Profits with Purpose

The School of Whales is a Miami-based financial technology start-up founded by Andrea Petersen and her business partners Daniel Pena-Giraldi, who brings experience in commercial real estate development and general construction, and JJ Giraldi, with more than 30 years of expertise in finance and strategic planning. Petersen is a female powerhouse in the entrepreneurial sphere with a seasoned portfolio ranging from commercial real estate to renewable energy, hospitality, banking and Managing Partner of Pubbelly Sushi. The goal of her latest endeavor, School of Whales, is to create an easy-to-use and even-easier-to-join real estate fund that allows anyone with as little as $500 to invest in developments designed to leave a lasting and positive impact on their communities — from preserving and honoring historic buildings to fostering investment in underserved neighborhoods and expanding residential options for locals. Related projects that School of Whales’ partners have developed include iconic venues like The Langford Hotel in Downtown Miami and Julia & Henry’s, an upcoming multi-level building that will house more than 25 world-class food concepts, co-working spaces, recording studios and a rooftop restaurant in the heart of Downtown Miami; SchoolOfWhales.com.