Marcos Medeiros, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Hospitality, Finance, and Real Estate at the University of Virginia's College at Wise. With over 25 years of experience in wholesale and corporate banking across Brazil, Spain, France, and the United States, Dr. Medeiros brings a wealth of industry knowledge to his academic role. He holds a Ph.D. in Hospitality Management from the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida, where he also earned a Master of Science degree. Additionally, he holds an MBA from the IE Business School in Madrid, Spain.

 Dr. Medeiros's research interests lie at the intersection of real estate, hospitality finance, and emerging technologies. His work focuses on the valuation and financial performance of vacation rentals, utilizing econometric methods, such as panel data and time-series analysis, to understand market dynamics. Moreover, he is deeply interested in the transformative potential of blockchain and fintech in real estate, particularly how these technologies can enhance transaction transparency, security, and efficiency. Dr. Medeiros's multidisciplinary research approach reflects his extensive professional experience and commitment to advancing academic dialogue in finance.

Héctor Castro is a Miami-based private lending entrepreneur and founder of HERA Lending, dedicated to transparency, professionalism, and long-term impact. With over a decade of experience and $1.8 billion in originated loans, he combines deep industry expertise with Harvard Business training to elevate private lending standards and foster sustainable growth.