Our 26^th Annual Achievement Awards took place on Wednesday, April 30^th at the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston.  Over 350 guests were in attendance to honor and celebrate 18 CREW Boston members for their outstanding and impressive achievements in commercial real estate.  In addition to our Achievement Awards honorees, we also recognized two very special groups this year -the participants in our Mentor Program and the members from our Leadership Academy.  Through these three groups that we recognized – our earnest Mentors and Mentees, our future Leaders, and our esteemed Achievers- attendees witnessed how the CREW organization supports its members as they grow both personally and professionally.
 
CREW Boston President Shelly Gouin kicked off the ceremony by welcoming everyone and thanking all our sponsors, especially our four corporate event sponsors, Goulston & Storrs, P.C., Samuels & Associates, Tishman Speyer, and WS Development. Also joining Shelly was President-Elect Kate Moran Carter and our emcee of the evening, Jill Sharif, the 2024 recipient of CREW Boston’s Leadership Award. 
 
Honorees
The team that worked on Lyrik Back Bay were the recipients of the Networking Award. This award recognizes a transaction, project, or project team that most clearly exemplifies the goals and purposes of CREW Boston and showcases a business-to-business networking success story. This team of 13 were intimately involved in ensuring the success of this project. 
 
Anchored at 1001 Boylston Street at the bustling intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Newbury Street, Lyrik Back Bay rises above the Mass Pike and, in doing so, represents Boston’s first successful air rights development in over 40 years. No matter where one is coming from, whether that be along the Mass Pike or from Newbury Street, Lyrik can be seen from all directions and serves as a gateway to the heart of Boston. This groundbreaking $1.1B project, completed in 2024, spans 450,000 square feet of mixed-use space, which includes the CarGurus Global Headquarters and The LEGO Group North American Headquarters, 35,000+ square feet of retail and dining, 150,000 square feet of hotel space operated by citizenM, and a new multi-level public plaza and park.

The journey to bring Lyrik to life was as remarkable as the project itself, spanning multiple years and milestones, and requiring ingenuity, collaboration, and resilience to overcome the significant engineering challenges of building over an active highway and rail lines that could not be shut down any time during construction. From its inception to its completion, the project navigated intricate logistics.
As a gateway to the rich history and lively culture of Boston’s Back Bay and Newbury Street’s newest anchor, Lyrik stands as a testament to what can be achieved through visionary leadership, collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to innovation. It is a symbol of connection, resilience, and progress, embodying the transformative power of thoughtful urban design with women leading the way, championing innovation, community, creativity, and game-changing planning.

Overall, over 30 women played key roles as developers, architects, counsels, brokers, and engineers, with 13 of those women being current members of CREW. 

Our recipients of the Networking Award were:

Sienna DeSantis, Rachael Diharce, Emily Simard, and Andi Simpson with Samuels & Associates.

Kathleen Teer with McNamara-Salvia.

Marya Gorcczyca with Haley & Aldrich.

Jean Bowe, Ashley Brown, Vanessa Moody, and Julia Rosequist with Goulston & Storrs, P.C.
Elizabeth Lowrey, Anna Reiderman-Hickey, and Tara Reilly with Elkus Manfredi Architects.
 
Accepting the award on behalf of the team was Andi Simpson, Senior Vice President, Creative and Marketing Strategies at Samuels & Associates, who talked about the collective effort needed to bring this project to fruition:
 
"Across disciplines and development stages, this team exemplified collegiality, creativity, and a shared commitment to excellence. Every challenge we faced—from the complexities of air rights development to creating a transformative civic space above 8 lanes of highway and two active train tunnels —was met with clarity of purpose and an unwavering belief in what we could achieve together. The many remarkable women who played leading roles at every step of Lyrik’s development are visionaries in design, law, engineering, branding, communications, engagement, leasing, and development.  And throughout the project, these amazing leaders prioritized lifting each other up and pushing boundaries in ways that will shape this city for decades to come."

