The Real Estate Finance Association Emerging Leaders host Fall Panel: New Approach to Risk

Boston, MA REFA’s Emerging Leaders hosted their Fall Panel: New Approach to Risk as a webinar on September 21^st. Lauren O’Neil, senior managing director and Boston office co-head at JLL, moderated the conversation with Nilesh Bubna, founding partner & CFO at Longpoint Realty Partners; Brian Kavoogian, managing partner at National Development; and Marilyn Mawn, executive director at JP Morgan. The panelists discussed how the assessment of risk measurements, new and old, has caused investors to rethink their approach to acquire and manage their real estate investments.

Two weeks after the Fall Panel, on October 5^th, REFA hosted a Webinar on Multifamily – What’s Next. This program was moderated by Travis D’Amato, managing director, investment sales, Walker & Dunlop. The panelists included Jessica Buonopane, vice president, residential properties, National Development; Saeed Coates, president and portfolio manager, the GPG Companies; Sandi Silk, senior vice president, development partner, Jefferson Apartment Group; and Joshua Solomon, president, DSF Group. The panel covered topics such as where equity is choosing to invest, making sense of rising construction costs, the urban vs. suburban dynamic, and whether return to work will cause a pendulum back to the urban core.

REFA’s next DEI Discussion Series is taking place on Wednesday, October 13^th at 4:00pm. This session’s topic is the book The Conversation, by Dr. Robert Livingston. Dr. Livingston himself will be joining REFA members for the discussion. REFA’s DEI Discussion series gives REFA members the opportunity to explore diversity, equity, and inclusion through different channels of multimedia. Each session is a guided discussion based on a movie, book, article, news-clip, etc. that brings diversity to the forefront and sparks a conversation.

REFA’s Annual Charitable Golf & Tennis Tournament was postponed to October 18^th due to Hurricane Henri back in August. The tournament will be held at Dedham Country & Polo Club and benefits two of REFA’s charitable partners who aim to end homelessness in Greater Boston: FamilyAid Boston and Rosie’s Place. More information about the Tournament can be found at www.REFAGolf.com.

REFA’s Second Annual Virtual College Connection is taking place on Tuesday, October 19^th. The panelists include Greg Bohenko, acquisitions manager, Samuels & Associates; Judy Cazeau, CRE & solar developer, JC Power Connect; Kira Gonzalez, assistant VP, M&T Bank; Chris Legocki, development director, Greystar; and Amy Lousararian, director, JLL. The panelists will provide an introductory overview of the CRE industry and its many career paths, and will share their tips on how to connect, network, and launch a career.

REFA is excited to be honoring Bulfinch Companies, Inc. and WinnCompanies for the 33^rd Annual REFA Gala on Tuesday, October 26^th. Both companies have both gone above and beyond in the last year for the community and their employees throughout the pandemic. The Gala is now being held as a virtual event. More information can be found at www.AnnualREFAGala.com.

To learn more about REFA membership and programs, please visit www.REFA.org and follow REFA on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn @REFABoston.