Natalie Herald, Fidelity Investments

REFA has multiple programs and events scheduled for the coming months. REFA’s most recent event was held on June 9 with speaker Bruce Johnstone, managing director and senior marketing investment strategist at Fidelity Investments. Johnstone discussed the economic and market backgrounds, and also presented suggestions on how to resolve the adverse conditions that the market faces. The program was held at WilmerHale, 60 State St. in Boston.

On Tuesday, June 21, REFA Emerging Leaders will host REFA After Hours, which will be held at The Ginger Man, 148 State St. from 6 - 8 p.m. This networking event is free to REFA members and includes a cash bar and hors’ d oeuvres.

On June 23, REFA will hold a Fundamentals program focusing on HVCRE and the rules, regulations and risks that go along with it. This program will be led by speakers Chris Terlizzi, senior vice president & regional manager, First Niagara Bank and Beth Mitchell, partner- real estate finance department, Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP. This luncheon will be hosted by Equity Office Properties at 100 Summer St. in Boston and will be from 11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

REFA will host its second Members Only Luncheon of the year on June 28, covering the topic of E-Commerce and its impact on retail. This program will be held at WilmerHale, 60 Sate St., Boston from 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. The program will be moderated by Dwight Angelini. managing & founding partner, Longpoint Realty Partners and panelists include: Charles Forbes, senior vice president, investments, Cabot Properties; Deena Friedman, portfolio manager, Fidelity Investments; and Douglass Karp, president, New England Development. Please note that this program is open to REFA members only.

Save the Dates:

REFA will hold its Annual Charitable Golf Tournament on Monday, July 18 at Blue Hill Country Club in Canton, Mass. This year’s tournament will be benefitting FamilyAid Boston and Rosie’s Place, charities dedicated to helping end homelessness.

Hans Nordby, managing director at CoStar Portfolio Strategy will be this year’s keynote speaker at REFA’s Fall Conference. The conference will be held at the Westin Waltham on September 9 from 7:30 - 10 a.m.

The Annual REFA Gala will be held on Thursday, October 13 at the Westin Copley Place from 5:30 - 9:00 p.m. John Drew, founder and president of The Drew Company will be the recipient of this year’s Robert S. Swain Jr. Award.

To learn more about REFA, including membership, events, and ways to get involved, please visit us at www.refa.org. Follow REFA on Twitter @REFABoston.

Natalie Herald is a real estate loan originator at Fidelity Investments and 2016 president of the Real Estate Finance Association, Boston.