MONICA GIRALDO MARIN
MGM Designs & Co.
Miami,FL
3
Languages
31
years of professional experience
Senior executive with 30+ years of experience leading luxury architectural, interior design, operations, and project delivery throughout the United States, Caribbean, and South America. Proven expertise in owner representation, multimillion-dollar project management, international sourcing, purchasing, logistics, and business operations, with a record of successfully directing complex projects from concept through completion while managing multidisciplinary teams, budgets, schedules, and global resources.
Work History
Founder & Senior Designer
14 Years 7 Months- Founded and led a luxury architecture and interior design firm specializing in space planning, architectural and interior design, and complete project development from conceptual design through final installation for high-end residential and commercial properties throughout South Florida, the Caribbean, and South America. Created highly personalized environments by translating each client's vision into cohesive architectural and design solutions.
- Directed multimillion-dollar projects from concept through completion, coordinating architects, engineers, general contractors, consultants, artisans, fabricators, and specialty trades while overseeing architectural specifications, construction schedules, budgets, quality control, and final installation. Served as Owner's Representative, protecting the client's vision and interests throughout design and construction.
- Developed and specified comprehensive interior and architectural packages encompassing flooring, natural stone, lighting, wall coverings, window treatments, plumbing fixtures, custom millwork, cabinetry, furnishings, and specialty finishes, while sourcing and purchasing exceptional materials and custom products from manufacturers throughout the United States and Europe. Managed international logistics, freight forwarding, customs clearance, warehousing, and final delivery when required.
- Led the design and execution of prestigious residential projects in Miami Beach, Aventura, Williams Island, Lyford Cay and Nassau, Bahamas, including The Island House and the owner's private estate. Also developed and custom-built three luxury residences, applying design, construction, budgeting, sourcing, and project-management expertise from initial concept through completion.
Founder & President
8 Years- Founded and led an architectural specifications, sourcing, and construction support firm serving developers, general contractors, architects, and owners in luxury residential, hospitality, restaurant, and retail developments throughout South Florida. Served as the primary liaison between project teams, manufacturers, fabricators, and specialty contractors to execute architect-specified materials from specification through final installation.
- Directed the specification, sourcing, purchasing, and coordination of specialty architectural materials, including premium marble, book-matched slabs, natural stone, decorative tile, wall coverings, wood flooring, and custom finishes sourced from leading manufacturers throughout Italy, France, Portugal, and the Netherlands.
- Maintained a strong on-site field presence throughout construction, supervising material installations and working directly with contractors, fabricators, and installation teams to ensure proper execution, quality control, and strict compliance with architectural specifications and design intent.
- Executed material specifications and project coordination for prestigious luxury retail, hospitality, restaurant, and private residential projects, including Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Oxygen, Santa Maria Novella, Yves Saint Laurent, Meat Market, Trunkit, Michael's Genuine Food & Drink, and a $10 million Indian Creek residence delivered approximately $900,000 under budget and on schedule.
Partner / Chief Operating Officer (COO)
4 Years- Directed company-wide operations and financial performance, overseeing purchasing, inventory control, international sourcing, residential projects, including Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Oxygen, Santa Maria Novella, Yves Saint Laurent, Meat Market, Trunkit, Michael's Genuine Food & Drink, and a $10 million Indian Creek residence delivered approximately $900,000 under budget and on schedule.
- Partnered with The Twenty Two Group and Dacra on landmark luxury retail developments within the Miami Design District, directing material specifications, international purchasing, logistics, and installation coordination for flagship brands including Louis Vuitton, Cartier, and Tiffany & Co., while supporting luxury hospitality, mixed-use, and high-end private residential projects throughout Pinecrest, Miami Beach, Aventura, and Bay Point.
Director of Purchasing & International Product Development
4 Years- Directed international purchasing, product development, and inventory control for one of the nation's premier distributors of luxury architectural materials, selecting and curating marble, natural stone, porcelain, ceramic tile, decorative mosaics, and specialty finishes while maintaining expertise in inventory levels for distribution throughout the United States and Canada.
- Partnered closely with the Sales Director and Marketing Team to forecast demand, analyze sales projections, upcoming architectural projects, construction schedules, and delivery timelines, proactively managing inventory replenishment to ensure product availability for architects, developers, contractors, and the company's nationwide sales organization.
- Traveled extensively overseas to attend international trade exhibitions and visit quarries, factories, and manufacturing facilities, personally selecting and inspecting materials prior to shipment while directing international freight, container loading, customs clearance, import logistics, warehousing, and distribution through multiple U.S. ports of entry.
Senior Buyer | International Product Curator & Luxury Materials Specialist
3 Years- Served as Senior Buyer and International Product Curator for one of the industry's premier suppliers of luxury architectural materials, leading the international selection and purchasing of exceptional marble, travertine, vein-cut and cross-cut natural stone, book-matched slabs, hand-painted tile, decorative mosaics, wall coverings, and specialty architectural finishes sourced primarily from Italy and France.
- Pioneered the international curation and introduction of distinctive European architectural materials that were largely unavailable in the Americas and Caribbean during that period. Traveled extensively to international trade exhibitions to identify emerging manufacturers, innovative production technologies, and trend-setting collections, establishing Forms + Surfaces as a leading source for rare and exclusive luxury architectural finishes.
- Developed direct relationships with European factories and manufacturers, negotiating purchasing agreements and coordinating production, quality standards, international logistics, and import planning for materials supplied to prestigious high-end residential, hospitality, and commercial projects throughout the United States, South America, Central America, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean.
Education
- Business Administration
Coursework completed; three courses remaining toward Bachelor's degree.
Skills
Architectural Design & Space Planning
Owner Representation
Project & Construction Management
Business Operations
Budgeting & Cost Control
International Purchasing & Sourcing
Inventory Control
Import Logistics & Customs
Vendor & Contract Negotiations
Product Development & Curation
Client & Stakeholder Relations
Team Leadership
LANGUAGES
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Italian: Conversational
PORTFOLIO
MGM Designs & Co. | www.mgmdesigns.co
Timeline
Founder & Senior Designer
MGM Designs & Co.
01.2012 - CurrentRead More
Founder & President
Architectural Source
01.2004 - 01.2012Read More
Partner / Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Miami Stone District
01.2003 - 01.2007Read More
Director of Purchasing & International Product Development
Walker Zanger
01.1999 - 01.2003Read More
Senior Buyer | International Product Curator & Luxury Materials Specialist
Forms + Surfaces
01.1996 - 01.1999Read More
Barry University
from Business Administration
Read More