Committee Members

Heidi Tapasa, USI (Co-Chair); Jen Teckenburg, Herman Miller (Co-Chair)

Purpose

The awards committee serves to promote business networking within the CREW membership community and recognize outstanding CREW members by awarding our quarterly chapter Bridge Awards and nominating members for various Industry Awards. For more information on awards, see the dropdown under the Membership tab.

Committee Members

Jen Geltz, Township Building Services (co-chair), Christine Zinkgraf, Truebeck, (co-chair),

Purpose

The event features wines chosen and poured by local wineries, along with food pairings prepared by a local caterer and is typically held in an outdoor venue around Portland. Committee members are responsible for choosing the venue, wineries, caterer, and suppliers. This is a fun, social event and offers an opportunity to network with others in the CRE industry.

Committee Members

Diane Swanson (co-chair), Scott Edwards; Erin Grodem (co-chair), R&H Construction; Angela Sheehan, AMS Coach & Consult; Jennifer Levy (director), Cascade Environmental; Desiree Flanary, Ryan; Julie Gibson, PSU; Lorraine Glynn, BCRA Design; Sara Daley, NAI Elliott; Paige Camacho, Truebeck Construction

Purpose

If She can see it, She can be it…

CREW Careers is a platform to introduce high school girls to the many career opportunities available to them in the commercial real estate industry. The Committee is focused on connecting students to industry leaders and providing those leaders a platform to share their stories about their careers, how their careers connect them to their community, the educational and/or experiential background required and the honest truth about what it takes to flourish in those careers. Through this program we aim to increase the diversity of CRE Industry by getting young people engaged prior to college and, ultimately, increase the talent pipeline in CRE. This Committee is brand new to CREW Portland and we are looking for members to serve on the committee to help develop and deliver high engagement programming to the students as well as connect with leaders in our industry and provide them a platform to share their experience and insight.

Committee Members

May Han, Dutch Bros. (Co-Chair); Alisa Pyszka, Bridge Economic Development (Co-Chair); Angie Cole, Westland Resources; Krystal Lee, Allen Trust Company; Mariah Kiersey, Ankrom Moisan; Elissa Looney, Perlo Construction; Charmin Shiely, Schwabe; Megan (Clarey) Howard, Tandem Property Management; Dianne Danowski Smith, Publix NW; Jane Acker, Fairway America; Amy Bynum, Port of Columbia County

Purpose

The Forecast Breakfast is CREW Portland’s premier annual event. It provides a forum for an economist and real estate professionals to discuss current issues affecting the commercial real estate market and make predictions for the coming year. Attendance for this event usually tops 350 and draws press coverage. Committee members arrange the speakers and work with them on their presentations.

Committee Members

Marjorie Brown (Co-Chair), Brown & Eliason; Brooke Dunahugh (Co-Chair), Cole Valley Partners; Jo Economaki, US Bank; Chris Pellissier, Zidell Marine Corp.; Lauren Peng, CBRE; MaryKay West, PDX Industrial Investments; Tamara Brown, Heritage Bank NW; Rachel Pilliod, Lane Powell

Purpose

The Future Leaders Committee works on our Mentorship Program which connects folks in the early stages of their real estate careers with industry veterans who are CREW members.  In Future Leaders, we build relationships, share best practices, and provide leadership knowledge, insight, and mentorship, to help mentees advance their real estate careers.

The Future Leaders program runs from September through May.

Applications for the Future Leader program for the 2022-2033 period is closed.
Future Leader Cover Letter & Dates for 22/23 Cycle
Future Leaders Mentor Application

2019-2020 CREW Mentees and Mentors

Testimonials:

I am so thankful to CREW for the PSU Scholarship and for supporting my dream to develop affordable housing in Hawaii. I wasn’t able to attend most meetings due to Wednesday night class but through CREW I was able to connect with a well-established broker from one of our program panels. She took the time to talk over Zoom, and provided insights on Industrial Real Estate for my Commercial Property Management final group project. I plan on becoming a member of CREW and am looking forward to events in person now that we are recovering from the pandemic and the state is slowly reopening.
Karisa Caracol, PSU Masters of Real Estate Development Student, 2020-21 Mentee

The Future Leaders Mentorship Program provides exposure to and insight on our community’s CRE industry through the lens of leading men and women whose experiences are critical in understanding the diverse perspectives that have shaped and continue to shape our city’s landscape.
Melissa Cohen, Commercial Title Officer, Old Republic Title, 2020-21 Mentee

The CREW Future Leaders Program provides a platform for people who aim to step into the development world, and who want to form professional networks and learn from experienced veterans in the industry. It was a great way to apply skills we acquired in school to real-world practice. I highly recommend this program to anyone who welcomes a steep learning curve and looks forward to expanding their connections.
Xiaofei Ren, Development Associate, Guardian Real Estate Services, 2020-21 Mentee

Joining CREW Future Leaders has been a great opportunity to invest in relationships with the mentors and fellow mentees alike over the course of our monthly meetings. The topics we covered were engaging and the welcoming atmosphere provided a space for thoughtful conversation.
Brooke Dunahugh, Associate Broker, Capacity Commercial, 2020-21 Mentee

Meeting everyone at CREW was the highlight of my year. I came into the group at the recommendation of a colleague who joined the mentorship program. Even during the pandemic CREW maintained regular meetings and collaboration opportunities. I highly recommend anyone who is a part of the Real Estate industry in any capacity to join up with this group. Being new to the industry I learned something of value from every group meeting.
Diane Swanson, Business Manager, Scott | Edwards Architecture, 2020-21 Mentee

Committee Members

Erica Menze (Alterman Law Group), Alex Aujero (Hyphn), Marjorie Brown (Eliason & Brown), Michael Coffee (Commercial Lending Group - CCIM Representative)

Purpose

This is a joint tournament with the Oregon/SW Washington CCIM Chapter. It is held at Langdon Farms Golf Club. The committee members help secure sponsorships, raffle prizes and determine the tournament events. Click here for more information on golf.

