Real Estate Finance Association 2025: A Year of connections, insights, and record-breaking moments!

Boston, MA The 37^th Annual REFA Gala was held on Monday, November 3^rd at the Omni Boston at the Seaport, honoring National Development with the Swain Distinguished Service Award. The sold out event brought together over 600 members of the real estate finance community to network with colleagues, reflect on the year, as well as honor their peer(s) with the Swain Award.

REFA hosted its annual Holiday Happy Hour on Monday, November 24^th, at Caveau, Boston. 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.

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

• REFA Membership remained strong with over 800 members, including 300+ Emerging Leaders, 98 Corporate Sponsors, and 200+ committee members, all actively engaged throughout the year.

• REFA hosted seven in-person events and two webinars featuring 42 speakers on key CRE trends, donating on their behalf to Breaktime and FamilyAid Boston.

• The Annual Forecasting Program drew 150+ attendees to hear economist Richard Barkham and a distinguished panel discuss the 2025 outlook.

• The 37^th Annual REFA Gala honored National Development, hit a record 570 attendees, featured remarks from Mayor Michelle Wu, and unveiled the new REFA logo and CBA integration.

• The Annual Charitable Golf & Tennis Tournament brought together 130+ participants for a day of networking while raising funds for Breaktime and FamilyAid Boston.

• REFA hosted 125 members for a Corporate Sponsor luncheon featuring a conversation with Governor Maura Healey on the state of the CRE industry.

• The Innovation Committee co-hosted an in-person program on “AI Integration Across the Lifecycle of CRE Investment,” featuring leaders from BXP, Suffolk Technologies, Fifth Dimension, and Bozzuto.

• In its 10^th year, the Mentor Program paired 66 emerging leaders with senior professionals, engaging in year-long activities that concluded with a Holiday Happy Hour and gift card drive benefitting Heading Home and Breaktime.

• The CFO SIG met twice in 2025, offering candid discussions on operational challenges, with technology emerging as the primary concern.

• The Legal SIG held two informal meetings focused on REFA’s member value, market trends, training junior lawyers, and effective collaboration with in-house counsel.

Become a Corporate Sponsor for 2025!
Benefits:
• Six individual memberships.
• Eight free passes to educational events (excludes larger events and cocktail receptions).
• Additional visibility at REFA programs and events.

Check out the website, www.REFA.org to learn more about membership and upcoming events! Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X.