Jocelyn Goglia, Senior Director of Commercial Interiors at WS Development, received this year’s Espirit de Couer Award.  This award recognizes a member who demonstrates a strong commitment to CREW Boston’s goals and purposes and embodies the heart and soul of our organization.

From the moment Jocelyn joined CREW Boston back in the fall of 2011, her incessant positivity and commitment to putting her heart and soul into this organization has only grown. She enthusiastically contributes to making it better and more impactful for all our members.

This past fall, she spoke at a Rising Leaders event and shared her journey to a very large and engaged audience, inspiring them to work hard, say yes to new opportunities when presented, and to use this network to create a group of people that will support you and your career for years to come. She herself has grown a network of supportive women through CREW and is committed to paying it forward to the next generation.
Jocelyn has been involved in numerous Committees and Groups during her 24 years of membership. She is a frequent participant in our mentor program, serves as a new member ambassador, and currently chairs our Programs Committee. In addition, her commitment to our mission extends beyond Boston, dedicating herself to providing opportunities for women globally through her involvement with CREW Network.  

Jocelyn frequently meets with members, especially new members, or sits with them at a luncheon to make them feel like they belong. She is a welcoming face, mentor, colleague and friend, which is incredibly helpful in an organization of over 650 members.

Jocelyn’s passion, dedication, and active involvement make her the ideal role model for any member. We are so grateful to have her as a part of our CREW.

After receiving her award, Jocelyn expressed her gratitude to CREW Boston, crediting her involvement in the organization for being a big part of her personal and professional growth. 
 
"It would be impossible not to recognize CREW as the catalyst of this entire trajectory. With every event, convention, and new connection, I continue to be inspired, motivated and encouraged by this community. I have the real pleasure of knowing so many of you and can confirm first-hand that there is nothing this group of trailblazing leaders cannot accomplish.  That is why I believe in the power of this organization. This award is not just about me—it’s a reflection of the incredible women and allies in our midst who celebrate each other’s successes and create opportunities for future generations. I believe the ripples we form here will continue to grow and expand - maybe outside of our market, maybe even outside of our industry. That is the magic and importance of our mission. CREW has given us a platform to make a difference, to break barriers, and to shape the future of commercial real estate. And that is a mission I will always champion."

Samira Ahmadi was presented with the Entrepreneur of the Year Award. This award recognizes a member who isn’t afraid to take a risk and has the courage to step out on her own to either start a business or grow a business organically within an organization.
 
As a determined and visionary immigrant, Samira considers her journey to the United States in 2006 and starting her own company in 2016 as her most notable accomplishments. Her entrepreneurial journey began nearly nine years ago with a mission to assemble a diverse team dedicated to assisting the real estate industry in forging a more sustainable future for generations to come.
With a degree in Architectural Engineering, she decided to pursue a Master of Architecture from the University of Texas at San Antonio where she discovered a deep passion for sustainable architecture. This newfound passion prompted her to pursue a second master's degree in Sustainable Architecture and Building Performance, leading her to Carnegie Mellon University.

After completing her studies in 2011, Samira moved to Massachusetts to chase her dream of building a career in sustainability and starting her own company.

Starting a business with just five years of experience was a tough decision. From the initial idea to taking action, it took a year of planning and reflection. A mentor once told her, "There’s never a perfect time to go out on your own; you just have to decide and act." Inspired by this advice, she made the decision, and she started enviENERGY Studio in 2016, driven not just by personal ambition but by a desire to create opportunities for others, especially women, to pursue their goals and break barriers.

Today, Samira has a team of eight motivated energy and sustainability consultants, helping local and national projects become more sustainable.

During her acceptance speech, Samira thanked CREW for recognizing the work and impact of entrepreneurs. She also talked about the risks of starting a business and the need for resiliency.

