Deborah La Franchi

Deborah La Franchi is the founder and CEO of SDS Capital Group, a 100% woman-owned, national leader in impact investing with over $1.9 billion of active assets under management. Over the past 12 months, many of the impact funds that La Franchi and her team deployed throughout the country to help combat homelessness have generated tangible results.

Under her direction and guidance, SDS Capital developed a new private equity funding model to provide capital for permanent supportive housing (PSH) developments, allowing for quicker project financing and construction turnaround at significantly lower costs than traditionally funded public housing developments.

The firm’s 90 investments helped generate more than 24,800 jobs and nearly 3,650 units of affordable and workforce housing in underserved communities with an average poverty rate of 31%. Vehicles include the American South Fund Management (ASFM), which supports two financial vehicles that have allocated $106 million to 22 projects, financing 5,147 housing units. Additionally, the $190 million SDS Supportive Housing Fund aims to provide 2,000 PSH units for unhoused Californians.

Outside of her work with SDS Capital Group, La Franchi is the founder and board chair of Sustainable Communities Fund. This nonprofit provides capital for small and microloans to low-income and diverse entrepreneurs.

These are just a few reasons Deborah La Franchi is among the National Connect CRE 2025 Women in Real Estate Award winners. Connect CRE’s Women in Real Estate Awards honor the achievements and inspirational stories of women who have reached respected leadership positions and taken on mentorship roles.