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Her story

Conquering America.

Born in Hengelo, raised in Groningen, built in Orlando. Lawyer, licensed real estate broker, pilot, philanthropist and a role model for women around the world.

Black and white portrait of Theodora Uniken Venema

Professional expert

Three decades in law and real estate.

Theodora Uniken Venema is the Principal and Licensed Real Estate Broker of Downtown Brokers LLC, a 2020 Hall of Fame recipient of the National Association of Realtors, Director on the Board of the Women’s Council of Realtors Orlando Regional, and Realtor of the Year of the Central Florida Commercial Association of Realtors.

The International Association of Top Professionals named her Woman of the Year for 2021, selected her for the Empowered Woman Award and Lifetime Achievement Award for 2020, and honored her as Top Broker of the Year 2019 at its gala at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. She was featured on the Reuters building in Times Square for the distinction.

Her areas of expertise include negotiation, coaching, sales, real property, asset management, international business, and trade and tax law. She speaks Dutch, German and English fluently.

Full biography

“She is brilliant, her list of awards and accolades are beyond impressive. She is humble, gracious and so passionate with all she is involved with.”Stephanie Cirami, President of IAOTP

What a journey it’s been

From the Praedinius
Gymnasium to Orlando.

Highlights from her interview with Marc Knip in Groningen, translated from Dutch. “What a journey it has been!”

GroningenKnown as Dorien
Her father worked at a bank in Groningen. She went to the Muurstraatschool and then the Praedinius Gymnasium, where everyone knew her as Dorien.
Age 13Mountain guide in training
Enterprising from the start: mountain guide training in Austria, sailing school in Friesland, dance lessons, and later walking fashion shows for V&D.
ChildhoodA grandfather’s love of art
Her grandfather and father were passionate collectors. Her grandfather took her to the Groninger Museum, where she grew up with Israëls, Vermeer, Maris, Matisse and Van Gogh.
1970sLaw, like her family
Following her father, grandfather and uncle Cor into law, she began in criminal law and specialized in international tax and real estate.
GainesvilleA professor named Bob
On the flight to Gainesville, Florida she met Bob, a professor who offered her a place to stay. Three days later she had a room in a sorority house across from the faculty. She earned her pilot’s license and still flies her own plane across the States.
1981Her own firm
After working for an attorney, Jack, whose German clients invested in America, she started her own practice, guiding people who want to invest in or emigrate to the United States.
TodayA legacy for Groningen
She keeps an apartment in Groningen and is cataloguing her art collection, with work by Dale Chihuly, Marius Bauer and Isaac Israëls. A book with the Groninger Museum is planned, and the collection will be left to the museum for future generations.

Interview by Marc Knip. Photography by Carlos Alvarado Jr.

One woman

Many roles.

Seven sides of a life lived with passion.

01.

Theodora, Licensed Real Estate Broker

Principal and Licensed Real Estate Broker of Downtown Brokers LLC and a consistent Hall of Fame recipient from the National Association of Realtors. Director on the Board of the Women’s Council of Realtors Orlando Regional and Realtor of the Year of the Central Florida Commercial Association of Realtors.

She brings her expertise to site selection for franchises, specializing in private schools for ages 1 to 12, fast food chains and office franchises, with a focus on attracting franchises from the Northern and Western US.

Real estate

02.

Theodora, Global Business Person

Rooted in local philanthropy, her impact extends globally. Theodora fosters collaborations that transcend borders and champions the idea that businesses can drive positive change.

Her focus is on leveraging business influence for social good, creating opportunities for companies to contribute meaningfully to the communities they serve.

03.

Theodora, the Philanthropist

In Orlando, Theodora is a dedicated philanthropist contributing to Rotary, the arts, ballet and the Salvation Army. Through Rotary her commitment to service reaches an international scale.

Beyond financial contributions she works side by side with cultural organizations, enriching Orlando’s cultural landscape.

Her causes

04.

Theodora, the Explorer

Every year Theodora embarks on remarkable journeys. In 2023 alone she visited Fiji, Bora Bora, New Zealand, Milford Sound, Australia, Iceland, the Shetlands, Scotland, the UK, Amsterdam, Paris, Luxembourg, Geneva, Luzern, Zurich, Basel, Cancun and the Cayman Islands.

What sets her apart is the purpose behind her travels: connecting with international influencers and building a network that crosses borders.

See her travels

05.

Theodora, International Real Estate

A licensed real estate broker specializing in the Florida, New York and California markets, Theodora goes beyond transactions to relocate companies and personnel efficiently and affordably, particularly to profitable destinations in Florida such as Orlando.

She works with businesses directly, tailoring relocation strategies to their goals.

Corporate relocation

06.

Theodora, Role Model & Mentor

Built on business degrees and legal qualifications in the Netherlands and the United States, Theodora mentors others and shares her insights on YouTube.

She has appeared on Fox, ABC, CBS and NBC, and is a sought-after lecturer and public speaker.

Watch and read

07.

Theodora, Embracing Life with Passion

A professional model in New York, an accomplished pilot and a lover of history and classic literature. Ballroom dancer and mountain climbing instructor in her spare time.

A life lived fully, in every sense.

Gallery

In her own words

Theodora the Over-Achiever.

“Think outside the box and never ever quit.”

Born in Hengelo, the Netherlands, daughter of Harold and Greta, sister of Aedsge.
Arrived in America without English, and conquered it.
A global impact leader who inspires through action.
Music as a common language between nations.
Never says “no”, and always gets back up after a fall.
“Giving makes you rich. Sharing is caring.”