The year now concluding was so successful for the New York chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women's Network (NYCREW) that many of its 2013 Vanguard Awards were given to multiple recipients. The awards ceremony was a highlight of NYCREW's Annual Holiday Gala held on December 3rd at the Columbus Citizens Foundation Townhouse, 8 East 69th St. "This has been an exceptional year for commercial real estate in New York City, and for NYCREW," said NYCREW 2014 president Laura Walker, a senior vice president at Citibank. "Our membership has doubled, we've held a number of outstanding events, and we've seen many of our members do business together outside of NYCREW. All of these achievements resulted in a record number of honorees this year." The Avant-Garde Award, which showcases individual excellence in business as shown by outstanding initiative, impact of work and inspiration of others, was presented to 2013 NYCREW Director and 2014 President Elect Christine Chipurnoi, a Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Insurance Services and a Co-Chair of the Gala, and Lucy Carter, Director of Business Development of Ted Moudis Associates. The award was sponsored and presented by Faith Hope Consolo, Chairman of Douglas Elliman Real Estate's Retail Group, a newly elected Board Member of CREW, and a Co-Chair of the Gala. The Pinnacle Award, sponsored by Stewart Title Insurance Company to honor a member how has contributed substantially to defining the standards of real estate practice, was presented to Laura Walker. Julie Curlen, Stewart Title's CFO, presented the award. The Pioneer Spirit Award, recognizing outstanding achievements by a NYCREW member striving for the highest degree of excellence, integrity and responsibility in her field, was given to NYCREW Board Member Erin Beitz, Director of Acquisitions of Carmel Partners. Colin Development LLC sponsored the award, with Edward Glackin, COO, presenting. The Visionary Award, honoring a founding member who has demonstrated 10 years of unwavering commitment and dedication to the NYCREW community through mentoring and community outreach, was given to Kennetha Pettus, Executive Director of Unified New Cassel Community Revitalization Corp. CDHM Advertising sponsored the honor, with Laura Walker presenting. Lastly, the Leadership Award, given to a professional for professional and personal achievement in advancing women's involvement in all aspects of the real estate industry, was shared by Faith Hope Consolo and NYCREW 2013 Past President Karen Dome, an Associate Broker at Marcus & Millichap. The award was sponsored by Wells Fargo Insurance Services USA and presented by Peter Gilbertson, the firm's Regional Managing Director. "So many of our colleagues have given so much of their time and talent that we simply couldn't choose just one recipient for several of our awards," says NYCREW 2013 President Shari Linnick, a Senior Vice President of Trepp LLC. "It was our privilege to recognize the dedication of our volunteers. And thanks are owed to the companies that sponsored these honors for their ongoing support of NYCREW." (Shown (from left) are: Vanguard Award winners: Christine Chipurnoi, Senior VP, Wells Fargo Insurance Services (Avant-Garde Award); Karen Dome, Associate Broker, Marcus & Millichap, (Leadership Award); Kennetha Pettus, Executive Director of Unified New Cassel Community Revitalization Corp. (Visionary Award); Faith Hope Consolo, Chairman, The Retail Group, Douglas Elliman Real Estate (Leadership Award); Laura Walker, Senior Vice President, Citibank (Pinnacle Award); Erin Beitz, Director of Acquisitions, Carmel Partners (Pioneer Spirit Award). Missing is Lucy Carter, Director of Business Development, Ted Moudis Associates, who shared the Avant-Garde Award. Caption for photo (Credit: Howard Fritz)