Real Estate Finance Association update: The 30th Annual Gala took place October 11

Boston, MA The Real Estate Finance Association (REFA) held its 30th Annual Gala on Thursday, October 11 from 5:30 – 9 p.m. at the Marriott Copley Place. David Manfredi, CEO and founding principal, Elkus Manfredi Architects and Elizabeth Lowrey, principal, Elkus Manfredi Architects, were awarded with the 2018 Robert S. Swain Jr. award, REFA’s Distinguished Service Award. Manfredi and Lowrey join a list of past recipients including:  Stephen Karp and Steven Fischman of New England Development in 2017; John Drew of the Drew Company in 2016; Bryan Koop of Boston Properties in 2015; Pam Herbst of AEW Capital Management in 2014; mayor Thomas Menino in 2013; and Joe Fallon of the Fallon Company in 2012.

In honoring Manfredi and Lowrey, Elkus Manfredi Architects becomes the first architecture firm to be recognized among a distinguished list of New England based companies.  

The Rise of Alternative Debt was the topic of discussion at REFA’s October 17 Education Program. Jennifer Keller, senior director with HFF led the discussion among speakers Matthew Klein, vice president, CrossHarbor Capital Partners; Adam Gibbons, vice president, CIM Group; Read Mortimer, senior vice president, debt and equity investments, Rubenstein Partners; and Daniel Nagler, senior vice president, director of capital markets, CC&F. The event was held at WilmerHale, 60 State St.

REFA held its Fall Women’s Leadership event on October 29, featuring keynote motivational speaker Betsy Myers. As a leadership expert, author and advocate, Myers is the founding director of the Center for Women and Business at Bentley University, was previously the executive director of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, was senior adviser to two U.S. Presidents, and most recently served as COO of the Obama Presidential Campaign and chair of Women for Obama. The event took place at 225 Franklin St.’s Foundation Amenities Center and was followed by a networking reception where attendees enjoyed drinks and hors d’oeuvres with their colleagues and other industry members. 

Hosted by the REFA Emerging Leaders, REFA will hold its Fall Executive Insights program on November 12 featuring speaker John Barros, chief of economic development, city of Boston. The executive insights series is designed to bring emerging leaders and senior real estate industry leaders together for an informal, closed-door conversation. Speakers spend time during the program talking about their careers, how they got to where they are today, provide advice for emerging leaders and their take on the market. 

PwC will be hosting part two of REFA’s two-part education series on Tax Reform and Real Estate, being held on November 13. Speakers Steven Kennedy, real estate tax director & opportunity zone expert, PwC; John Sheehan, real estate tax partner, PwC and Lauren Sykes, director, PwC, will provide attendees with an update on the legislation and its impact on the real estate world as well as provide an overview of “opportunity zones.” 

Save the date for REFA’s Annual Year-End Celebration and Holiday Party on November 26 at Central Wharf Co! Attendees will enjoy conversation, drinks and hors d’oeuvres in a festive setting as they kick-off the holiday season and celebrate the end of a successful year. Attendees are encouraged to bring along a gift card, which will be donated to a local charity for the holidays. 

For more information about REFA and upcoming events, please visit our website www.refa.org and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn @REFABoston.