Team
VISION
Southern California Equity is committed to being exceptional fiduciaries for our investors. We are uniquely equipped to provide our investor partners with best-in-class investment opportunities and concierge service.
Our vision is a firm which focuses on creating tremendous value for every investor, employee, vendor, and tenant that comes into contact with our company.
Our philosophy has always been to achieve a “Win-Win” for everyone we associate with.
We’ve invested countless hours and capital into building the world-class team, investment platform, and business processes required to achieve the results our investors deserve. Our success is the culmination of dedicated teamwork that prioritizes investor interests throughout every stage of investment.
With an intentional focus on finding world-class assets well below intrinsic value, we create superior long-term, risk-adjusted returns for our investors while creating strong economic assets for the communities we invest in.
Daren Laureano
Chief Executive
Officer
Co-Founder
Daren is a 30 year veteran of real estate development, specializing in redevelopment plans for acquisition and deep repositioning.
Daren Laureano is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Southern California Equity, Inc. He and his team have more than 150 years combined experience in redevelopment planning, reposition strategy, government approval, design, complex construction, and development. Mr. Laureano's accuracy and sound decisions have transformed more than $7 billion dollars in real estate through 6.5 million square feet of completed developments. He unlocks potential overlooked by others with less experience by adaptive re-use of property, deep repositioning and advanced redevelopment knowledge for new construction. Mr. Laureano oversees all seven essential fiduciary disciplines for redevelopment from acquisition to occupancy with every step in between. He is uniquely experienced at merging complex tenant requirements with competing jurisdictional demands for occupancy. This ability stems directly from a vast experience in complex and very diverse building types, including coastal and historic assets.
Mr. Laureano founded his original brand Southern California Land Use, Inc. in January 2001 creating and executing complex redevelopment plans. SCE is built on this sound foundation from more than 20 years of reliable, proven results. Prior to founding his businesses Mr. Laureano worked for 10 years in several prestigious Southern California architecture firms designing buildings and the related construction drawings. Mr. Laureano holds a degree in Architecture from the University of Southern California (1993).
Terry Winders
Chief Investment
Officer
Co-founder
Terry is a 23 year real estate veteran, he is co-founder of Southern California Equity and is actively engaged in the financial and operational needs of the company.
Terry Winders is uniquely positioned to navigate the acquisition, financing and disposition of real estate assets. Mr. Winders is more broadly responsible for sourcing and implementing financing, structuring deals and generating continued growth for new funds and submarkets. He leads deal creation and cultivates partnership and new relations. He supports the daily operations of the company through trend monitoring, market research and advancement in property tech, guiding SCE in its choices of partnerships and investment planning. His methodical and systematic due diligence on a project by project basis has resulted in exceptional return on investment and asset values which translates into increased profits, exceeding investor expectations. Mr. Winders is results oriented, with a successful history of international real estate accomplishments.
After a stint in acquisitions at MJW Investments, Mr Winders oversaw financing and deal sourcing at Galaxy Holding. Mr. Winders founded Winders Land Company which oversees a diverse portfolio of affordable multifamily housing. The philanthropic endeavor provides one affordable rate unit for every market unit.
Mr. Winders holds a degrees and diplomas in Law from the Law Society of Ireland and Real Estate Investment Analysis from the University of California Los Angeles.
Guy Alexander
Chief Operating
Officer
Guy is a 30 years real estate veteran, and the driving force in development from acquisition to disposition of more than 2,000 complex residential developments and subdivisions exceeding $800 million dollars.
Mr. Alexander uniquely positioned himself in the field for six years, to learn every facet for the practical principles of asset development while pursuing advanced degrees and certificates. Guy's leadership ability in the field paved the way to the development office where he managed Construction Operations, Field Supervision, Material Acquisition, and Customer Service. He became both Vice President and COO of Alexander Communities expanding his company from eight employees to forty-nine. In 2005 Mr. Alexander became President and CEO leading the organization another four years.
Prior to joining Southern California Equity, Inc. team Guy created Jade Homes, Inc. which ultimately merged with Newport Beach luxury developer Berk Properties, LLC to create Berk Custom Homes, Inc. Mr. Alexander implemented custom systems in the development processes for financial analysis, acquisition, design, financing, budgeting, scheduling, construction, marketing, and corporate operations. Guy joined The Related Companies to extend his skill into large scale development, leading its Southern California construction division for management of their core legacy condominium projects and multifamily developments.
