Ileana Meraz
Ileana Meraz is a seasoned administrative and business professional with over 30 years of experience in administrative, professional, and executive assistant roles. She brings extensive senior analyst and senior executive support experience, delivering top-notch operational and analytical support to leadership teams. Ileana holds a Business Management Certificate from Heald College and is recognized for her exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to streamline processes while fostering strong relationships with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders.
For the past seven years, Ileana has served as Specialty Leasing Coordinator at The Taubman Company, a leading real estate investment trust specializing in mall management. In this regional role, she has supported multiple properties, including Sun Valley Mall as her primary center, as well as Mall of San Juan in Puerto Rico, and previously locations in Florida and Kansas City. Her key responsibilities include rent collection, tenant relations, problem-solving, contract management, and preparing monthly scorecards and month-end closings. Known as “the velvet hammer” for her calm yet persistent approach, Ileana consistently ensures operational excellence while maintaining positive and professional relationships with tenants and internal teams alike.
Throughout her career, Ileana has been recognized for her commitment to service excellence, quality assurance, and performance, earning multiple awards including the Achievement Award from Taubman Specialty Leasing in 2023. She is fluent in English and Spanish, skilled in financial reporting, lease administration, CRM, and multi-center coordination, and deeply committed to professional development. Beyond her career achievements, Ileana enjoys spending time with animals especially dogs staying active through exercise and hiking, and appreciating the outdoors, beaches, and nature. She brings the same dedication, authenticity, and loyalty to her personal pursuits as she does to her professional life.
• Business Management Certificate
• Professional Training & Development. Business. Specialty Leasing. Shopping Centers. REIT
• Certificates, Business Management/Management
• System Buillders Upstart School Certificate
• Certificates, Professional Development and Training. Business Administration and Management
• Certificate, Business Administration and Management, General
• Most Lease Spaces (2002)
• Achievement Award (Taubman)
• Admins Rock Recognition (Robert Half International)
• Recognition Award: Outstanding Dedication 2023
• Growth Resilience Innovation & Talent (GRIT)
• Recognition Award 2022
• Outstanding Performance Award
• Outstanding Performance Awards
• Green Sheet - Accenture
• Certificate of Appreciation
• Concord Chamber of Commerce events (as Sun Valley Mall representative)
• OneBrick.org
• St. Bonaventure Church
• Kings Valley Christian School
• United Way
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to always proof my work carefully and to ensure accuracy in everything I do. I’ve also learned that strong project management skills are essential for success, as they allow me to organize tasks efficiently, meet deadlines consistently, and deliver high-quality results. By combining attention to detail with effective planning and execution, I am able to maintain professionalism and consistently exceed expectations in my work.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be honest about your skills and use them from day one; remain calm and professional; adopt a management mentality these roles are senior-level support; request training when you need it to meet expectations.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life center on authentic communication, persistence, and loyalty. I place a strong emphasis on communication skills and believe that some matters are best resolved through in-person meetings or phone conversations rather than texting or email. My approach to problem-solving often described as a “velvet hammer” combines calm persistence with thoughtful engagement. I deeply value fostering long-term relationships, bringing the same level of commitment and loyalty to my professional connections that I have maintained in my personal life, including a forty-year marriage. Being authentic, dependable, and relational is at the heart of how I work and interact with others.