A counselor and confidant, Paola Garcia-Carrillo is more than a real estate expert. “Being able to listen to my clients’ needs and wants is very important in my career,” says Garcia-Carrillo of Residence Group at Compass. The principal agent and broker associate, Garcia-Carrillo, a Certified International Property Specialist and Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist, serves luxury and new-construction buyers and sellers in Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Pinecrest and South Miami.

Fusing her independent brokerage with Compass in 2020, Garcia-Carrillo combines the intimacy of a boutique firm with the efficiency and innovation of a startup, marrying the best of both worlds to take her business to the next level. “I lead my team with genuine authenticity, empathy and compassion,” says Garcia-Carrillo. “I’m a firm believer in working hard, being organized, disciplined, and providing constructive feedback and motivation.”

With 14 years of experience and a referral-based business, Garcia-Carrillo can navigate any obstacle. “Everyone I work with is in a different stage of their life and is feeling different emotions,” she says. “Moving is a very stressful time. It’s important for me to be able to assuage any anxieties about the process while providing them with the resources they need.”

Garcia-Carrillo is a recipient of the 2018 Miami Realtors Give Back Community Award. Previously, her team was recognized by the Builders Association of South Florida as Florida’s Best Real Estate Team of the Year and by the Latin Builders Association as its Real Estate Sales Team of the Year. She is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals and the Women’s Council of Realtors and supports the Ari Arteaga Foundation.

A devoted wife and mother of three children and two dogs, Garcia-Carrillo maintains a steady practice of running, meditation and yoga.