Boston, MA On July 23, the Real Estate Finance Association (REFA) hosted its 15th Annual Charitable Golf & Tennis Tournament at Dedham Country & Polo Club in Dedham, Mass., benefiting FamilyAid Boston and Rosie’s Place, two organizations within the city whose missions are to help end homelessness. Over 130 REFA members and guests participated in the golf outing and tennis tournament, followed by a reception and awards dinner.  

REFA’s Annual Summer Panel & Reception was held on Wednesday, August 1 at Goulston & Storrs. 100 REFA members and guests gathered as the panel of industry leaders led a discussion on “WeWork and Co-Working: The Impacts on Real Estate Capital Markets.” Matt Pullen, executive managing director, Newmark Knight Frank moderated the discussion with speakers Steven Binswanger, director, Eastdil Secured, Bryan Koop, executive vice president, Boston region, Boston Properties and Peg Mulcahy, senior vice president, Bank of America Merrill Lynch. The program was followed by a reception on Goulston & Storr’s outdoor patio. The Annual Summer Panel & Reception event is put on every summer by REFA’s Emerging Leader group. 

REFA will hold its 30th Annual Gala on Thursday, October 11 from 5:30 - 9:00 p.m. at the Marriott Copley Place. David Manfredi, CEO and founding principal, Elkus Manfredi Architects and Elizabeth Lowrey, principal, Elkus Manfredi Architects, will be awarded with the 2018 Robert S. Swain Jr. award, REFA’s Distinguished Service Award. Manfredi and Lowrey join an elite list of past recipients including:  Stephen Karp and Steven Fischman of New England Development in 2017, John Drew of the Drew Co. in 2016, Bryan Koop of Boston Properties in 2015, Pam Herbst of AEW Capital Management in 2014, mayor Thomas Menino in 2013, and Joe Fallon of the Fallon Company in 2012.

In honoring Manfredi and Lowrey, Elkus Manfredi Architects becomes the first architecture firm to be recognized among a distinguished list of New England-based companies.  

The REFA Distinguished Service Award is named in honor of the late Robert S. Swain, Jr. In his 33-year career in the real estate finance profession, Swain gained the admiration and respect of his colleagues throughout the real estate finance industry. He was a valued member of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board for over 25 years and was an active member and leader of the mortgage finance committee, which developed into the present Real Estate Finance Association. This award is an annual recognition of an outstanding contribution made to the real estate industry either by lifetime example or specific achievement.

Save the date for REFA’s Annual Fall Conference being held on Friday, September 28 at the Boston Harbor Hotel. The event will include a keynote presentation followed by an in-depth panel discussion on the topic of “Commercial Real Estate Disruptors: Then, Now and the Future.” Join 200 REFA members and colleagues for a morning of networking and education as they hear from the city’s industry leaders on how commercial real estate has and will continue to be disrupted by technology, industry trends and the economy.  

REFA hosts 30 programs and events per year with the help of its committees. Interested in helping develop and shape a program while networking with other REFA members? If so, they encourage committee participation. There are several committees to choose from, including: Annual events committee, emerging leaders committee, golf committee, membership committee, programs committee and the strategic programming committee. Join today and grow your network with REFA!