The UCREW Committee hosted a panel that brought together members of CREW Boston and students from Boston University’s Development class, led by Keith Munsell, along with the Boston University Real Estate Group. The evening featured a thoughtfully organized flow of speakers, guiding attendees through each stage of a commercial real estate project.
Panelists included:
- Asset/Property Management: Erika Clarke, Senior Vice President, Commercial Property Management at National Development and BU Alum
- Brokerage: Eve Jeffries, Assistant Director at Savills and BU Alum
- Construction: Allyson Callahan, Project Executive at Turner Construction Company
- Corporate Real Estate: Wanda Lee, Senior Project Manager at VVA, Drees & Sommer
- Development: Gretchen McGill, Senior Vice President, Development at Davis, member of the CREW Boston Board of Directors, and BU Alum
- Engineering: Sara Roy, Senior Project Manager at Sanborn, Head & Associates, Inc.
- Finance: Eunice Choi, Investment Analyst at Northmarq and BU Alum
- Legal Services: Barbara Trachtenberg, Shareholder at Polsinelli
- Personnel/HR: Lillian Beck, Director at Shine Associates and BU Alum
- Title Insurance: Jill Sharif, Vice President, National Business Development at Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company National Commercial Services
The process began with Development, led by Grechen McGill, followed by Corporate Real Estate with Wanda Lee and Finance with Eunice Choi. Title services were then covered by Jill Sharif, before transitioning to Staffing (HR) with Lillian Beck. Attention then shifted to the physical aspects with Sara Roy, followed by Construction led by Allyson Callahan. Marketing, presented by Eve Jeffries, was highlighted as a key component that often begins early and continues throughout the process. Legal, managed by Barbara Trachtenberg, plays an integral role at every stage. Once projects are underway, asset management is led by Erika Clarke. Tying it all together is the importance of networking through organizations like the UCREW Committee and CREW Boston—the very connection that brought everyone together.
Throughout the discussion, CREW Boston members shared valuable insights from their respective fields, giving students a well-rounded understanding of how each discipline contributes to a successful commercial real estate transaction. The panel provided a meaningful opportunity for students to learn directly from industry professionals while allowing members to share their experiences with the next generation.
A big thank you to Keith Munsell for hosting us, and to the students for their enthusiasm and interest in the commercial real estate industry!
