Florida’s real estate market is one of the most dynamic in the country, facing rapid population growth, evolving buyer expectations, building requirements, and increasing competition among developers. In such a complex landscape, leadership goes beyond building homes; it is about shaping the future of the real estate industry and cultivating the next generation of professionals.
GL Homes, one of Florida’s largest private homebuilders, stands out as a model for this type of forward-thinking leadership. At the center of this approach are father and son leaders Itzhak Ezratti and Misha Ezratti, whose philosophy of integrity, innovation, and community engagement guides the company and influences Florida real estate development at large. Their shared approach reflects a multigenerational leadership style that continues to define the company’s success.
The Legacy of Itzhak Ezratti
Itzhak Ezratti founded GL Homes with a vision that extended beyond profits, focusing on building lasting communities, fostering ethical business practices, and cultivating a strong internal culture. From the company’s inception, his leadership emphasized integrity, excellence, and the importance of mentorship. Unlike a purely transactional approach to homebuilding, Itzhak prioritized people, including staff members, partners, and residents, creating a foundation of trust and collaboration that remains central to GL Homes today.
His leadership style was hands-on and purpose-driven, with an emphasis on developing internal talent. Senior leaders were always encouraged to mentor employees and share their knowledge to cultivate future leaders who could carry forward the company’s values. This approach created a lasting culture where ethical decision-making and community focus became part of the business DNA. The lessons Itzhak instilled continue to influence how GL Homes operates and how Misha Ezratti approaches leadership in today’s fast-evolving Florida housing industry.
Misha Ezratti’s Leadership Evolution
Misha Ezratti built on his father’s legacy by bringing innovation and a vision for sustainable growth to his role as president. He has overseen the integration of technology into the company’s planning and construction processes, improving efficiency, design accuracy, and overall project management.
His focus on smart development extends to community design, as seen in the Paseo Greenway at Riverland, a five-plus mile network of traffic-free, pedestrian, bicycle and golf-cart paths that link every neighborhood to the community’s wellness center, arts hub, parks, and town center, fostering neighborhoods that are not only aesthetically appealing but also environmentally responsible and socially connected.
Misha Ezratti’s leadership style is collaborative and mentorship-driven. He actively engages with staff members across all departments, providing guidance and feedback while fostering professional growth.
Through structured programs such as internship rotations and leadership workshops, GL Homes ensures that the next generation of real estate leaders gain a deep understanding of both the operational and strategic aspects of Florida real estate development.
By cultivating internal talent, Misha ensures that GL Homes not only remains competitive but also serves as a training ground for skilled professionals who can adapt to evolving industry demands while upholding the company’s core values.
Shaping the Next Generation of Leaders
GL Homes leadership actively invests in developing the next generation of real estate professionals. One standout example is Kelvin Rolle, a rising junior at Florida A&M University. Rolle’s interest in engineering was sparked as a high school senior touring a GL Homes construction site. This past summer, he joined the company’s engineering and land development team in Boynton Beach for his second internship, gaining hands-on experience in project planning, site analysis, and land development coordination.
Beyond technical training, Rolle and other interns participate in community engagement initiatives, such as preparing meals for homebound seniors through Feeding South Florida. By combining professional development with service, GL Homes instills in young leaders a broader understanding of responsibility, empathy, and teamwork, which are essential qualities for the next generation of leaders in Florida’s housing industry.
This structured mentorship approach goes beyond individual internships, with GL Homes mentorship emphasizing succession planning and professional development, providing employees with clear pathways to leadership positions.
By integrating mentorship into everyday operations, GL Homes ensures that emerging leaders are equipped to handle complex industry challenges while staying aligned with the company’s values of integrity and community focus.
Philanthropy as a Leadership Strategy
GL Homes demonstrates that community engagement and business leadership go hand in hand. Misha Ezratti and the company’s volunteers participate in a range of philanthropic initiatives designed to support local families and strengthen communities while teaching staff members and interns the value of service.
The company supports Feeding South Florida by preparing meals for deserving seniors, helping address food insecurity affecting more than 1.2 million South Floridians. At the Lewis Center, volunteers serve meals and provide personal connection to individuals experiencing homelessness, reinforcing the importance of dignity and human connection in leadership.
GL Homes also contributes to Habitat for Humanity of Broward’s Women Build initiative, assisting women in constructing homes alongside future homeowners. Additionally, GL Homes has partnered with The Lord’s Place to fully sponsor the Meal Mobile to distribute 415 meals and enroll 26 clients in essential services such as showers, clothing, and shelter placement.
These efforts demonstrate that Misha Ezratti philanthropy is not simply about financial giving. By encouraging employees and interns to participate directly in service, GL Homes teaches leadership lessons in empathy, collaboration, and civic responsibility. These experiences reinforce the company’s mentorship culture, showing future leaders that their influence extends beyond business results to the broader community.
Vision for the Future
The combined legacies of Itzhak Ezratti and Misha Ezratti have established GL Homes as a thought leader in Florida real estate. By integrating mentorship, innovation, and social responsibility, the company has created a model for sustainable leadership that balances operational success with ethical and community-focused decision-making.
In the years to come, GL Homes’ approach demonstrates that true leadership involves preparing others for success and addressing community needs. The company’s culture ensures that the next generation of real estate professionals will inherit not only a thriving business but also a clear understanding of what it means to lead responsibly in Florida’s competitive real estate market.
Misha and Itzhak Ezratti exemplify how thoughtful leadership, combined with mentorship and purpose-driven initiatives, can transform a company, shape the industry, and inspire future leaders to follow a path of integrity, collaboration, and impact. Through their vision, GL Homes is not only building homes, it is building leaders who will shape the future of Florida real estate.
