Thank you to REFA members and sponsors for a great year!

Education & Events: In 2014 REFA featured over 65 industry leaders through our programs and events such as: Don Briggs, Boston president, Federal Realty Investment Trust; Leslie Cohen, principal and EVP of development, Samuels Associates; David Douvadjian, EVP and managing partner, Colliers International; Anthony Frammartino, principal, The Townsend Group; Katie Keenan, principal, Blackstone; David Neithercut, CEO, Equity Residential; Hans Nordby, managing director, CoStar Group; Anthony Pangaro, principal, Millenium Partners and Frank Petz, managing director, HFF. Awards & Recognition: In October, REFA celebrated their 26th Annual Gala and recognized Pam Herbst, managing director & head of direct investment group, AEW Capital Management, for her impact on the community and real estate industry. The 2014 Gala was the largest Gala in the last decade. The event was held on October 2, at the Westin Copley Place with over 575 industry professionals in attendance. Emerging Leaders: Now in its ninth full year, the emerging leaders committee has earned a reputation of engaging members and offering quality networking opportunities. The committee is very active and has planned a variety of successful programs and events including the Emerging Leaders Series programs featuring Shawn Hurley, SVP, Skanksa Construction and Peter Palandjian, chairman & CEO, Intercontinental Real Estate Corporation; a breakfast with the board; Trivia Night; and bi-monthly informal happy hours which are used as a recruitment tool. In addition, the emerging leaders committee visited Boston University's School of Real Estate Management to participate in a panel discussion on opportunities within the industry. Philanthropy: REFA continues to give back to the community by contributing to several non-profits throughout the year. The REFA Golf Committee celebrated its eleventh year and produced a successful charitable golf tournament on Monday, July 21, at Blue Hill Country Club in Canton, Mass. The annual event sold out and raised $25,000 for HomeStart and Project Hope. Representatives from both charities joined the reception for the third straight year to share their stories and reinforce the significance of the event. In addition, REFA's emerging leaders committee participated in quarterly community service activities with the Greater Boston Food Bank, Rosie's Place and will wrap up 2014 with a Toy Drive for the Home for Little Wanderers. At the end of 2014, REFA will make a donation to HomeStart, Inc, on behalf of the 65 speakers who spoke at REFA Events throughout the year. Thank you to the REFA membership and 65 corporate sponsors for their help and support in making 2014 a terrific year! Interested in learning more about REFA? Contact Maggie Collins at mcollins@gbreb.com, call 617-399-7856 or visit www.refa.org. Follow us on Twitter @REFABoston.