NEW YORK CITY—In a move to strengthen two organizations serving women real estate professionals in the New York City market, the Association of Real Estate Women and New York Commercial Real Estate Women are merging to form a single, integrated organization, CREW New York. The two entities revealed their plans today during a Midtown luncheon.
Faith Hope Consolo, chairman of Douglas Elliman's Retail Group, has been appointed chairman emeritus and will serve in an advisory capacity to the board of the newly merged organization. In her new role for CREW New York, Consolo will promote the rebranded organization.
“It is a privilege to be an active participant in this transition and support the growth of the new brand on a continuing basis,” says Consolo. “Having been involved in both AREW and NYCREW for many years, my goal is to consult with and reinforce the new leadership's efforts in making CREW New York the premier women's real estate organization in New York City.”
She adds, “We continue to be part of a national organization with the kind of reach that benefits all of our members, but now we have the ability to be even more effective on behalf of the membership, our charitable goals, our influence as a driving force and as a voice for the real estate community in New York City and beyond.”
Currently a board member of NYCREW and a national director of CREW Network, Consolo is a past president of AREW as well as creator and a recipient of the organization's highest honor, the Founders' Award.
Before the merger, AREW and NYCREW both were chapters of the national CREW Network, the industry's largest business networking organization dedicated to advancing the achievements of women in commercial real estate. Nearly 9,000 CREW Network members represent nearly every industry discipline across over 70 major markets in North America.
CREW New York will carry forward the similar core values, goals and programs pursued by the two chapters, including long-term histories of promoting the success of women in commercial real estate with an emphasis on education and networking. Bringing together 50 years of work by both organizations, CREW New York will serve and grow from a combined membership of 350.
“By creating one larger, more powerful organization, CREW New York will provide its members and sponsors with greater opportunities,” says 2014 AREW president Erin Bond, assistant dean of the Center for Real Estate Studies, New York Law School.
"Since its founding in 1978, AREW has grown into one of the premier New York City real estate organizations, supporting its members in their professional career advancement", adds Merle Gross Ginsburg, AREW's founder and first president. “With this merger, AREW heralds in a new chapter as CREW New York, a powerful platform that will continue its mission of supporting and serving women in real estate.”
Executive leadership of the organization comes from both AREW and NYCREW. Co-presidents for 2015 will be Jane Lyons, Rhodes Associates, and Christine Chirpurnoi, Wells Fargo, who would have ascended to the presidency of their respective associations.
The VP post will be filled by Theresa Garelli, Sutton Alliance. Other officers for the coming year include treasurer Sara Rubenstein, Lend Lease; secretary, Amelia Janisz, EZ Building EHS; member at large, Robin Fisher, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank; and immediate past presidents Erin Bond and Laura Walker, Citibank.
“With their combined strengths, CREW New York will create an even stronger organization for our New York members and heighten the presence of the CREW brand in one of the most significant commercial real estate markets in the world,” says CREW Network CEO Gail Ayers.
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Rayna Katz
Rayna Katz is a seasoned business journalist whose extensive experience includes coverage of the lodging sector, travel and the culinary space. She was most recently content director for a business-to-business publisher, overseeing four publications. While at Meeting News, a travel trade publication, she received a Best Reporting award for a story on meeting cancellations in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.
