Real Estate Finance Association names 2024 board of directors

Boston, MA The Real Estate Finance Association (REFA) has named its Board of Directors for 2024.

Ravi Ragnauth, partner, Berkshire Residential Investments, will serve as president, along with president-elect Jill Sharif, VP, national business development, Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company NCS, and treasurer John Roach, commercial real estate manager, U.S. Bank.

REFA is supported by its Board of Directors:

• Andrew Alperstein, partner, PwC;

• Kristen Binck, vice president, legal, Oxford Properties; 

• Peter Bloomfield, partner, KPMG;

• Gregory Bohenko, acquisitions manager, Samuels & Associates;

• Gregory Bradford, partner, Nutter;

• Heather Brown, EVP, capital markets, CBRE;

• Nilesh Bubna, founding partner, Longpoint Realty Partners; 

• Mike Caliva, director - development, Skanska USA Commercial Development;

• Sam Crossan, executive vice president, JLL; 

• Joelle Denham, CFO, Bulfinch;

• Amanda Eckhoff, partner, Robinson + Cole LLP;

• Caroline Fernandez, associate, Manulife Investment Management;

• Lauren Ferrando, director, Tishman Speyer;

• William Flynn, SVP, asset management, Net Lease Capital Advisors; 

• William Foley, commercial real estate market executive, Citizens Bank;

• Colleen Fonseca, executive director, Builders of Color Coalition;

• Colleen Foy, executive vice president, M&T Bank;

• Melanie Herald, managing director, State Street Corp.;

• Michael Lane, investments associate, Davis;

• Israel Lopez, managing director of development, The Gutierrez Company; 

• Elizabeth Lowrey, principal, Elkus Manfredi Architects;

• Adrienne Maley, executive vice president, commercial divisions, REFA; 

• Naomi Mayeux, vice president, development, National Development; 

• Ian McKinley, commercial property tax manager, Ryan, LLC;

• Michelle Mussafi, CFO-industrial, GID Investment Advisers;

• Martha Nay, managing director, capital markets, JLL; 

• Cara Nelson, partner, DLA Piper LLP US;

• Vin Norton, owner, Urban Meritage;

• Lauren O’Neil, chief operating officer, private equity, AEW Capital Management;

• Ryan Parker, associate, JLL;

• Claudia Piper, senior vice president, Webster Bank; 

• Deke Schultze, VP/client portfolio manager, capital formation, Lionstone Investments;  

• Sandi Silk, SVP/development partner, Jefferson Apartment Group;

• Kevin Stone, director, CrossHarbor Capital Partners;

• Lauren Sullivan, CFO, Greatland Realty Partners; and

• Brian Weeks, vice president, national business development, First American Title Insurance Co. - NCS.

We hope you can join REFA in 2024 for our quality networking and educational programs:

REFA will be starting the year with our 2024 Annual Forecasting Program on January 24th at WilmerHale, 60 State St. Kathy Feucht, partner, global real estate leader with Alex Braser, partner, new england real estate leader, from Deloitte will keynote the luncheon with an economic outlook. Tod McGrath, vice president, Boston Properties will moderate a panel discussion with industry leaders who will share their views on the current market, trends we saw in 2023, and what they expect in 2024.

GBREB is also excited to announce the 2024 Installation of Officers on Tuesday, January 23^rd at WilmerHale, 60 State St. Enjoy a cocktail reception and hor d’oeuvres as this year’s officers are sworn in. All members from BOMA, CBA, GBAR, MAA, & REFA are welcome to celebrate with us!

REFA will also be supporting Breaktime and FamilyAid Boston at the Winter Walk on Sunday, February 11^th. The 8^th Annual Winter Walk is an initiative that believes ending homelessness is within our reach. Their mission is to raise awareness and funds towards that goal, and to support organizations that are working on prevents, support, and care to our homeless community. Participants, housed and unhoused, will walk side by side, then share a meal that accompanies real stories, offering insight into the challenges faced by Boston’s homeless population. Learn more about the Winter Walk and join REFA on our event page, REFA.org, under the Events tab.  

Please save the date for REFA’s Portfolio Managers Panel Discussion on Tuesday, February 6^th at a convenient downtown location. More information will be announced soon!

Learn more about REFA, including membership, events, and ways to get involved, please visit us at www.refa.org. Follow REFA’s LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram @REFABoston.