Deborah La Franchi

Founder & CEO
SDS Capital Group

Deborah La Franchi is the founder and CEO of SDS Capital Group, an institutional fund manager and private lender that provides debt and equity for affordable housing developers. A respected leader in commercial real estate, she is a master of deal triage who has led the charge for women in a male-dominated industry. La Franchi has pioneered new supportive housing models, such as the Dolores Huerta Apartments, which provide housing and professional services to formerly unhoused residents. Committed to diversity, her firm maintains an internship program where at least 50% of participants are women or minorities. A dedicated community leader, she serves as chair of the Sustainable Communities Fund and is a former director for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater L.A.