You Are Not Alone: CRE Leader on Parkinson’s Awareness, Support
On World Parkinson's Day, Terranova's president opens up about the ways her diagnosis has shaped her professional journey.
Raising awareness for Parkinson’s disease is a critical mission, especially for leaders like Mindy McIlroy, president of Terranova Corp., a Miami Beach-based opportunistic investment firm that has a portfolio valued at $1 billion.
During her tenure of more than 27 years, McIlroy has played a pivotal role in revitalizing some of Miami’s most prominent retail destinations. Notable projects that follow retail trends include the creation of The Lincoln Eatery in Miami Beach—Lincoln Road’s first food hall.
Beyond her commercial real estate activity, McIlroy has also become a powerful advocate for Parkinson’s awareness and research, after having been diagnosed with the disease in 2014.
In this interview with Commercial Property Executive, McIlroy opens up about the ways her Parkinson’s diagnosis has shaped her approach to leadership and the legacy she hopes to leave in both the retail and advocacy worlds.
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Tell us about your evolution as a female CRE leader.
McIlroy: … I began my journey as an executive assistant to Chairman & Founder Stephen Bittel. I was then given opportunities to learn the sales and leasing side of the business, leading to my current role as president.
Now, as a leader, my biggest goal is to be a mentor and role model for other women in the industry, actively encouraging them to pursue leadership roles and drive change within their communities. Through involvement in organizations like the International Council of Shopping Centers and serving as a mentor, I want to help forge paths for women to excel in CRE.
How has your personal journey with Parkinson’s shaped your approach to leadership?
McIlroy: Receiving a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in 2014 was not easy to deal with, but it reinforced my ability to embrace resilience, adaptability and empathy more deeply. I realized that in both our business and personal lives, we will face unexpected, but it is how we react to these challenges that will define our character and leadership.
My diagnosis and learning to live with it have led me to a more authentic leadership style, being able to face challenges head-on and focus on what truly matters to me and my community. At Terranova, this has translated into a more compassionate leadership style, where understanding and supporting our team members’ personal and professional challenges have become integral to our corporate culture.
What inspired you to turn your Parkinson’s diagnosis into a platform for awareness and advocacy?
McIlroy: After my diagnosis, I was determined not to let Parkinson’s define or limit me. Instead of keeping it a secret or allowing it to slow me down, I chose to use my voice to raise awareness, fundraise and support research. Joining the Board of Directors of the National Parkinson Foundation and chairing events like Moving Day Miami allowed me to contribute actively to the cause. To this day, I remain the largest single fundraiser for the organization.
Through my advocacy work, my goal is to inspire others facing health or other challenges to live boldly and continue pursuing their dreams. By sharing my journey, I hope to demonstrate that a diagnosis does not define a person and does not mean it is the end, but rather the beginning of a new chapter where one can still lead a fulfilling and impactful life.
How can the CRE business community play a greater role in supporting awareness and research for this disease?
McIlroy: The CRE community has many means of helping, including extensive networks and resources that can significantly impact Parkinson’s awareness and research. By supporting fundraising events, sponsoring research initiatives and raising awareness, real estate professionals can drive meaningful change. Encouraging colleagues and employees to participate in initiatives like Moving Day brings visibility to the cause but and fosters a culture of corporate social responsibility within organizations.
At Terranova, we have embraced this approach by actively participating in and sponsoring events that support Parkinson’s research. Our involvement has contributed to the cause and strengthened our team’s commitment to making a positive impact beyond the business and real estate.
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What legacy do you hope to leave in both the retail sector and Parkinson’s advocacy?
McIlroy: In the retail sector, my goal is to create lasting, vibrant spaces that not only serve as shopping destinations but also as dynamic hubs for community engagement. Retail is more than just transactions—it’s about fostering experiences, creating gathering places and shaping the identity of a neighborhood. Throughout my career, I have worked to transform commercial properties into spaces that blend retail, dining, entertainment and culture. By curating tenant mixes that reflect the needs and wants of both locals and visitors and by activating public spaces with events and programming, I hope to contribute to a more experiential approach to commercial real estate.
In Parkinson’s advocacy, my mission is deeply personal. After my diagnosis, I realized the power of using my voice to raise awareness and support others facing similar challenges. I want my advocacy efforts to help fund critical research that will one day lead to better treatments and, ultimately, a cure. Beyond research, I hope to inspire those living with Parkinson’s to embrace life fully, despite the obstacles, which we are not short of. A diagnosis should not define or limit a person but be a call to live to the fullest.
Today, on World Parkinson’s Day, what message do you have for those affected by the disease?
McIlroy: You are not alone. Stay active, stay hopeful and advocate for yourself. Parkinson’s is definitely a challenge, but … we can push for breakthroughs and improve lives together.
Finally, I encourage everyone to get involved. It can be as simple as participating in community events, supporting fundraising efforts or educating others about Parkinson’s. Together, we can build a future where Parkinson’s is better understood, better treated and, one day, fully eradicated. Until that day, know that you are part of a strong and compassionate network that believes in you, supports you and is fighting with and for you.
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