Franca Cerqueti

Principal, CMLS Financial, President and CEO at Appleton Holdings Ltd.

Speaker

Franca Cerqueti has always had a passion for finance, real estate and meeting people.

Formerly, the VP and Managing Director for Western Canada at CMLS Financial, she was responsible for generating billions in annual real estate financing activities. She continues to be a principal at CMLS and provides deal oversight.

In late 2024, Franca was appointed the role of President and CEO, Appleton Holding Ltd. which owns and operates over 5500 residential units and commercial buildings operating under Edison Properties. The company’s late owner Miriam Bergen, through a bequest in her will, gifted the shares of Appleton Holdings Ltd. to The Winnipeg Foundation, a Canadian charity that was founded over 100 years ago. This is understood to be the largest gift ever made to a Canadian charity by an individual. It is Franca’s goal to optimize the benefits of this gift for the citizens in the community.

Franca has more than 25-year’s experience in managing clients with commercial real estate portfolios and providing creative solutions to complex and unique circumstances. She has a solid track record of helping family owned and institutionally owned real estate portfolios elevate to the next level while propelling profitable and sustainable growth.