"Entrepreneurship is about resilience. In many ways, we’re all entrepreneurs in our own lives. When people ask me about the risks I took starting my business, my answer is simple: the real risk would have been not starting. I knew deep down that if I didn’t do it, I would always wonder, "What if?" Life has a way of testing our resilience, sometimes when we least expect it. For me, it came in many forms — growing up during a war, leaving behind the comfort of home to immigrate and chase bigger dreams, and later, facing a battle with cancer in my early twenties. Facing the uncertainty of what comes next changes you — in deep, fundamental ways. It made me stronger and more resilient. But sometimes, in the middle of our busy lives, we forget to step back and see the bigger picture. We often delay actions and decisions while waiting for the perfect moment. I know that's been one of my biggest challenges — and I think it’s the same for many entrepreneurs. The truth is, dreaming about a better future is not risky. Waiting for the perfect moment is. I keep reminding myself that if you have a dream, don't wait for the perfect moment. Build your network. Grow your skills. Start today. If you see an open seat at the table, don’t hesitate — take it. And when the world gives you a chance to write your story — pick up the pen and start writing. "

The Suzanne King Public Service Award was presented to Donna Brown, a woman who exemplifies the essence and spirit of Suzanne’s legacy.  This award recognizes a CREW Boston member who, either as a career or through volunteer activities, is committed to strengthening the community through effective action and leadership.

For the past 18 years, Donna has served as the Executive Director of South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation, a non-profit developer and manager of affordable housing that has created over 200 units of affordable housing in South Boston, including housing for the elderly, families, and Veterans. Donna has more than 25 years of experience in the community development field, serving as a project manager at the City of Boston Department of Neighborhood Development and President of the board of SBNDC. In addition to her work at South Boston NDC, Donna has volunteered at a variety of non-profits. She served as the Clerk of the South Boston Community Development Foundation, managing the distribution of $400,000 in grants to South Boston charities. She is Treasurer of the South Boston Association of Non Profits and a member of the board of Medicine Wheel Productions.

She is an advocate for affordable housing and recently commented on a conversion of a former convent that SBNDC is working on, saying “It’s sad when a church closes. When they sit empty, it leaves a real void in the neighborhood, but when a building can be converted to housing so that people can stay in that community – it can be a wonderful thing to knit a community back together.”

To know Donna is to truly understand her commitment to community and CREW Boston. She has been a CREW Boston member since 2008 and currently chairs our Housing and Community Development Committee.  In addition, she is an avid gardener and became a Certified Master Gardener through the Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Upon receiving her award, Donna talked about the privilege of working in the community development field, and how this meaningful work has sustained her in her darkest days.
 
"I was recently complaining in frustration that it takes just as long to build 20 units of housing as it takes to build 200 units of housing, and my husband asked me if I wished I were working somewhere else, with opportunities for creating those large projects.  I recounted to him the parable of the young girl who is walking on the beach with her grandmother, picking up starfish and throwing them back into the ocean.  Her grandmother asks her why she is doing that –  you can't save them all.  The little girl replies, 'but I can save this one.'  To me, that is the essence of community development, providing affordable places to live in my community of South Boston, so that someone’s grandmother has a place to call home.
 
There is a tremendous amount of talent in this room.  Community developers need you, your skills, your time, and your treasure. We all need board members, volunteers, and advocates for affordable housing development.  As challenging as it is to get local approvals for market rate housing, there is often even stronger opposition to new affordable housing development.  Supportive voices, as well as resources, are critical to our success.  There are more than 20 CDCs in Boston and over 50 statewide.  Many of us are already your clients.  I hope you will find a way to support their critical missions, and I hope, too, that there is always a place in CREW for women in public service."

Michelle Callahan, Senior Project Manager and Team Leader at Nitsch Engineering, received the Professional Service Award, honoring her significant contributions and leadership within her company as well as her commitment and dedication to delivering superior service and achieving great results.
 