Committee Members

Caitlin McCann (Co-Chair); Paige Tisdale, Dennis' 7 Dees Urban Plantscapes (Co-Chair), Cheryl Springer Lentz, Old Republic Title (Liaison); Debbie Stofiel, Cort Furniture; Tiffany Van Dyke, PuroClean Restoration Services; Lacey Wright, Deering Management Group; Kelsey Oran, Hancock Real Estate, Sarah Haws, Drive21

Purpose

The marketing committee oversees branding for the association, member profiles, and works to get CREW Portland recognized within the local commercial real estate industry. Email crewportland@gmail.com for general marketing questions.

Committee Members

Shannon Mitchell, Banner Bank (co-chair); Brandi Stevens, Fluent Design (co-chair); Kristine Connolly Kittelson & Associates (liaison), Anne Ryan (Milliken & Company), Dannielle Booth (Ticor Title), Danielle Hadler (US Bank), Hayley Mueller (Cresa), Julie Hellman (Columbia Bank), Karen Lisignoli (Colliers)

Purpose

The membership committee works to recruit and retain CREW members and to promote CREW. Committee members are responsible for hosting welcome events for new members, calling new members to welcome them and to encourage them to become involved in a committee. They greet attendees at monthly luncheons as they arrive and help people feel welcome. They also plan several member only events throughout the year. They also focus on retention by calling members annually to encourage them to renew.

Committee Members

Quinn Randall (ProGrass), Michelle Rys (ABM), Jeanie Kirkpatrick Kuypers (Cambia Health Solutions), Claudia New (Moss Adams), Kelsey Oran (Hancock Realty), Amy Velazquez (CBRE), Stacey Glenewinkel (Colliers)

Purpose

The Education Committee was established in 2020 to create unique education-based programming for our member community specifically for personal and professional development. The committee’s goal is to develop creative and tailored opportunities for members to develop professional skills that will allow them to advance and to find success in their fields in the commercial real estate industry. The events planned by the Education Committee are generally Member Only, or have member prioritized access and/or pricing for Members.

COMMITTEE PARTICIPATION OVERVIEW:
Committee members are responsible for organizing and hosting (i) the CREW Book Club, including the selection of and leading the quarterly-scheduled member only sessions, (ii) 1-2 workshops and/or seminars per year related to the professional and/or interpersonal skill development of CREW Members, and (iii) educational opportunities related to the commercial real estate industry, including group access to CREW Network programming.

Committee members are asked to commit to the following:

• 1 year term minimum, two-year commitment preferred to provide a period of learning then a period of mentoring;
• Lead one to two events annually with the support of one or two additional committee members; and
• Attend committee meetings which are held monthly, typically on the 2nd Wednesday of each month.

IDEAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
CREW Members that are passionate about their own personal and professional skill development and a desire to elevate the skills of those around them. Participate in discussion and use your voice to advocate for the development of CREW Members in the commercial real estate industry. Let’s grow, learn, and engage together!

Committee Members

Beth Nguyen, FORWARD/SLASH (Co-Chair); Samantha Jordan, Emerick Construction (Co-Chair); Kelsey Machuca, Cresa (Liaison); Angel Benavidez, JHC Companies; Brittany Richards, Moss Adams; Amy Noe, Amy Noe Interior Design; Christine Zinkgraf, Truebeck Construction; Paige Tisdale, Dennis' 7 Dees Urban Plantscapes; Elizabeth Kimbrel, Langan Engineering and Environmental Services; Phil Czajka, Summit Bank;

Purpose

The programs committee develops and delivers ten timely, inspiring, educational and informative events for CREW Portland’s monthly luncheons. The committee provides members the opportunity to:

Expand professional networks through;

• Working with fellow committee members
• Inviting speakers to present and participate in panel discussions
• Engaging with community leaders and business professionals who present at CREW luncheons

Gain additional visibility for your firm and yourself by public speaking at luncheons or moderating panel discussions.

Develop program planning, interpersonal and communication skills.

Build long-lasting relationships by working closely with other committee members and industry partners.

Bring your voice to the table by sharing topics that are important to you and relevant within commercial real estate and other related industries. These luncheons are a platform to:

• Demonstrate and develop thought leadership
• Expand your creativity
• Contribute to program ideas and/or the direction of a topic based on member’s knowledge, expertise and interests in CRE related topics including, new local projects, developments etc.

Participate in an inclusive and supportive environment that empowers women to grow, learn, and engage in the commercial real estate community.

Committee Expectations Overview

• Lead one or two programs annually with the support of one or two additional committee members out of the ten programs a year that are delivered
• Suggested committee participation is two years to provide a period of learning then a period of mentoring
• Minimum requested commitment is one year
• Committee meetings are held monthly in the Portland area, typically on the 4th Tuesday of each month
• In-person attendance is highly encouraged given the nature of our brainstorming sessions. Dial-in, or video-call options are available for committee meetings.

Committee Members

Carrie Perez, Wells Fargo (Co-Chair); Kayla Erne, Chicago Title Company of OR (Co-Chair); Krystal Lee, Allen Trust Company (Liaison); Susan Jahn, Cushman & Wakefield; Jennifer Barker; Natalie Stack, Dunn Carney; Chelsea Glynn, Dunn Carney; Karen Joslin, PAE; Cheryl Russell, Bergelectric; Angel Benavidez, JHC Companies; Jesse Cathey, Banner Bank

Purpose

The sponsorship committees main focus is securing annual sponsors, ensuring they get the most out of their benefits. Most of the work is done from September to December.