The CREW-volution: Changing times, changing minds by Barbara Champoux

CREW Network’s (CREW) Convention is coming to Manhattan (10/19-10/22), and should not be missed!

Founded in 1989, with 11 chapters and 1,100 members, CREW is the industry’s premier business networking organization dedicated to advancing women in commercial real estate (CRE). An outgrowth of small independent organizations formed during the 1980s, CREW’s unique goal of bringing together women representing all CRE disciplines to do business together, has had a transformative effect on CRE.

CREW now has over 10,000 members in over 70 major markets across North America. Its efforts to advance women in CRE, influencing its success, focus on: business and leadership development, industry research and career outreach. Known for the quality they bring to the CRE industry, the “reputations and influence [of CREW members are] most important to the industry change we want,” said CREW president-elect, Alison Beddard (director, Cushman & Wakefield Commerce).

What has CREW accomplished? In 1998, CREW created CREW Network Foundation, its philanthropic arm, which remains the only foundation dedicating its resources solely towards advancing women in CRE. Dottie Cunningham (globeDOTTing Travel), past president of CREW and a founding member of two CREW chapters, is “most proud of being the founding chair of the CREW Foundation…and to have worked alongside Eliza [Solender] during my presidency to make the foundation a reality.” 

CREW launched its research initiative in 2004 to provide the industry with reliable statistics addressing the advancement of women in CRE and develop a strong business case for its diversity. Publishing CRE’s first-ever benchmark study in 2005, CREW provided critical information influencing corporate recruitment and retention programs, and is the definitive resource on women in CRE.

Gail Ayers, PhD, CREW’s CEO (since 2006) believes that “women need role models, mentors and sponsors to step into their full potential as leaders who will make business better”, and has developed within CREW a strong network of role models, mentors and sponsors. CREW provides members with the requisite leadership training to “make business better.” According to Michele O’Connor, CREWNY president-elect (Langan), “The leadership skills that I have developed through my involvement in CREW has given me opportunities to advocate for and promote the women within my firm to the firm.”

CREW conducted its 2016 Certificate in Leadership Program providing extraordinary academic content on leadership development, and successful CREW mentors. CREW president, Laurie Baker (sr. VP, Camden Property Trust), is especially proud of the program, “developed from CREW Network’s research findings over the last 10 years indicating that women are often reluctant to take risks, negotiate salaries and develop specific career plans that allow them to…seek promotions that lead to broader leadership positions.”

What’s Next? Recognizing that  real estate ownership continues to globalize to achieve greater scale and better serve investors, tenants and customers; and enhancing diversity adds value to their respective bottom lines, CREW will lead the advancement of global diversity in CRE, beginning with CREW UK, an affiliate established this year in the United Kingdom.

Doing business together remains a CREW core value, but Jaimee Nardiello, Esq., CREWNY director (Zetlin & DeChiara LLP), acknowledges that while, “A primary goal for me was to develop business relationships…I have successfully used the CREW network to recruit others to join our firm and have made good friends in the process!” CREWNY president, Theresa Garelli, Esq. (counsel, New York Land Services) said, “I did develop business as a result of involvement with CREW, but the personal relationships created over the years have been benefits which were unexpected.”

Barbara Champoux, Esq., is a board member and past president of the CREW New York Network, New York, N.Y.