As a dedicated Nitsch employee since 2008 and a passionate CREW Boston member since 2012, Michelle has proven herself to be a significant contributor to the success of her company, her professional society, and her overall communities. A thoughtful and empathetic leader, Michelle is dedicated to making the world around her a better place – and she puts in the work to drive the change she wants to see.
 
Over the past 16 years, Michelle has consistently shown superior service within the industry, on her projects, and with her clients.
 
At her core, Michelle is a problem solver who excels in producing creative solutions to a range of challenges. She has become one of Nitsch’s “go-to” engineers for projects with complex stormwater and permitting concerns and has readily jumped in to help anyone who needs it. She specializes in blending innovation with practicality and in driving sustainability and resilience on all her projects.
 
Michelle has consistently modeled client care excellence. She works closely with her clients to understand and proactively address their needs. She is a strong communicator with a solutions-oriented approach to addressing challenges and has a graceful touch when handling difficult conversations.
 
The best testament to her dedication to client care is how many of her clients specifically request to work with her again on future projects. This can be illustrated with a quote from a client: “We work a lot with Michelle Callahan because we request her – she’s absolutely fabulous. She is really great and easy to work with, very responsive, professional, thorough, and usually (by some miracle) has a smile on her face. We really like working with her!”
 
Not only does Michelle excel in her career, but she also still makes time to give back to the industry and CREW Boston. Over the past 10 years as a member of CREW, Michelle has been an active member and leader on multiple committees and groups. Through her dedication, she has undoubtedly strengthened CREW Boston as an organization.
 
Nitsch is proud to have Michelle as a representative of their company, and believe she represents the best that this industry has to offer. We could not agree more, and we are lucky to have her as a member of our CREW!
 
During her acceptance speech, Michelle thanked her family, Nitsch’s three CEOs, her work colleagues, friends, and CREW Boston, and emphasized the importance of diversity in the industry.
 
"Research has shown time and time again that diverse teams are more successful. In the Commercial Real Estate industry (and all development sectors), the people involved in creating these spaces should look like the people using them. Initiatives supporting women, including women of color, help us get there.  Nitsch recently hosted our annual Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, and seeing those girls engineer and ask important questions, reminded me that we cannot give up on this important work. Equity is possible if we all keep working toward it. A few years ago, my then 5-year-old daughter asked me “Mama, can boys be engineers too?” I’ve never been prouder!"

The final award of the evening was presented to Barbara Oddo, recipient of this year’s Leadership Award. This award recognizes a member who has inspired, motivated, and supported CREW Boston year after year and contributed her time, energy, and talents in leadership roles within the Greater Boston real estate community. It honors an individual who leads by example and works both personally and professionally to advance women in the real estate industry.  Recipients of this award are some of the most well respected and committed women in our industry, and Barbara is no exception.
 
Barbara, a commercial real estate veteran and industry leader, has over 35 years of experience in asset operations. Currently responsible for oversight of Tishman Speyer’s Boston portfolio, Barbara plays an integral part in ensuring the firm’s success for customer satisfaction and retention, as well as promoting strategic growth in the region.
 
Barbara has been a member of CREW Boston for more than 15 years. Within her first year she joined the Golf Committee and later chaired it. In addition to her involvement on the Golf Committee, she also served as an active member on the Membership, Mentor, and Programs Committees. In 2015, she joined the board and served as CREW Boston President in 2018-2019. 
 
After her presidency, her dedication and commitment to CREW continued. In 2023-2024, she joined the CREW Network Board of Directors and served members globally.
 
While we love having Barbara working with us here at CREW, she has also found time for other amazing organizations such as NAIOP, BOMA Boston, Heading Home and the Winchester Hospital Foundation, among other civic organizations that she throws herself into.
 
