Real Estate Finance Association springs
ahead with programming

Boston, MA The Real Estate Finance Association finished a busy month with their 8^th Annual Mentor Program kick-off event on February 28^th featuring 60 mentor/mentee pairs. The REFA Mentor Program provides Emerging Leader Members with the opportunity to be paired with a senior-level member for a year-long membership. REFA organizes 3-4 events throughout the calendar year to bring all participants together. Mentor/mentee pairs are encouraged to connect regularly throughout the program to share ideas, career advice, and act as sounding boards to help with career and professional development. 

MBA Recap & Boston’s Lending Environment

March 5^th, 12:00 – 1:15p.m., Holland & Knight; 10 St. James Ave., 11^th Floor, Boston

Mortgage Bankers Association held its annual conference in mid-February, bringing together lenders, investors and mortgage bankers from around the country to discuss goals and expectations for 2024. REFA hosted a sold-out program, MBA Recap & Boston’s Lending Environment to discuss different capital sources providing key takeaways from the conference and what lender sentiment means for Boston this year. The panel was led by industry experts Thomas Welch, executive vice president, Colliers International; Michael Chase, managing director, Northmarq; Aiden Hume, senior vice president, Cambridge Savings Bank; Christopher LaBianca, managing director, Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking; and Marilyn Mawn, managing director, Fidelity Investments.

REFA’s Innovation Committee will be hosting an exclusive tour of Suffolk Technology on March 19^th. The tour group will hear from the vice president of Platform, Parker Mundt, about Suffolk’s commitment to leveraging technology and creativity to enhance project efficiency, sustainability, and client satisfaction. Suffolk emphasizes their use of cutting-edge tools like virtual reality, drones, and artificial intelligence to streamline processes, improve safety, and deliver high-quality results. After the tour, attendees are welcome to stay for Suffolk’s panel discussion, AI + Design in the Build Environment.

Save the Date! Dealing In Distress: Finding Value in a Turbulent Market

April 10^th, 12:00 – 1:15 p.m., WilmerHale, 60 State St.

Save the date to join REFA at a panel moderated by Andrew Gray, managing director, Capital Markets, JLL, with local and national experts, Will Berger, managing director- credit investments, Rialto Capita; Brock Cannon, co-head of loan sales, Newmark; Mike Olson, managing principal, Rhino Capital Advisors; and one more panelist that will be announced. Together they will discuss finding opportunities in a distressed market. With volatility and uncertainty in the CRE market at historically high levels, hear the unique perspectives of panelists who specialize in this environment with investment strategies in both debt and equity across asset types. Registration will open soon.

Save the Date! REFA’s Charitable Golf & Tennis Tournament

July 29^th, Woodland Golf Club

REFA’s Annual Charitable Golf & Tennis Tournament will be held at a new course this year due to Dedham Country & Polo Club undergoing renovations. Both tournaments help support our charitable partners, Breaktime and FamilyAid Boston. More information will be announced this spring.

To learn more about REFA, including membership, events, and ways to get involved, please visit us at www.refa.org. Follow REFA’s LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram @REFABoston.