Join us for the Sunshine Economy Summit 2026, a one-day event presented by WLRN and hosted by Tom Hudson, Senior Economics Editor and Special Correspondent for WLRN. The Summit brings together key stakeholders, business leaders, policymakers, and community experts to discuss the region’s economic growth, challenges, and opportunities.
This engaging summit features insightful panels, keynote speakers, and interactive sessions focused on innovative strategies to foster economic development, support local businesses, and create jobs in South Florida. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and shape the future of our vibrant community.
Register today!
WLRN's Senior Economics Editor and Special Correspondent.
Hudson's extensive reporting on South Florida's economy has taken him from the waters of Florida Bay to the depths of the PortMiami tunnel (and countless offices and conference rooms). He has interviewed bartenders and bankers, caregivers and CEOs to report on the people behind economic statistics.
Hudson's extensive reporting on South Florida's economy has taken him from the waters of Florida Bay to the depths of the PortMiami tunnel (and countless offices and conference rooms). He has interviewed bartenders and bankers, caregivers and CEOs to report on the people behind economic statistics.
Housing Affordability Panel
Jorge M. Pérez is widely recognized as one of the most influential real estate developers, contemporary art collectors, and cultural philanthropists in the United States. As Founding Executive Chairman of Related Group, he has transformed South Florida’s skyline for over 45 years, overseeing a real estate development portfolio exceeding $50 billion. A passionate supporter of the arts, Pérez has built one of the U.S.’s most significant contemporary art collections, highlighting international and Latin American artists, and created El Espacio 23, a contemporary art space dedicated to exhibiting works and engaging the public.
Building on this dedication, his lifetime contributions to the arts and broader community now exceed $300 million, including the naming gift for Miami’s Pérez Art Museum, a multimillion-dollar endowment to Tate Modern, and a $1.5 million contribution to Madrid’s Museo Reina Sofía. In 2025, he was honored as a “Friend of Spain” by the Spain-United States Chamber of Commerce.
His work reflects a lifelong commitment to enriching communities, advancing the arts and fostering cultural connections across continents.
Building on this dedication, his lifetime contributions to the arts and broader community now exceed $300 million, including the naming gift for Miami’s Pérez Art Museum, a multimillion-dollar endowment to Tate Modern, and a $1.5 million contribution to Madrid’s Museo Reina Sofía. In 2025, he was honored as a “Friend of Spain” by the Spain-United States Chamber of Commerce.
His work reflects a lifelong commitment to enriching communities, advancing the arts and fostering cultural connections across continents.
Jon Paul “JP” Pérez is the visionary force behind Related Group’s future, steering its capital strategy, corporate planning, and investment decisions to position the company for sustained success and industry leadership. He is responsible for the day-to-day development operations across the company’s various divisions, managing land acquisition efforts and leading the procurement of major construction financing. He also leads Related’s Executive Committee, where he works alongside founder Jorge M. Pérez and the firm’s C-level executives and division presidents to define corporate priorities, strategic direction, and other key company-wide initiatives.
Jon Paul aims to continue supporting the firm’s reputation as a “market maker” and its proven ability to capitalize on opportunities well before competitors. A market maker himself, Jon Paul has personally spearheaded Related’s recent entrance into Miami’s popular Wynwood neighborhood, where he’s working to deliver several major mixed-use projects set to transform the area into a true live-work-play neighborhood. Current projects include Wynwood 25, a 289-unit luxury rental property across from the iconic Wynwood Walls; The Annex, an eight-story, 50,000-square-foot, class A office building; and The Bradley, a 175-unit rental tower with interior design by Kravitz Design.
Jon Paul aims to continue supporting the firm’s reputation as a “market maker” and its proven ability to capitalize on opportunities well before competitors. A market maker himself, Jon Paul has personally spearheaded Related’s recent entrance into Miami’s popular Wynwood neighborhood, where he’s working to deliver several major mixed-use projects set to transform the area into a true live-work-play neighborhood. Current projects include Wynwood 25, a 289-unit luxury rental property across from the iconic Wynwood Walls; The Annex, an eight-story, 50,000-square-foot, class A office building; and The Bradley, a 175-unit rental tower with interior design by Kravitz Design.
Mr. Motwani is involved in all aspects of acquisitions, development, and capital markets for Merrimac Ventures, a South Florida-based real estate investment and development firm with more than 30 years of experience. He oversees a $3.7 billion national portfolio spanning mixed-use, hotel, office, retail, and residential projects, including Waldorf Astoria Residences Pompano Beach, Four Seasons Hotel & Residences Telluride, The Crosby Miami Worldcenter, 600 Miami Worldcenter, Riverside Wharf Dream Miami Hotel, and the planned redevelopment of Watson Island.
At Miami Worldcenter, one of the nation’s largest urban developments, he has led the $6 billion, 27-acre downtown Miami project since 2006, overseeing land acquisition, zoning, financing, joint ventures, and development.
He serves on the investment committee and advisory boards of Driftwood Development Partners, Driftwood Lending Partners, and DHM Holdings. Earlier, he was an equity derivatives trader at Goldman Sachs and later helped grow Encore Capital Management to over $1 billion in committed equity.
Mr. Motwani is active in the South Florida community, serving on boards including the University of Miami MRED program, The Miami Foundation, and Partnership for Miami. He holds degrees from Duke University and Columbia University and lives in Miami with his wife and three sons.
At Miami Worldcenter, one of the nation’s largest urban developments, he has led the $6 billion, 27-acre downtown Miami project since 2006, overseeing land acquisition, zoning, financing, joint ventures, and development.
He serves on the investment committee and advisory boards of Driftwood Development Partners, Driftwood Lending Partners, and DHM Holdings. Earlier, he was an equity derivatives trader at Goldman Sachs and later helped grow Encore Capital Management to over $1 billion in committed equity.
Mr. Motwani is active in the South Florida community, serving on boards including the University of Miami MRED program, The Miami Foundation, and Partnership for Miami. He holds degrees from Duke University and Columbia University and lives in Miami with his wife and three sons.
Dev Motwani is Managing Partner of Merrimac Ventures, a South Florida-based real estate investment and development firm with more than 30 years of experience. He oversees acquisitions, development, and capital markets across a $3.7 billion national portfolio of mixed-use, hotel, office, retail, and residential projects, including Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale, Four Seasons Hotel & Residences Telluride, The Crosby Miami Worldcenter, 600 Miami Worldcenter, Waldorf Astoria Residences Pompano Beach, and the redevelopment of Watson Island.
He is also Founder and Managing Partner of Chieftain Residential, a yield-oriented fund focused on distressed single-family homes and residential land in the Southeast U.S. and Texas.
Previously, Mr. Motwani worked at Credit Suisse in New York, structuring OTC equity derivative trades for major corporate and hedge fund clients.
He is active in the South Florida community, serving as chair of the Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts Foundation, and on multiple boards including the Orange Bowl Host Committee and Florida Housing Finance Corporation. He holds degrees from Duke University and Columbia University.
He is also Founder and Managing Partner of Chieftain Residential, a yield-oriented fund focused on distressed single-family homes and residential land in the Southeast U.S. and Texas.
Previously, Mr. Motwani worked at Credit Suisse in New York, structuring OTC equity derivative trades for major corporate and hedge fund clients.
He is active in the South Florida community, serving as chair of the Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts Foundation, and on multiple boards including the Orange Bowl Host Committee and Florida Housing Finance Corporation. He holds degrees from Duke University and Columbia University.