Abood will partner with current Tampa market leader Mike Griffin, who is also being appointed as Co-Head of Florida, in overseeing the Savills growth across the region
Savills today announced the appointment of Donna Abood as Vice Chairman and Co-Head, Florida. Abood is an accomplished commercial real estate executive who will work alongside Mike Griffin, a Vice Chairman who currently serves as Market Leader for Savills Tampa Bay office and is being promoted to Co-Head, Florida.
Together, Abood and Griffin will spearhead Savills growth strategy, focusing on recruiting and retention, revenue production, and increasing the brand’s visibility in the state. Abood will oversee the firm’s operations from South Florida up to Tampa Bay, while Griffin will be responsible for overseeing Tampa Bay and regions north of the city, as well as the Naples and Fort Myers markets. Tom Capocefalo will continue as Market Leader for Savills Miami office and serve as one of the firm’s key professionals in South Florida. He will work closely with Abood to strengthen the firm’s South Florida operations.
“I am very much looking forward hitting the ground on day one and partnering with Mike and Tom to drive the firm’s growth and increase our visibility in this critically important and fast-growing market,” said Abood. “I am excited about the tremendous opportunity to work with our North American and regional leadership teams, as well as the local professionals who are advising clients in Florida, to strengthen our platform and brand in the state.”
Abood previously served as Principal and Co-Managing Director of Avison Young in Miami, joining the company after her firm, Abood Wood-Fay Real Estate Group LLC, was acquired by Avison Young in 2014. At Avison Young, she became the first female Managing Director in the firm’s history. She managed over 15 commercial real estate professionals, and was responsible for overseeing client services, business development, recruitment, as well as tenant and landlord representation services across Miami-Dade County.
Over the course of her career, Abood has leased over 80 million square feet of office space on behalf of local and institutional ownership groups, including completing hundreds of transactions on behalf of tenants she has represented. He has represented a notable roster of clients, including CI Financial, Vitas Healthcare Corp., Evolution Research Group, Hospitality Purveyors, and Unique Vacations/Sandals Resorts.
In addition to Abood’s arrival, Peyton Dowd and Joseph Abood will also join Savills as Managing Directors. Both will work alongside Abood in the firm’s Miami office.
“In hiring Donna and elevating Mike, we are signaling to the market – and our competitors – that Savills is firmly planting its flag in the Sunshine State. I am confident that their leadership, and our Florida team’s commitment to guiding clients through the region’s commercial real estate landscape, will significantly enhance our operations and drive our success in Florida,” said Janet Woods, President of Savills North America.
“Donna’s innovative leadership style aligns perfectly with mine, and I am looking forward to partnering with her to execute our strategic priorities in the state,” said Griffin. “Her deep local ties in South Florida will enhance and accelerate our ability to expand our presence and success throughout the region.”
In addition to her professional achievements, Abood I has been actively involved in several organizations and boards, including Miami Dade Beacon Council where she served as Chairman of that Board. Additionally, she now serves as Chairman of the Board of the Governors of the College of Business at Florida State University. Her past Boards include Actors Playhouse of Miracle Mile, Miami Lighthouse For the Blind and Visually Impaired and Florida State University’s Foundation Board.
Abood’s numerous accolades include being inducted into Florida State University’s College Business Hall of Fame and the Real Estate Forum’s National Women of Influence Hall of Fame. In 2023, she was honored as one of Bisnow’s South Florida Women Leading Real Estate, and since 2019 has been named to the South Florida Business Journal’s 250 Power Leaders. She has also been recognized as an “Ultimate CEO” by the South Florida Business Journal and received the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Business Leader of the Year Award in 2016.
About Savills Inc.
Savills is one of the largest integrated commercial real estate advisory firms in the world. With over 600 offices globally, we bring together people, services, and technology to help organizations and investors power people and drive growth. For 160 years, we have connected clients with the local market expertise they need. Savills is commercial real estate unlocked. Learn more at savills.us.
