Real Estate Finance Association names board of directors

Boston, MA The Real Estate Finance Association (REFA) has named its board of directors for 2025:

Jill Sharif, vice president-national business development, Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company – National Commercial Services, will serve as president, along with president-elect John Roach, managing director, Berkshire Residential Investments, and treasurer Martha Nay, managing director, JLL.

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, vice president of acquisitions, Samuels & Associates;

• Gregory Bradford, partner, Nutter;

• Heather Brown;

• Nilesh Bubna, founding partner, Longpoint Realty Partners ;

• Grant Buchanan, senior financial analyst, BXP;

• Robert Byrne, executive vice president, CBRE;

• Mike Caliva, vice president - development, Skanska USA Commercial Development;

• Michael Chase, managing director, debt & equity, NorthMarq;

• Sam Crossan, managing director, JLL ;

• Joelle Denham, chief operating officer, Bulfinch;

• Katie Edgerton, senior vice president, Bank of America;

• Lauren Ferrando, senior director, Tishman Speyer;

• William Flynn, executive vice president, head of operations, Net Lease Capital Advisors ;

• William Foley, senior managing director, Citizens Bank;

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

• Samantha Hallowell, senior managing director, Newmark;

• Melanie Herald, SVP/SMD, global head of fund finance and CRE lending, State Street Corp.;

• Michael Lane, senior associate, Davis;

• Elizabeth Lowrey, principal, Elkus Manfredi Architects;

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

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

• Michelle Mussafi;

• Jennifer Nasser, assistant vice president, US Bank;

• Cara Nelson, partner, DLA Piper LLP US;

• Vin Norton, owner, Urban Meritage;

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

• Ryan Parker, director, JLL;

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

• Janaki Stern, director of private real estate debt, Fidelity Investments;

• Kevin Stone, director, CrossHarbor Capital Partners;

• Caroline Suarez, senior associate, Manulife Investment Management;

• Lauren Sullivan, chief operating officer, Greatland Realty Partners; and

• Brian Weeks, vice president, national business development, First American Title Insurance Company – National Commercial Services.

We hope you can join REFA in 2025 for our quality networking and educational programs:

• REFA will be starting the year with our 2025 Annual Forecasting Program on January 24^th at WilmerHale, 60 State St. Kicking off the program, leading economist, Richard Barkham, global chief economist, head of global research & head of americas research, CBRE, will provide a comprehensive overview of the CRE industry, sharing key insights on 2024 trends and projections for 2025. This market analysis will set the stage for a dynamic discussion led by Lauren O’Neil, chief operating officer, AEW, and a panel of industry professionals. Learn more on our events page, REFA.org, under the Events tab.  

• GBREB is also excited to announce the 2025 Installation of Officers on Wednesday, February 5^th at WilmerHale. 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 on this complimentary evening! Register and learn more on our events page, REFA.org, under the Events tab.  

• REFA will also be supporting Breaktime and FamilyAid Boston at the Winter Walk on Sunday, February 9^th, 2025. The 9^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 prevention, support, and care for our homeless community. Learn more about the Winter Walk and join REFA on our events page, REFA.org, under the Events tab.  

• Please join REFA Tuesday, February 4^th, at PwC in the Seaport, for Changing Tides: The Evolution of Boston’s Life Science Real Estate Market! This dynamic conversation will explore resilience, innovation, and the future of life science real estate in Boston. Featuring industry leaders, moderator, Mark Bruso, director, Boston research, JLL and speakers, Robert Albro, chief investment officer/partner, King Street Properties; Colleen O’Connor, executive vice president, market lead U.S & UK, BioMed Realty; Maggie Dore, director of leasing, Breakthrough Properties; and Morgan Weinstein, executive vice president, Northeast, Phase 3 Real Estate Partners, Inc. Register and learn more on our events page, REFA.org, under the Events tab.  

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.