Real Estate Finance Association hosts Year-End Celebration and Holiday Party

Boston, MA REFA hosted its Annual Year-End Celebration and Holiday Party on Monday, November 20^th at Bostonia Public House in downtown. Members had the chance to network with colleagues and friends and reflect on another successful year. REFA members and mentees also gathered for the REFA Mentor Program Wrap Up event. Participants heard from two mentor/mentee pairs about their unique experiences and insights from this year’s program.

REFA Emerging Leaders supported Breaktime at their Corporate Volunteer Supply Drive on Thursday, November 30^th at Breaktime’s downtown office. The drive collected donated winter necessities, such as gloves, hats, and scarves, to be given out to young adults experiencing homelessness in Breaktime’s program. The drive was a huge success with 50 care bags created.

As we wrap up another remarkable year for REFA, we look to some of its highlights:

• A strong and engaged membership of over 750 individuals and 105 corporate sponsors.

• Seven in-person education events featuring some of the industry’s most notable names, including our Annual Forecasting program and Annual Summer Panel & Reception.

• Our first joint education program with the Asian Real Estate Professionals Association (AREPA) that brought in speaker, Secretary of Housing, Edward Augustus.

• Member-wide property tour of One Congress with exclusive access to State Street’s floors.

• One Executive Insights program and two Happy-Hours exclusive to our Emerging Leader Members.

• Two Innovation Committee programs, plus one more program being planned for the end of the year,

• Our Charitable REFA Golf & Tennis Tournament, held at Dedham Country and Polo Club. Over 130 golfers and tennis players participated and helped raise funds for REFA’s Charitable Partners: Breaktime & FamilyAid Boston.

• The 35^th Annual REFA Gala, honoring Steven Samuels, Samuels & Associates. With close to 500 members and friends in the room.

• A strong Mentorship Program with 96 participants, including industry leader mentors.

• Participation in the GBREB Career Showcase with over 50 students from 11 colleges and universities in attendance.

• A continued focus on our commitment towards DEI within REFA and the broader real estate industry, including an engaged 30 person DEI committee. Visit our DEI Resource Page.

• Participation and support in the DEI Collaborative that hosted the 2023 Boston CRE DEI Summit this fall with 250+ attendees.

Learn more about REFA, including membership, events, and ways to get involved, please visit us at www.refa.org.