Emily Valdes

Emily's path to real estate wasn't exactly a straight line.  Raised in Gainesville and a University of Florida grad, she launched her career in Chicago advertising before trading it in for a master's degree in education at Depaul. She got married, taught in Chicago Public Schools, then moved to Atlanta for five more years in the classroom — and two kids — before bringing her family home to Florida.

Setting down roots in Jacksonville was easy.  She grew visiting the city, where her father's family have lived for over a century.  From there, it was a natural next step to team up with her first cousin, Julia Fattahi, and launch the Fattahi & Valdes Group.  The classrooms changed. The lesson didn't: show up for people and have a positive impact.