A Legacy of Leadership and Family

Our Story

Founded in 1983 by one of Miami’s most revered real estate visionaries Edgardo Defortuna, Fortune International Realty (FIR) began as a single office in Brickell to accommodate the sales and property management of the very first Fortune development, Jade Brickell. The family owned and operated brokerage experienced remarkable growth in the years thereafter, amassing 20 local and international locations since the company’s inception.

FIR delivers a sophisticated and comprehensive collection of sales, leasing, new development marketing, property management and private lending services. Fortified by a powerful global network, our portfolio attracts a distinguished roster of clientele seeking real estate opportunities and investment sales throughout Miami, South Florida, Europe and Latin America.

Fortune International Group, its parent company, is responsible for the development and sales some of South Florida’s most iconic luxury residences including Jade Signature, The Ritz-Carlton Residences Sunny Isles Beach, Auberge Beach Residences & Spa, Una, Missoni Baia, Gran Paraiso, and Brickell Flatiron among several others.

Fortune International Group

Synonymous with excellence, quality, customer service and unwavering commitment to the highest standards of luxury, Fortune International Group has been a recognized leader in development, sales and marketing since 1983. Led by real estate visionary Edgardo Defortuna, the company’s prestigious development portfolio includes many of the most prominent residential properties in South Florida including Jade Signature, The Ritz-Carlton Sunny Isles, Auberge Beach Residences and Spa Fort Lauderdale and Hyde Resort & Residences Hollywood.

Fortune Development Sales

Fortune Development Sales is the premier, exclusive on-site sales and marketing representative for third-party developments, having delivered more than 80 of South Florida’s most successful and notable luxury projects. Fortune Development Sales is a division of Fortune International Group, consistently ranked #1 among South Florida’s marketing and sales firms in real estate. Its illustrious portfolio currently includes notable projects such as Una Residences, 57 Ocean, Missoni Baia, Brickell Flatiron, Glasshaus in the Grove, 2000 Ocean, among several others.

Executive Team

Edgardo Defortuna

Chairman, President & Founder

Edgardo Defortuna is President, CEO and Founder of Fortune International Realty and its parent company, Fortune International Group, a Miami-based full- service real estate firm recognized throughout South Florida, Latin America and Europe. He oversees the company’s activities across all of its business units and is involved with the strategic decision making of the group, as well as the day-to-day operations of each of its divisions.

Mr. Defortuna founded FIR in 1983 and quickly became a driving force in real estate. Through his company’s success and far reach into U.S., European and Latin American markets, he is widely recognized for having made a significant contribution to the internationalization of Miami and its reputation as a global business, trade and vacation hub.

Walter Defortuna

Member, Board of Directors

Walter Defortuna takes a “hands-on” role in all aspects of the company’s brokerage business. With dual degrees in Accounting and Economics from the Economic School of Argentina, Mr. Defortuna returned to the United States to transform Fortune from a small family business into a prominent organization expanding into the South American and European markets.

His knowledge of the local and international market trends are crucial in development strategy – not only in determining marketing and feasibility, but also in the complexities of construction management, cost evaluations, building and zoning requirements as well as schematics and design.

Monica Defortuna

Member, Board of Directors

Monica Defortuna has been heavily involved in sales, alliances and partnerships and event planning at Fortune International Realty for over 20 years. Monica holds a Law Degree from the National University in Cordoba, Argentina and a Master Degree in Administrative Law. She also acquired professorial experience by delivering lectures and seminars. After relocating to the US she also gain International Law experience. Monica practiced law in Argentina for ten years as legal advisor for several international companies and local banks, such as Banco Comercial Hipotecario and Edificadora de Cordoba. Monica is a member of the Board of the Argentine Chamber of Commerce. She speaks fluent English and Spanish.

Ruth Palma

Vice President of Sales

Ruth Palma joined Fortune International Realty in 1997 as an assistant manager and advanced quickly toward the chief management role that she holds today wherein she supervises 8 local offices and strategic alliances. She has been integral to the senior team in promoting excellence and integrity – key attributes of Fortune International Realty. Today, Ms. Palma is responsible for recruiting new agents, supervising day-to-day operations and optimizing sales performance of all brokerage activities.

L. J. Rodriguez, CPA

Vice President of Finance & Operations

Terri Alvarez

Terri Alvarez

Managing Director

Terri Alvarez is one of the most respected veterans in the Miami Real Estate Industry. She began her sales career 40 years ago while attending college with one of the most prestigious real estate offices at the time, Cousins Associates, securing her first sales manager position at age 26. For more than 25 years, Terri, a Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager, has coached and trained new agents, taking many of them to their highest level of productivity. Her vast knowledge of real estate combined with her many years of experience, and her analytical approach has given her the ability to effectively negotiate the most difficult deals to a successful conclusion. Terri’s leadership and “hands on” style of management has contributed in propelling Fortune International Realty to world recognition.

Terri’s interest in the local community has given her the opportunity to get involved in many local projects. She is most proud to have served on the Advisory Council Board for the Salvation Army under Captain Dan Vincent, Miami Area Commander and on the Board of directors for Florida Coastline National Bank at its inception. Terri enjoys mentoring new talent and passing on her knowledge and expertise to a new generation of sales agents.

GABRIELA SANTOS

Gabriela Santos

Director of International Division

Gabriela Santos oversees the International Division at Fortune International Group, where she is responsible for designing the overall strategies, expanding the Fortune network; especially in the Americas, Europe, and Asia, and coordinating marketing strategies in a variety of overseas markets.

Gabriela’s main purpose is to build effective and strong relationships with international brokers and Real Estate professionals and provide support to New Developments agents and teams in all their sales efforts worldwide.

She has a dual degree in Journalism & Marketing – Communications from University of Havana, Cuba, and a certification in Digital Marketing from Cornell University in New York, USA.

Juanita Santana

Director of Accounting

Juanita Santana joined the Fortune organization in 2000. For nearly 20 years, she has been the driving force behind the accounting department by leading her team with fervent work ethic and dedication to FIR’s agents, employees and clientele. She provides support to Fortune’s management and sales teams and oversees all financial operations for 18 brokerage offices. Prior to joining the team, Ms. Santana worked as a fiscal coordinator to a non-profit organization for over a decade.

Amparo Fontanet

Marketing & Creative Director

Amparo Fontanet joined Fortune’s marketing department as a marketing coordinator in 2003. She participated in all activities of the department and gained valuable insight into the needs and challenges of real estate professionals. Having a background in Communication Arts, she took charge of the Fortune’s visual communication. Her efforts helped the firm adapt to the new online marketing landscape by implementing digital trends and tools.

In addition to enhancing Fortune’s brand identity, Amparo is committed to equipping Fortune’s agents with marketing resources that are efficient and effective.

Olga De Los Santos

General Counsel

Olga De Los Santos is a transactional and litigation real estate attorney with over 25 years of experience and a graduate level of education in condominium and real property development law.    She attended The University of Miami’s School of Law and received her Juris Doctor in 1989. After having practiced at AV rated boutique real estate law firms and serving as corporate counsel for top multi-family residential and luxury condominium real estate development companies, Olga joined Fortune International in 2007 where she manages the company’s legal department and provides a wide range of legal services.

Sales and Administration

Andrea Reyes

Sales Manager

1390 Brickell

Nelson Duque

Nelson Duque

Sales Manager

Icon Brickell

Cesar Youkhadar

Sales Manager

Doral

Leiset Perez

Leasing Administrator

1390 Brickell