Of course, all these endeavors have led to a number of accolades, including:
-       Globe Street Woman of Influence 2024
-       Globe Street Woman of Influence 2021
-       New England Banking Woman of F.I.R.E 2019
-       Panelist for Harvard’s BOLD Women in Business Conference 2019
-       Connect Media Northeast Leadership Series Participant 2018
-       Bisnow Power Woman and Keynote Speaker 2018
-       Judge for MIT’s Hack for Inclusion 2018
 
Barbara has consistently shown remarkable leadership qualities, in her work, in her philanthropic efforts, and with her family. Former colleague Scott Brown, Executive Vice President of Lincoln Property Company had this to say about her:
 
“I had the privilege of working with Barbara for her entire 14-year tenure at Lincoln.  Barbara met every challenge with a refreshing blend of diplomacy, street smarts, experience, humor, and grace.  I witnessed firsthand as Barbara moved the needle by both encouraging women and advocating for women in the real estate industry.  She attacked this issue not only from the employee and the employer side, but from the critical role of friend and mentor. Perhaps the greatest compliment I can give Barbara is that when my daughter was searching for her own career path out of college, it was Barbara that I wanted to help mentor her, not simply exposing her to our real estate industry, but help her navigate the challenges women face in the workplace in general and introduce her to the value of a professional network and support system.  A request Barbara took on enthusiastically.  I consider Barbara the consummate role model for ANY young person looking to enter our industry. “
 
After accepting her award, Barbara thanked CREW Boston and spoke about the importance of having an “attitude of gratitude.”

"While advice can be personal and situational, I realized that while I am no Oprah, there is one principle that’s guided me throughout my life and career: and that is what I call, 'an attitude of gratitude’. Being grateful every day. And not just for the big wins like landing a dream job, closing a tough deal, or paying the last of your kid’s college tuition – but for the simple moments we often overlook: The co-worker who thanks you for pitching in – saying they couldn’t have brought it over the finish line without your help; The stranger in traffic who lets you merge when you’re running late, and you make the green light and get to your meeting on time; for your kid who gets up for school most mornings without whining (unless you have teenage daughters, in which case that misery is going to go on for a lot longer); for your decision to work in this industry no matter how you found yourself here, because every day is a roller coaster and it’s the best thrill ride you could have. Gratitude, to me, is at the heart of effective leadership.  It takes self-awareness and self-lessness, without self-absorption. It asks us to listen and be present and not be dismissive. It requires us to stay humble and lead with kindness and not arrogance. It results in confidence and encouragement in the person you are recognizing – and isn’t that our job as leaders? So, I want to express my deepest gratitude tonight to a long list of people: To the CREW Boston board for this incredible honor;  to my fellow honorees – whose actions inspire and elevate women across our industry;  to the Boston and Global Network board members I’ve served with for teaching me the importance of being a service leader; to this organization, for the growth, the friendships, and the community I’ve found here; to my Tishman Speyer colleagues and former co-workers for putting up with me and sharing this wild roller coaster ride with me. I couldn’t ask for a better group; and to my family - my kids and grandchildren scattered across the country and my husband who is here tonight - for always supporting my 'extracurriculars' and understanding why giving back matters to me. They are truly my cherished prize!"

______________________________________________________________________________
 
CREW Boston is the region’s leading professional organization promoting the advancement of women within the commercial real estate industry. Since it began in 1982, CREW Boston has been an important force behind the increasing success of women in New England’s real estate community. Currently, more than 700 women gain opportunities for professional growth and business development as members of this vital organization. CREW Boston’s goal has always been to provide professional support, development, education, encouragement, and networking opportunities to its members and the commercial real estate community.
 
Since 1996, CREW Boston has been a member of CREW Network, founded in 1989 to bring together women involved in the many aspects of commercial real estate to exchange information, develop business contacts, and help each other succeed professionally. Today, CREW Network is the industry’s premier business networking organization. Membership offers unparalleled business connections, leadership development opportunities, and access to CREW members in your local market as well as nearly 15,000 professionals across the globe.