Meet Lisa Reeves, a powerhouse in Tampa Bay's real estate community and a passionate advocate for Asian American professionals. As President of the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) and an active member of the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) Tampa, Lisa has dedicated her career to breaking barriers and building bridges. From her adoption from South Korea as a toddler to becoming a respected leader in commercial real estate and community development, Lisa's journey embodies resilience, service, and the relentless pursuit of empowering others.

As we commemorate Korean Liberation Day (August 15) and honor the sacrifices of Korean War veterans—those who served in what Lisa calls "the forgotten war"—her story takes on even deeper significance. Lisa's commitment to preserving Korean heritage while building American professional success reflects the very resilience and determination that defined Korea's path to independence. Her work spans from affordable housing projects to homemade Kimchi sales, proving that success comes in many flavors—and Lisa's committed to sharing them all.

Networking & Real Estate Career

Q: As president of a real estate networking group, what are the biggest networking challenges you see professionals facing today?

A: Too much noise. There are so many groups that are doing the same things: networking, education, professional development, meet and greets, have subcommittees, volunteering. If you are in more than 2 organizations you end up being out of your house whole days and 3-4 nights a weekend. Have you ever done a search on Eventbrite for "things to do" in Tampa. The list is long! How do you chose? So trying to get people to see our events across 3-4 counties is really hard. How do you standout?

Q: How has the real estate landscape changed in terms of building professional relationships, especially post-pandemic?

A: I think that it is harder to build professional networks in real estate because the focus on technology has made it so agents seem so much more about "ME" than about "You". Agents seem less interested in the professional relationships and more about building their likes or "online" friends and looking to make money on their own deals or their views.

Q: Can you share a specific example of how a networking connection transformed a deal or opportunity?

A: The networking connection that transformed the opportunities I have had was right when the recession started. I was taking classes and looking for any way to find business. I even took classes from Florida Housing on affordable housing and community land trusts. When I met Ron Rotella at Westshore Alliance he learned about my interest and knowledge in Affordable Housing and offered me the position of the project manager for their housing project through the Westshore Development Corp. That experience brought me relationships all over Florida and I even was on the advisory board for the Community Real Estate Development Course it shaped how I approached real estate and it made me more active in the non-profit world.

Community Leadership & Service

Q: What motivates you to volunteer and stay active in the community beyond your professional obligations?

A: I would have to say my adoption. As a toddler I was adopted by an Army Chaplain and his wife from South Korea from the Catholic Charities Orphanage White Lily. Knowing that my life would have been much different -- I am not sure if I would have been a bar girl - but I have learned that orphans struggle in Korea to be accepted and are looked down upon. The American opportunity that we speak about is a real thing. Being from Foster care or an orphan is not looked upon as shameful in this country -- it can actually be a positive.

Q: How do you balance leading a networking group with your other community commitments?

A: I don't. I am still working on this. Trying to keep from drinking from the firehose every day. But I am getting better. I think that once I am able to learn how to delegate -- I may be able to find that balance.

Q: What's the most rewarding aspect of your community involvement?

A: The most rewarding aspect of my community involvement is the knowledge I have now on life and how I am able to answer questions -- especially young people. I can help them understand from experience in working with people who have had addiction problems, human trafficking, hunger, and homelessness. You hope to teach others what you have learned about being human.

Q: How has your community service influenced your approach to real estate and business relationships?

A: Yes. I do a lot of work with non-profits and within community development and affordable housing. It has also made me more of a teacher and a resource for newer agents.

Korean Heritage & Historical Awareness

Q: Korean Liberation Day (August 15) commemorates independence from Japanese rule - how important is it to you that the community remembers and honors this history?

A: I think that that day is important, you cannot recognize the impact that Korea has had on the world without remembering they only recently became independent -- 1945. They were not only under Japanese rule but also Chinese. I think to honor the history is to recognize the resilience of the Korean people.

Q: Many Korean War veterans and their families are part of our community. How do you think we can better support and recognize their contributions?

A: I think as a society we do not support enough our Veterans but especially our Korean War Veterans -- It is known as the forgotten war. It would be nice to see more recognition at the government level locally. I actually walked the Korean War Memorial in DC this Memorial Day. It was so moving. I believe it is one of the newest Memorials the artists did an amazing job. They say the wall and the figures come alive at night. If you make it to DC -- go and see all the Memorials especially the Korean War.

Q: What role do you see Korean-American professionals playing in preserving and sharing Korean history with younger generations?

A: I think we need to take advantage of the recent interest in Korean culture and food by educating teaching and talking about it. I would love to see Kimchi making classes or KimBop making classes, Korean Language classes. Maybe even getting Tampa to have a Korean Sister City -- maybe Dague or Busan. That would be cool.

Q: How has your Korean heritage influenced your approach to business relationships and community building?

A: I think since I am not as familiar with my culture it has not been an influence that I see -- but I have had people say that I am very Korean in my approach. However, looking different has made me more accepting and more aware of fair housing and the issues that other members of society have had to overcome. The lack of information on redlining and the Chinese exclusion act which affected all Asians not just Chinese, needs to be talked about. It prevented many Asians from finding homes in the past and it is still happening today in the Alien Land Laws that many states are passing.

Bridging Heritage and Career

Q: Do you see connections between the Korean values of community support and your work in real estate networking?

A: I do see that the Korean community is supportive and close knit. I would say I apply the same but broader -- I believe to be successful you have to have a strong successful community around you.

Q: What advice would you give to other Korean-American professionals about building bridges between cultural heritage and career success?

A: Don't be afraid of being the only Asian in the room. I have yet to have anyone in a professional setting be too rude. Second -- invite your people out to these events too. I try and get my AREAA Board out to other events not just "Asian" events. We recently went to a Real Estate party and all hung out 5 Asians all having fun at a networking event and you should have seen the heads turn -- not use to seeing so many of us together at a real estate event: Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Indian!

Q: Looking ahead, what's next for Lisa Reeves? What can we do to support you in your future endeavors?

A: Next is to take some time and finish my CCIM (Commercial Investment Designation), help some non-profits develop Affordable Housing Projects, and to go to Korea to start my family search. My future endeavor would be to see NAAAP, AREAA and AABA do more events together too!

Q: Is your homemade Kimchi available for sale and where?

A: Yes my kimchi is for sale. You can find me at Lisa Lou's Kimchi on Facebook and Instagram. I send out a notice when it is made -- usually every other month. 

Final Thoughts

Lisa Reeves represents the best of what happens when passion meets purpose. Her commitment to lifting up Asian American professionals while serving the broader Tampa Bay community creates ripple effects that extend far beyond real estate transactions. Whether she's connecting professionals across cultural lines, developing affordable housing, or sharing her homemade kimchi, Lisa proves that authentic leadership comes from embracing your whole story and using it to empower others.

• Join NAAAP Tampa: https://tampa.naaap.org/join
• Connect with Lisa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisarreeves/
• Learn about AREAA: http://www.areaagtb.org/

Ready to connect with leaders like Lisa and expand your own professional network? Join NAAAP Tampa today and discover a community where your heritage is celebrated, your ambitions are supported, and your success contributes to something bigger than yourself. Visit us to meet Lisa and fellow Asian American professionals who are shaping Tampa Bay's future—one connection at a time.