Women Influencers

From Sri Lanka to Strategic Finance: Dana Udumulla’s Story of Resilience and Balance

In this episode, I sit down with Dana Udumulla, Head of Strategic Relations at Madison Trust, whose story begins in Sri Lanka and leads to the United States with just $200, two suitcases, and a dream. As an immigrant, woman, and young professional in finance, Dana has built a career around helping investors, sponsors, and operators better understand alternative investments and retirement capital. Dana shares how she came to America nearly 10 years ago after losing her father at a young age and helping care for her mother and sister. She arrived with very little, worked multiple jobs while going to school, and eventually pivoted from her original goal of becoming a lawyer into finance, where she discovered a passion for capital, investment structures, and helping people stand out instead of becoming just another number. She reflects on her early career at Madison Trust, where she started in customer service and grew into leadership roles by staying curious, learning the business, and building credibility one conversation at a time. Dana also opens up about the challenge of being taken seriously in rooms where people often underestimated her, and how persistence, preparation, and confidence helped her earn trust and create real impact. Today, Dana works with sponsors and operators across the country, helping them understand how retirement capital can support alternative investments and capital raising. Her advice to ambitious professionals is a reminder that success should not come at the cost of your well-being: “Learn the art of balance.” — Dana Udumulla Connect with Veronica: https://capstrata.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-malolos-ccim-401649218/ Connect with Dana: https://www.madisontrust.com/sponsors/dana-udumulla/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/thanuriudumulla/ #womeninbusiness #CRE #commercialrealestate #businesspodcast #realestatepodcast #commercialbroker #entrepreneur #CCIM #immigrantstories

Marriage, Money, and Mindset: Julia & Gino Barbaro

In this episode, I sit down with Julia and Gino Barbaro, life coaches, multifamily real estate investors, and partners in both business and life, whose journey is rooted in faith, family, and a shared commitment to helping others achieve financial and relational success. Gino and Julia share how their upbringings shaped their perspectives on money and life. Gino grew up in a hardworking Italian immigrant family with a structured approach to finances, while Julia was raised by a single mother in a household where money was often a source of stress. Their paths came together at the restaurant Gino purchased, where Julia worked, and together they built a life centered on family, raising six children and eventually stepping into coaching and education. A defining moment in their journey came when Gino considered leaving the restaurant business to pursue real estate full time and move their family to Florida. Julia’s immediate trust in that decision became a cornerstone of their relationship, reinforcing the importance of partnership, communication, and shared vision. Through their transition into real estate and coaching, they began helping others not only build wealth but also strengthen relationships, shift their mindset, and take ownership of their lives. Today, the Barbaros are most proud of the impact they’ve had on families, from helping individuals achieve financial independence to even saving marriages through their coaching. Their message blends practical wisdom with emotional growth, emphasizing both connection and personal responsibility: Gino shared a quote from Stephen Covey “Seek first to understand, then be understood.” And Julia shared, “Forgiveness… it’s an ongoing process.” Connect with Veronica: https://capstrata.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-malolos-ccim-401649218/ Connect with Julia and Gino: https://barbaro360.com/ [https://barbaro360.com/] #womeninbusiness #CRE #commercialrealestate #businesspodcast #realestatepodcast #commercialbroker #entrepreneur #CCIM #family #barbaro360

Answering My Guests' Questions Part 17

This week on Women Influencers, we compiled three of the great questions my guests have asked me. I am honored to have the opportunity to chat with amazing, influential women on the podcast and it is always an honor to consider and respond to insightful inquiries. Tressa LoVasco asked why I keep going professionally. Tina Thakkar asked what motivates and inspires me. Catherine Bell asked, what's the one thing I did to learn and build my wealth for my family. Watch to find out how I answered! Connect with Veronica: capstrata.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-malolos-ccim-401649218/ #womeninbusiness #CRE #commercialrealestate #businesspodcast #realestatepodcast #commercialbroker #entrepreneur

From Chaos to Control with Lisa Woodruff

In this episode, I sit down with Lisa Woodruff, Founder and CEO of Organized 365 and author of the upcoming book Escaping Quicksand, whose work focuses on helping women organize their homes and lives so they have more time to pursue what they are uniquely called to do. Lisa shares how her passion for organization began in childhood. Growing up with an artistic mother and an organized father, she often brought order to the household in creative ways — even giving her mother the gift of organizing her cluttered piles as a Christmas present, something her mother genuinely loved. What started as a natural instinct for creating order eventually grew into a mission to help women reclaim their time and energy through organization. She reflects on a difficult season in her late 30s when life felt overwhelming. After adopting two children, managing complex family needs, losing income during the recession, and navigating the illness and passing of her father, Lisa found herself feeling stuck in what she later described as “quicksand.” That period ultimately led her to start Organized 365 and begin rebuilding her life with a renewed sense of purpose and self-care. Today, Lisa has built a thriving community of more than 11,000 members and continues to teach that organization is not just about tidy spaces, but about creating the capacity to live intentionally. Her message to women navigating the busy decades of life is both reassuring and empowering: “You’re going to have so much time.” — Lisa Woodruff Connect with Veronica: https://capstrata.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-malolos-ccim-401649218/ Connect with Lisa: linkedin.com/in/lisawoodruff https://organize365.com/escapingquicksand/ https://organize365.com/podcast-landing-page/ #womeninbusiness #CRE #commercialrealestate #businesspodcast #realestatepodcast #commercialbroker #entrepreneur #CCIM #organize365

Building Wealth with Intention: Karen Rands

In this episode, I sit down with Karen Rands, best-selling author, investor advocate, and founder of the Compassionate Capitalist movement, whose work is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and investors build wealth through informed, purposeful investing. Karen shares how her outlook on money and success was shaped by growing up with a single mother who valued education but struggled financially, and a father she later discovered was an inventive entrepreneur who built wealth after securing a patent at age 50. That realization became a defining moment for her: it’s never too late to reinvent your life or pursue your vision. After earning an economics degree from Emory and spending over a decade at IBM working with emerging technologies and startups, Karen stepped into the world of angel investing, eventually leading an investor group that grew into one of the top networks in the Southeast. When the Great Recession halted investment activity and dismantled her platform, she faced one of her greatest challenges, forcing her to rebuild her confidence, clarify her mission, and recommit to helping others access capital and opportunity. Throughout the conversation, Karen emphasizes her passion for teaching women how to invest, close wealth gaps, and support businesses they believe in, leaving listeners with one powerful piece of advice: “Get started... You know more than you think you do.” - Karen Rands Connect with Veronica: https://capstrata.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-malolos-ccim-401649218/ Connect with Karen: http://bit.ly/linkCCS [http://bit.ly/linkCCS] #womeninbusiness #CRE #commercialrealestate #businesspodcast #realestatepodcast #commercialbroker #entrepreneur #CCIM #investor #venturecapital