy Chief of Staff. It was there she recognized a critical need for emotional intelligence among leaders — a realization that ultimately led her to found her own executive coaching and consulting firm.

But Tinna’s path wasn't without heartbreak. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she experienced profound personal loss, losing two of her brothers in quick succession. Grieving while running a business forced Tinna to slow down, reexamine her purpose, and lead with even more compassion and intentionality. Through these life-altering experiences, she found her true calling: helping leaders build trust, navigate change, and lead with both head and heart. Tinna’s journey is a testament to the power of saying yes to unexpected opportunities and the strength found in embracing vulnerability. Her story is a reminder that real leadership isn’t just about achievement — it’s about authenticity, emotional resilience, and the courage to keep moving forward, even through grief.

“Self-awareness is an incredible cheat code” - Tinna Jackson

Connect with Veronica:

https://www.capstackcommercial.com/veronica-malolos-ccim

https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-malolos-ccim-401649218/

Connect withTinna:

Website: https://tinnajackson.com/

Book: https://thepowerplayjournal.com/

Group Coaching Program: https://www.pivottopower.live/home-page-4336-8044

#womeninbusiness #CRE #commercialrealestate #businesspodcast #realestatepodcast #commercialbroker #entrepreneur #CCIM #senate #consulting #jacksonconsulting