The Real Estate Association of Latinx Professionals (REĀL) is honored to partner with Open Access for the first time as a 2025 fellowship host. We are proud to announce Maybelyn (May) Rodríguez Laureano (she/her/ella), as our inaugural Open Access Fellow.
May is a seasoned nonprofit executive, fundraiser, and strategic changemaker with more than 15 years of experience advancing equity and community impact nationwide. From leading multimillion-dollar campaigns and advocacy coalitions in South Florida to founding her own social impact consultancy, MRL Strategies LLC, she brings both vision and operational discipline to her fellowship with REĀL.
A two-time HBCU graduate, May earned her Bachelor of Art in Communications and MBA in Project Management from Fayetteville State University, followed by a Master of Science in International Real Estate (MSIRE) from Florida International University. She proudly identifies as Afro-Latina, with Dominican and Puerto Rican heritage, and is a native Spanish speaker. As a passionate community development advocate, she is eager to contribute her expertise to advancing REĀL’s mission.
During her summer fellowship, May will help advance several organizational priorities, including:
Her values-driven leadership aligns deeply with REĀL’s mission to increase visibility, advancement, and equity for Latinx professionals across the commercial real estate industry.
Open Access is a national initiative co-founded in 2019 by REĀL Board President, Jeffrey Monge, to expand Black and Latinx representation in community development finance. Sponsored by Novogradac and other leading partners, the fellowship provides a robust curriculum combining technical training, executive coaching, and industry mentorship with hands-on experience at host organizations.
Fellows gain exposure to capital markets, community finance structures, and policy frameworks that drive equitable development across the country. As a 2025 Host Organization, REĀL is proud to partner with Open Access to provide a placement experience at the intersection of commercial real estate and community impact that helps bridge sectors that shape economic opportunity in Latinx communities nationwide.
We’re thrilled to welcome Maybelyn to REĀL and look forward to the lasting impact of her fellowship.
Learn more about REĀL’s mission at www.rea-l.org and explore the Open Access Fellowship at open-access.us.
