About our firm
Dealing in Principle
At PDA, we believe the best engagements begin with mutual alignment.
Our ideal client is someone who wants to work with us, and with whom we believe we can genuinely help. Before formally engaging, we take the time to understand the opportunity, the objectives and what matters most to the client.
Working with us
Every engagement begins with thoughtful discovery.
It is an intentional, collaborative process designed to bring clarity to our clients' needs, goals & opportunities.
- 1
Understand
We gain a clear understanding of the client's immediate needs, long-term objectives and broader priorities.
- 2
Identify
We uncover the pain points, barriers, concerns and potential obstacles standing between the client and their desired outcome.
- 3
Align
We work together to define what success looks like and establish a shared understanding of the engagement, expectations and objectives.
- 4
Engage
Once aligned, we formalize the relationship through the appropriate engagement documentation.
Then we get to work
You should never have to wonder what's happening.
From there, PDA works on our clients' behalf to source opportunities, evaluate potential fits, facilitate connections, structure transactions and negotiate favorable terms when appropriate.
Throughout the engagement, we keep our clients informed according to their preferred level of communication.
When you entrust PDA with an important transaction or investment opportunity, you deserve to know that we're attentively working on your behalf.
Some clients may feel we overcommunicate.We consider that the highest compliment. You should never have to wonder what's happening.
Connecting the dots … & people
Trust-based relationships.Purposeful connections.Lifelong learning.
These principles are central to how we operate. You could say they're in PDA's DNA.
We believe that becoming better advisors requires more than experience. It requires curiosity, continuous learning & a willingness to remain engaged with the people & the industries with which we partner.
That's why we're proud to be members of respected national and local organizations that help us expand our knowledge, strengthen our network and deepen our connection to Northeast Florida. We view these memberships as more than credentials. They are opportunities to learn, contribute and create value for our clients, our business partners and the communities we're fortunate to call home.
Our Affiliations
- National Association of Securities Professionals
- National Association of REALTORS®
- Northeast Florida Association of REALTORS®
- Association for Corporate Growth
- St. Johns Chamber of Commerce
- Jacksonville Business Professionals
- Ponte Vedra Woman's Club
- Northeast Florida Marlin Association
- The Link — Nocatee
Our Founder & Managing Partner
Ngozi Ada Chuku
A proud Jacksonville native, Ngozi brings more than 14 years of advisory experience including management consulting, client service & institutional distribution at Accenture, BlackRock & Barings, respectively.
A certified Prosci® Change Practitioner, she understands that change is often difficult & has spent years helping clients navigate complex transitions through active listening, collaboration, education & thoughtful communication.
Her multidisciplinary background spans business development, client service, management consulting, change management, project management and communications, complemented by education, certifications and training in health policy, acting, screenwriting and film production.
That breadth of experience has shaped the way Ngozi approaches advisory work: listen first, simplify complexity, build trust and help clients move forward with confidence.
From Corporate to Entrepreneur
Ngozi quietly began nurturing an interest in commercial real estate in 2016 when she found herself drawn to the idea of advising clients through complex transactions. She was excited at the thought of bringing together strategy, relationships, negotiation and problem-solving in a tangible way.
Still, making the leap into full-time entrepreneurship required courage. After leaving corporate America in October 2024, Ngozi spent the next 18 months contemplating whether to finally put the Florida real estate license she earned in 2022 to work. Ultimately, she decided it was time to be faithful in the small things and trust that the skills she developed during her corporate career would serve her well as she built something of her own.
That decision became the foundation for Principled Deals & Assets.
A Principled Investment Philosophy
For Ngozi, entrepreneurship is not about taking unnecessary risks. It is about having the courage to take thoughtful, informed and measured risks when the potential opportunity aligns with a larger purpose.
That philosophy mirrors a principle embraced by sophisticated investors …
Deploy capital thoughtfully.Remain patient and informed.Stay focused on the long-term objective.
Ngozi applies that same mindset to her work with clients whether they are navigating a real estate transaction, evaluating an institutional investment opportunity or bringing a film or television project to life. Simply put, she believes the best moves are rarely made impulsively. They are made with clarity, conviction & commitment.
Ngozi actively holds FINRA Series 7 and Series 63 registrations as well as Florida's Real Estate Salesperson License.
Professional background
Advising organizations, institutional investors & executive stakeholders.
Before founding Principled Deals & Assets, Ngozi built a multidisciplinary career across communications, management consulting, healthcare administration, higher education organizational effectiveness & asset management.
Barings
Global Distribution Group
A member of Barings' Global Distribution Group, where she advised and cultivated relationships with institutional allocators on behalf of the global asset manager.
BlackRock
Client Experience · Alternative Client Platforms
Worked across the Client Experience and Alternative Client Platforms teams, gaining perspective into institutional asset management and the evolving needs of sophisticated investors including public pensions, sovereign wealth funds, foundations, family offices and investment consultants.
Georgia Institute of Technology
Internal consultant · Change management
As an internal consultant, led an 18-month change management initiative supporting the transition of more than 1,100 individuals into Coda, a transformational high-performance computing facility in Atlanta's Tech Square, collaborating with 50+ stakeholders across executive leadership, faculty, middle management, frontline staff and external vendors.
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
Project Manager, Finance Division
Project Manager within the Finance Division, partnering closely with the Vice President of Finance and the Office of the CFO.
Accenture
Health & Public Service practice
Management consultant in the Health & Public Service practice, leading communications and training workstreams for global pharmaceutical companies and state health payors.
Earlier
Emory GSGA · Florida Blue · U.S. Census Bureau
Chief of Staff for Emory's Graduate Student Government Association, organizing events for more than 4,000 graduate students; authored a 30-page white paper on future grant programming for Florida Blue's philanthropic foundation; and helped execute a full-scale public relations campaign for the 2010 U.S. Census on behalf of the U.S. Census Bureau.
Across each chapter of her career, Ngozi has developed a common thread:the ability to understand complex problems, connect people and ideas, communicate with clarity and help stakeholders navigate consequential decisions.
Education
London School of Economics and Political Science
Master of Science, Social Policy
Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University
Master of Public Health, Health Policy & Management
University of Florida
Bachelor of Science, Public Relations
Licenses & certifications
- FINRA Series 7 & 63
- Florida Real Estate Sales Associate, License SL3541407
- Prosci® Change Management Practitioner
- McKinsey Management Development Accelerator
Questions
Frequently asked
Fifteen minutes, confidential, and about you rather than us. We listen for your immediate needs and longer-term objectives, and we'll tell you plainly whether we're the right fit.
Ready to partner?
Send us a note and tell us what you're working toward.