Mr. Alexander holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Southern California (1993). He holds certificates in Light Construction Development Management and Marketing from the University of California, Irvine (1996).
Stuart Laureano
Director of
Investor Relations
Stuart is a seasoned real estate professional and a veteran marketing executive.
Stuart Laureano is the Director of Investor Relations for Southern California Equity, he plays an essential role ensuring the company is appropriately and strategically positioned with analysts, investors, and all stakeholders. He leads the development and execution of comprehensive investor relations programs and networking investor events.
Mr. Laureano possesses a keen understanding of the capital markets, investor experiences and a strategic mindset having provided principals critical insights, services, and strategies for maintaining a positive image of the company.
Prior to joining Southern California Equity Mr. Laureano founded digital real estate marketing agency, California Image Maker. His insight and leadership has established a track record of successfully helping real estate enterprise clients solve today’s challenges and leverage tomorrow’s opportunities. This role provided him with a comprehensive perspective and enhanced his ability to effectively communicate to investors and analysts. Mr. Laureano holds a bachelor degree in Business from the University of Southern California (1991).
Announcement Coming Soon
Chief Financial Officer
Southern California Equity, Inc Chief Financial Officer Bio Coming Soon!
Susana Jagodzinski
Director of Real Estate
Susana is a licensed and LEED-accredited real estate professional with over twenty years of experience in development and construction. She has managed commercial projects totaling over 12 million square feet, including retail, office, multifamily, entertainment, and mixed-use spaces. As VP of Development at Alliant Strategic Development and CCA Acquisition Company, she led cross-functional teams, increasing project efficiency by over 18%. Susana is a leader in project management, acquisition evaluation, and competitive bidding. Her leadership has completed projects from acquisition to leasing, achieving a 28% revenue increase. Her background in both development and construction management makes her a key asset to SCE. She is an active multifamily investor in over 500 apartment units in the US Sunbelt. She holds a Bachelor’s in Architecture from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Master’s in Construction Management/Real Estate Development from Drexel University, with real estate licenses in California and Georgia.
Andrew Yapp
Director of Risk Management
Andrew is a real estate professional who has worked in several prestigious architecture firms.
Mr. Yapp is also our skilled Senior Forensic Analyst within our acquisitions group. He holds a degree in architecture and operates within the Investment Team facilitating the Acquisition Targeting System (ATS). Mr. Yapp possesses a unique and skilled sense of design along with being an expert in forensic property research within any jurisdiction including County and State. Mr. Yapp's strong forensic research enables him to easily comprehend, communicate and manage skilled attorney teams for a variety of potential risks within the Legal and Compliance Team. The ability to forecast risk and liability through observation of team interaction has been instrumental in the success of SCE. His analysis of both asset and unique jurisdictional incentives has served as the foundation for nearly three million square feet within our Deep Repositioning system.
Heather Willoughby
Executive
Director
Heather is a seasoned executive with a strong emphasis on business acumen, strategic problem-solving, and leadership. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Hospitality Business from Michigan State University's Eli Broad College of Business (1998), which equipped her with valuable strategic and analytical problem solving skills.
Throughout her professional career, she has excelled as a leader, prioritizing mentorship and team development. As a Director for Aramark in both Kentucky and Michigan, she efficiently integrated strategic insights, fostering a culture of excellence.
Heather's leadership experience has been instrumental at elite brands such as Macy’s as an Executive Manager, overseeing multiple departments in both Michigan and California. She thrives in diverse operational areas, making strategic decisions to drive results while maintaining a positive energy and environment.
As a finance expert and mentor for ten units spanning the West Coast and Hawaii at Macy's, she showcased financial expertise while nurturing team members to reach their full potential.
In addition to her professional achievements, she has actively contributed to her community by serving as treasurer for multiple community organizations including the Redondo Beach Council Parent Teacher Association.
Heather is a confident executive with a strong focus on business acumen, investor experience, and managing teams through personnel specific leadership. Her commitment to mentoring and team development positions her to enhance Southern California Equity efficiency, drive growth, and achieve fund success.