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Prestigious Women Awards Honorees: Iris Escarra

Iris Escarra is Co-Chair of Greenberg Traurig, P.A.’s Miami Land Development and Zoning Practice. She practices land use, zoning, and procurement law, and is certified by the Florida Bar as an expert in city, county, and local government law. She represents land owners and developers in every phase of property development and operation.

Favorite quote: We don’t accomplish anything in the world alone and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry off one’s life and all the weavings of individual threads from one to another that create something. — Sandra Day O’Connor, first female justice of the Supreme Court

Fun fact: I love fast cars.

How do you unwind after a long day of work? Binge watch a Netflix series.

What challenges have you faced in your career, and how did you overcome them? In my second year of law school, I got pregnant with my first son. To say it was a challenge is an understatement not only physically, but also emotionally. Thankfully, I had the support of my husband who helped me every step of the way, even carrying my law books to the hospital as I went into labor because I needed to study every moment I could. But for his help, I alone could not have given birth one week and taken my final exams the following week to successfully pass that semester and not skip a beat in my education.

What has been the most monumental moment of your career thus far? My most monumental moment in my career was being hired at Greenberg Traurig. I never even imagined that I would be eligible to work in such a large prestigious firm. My education was good, but not ivy league. Thankfully, when I was given a chance to work in the big leagues, I was given an opportunity where someone else believed in me more than I believed in myself. So I was up for that challenge and knew I had to work harder than the next individual to show to myself, that I belonged. 16 years later, I still have the same philosophy and know that I have to work harder to keep moving up.

Who are your role models? My mom. She came to this country without speaking the language and worked extra hard to own her own business. She was relentless in her work, helpful to others and taught my sister and me to be strong women, with a strong voice.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten? Be the best at your job and everything else in your career will fall into place. – Lucia Dougherty

What advice would you give a young woman at the start of her career? Learn the business model of whatever you do, so that you can be financially successful and pave your own path.

How does being a woman has impacted your career? Thankfully, it hasn’t.

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Drew Limsky

Drew Limsky

Editor-in-Chief

BIOGRAPHY

Drew Limsky joined Lifestyle Media Group in August 2020 as Editor-in-Chief of South Florida Business & Wealth. His first issue of SFBW, October 2020, heralded a reimagined structure, with new content categories and a slew of fresh visual themes. “As sort of a cross between Forbes and Robb Report, with a dash of GQ and Vogue,” Limsky says, “SFBW reflects South Florida’s increasingly sophisticated and dynamic business and cultural landscape.”

Limsky, an avid traveler, swimmer and film buff who holds a law degree and Ph.D. from New York University, likes to say, “I’m a doctor, but I can’t operate—except on your brand.” He wrote his dissertation on the nonfiction work of Joan Didion. Prior to that, Limsky received his B.A. in English, summa cum laude, from Emory University and earned his M.A. in literature at American University in connection with a Masters Scholar Award fellowship.

Limsky came to SFBW at the apex of a storied career in journalism and publishing that includes six previous lead editorial roles, including for some of the world’s best-known brands. He served as global editor-in-chief of Lexus magazine, founding editor-in-chief of custom lifestyle magazines for Cadillac and Holland America Line, and was the founding editor-in-chief of Modern Luxury Interiors South Florida. He also was the executive editor for B2B magazines for Acura and Honda Financial Services, and he served as travel editor for Conde Nast. Magazines under Limsky’s editorship have garnered more than 75 industry awards.

He has also written for many of the country’s top newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, Boston Globe, USA Today, Worth, Robb Report, Afar, Time Out New York, National Geographic Traveler, Men’s Journal, Ritz-Carlton, Elite Traveler, Florida Design, Metropolis and Architectural Digest Mexico. His other clients have included Four Seasons, Acqualina Resort & Residences, Yahoo!, American Airlines, Wynn, Douglas Elliman and Corcoran. As an adjunct assistant professor, Limsky has taught journalism, film and creative writing at the City University of New York, Pace University, American University and other colleges.