Today, we mourn the loss of an extraordinary leader,
REALTOR®, educator, mentor, and friend,
Deborah Boza-Valledor.
Deborah dedicated more than 35 years to the South Florida real estate industry — first as a REALTOR®, then as a history-making MIAMI REALTORS® Chairman of the Board, and ultimately as MIAMI REALTORS® COO & Chief Marketing Officer for one of the most innovative and influential real estate associations in the world.
Deborah had a one-of-a-kind smile and spirit that you felt immediately when she walked into a room. She had a true passion for helping REALTORS®, and throughout her career she impacted thousands from South Florida to Orlando and beyond. On her Realtor.com profile, she described herself simply as: “I am a Trainer, a Teacher, an Educator. I am a REALTOR®.”
“Gooood morning,” she would post almost every sunrise on Facebook, where thousands of REALTORS® and friends followed her daily “Early Morning Risers Club.” Her posts were usually accompanied by the same photo — Deborah wearing sunglasses, smiling brightly, with her left hand raised in a wave. “Make today a better day for someone else,” she would write. Her daily words of wisdom through the wonderful “Dante Diaries” brought smiles and laughter to thousands.
Known as the REALTOR® brain at the association, Deborah helped bring and develop the 220+ products and services — many of them free — that MIAMI REALTORS® + RWorld members use today. “List More, Sell More”, “I AM MIAMI,” and “MORE with MIAMI” became some of her signature phrases as she constantly encouraged REALTORS® to grow their business and better serve their clients.
Deborah’s love for Starbucks coffee was legendary. Not only did she love the coffee — she lived, breathed, and shared the brand. On Halloween, she even came to the office dressed as a Starbucks barista, complete with green apron and tray of cups. In fact, she’s the reason MIAMI REALTORS® offices offer free Starbucks coffee to members today. “It’s all about the members,” she would always say.
Deborah proudly considered herself an island girl. She was born in Key West. Her father was born in Cuba, her mother’s family came from the Eleuthera Islands in the Bahamas, and her grandparents’ roots trace back to the Canary Islands.
Her passion for MIAMI REALTORS® included serving as MIAMI Residential President in 2001 and later as Chairman of the Board from 2002–2003. She made history serving the longest term ever as Chairman of the Board during the organization’s leadership transition, serving an unprecedented 571 days.
As MIAMI REALTORS® COO & Chief Marketing Officer, Deborah also served as liaison to the Residential Board of Governors for many years. She led many of the key decisions that guided the association’s education, services, tools, and strategic direction to support agents in their business. She was a leader and chairman for many years at Florida Realtors and at the National Association of Realtors, as well as the Florida Society of Association Executives.
Throughout her career, Deborah earned countless accolades for her leadership, marketing, and international real estate expertise. In 2024, she was honored with the MIAMI REALTORS® Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing a career defined by excellence, advocacy, education, and service.
But beyond the titles and accomplishments, Deborah will always be remembered for her warm smile, her passion for MIAMI members and REALTORS® everywhere, and the love she had for her entire family, her four therapy dogs, and later Dante and Winston. She had a rare gift for making people feel welcomed, valued, and inspired.
Her legacy will live on through every life she touched and every leader she helped shape.
Rest peacefully, Deborah.
You will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
