2021 Year in Review: Melissa Fish-Crane, President, IREM Boston Metro. Chapter No. 4

How has your working environment changed over the last year? Like most everyone, we’ve had to become adaptable at switching back and forth between in-person events and virtual. We held our first in-person event in 15 months in June, and during that gathering I was reminded that nothing really replaces the feel of an in-person event. Still, from a business perspective, we’ve been lucky to have the technological advances that have allowed us all to continue keeping our businesses moving forward. I anticipate we’ll continue to walk the hybrid line for the foreseeable future, but I think we do so with newfound gratitude for either situation.

What was your greatest professional accomplishment or most notable project, deal, or transaction in 2021? One of our organization’s greatest accomplishments this year has been building off of the foundation set over the last few years by our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Focusing on diversity has been the most important of IREM Boston’s strategic priorities for 2021.

While we still have work to do in fully embracing and valuing our differences while cultivating an environment of equal opportunity for everyone associated with IREM, we have made great strides this year and are excited for our DEI committee to continue to lead us forward in 2022.

What was the biggest lesson you learned while working during the pandemic? That we still must be resolved in our efforts to keep ourselves, our colleagues, and our residents safe, while also taking stock of all that we have accomplished up to this point, to realize we’ve achieved things we may not have even considered a short time ago, and to know that the experiences of the past several months have built up strength, stamina, and resolve to carry us through. With our strong network of IREM colleagues, ready to lend advice, experience, or even just an ear, we know that together we will get through this!