Natalie Herald, Fidelity Investments

REFA’s Annual Fall Conference will be held at the Westin Waltham on Friday, September 9 from 7:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. Hans Nordby, managing director at CoStar Portfolio Strategy will be this year’s keynote speaker. Marci Griffith Loeber, principal, Griffith Properties will moderate a panel discussion including: Scott Tully, principal, Novaya Real Estate Ventures; Bill Lovett, senior development manager, Toll Brothers; John Hueber, managing principal, Crosspoint and Claudia Piper, senior vice president, Webster Bank.

On Monday, September 19, REFA will hold its second Industry Leaders program of the year, featuring James McCaffrey, senior managing director, Eastdil Secured. This program will take place from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at Morgan Lewis, One Federal St., Boston.

Andrew Maher, founder and managing partner, Anchor Line Partners will speak at REFA’s Executive Insights Series program on Tuesday, September 20. The REFA Executive Insights Series provides attendees with the opportunity to meet with industry leaders in an intimate setting. Speakers provide insight on the industry, their career path and share some advice on professional development. The program is designed to be interactive and attendees are encouraged to ask questions. This program will take place from 4:45 p.m. until 6 p.m. followed by networking at Anchor Line’s offices, One Post Office Sq. Boston. *Please note that attendance at this program is limited to REFA’s Emerging Leader Membership.

Interest rates will be the topic of discussion at REFA’s Education program on September 27 at WilmerHale, Boston. This program will touch on where interest rates are headed, economic conditions, national and regional trends, and recent monetary policy actions – affecting real estate finance. Jonathan Schneider, SVP – Capital Markets, JLL will moderate the discussion led by keynote speaker Dr. Paul Willen, senior economist and policy advisor, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and panelists Michael Tyler, CFA, chief investment officer, Eastern Bank Wealth Management and Bob Powers, managing director, team lead, interest rate risk management securities & investment group, Wells Fargo Bank.

John Drew, founder and president of The Drew Company, will be the recipient of this year’s Robert S. Swain Jr. Distinguished Service Award at REFA’s Annual Gala. The Gala will be held on Thursday, October 13 at the Westin Copley Place from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sponsorships and tickets are available. Join over 550 member and CRE professionals for the premiere industry networking event of the fall.

On Wednesday, November 9, REFA will hold an education program focused on a Hospitality Market Overview and Outlook for 2017. This program will take place at Holland & Knight, 10 St. James Ave., Boston from 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. The program will be moderated by Rachel Roginsky, principal, Pinnacle Advisory Group with panelists Jim Berry, MAI, ASA, MRISC, executive director – valuations & advisory, Cushman & Wakefield; John Fahy, senior vice president, Citizens Bank and Larry Trabulsi, senior vice president, CHMWarnick.

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.

Natalie Herald is a real estate loan originator at Fidelity Investments and 2016 president of the Real Estate Finance Association, Boston.