The 19th annual Achievement Awards took place on April 26 at the Fairmont Copley Plaza with 300 guests gathered to honor 18 members for their outstanding and impressive accomplishments in commercial real estate. CREW Boston President, Cara Nelson welcomed everyone and thanked all our sponsors, especially Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky, and Popeo PC and New England Development for being our Corporate Sponsors. Incoming president Lisa Serafin with Redgate thanked the 2016 Leadership Recipient Kristin Blount with Colliers International for sharing this special evening with CREW Boston as the master of ceremonies and invited everyone to moving across the hall to the ballroom for food, drinks and a lot of networking.
Honorees
Joan Parsons of Riemer & Braunstein received the Leadership Award as someone who has inspired, motivated and supported CREW Boston year after year and contributed time, energy and talents to CREW Boston as well as the community at large. To describe Joan’s leadership qualities, people who know her would say that she leads by example with a quiet but strong energy, dignity and grace. Her dedication to CREW is unparalleled: she has served on the Mentor Committee, the Programs Committee and the Legacy Council. She has also led our organization serving on the Board and as President. She chaired the CREW Network Committee, demystifying the convention process for many attendees. Finally, she has served CREW Network - chairing the North American Leadership Education Committee and as a member of the Industry Research Committee. Her contributions and recognitions extend well beyond CREW. She has served as a co-chair of the United Way Real Estate Breakfast and was selected as one of Banker & Tradesman’s Women of FIRE. She has been recognized as a United Way philanthropic leader of the legal community and as one of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly “Top Women of Law.” And most importantly, Joan is committed to assisting other women in the real estate and legal professions. She has served as an official Mentor for – count em – 10 years(!) but she also welcomes informal opportunities to share her story and her advice with those still navigating their paths
The Networking Award was presented to a team of 13 women who represented the various transaction disciplines for the
One Greenway Project. One Greenway is a 312 unit residential development in Chinatown. As a mixed income project, it involved cooperation of many public, private and non-profit entities. This is a wonderful project and an inspiring example of CREW professionals working together to change the face real estate in Boston. Through their involvement in CREW many of these women had relationships that predated their involvement in this project and they chose to work together because they were confident that each of their CREW colleagues would deliver results. And they did. This is what CREW is all about.
- Rebecca Lee currently at Mintz Levin
- Emily Yu currently at BioMed
- Katheryn Cochrane Murphy of Krokidas and Bluestein
- Esther Schlorholtz of Boston Private Bank and Trust
- Danielle Kinkel of Nolan Sheehan and Patten
- Megan Delehanty of Rackemann Sawyer and Brewster
- Eliza Datta currently with The Community Builders
- Amy Prange currently at WS Development
- Judy Jacobson of the Mass Housing Partnership
- Nancy McCafferty of MassHousing Partnership
- Janet Carlson of the BPDA
- Heather Campisano of the BPDA
- Lisa Richardson of the BPDA
Susan Davis of Riemer & Braunstein received the Professional Service Award for her consistent years of service and notable accomplishments and success. Susan has been identified as one of the leading female commercial real estate attorneys within the Greater Boston region. Her commitment to service, organization and collaboration has resulted in her providing the highest level of professional guidance to her clients. In addition, she has provided networking opportunities for CREW members by founding various groups dedicated to connecting and advancing women real estate professionals in the suburbs. As the Founder of the Suburban Professional Women Network, Susan organizes strategic gatherings to leverage CREW Network relationships. She is a model for all women -- both in her chosen profession of law and in making connections that lead to enhanced professional development.
Marty Jones of MassDevelopment received the Suzanne King Public Service Award for devoting her time and talent to strengthening the community through effective action and leadership. Marty was appointed President and CEO of MassDevelopment in 2011 and immediately set new priorities for the quasi-public economic development authority including promoting affordable housing, protecting the state’s six military installations and creating opportunities in advanced manufacturing throughout the state. Marty brought her decades of experience in the private real estate development sector to MassDevelopment – most specifically her leadership role as president of Corcoran Jennison, a prominent Boston based building, development and property management company. Marty serves as a board member of MassEcon and the New England Council. She has also been recognized as a Banker & Tradesman Woman of FIRE, received the Girl Scouts Patriots Trail Council Leading Women Award and the Affordable Housing Vision Award from the National Housing Rehabilitation Association. Marty has also been a stalwart advocate for women in real estate with her commitment and activism in CREW Boston. She has been an example for many women and is always willing to share her experiences on CREW panels both locally and nationally.
Deborah Myers of DMLA was presented with the Entrepreneur of the Year Award. After 15 years of increasing responsibility in some of the regions most recognized firms, Deb chose to strike out on her own, putting her name and personal finances on the line to create DMLA. Proving it was the right move, Deb secured $1 million in business during her first six months. As she has become more established, DMLA has built an impressive portfolio of work and is creating job opportunities for others in the field. Deb exudes confidence in her new role and is an excellent role model for other female real estate professionals who are considering starting their own businesses.
Julie Schultz of New England Development received the Esprit de Coeur Award for embodying the spirit and principles of CREW Boston through her embrace of CREW Boston’s overall mission. A previous member of CREW St. Louis, Julie joined CREW Boston when she moved here to establish her network. After attending her first Boston luncheon, she threw herself whole-heartedly into the organization by setting a goal to meet as many people as possible since she was new to town and “didn’t know a soul in the Boston real estate industry.” Julie has served on the Programs & Seminars, Membership, Community Involvement, and Development Committees. Julie also co-founded the Rising Leaders Networking Group and co-founded the Project Spotlight sub-committee with various CREW Boston members. In addition to her committee work, Julie has served as a mentor numerous times and volunteers to sponsor prospective members. She has also turned into quite the prolific Twitter user at the many CREW events that she attends.
Founded in 1982 CREW Boston has grown to over 500 members and focuses on educational programs, networking, mentoring and other activities that support the professional development of women working in commercial real estate throughout New England. CREW Boston has been a member of the CREW Network, a federation of like-minded organizations throughout North America, since 1996.