Meet The Team

FOUNDER

Matthew Blesso is a real estate developer, entrepreneur, and community builder dedicated to creating regenerative living environments that foster wellness, connection, and harmony with nature. He founded Blesso Properties in New York in 1996, leading transformative projects that combine innovation, sustainability, and social impact. To date, the firm has completed 17 developments across New York, Panama, and Costa Rica, earning eight design awards, breaking multiple pricing records, and being featured in leading publications worldwide. Matthew also founded Tántalo Hospitality Group in Panama in 2010, which owns and operates two of the country’s most iconic cultural destinations that unite art, design, and entertainment. In Brooklyn, he co-founded 3rd Ward, a creative hub that became a catalyst for entrepreneurship and artistic collaboration. Through all his ventures, Matthew champions a vision of development that elevates both people and planet, shaping communities where social impact and profits thrive side by side.

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Raymond Brealey is Partner and Director of Development at Shift Living, bringing more than 24 years of experience leading complex real estate projects across Costa Rica. Throughout his career, he has managed more than 100 residential, hospitality, mixed-use, and infrastructure projects, overseeing everything from pre-construction planning and permitting to procurement, budgeting, and field execution.

He holds a degree in Civil Engineering, an MBA, and a Specialization in Construction Management from INCAE Business School and The University of Texas. Before joining Shift Living, he held senior development and construction leadership roles, managing large-scale projects and multidisciplinary teams. At Shift Living, he oversees the full development lifecycle, from master planning and contractor selection to construction and delivery, ensuring every project aligns with the company’s regenerative vision.

VENTURE PARTNER

Robert Althuis is a regenerative real estate developer, author, and former Fortune 100 executive with over 25 years of experience spanning real estate, private equity, and global infrastructure ventures. A Columbia Business School MBA graduate and former GE Capital executive, he brings a rare blend of institutional business expertise and deep inquiry into consciousness, wellbeing, and human flourishing.

 His work today focuses on regenerative placemaking, awakened leadership, and creating communities that integrate wellness, beauty, and alignment with the deeper intelligence of Life.  Robert has published five books including his acclaimed spiritual manifesto Love+Truth.

SALES DIRECTOR

Brian Bratton has nearly 25 years of experience in Costa Rica’s luxury real estate, development, design, and premium rental sectors. He is the Owner and Broker of Christie’s International Real Estate Costa Rica offices in Tamarindo and Nosara, Founder of Tamarindo Luxury Villas, and Founder of Indigo Home Interior Design. Throughout his career, he has led and consulted on high-profile developments across Costa Rica, specializing in sales, marketing, development strategy, branding, and luxury rentals. Brian currently serves as Sales & Marketing Director for Shift Esperanza and has been recognized multiple times within the Christie’s International Real Estate network for top performance.

SALES MANAGER

Andrew Mercer has lived in Costa Rica for 18 years, bringing a deep understanding of the local lifestyle and market. With a background in concierge services, property management, and hospitality, he brings a high level of service and attention to detail to real estate.

Based in Playa Langosta for over a decade, he has hands-on experience managing rental properties and identifying strong investment opportunities. After 10 years working alongside Brian and the Christie’s team, he now serves as a seasoned real estate leader in Guanacaste.

DIRECTOR OF DESIGN

Sidra Gross is the Founder and Principal of Savage Forms, with over a decade of experience designing and executing investment-focused residential and multifamily spaces. Her work combines high-impact design with practical execution, specializing in scalable systems for kitchens, baths, lighting, millwork, and finish packages. Sidra also partners with developers and homeowners on procurement, overseas fabrication, and import logistics to deliver efficient, cost-effective design solutions.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Matthew’s wife, Ginger, harnesses her expertise from Pratt, Parsons, and the Art Students League to lead interior design, art curation, and furniture design, ensuring all design projects align with Shift's vision. Ginger is currently exploring Bio-Design, using living organisms for sustainable, innovative materials.

SALES AGENT & COMMUNITY BUILDER

Dustin has over 20 years of experience in management, destination real estate, and sales, combining a strong work ethic with a relationship-driven approach to business. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, surfing, hiking, mountain biking, and exploring the outdoors. For him, life is about maintaining balance, staying active, and appreciating the simple moments.

COMMUNITY & EVENTS MANAGER

Stephanie brings over 15 years of global experience in marketing, sales, events, and entrepreneurship, having founded and managed several successful businesses while collaborating across multiple countries. Her career reflects a consistent drive to blend business growth with impact, and her expertise spans from building brands to leading teams and scaling projects. Driven by her passion for regeneration and innovation, she joined Shift to pioneer a new model of responsible development.

ACCOUNTING MANAGER

Jennifer is a CPA holds a Master's degrees in Project Management and Tax Advisory. She has experience working with companies across the Caribbean, the U.S., and India, with a strong focus on Transfer Pricing in the tech sector. She joined Shift inspired by its values and unique mission in Costa Rica. Outside of work, she's a proud mom who enjoys reading, podcasts, good food, and volunteer work.

NURSERY AND SOIL FERTILITY MANAGER

Originally from Heredia, Daniela is an agronomic engineer passionate about permaculture and sustainable agriculture. At Shift Esperanza, she manages the nursery and soil fertility at Finca La Esperanza, combining her love for nature with holistic living. Outside work, Daniela enjoys hiking, birdwatching, yoga, and exploring Latin American literature, philosophy, and culture.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT & OFFICE MANAGER

Catalina holds a degree in Environmental Health from the University of Costa Rica, bringing a technical and sustainability-focused perspective to her work.

Drawn to the intersection of organizational efficiency, she ensures that both the Project Director's executive needs and the office operations operate with fluid precision. Outside of work, she stays active through physical activity, enjoys cooking, and finds inspiration in traveling and exploring new places. Above all, she values quality time spent with her loved ones.

MARKETING COORDINATOR

Jessica Brealey serves as a Marketing Coordinator at Shift Esperanza, supporting the development and execution of marketing initiatives while ensuring brand consistency across all platforms and touchpoints. She manages digital channels, coordinates content strategy, and collaborates closely with the team to align marketing efforts with sales objectives and guide potential clients through the customer journey. Jessica holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Digital Marketing, bringing a strong foundation in strategic communication, branding and digital marketing to the company.

EXECUTIVE & ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Peruvian Business Engineering professional with 7+ years of experience providing high-level executive support, project coordination, and process optimization. She has worked with companies across the U.S. and Europe, helping CEOs, directors and teams stay highly organized, work more efficiently, and focus on what matters most.

SALES ASSOCIATE

Valeria has a degree in Marketing and joined Shift as a Sales Associate. She provides support in database management, documentation and materials, and is motivated daily by Shift's strong vision and the project process. Outside of work, Vale is a latin dancer, loves doing Pilates, and enjoys traveling to discover new places.

ACCOUNTANT ASSOCIATE

Micaela holds a degree in Accounting and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Business Intelligence, where she integrates accounting, data analysis, and AI to transform financial information into high-impact strategic decisions. She has experience working with companies in Latin America, particularly in the real estate and industrial sectors, which has fostered a practical and contextualized approach to financial analysis. She joined Shift attracted by its collaborative and multicultural environment, as well as its commitment to building purposeful communities.