2018 was a terrific year for the Real Estate Finance Association in Boston

Boston, MA On Monday, November 26, REFA held its Annual Holiday Party at Central Wharf Co. Over 80 members and colleagues enjoyed an evening of networking, hors d’oeuvres and drinks all in a festive setting. The evening included a gift card drive benefiting FamilyAid Boston, an organization committed to helping end homelessness within the city area. 

Prior to the Holiday Party, REFA hosted the wrap-up event for its mentor program. REFA’s mentor program was a year-long program with 28 mentor/mentee pairs. Mentors and mentees met regularly to exchange ideas, share best practices and build relationships. REFA’s next mentor program will begin in 2019. 

REFA held its last event of the year, an Emerging Leaders Executive Insights program, on Tuesday, November 27 featuring John Baros, chief of economic development, city of Boston. Baros spoke with a group of 25 emerging leader members about development, infrastructure, economic growth and more in the Greater Boston area.

2018 was a special year for REFA, celebrating its 30th anniversary. Some highlights include: 

• A rebrand, which was formally unveiled in front of 500 guests at REFA’s 30th Annual Gala in October.

• Over 30 educational programs and special events featuring over 50 industry leaders from the commercial real estate finance community. These programs and events include REFA’s Annual Forecasting Luncheon, Golf & Tennis Tournament, Summer Panel, Fall Conference, Gala, Women’s Series and community service initiatives.

• A membership of 700, including 250 Emerging Leaders and 100 Corporate Sponsors. 

REFA would like to thank all of the speakers, members and Corporate Sponsors for their help and support throughout the past year! We look forward to working together in the New Year!

Save The Date: REFA’s first program of 2019 will be the Annual REFA Forecasting Luncheon featuring keynote speaker Mary Burke, senior economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and panelists Travis D’Amato, SVP, managing director, Walker & Dunlop and 2019 REFA president; Pamela Herbst, managing director, AEW Capital Management; Gary Magnuson, head of commercial real estate, Citizens Bank and Eric Schlager, CEO, The Bulfinch Companies. The luncheon will be held at WilmerHale, 60 State St., on Wednesday, January 16, 2019. 

For more information about REFA and upcoming events, please visit our website www.refa.org and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn @REFABoston.