Margaret Antonier Honorary Doctorate

A true visionary, Margaret Antonier has blazed an entrepreneurial trail in Southwest Florida. She has essentially created what we now know as Estero and has been a stalwart supporter of Florida Gulf Coast University for 25 years.

Ms. Antonier received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Sir George Williams University (now Concordia) in Montreal, Canada. While her interest was always in art and design, she discovered early on that she also excelled in sales and marketing. Her career began in radio advertising sales, where she became the first woman in this role and quickly rose to become the top sales executive in all of Canada. She then decided to venture into commercial development. She learned about the (then new) concept of outlet malls in the U.S. and proceeded to develop the first outlet center in Canada.

Ms. Antonier came to Southwest Florida where she developed Miromar Outlets, which opened in 1999. Around the same time, she also started the development of the upscale Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club, acclaimed as the No. 1 residential community in the U.S.

As president and CEO of Miromar Development, Ms. Antonier’s portfolio grew to include the Miromar Design Center and later University Village, a mixed-use center with shops and restaurants. The property also includes apartments primarily serving FGCU’s students. Each project undertaken by Ms. Antonier is uniquely conceived, thoughtfully planned and impeccably executed. It is not hyperbole to say that Margaret Antonier has made Estero what it is today.

While creating and leading a development company of 250 people, she also made sure to give back. Many charities in Southwest Florida have benefited from Miromar Development’s support, including the Harry Chapin Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, the Southwest Florida Children’s Charities, Pace Center for Girls and Dancing Classrooms for Lee County Public Schools. Possibly her first and most consistent support, however, has gone to Florida Gulf Coast University to assist students through scholarships and the first endowed fund for student success.