Real Estate Finance Association past summer events and and upcoming fall programs

Boston, MA On Monday, July 24, Real Estate Finance Association (REFA) held its Annual Charitable Golf Tournament at Dedham Country & Polo Club with over 115 members and colleagues in attendance. The Charitable Tournament raised money for FamilyAid Boston and Rosie’s Place, and representatives from each organization participated in the day.

On Wednesday, July 26, REFA hosted a Women’s Roundtable with speaker Kathy Sweeney, co-founder & managing partner – chief investment officer, Blue Moon Capital Partners. The REFA Women’s Roundtable Series was launched in 2015 to help engage women in the CRE industry. These programs provide an opportunity for women to hear from a senior-level female who shares information about her career path and provides insight for professional development. 

Hosted by the REFA Emerging Leaders, REFA’s Annual Summer Panel and Reception was held on August 2 at Goulston & Storrs, with over 100 in attendance. The program portion of this event focused on the current state of the retail market, debunking rumors that retail is “dead.” The panel was led by moderator Justin Smith, managing director, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank and speakers Douglass Karp, president, New England Development; Eric Smookler, chief financial officer, WS Development; and Matthew Curtin, senior vice president and partner, CBRE/New England. 

Fall Programs
On Wednesday, September 6, REFA will hold an After Hours networking event at Trade, Boston from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. This event is open to both REFA members and non-members free of charge. There will be a cash bar. 

The Annual REFA Fall Conference will be held on Friday, September 15 at the Boston Harbor Hotel from 7:30 – 11:00 a.m. The conference schedule includes a keynote session followed by two panel discussions. The keynote session will include moderator Bill Poorvu, adjunct professor of entrepreneurship, emeritus, Harvard Business School, co-founder, Baupost Group LLC, co-chair, Baupost board of advisors and keynote speakers Rob Griffin, U.S. head of capital markets, president, New England, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank and Bryan Koop, executive vice president, Boston region, Boston Properties. The keynote session will be followed by one panel discussion focused on the topic of “Debt Capital Markets: Is It a Lender or Borrower’s Market?” and a second panel discussion focused on the topic of “Urban or Suburban: What Are The Drivers Behind The Decision?”

Workforce Housing will be the topic of discussion at REFA’s Quarterly Education program on Tuesday, September 26. The panel discussion will take place at WilmerHale, 60 State St., from 7:45 - 9:15 a.m. Travis D’Amato, managing director, JLL will moderate the panel discussion which will include speakers Kenan Bigby, managing director, Trinity Financial; Jay Doherty, CEO, Cabot, Cabot & Forbes; and Jordan Warshaw, principal, Noannet Group.

The 2017 REFA Annual Gala will be held Wednesday, October 4 at the Westin Copley Place. Stephen Karp, chairman, New England Development and Steven Fischman, vice chairman, New England Development will be awarded with the 2017 Robert S. Swain Jr. Award, REFA’s Distinguished Service Award - join over 500 members and CRE professionals for the premiere industry networking event of the fall. 

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.