We’re going to have to rewrite that Jane Taylor melody to fit the magna splendor of this innovator, community leader, and girl boss that goes by the name of Estrellita Sibila.
Written by Francesca Cruz for inDoral Magazine
She’s an award-winning, industry-leading land use and development attorney, founder, and owner of the real estate and corporate law firm Sibila Law and writes lifestyle articles for local and international publications, but somehow Estrellita Sibila finds time to do so much more. Her name may mean “little star,” but I’d say everything about her is terrifically grand- not little, not small-more like bright and arresting.
How much more does Sibila do? She co-founded PhilanthroFest (the nation’s largest nonprofit festival), runs the Sibila Family Foundation, which provides grant funding to organizations in support of art, environmental preservation, legal services, youth fostering, and domestic violence prevention. Did you get all of that? I’m winded just thinking about it.
Yet Sibila still manages to collect “passport stamps and visit at least one UNESCO World Heritage site per year,” she announces with an extra twinkle in her eye. This is why I refer to her as South Florida’s prom queen, not necessarily because of the twinkle-although that helps, but because she’s so involved. She knows the “doers, the disruptors, and the changemakers,” for she is one of them. I finesse my way into a lunch date with her to get the dossier on all things “Little Star”.
What’s something most people get wrong about you?
The spelling of my name, and although most people would say I’m tough, I am a tad sensitive.
Who inspired you? What examples did you have growing up that instilled in you a need to be involved in community?
My parents were both very involved in philanthropic and civic causes, and they made sure we were aware of the blessings and sacrifices. I remember passing out note cards I’d write healing messages in and give to the ill while my mom did her hospital rounds, or helping my dad make care packages for Marines that had been deployed in Operation Desert Storm.
What other charitable organizations do you belong to?
I’m a member of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens, and now on the board of the South Florida Orchid Society. I also support other organizations like Casa Valentina, Lotus House, and Chapman Partnership with regular donations by satisfying items on their wish list. This summer I gifted a young lady at Casa Valentina a new laptop for the school year.
How did you get involved in the Million Orchid Project?
I immediately fell in love with the beauty and impact of this project. Florida was once an orchid paradise, and the plan is to reintroduce native orchids throughout neighborhoods, city parks, public areas, and urban settings to create a community in continuous bloom. The beautiful aesthetic that it adds to the landscape is incredible, but even more impressive is the micropropagation lab where millions of orchid seedlings are grown. The more I learned, the more I wanted to be involved and even provided the “seed” money to bring the Million Orchid Project to my neighborhood Coral Gate.
What’s your favorite go-to motivational quote? The battle cry that reminds you-you’re a freakin’ ninja…
“A shift in the lens broadens perspective.”
What stirs the fire in the belly, what do you go all “Juana La Loca” passionate over?
Place-making and civic engagement. Whether it is through changing the skyline, creating places where people live, work, and play, or by helping connect people-building stronger, better integrated communities.
What are three books that impacted your life you’d encourage others to read?
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz- Be impeccable with your word. Don’t take anything personally. Don’t make assumptions. Always do your best. This is the basic framework for honoring your true self.
Cien Anos de Soledad by Gabriel Garcia Marquez- The beautiful imagery and magical realism always leads me to dream bigger and turn dreams into reality.
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman is a wonderfully insightful read on better understanding personal relationships.
Read more at inDoral Magazine