5th annual Real Estate Women’s Forum

February 25, 2016 — The New Yorker Hotel

8:00 am – Registration & Networking Breakfast 

8:55 am – Opening Remarks

9:05 am – Morning Keynote

Speakers Include:

Lisa Knee

Lisa Knee
Partner
EisnerAmper
MODERATOR

Laurie Golub

Laurie Golub
General Counsel & COO
HFZ Capital Group

9:40 am – General Session

New York State Programs for Women-Owned Businesses

Nicole Stent

Nicole Stent
Deputy Director – MWBE Development
Empire State Development 

9:45 am – General Session

2016 State of Women-Owned/ Women-Led Businesses

Marsha Firestone

Marsha Firestone
President
Women Presidents’ Organization

10:10 am – General Session

A Handshake and a Smile: Women Making Deals and Making Headlines

Hear from the industry leaders behind the newest and most newsworthy projects in New York. This in-depth discussion will delve into critical issues, including zoning, capital raising, design, and marketing.

Speakers Include:

Nina Roket

Nina Roket
Partner
Olshan Frome Wolosky
MODERATOR

Cia Buckley

Cia Buckley
Chief Investment Officer
Dune Real Estate Partners

Theresa Garelli

Theresa Garelli
President 2016
CREW New York

Leslie Himmel

Leslie Himmel
Founder
Himmel + Meringoff Properties

Andrea Olshan

Andrea Olshan
Chief Executive Officer
Olshan Properties

Susan Tjarksen

Susan Tjarksen
Principal & Managing Broker
KIG

10:55 am – Morning Break & Speed Networking 

Hosted by:

Marks Paneth

11:35 am – Concurrent Session  A

Wearing the Hard Hats: A Look at New Construction

While redevelopment projects can seem like the most attractive option in an overheated market, there are still opportunities for ground-up development in many places in New York. Learn how women are navigating zoning issues, rising construction costs, and land prices to keep building throughout the five boroughs.

Speakers Include:

Elise Wagner

Elise Wagner
Partner
Kramer Levin
MODERATOR

Carolee Fink

Carolee Fink
EVP & CDO
NYCEDC

Toby Moskovitz

Toby Moskovits
Chief Executive Officer
Heritage Equity Partners

Michele O'Connor

Michele O’Connor
President 2017
CREW New York

Skye Gruen

Skye Gruen
Director – New Construction & Sustainability
Bright Power

11:35 am – Concurrent Session  B

Changing The Floor Plate: 21st Century Lifestyles and Workstyles

As the way we work and live changes, so does the real estate we use to live and work. Concurrently, new trends that support a diverse array of previously unacceptable work-life arrangements are emerging as acceptable or even encouraged. Hear from top women who are helping others balance work and life through improving the real estate we use while seeking balance for themselves and their own lives.

Speakers Include:

Sally Michael

Sally Michael
Partner
Saul Ewing
MODERATOR

Patricia Lee

Patricia Lee
Managing Principal
CodeGreen Solutions

Lesley Lisser

Lesley Lisser
Director & Senior Asset Manager
Invesco

Cara-Olmsted-REWF-240x240

Cara Olmsted
Director of Marketing and Business Development
ConEdison Solutions

Lori Sokol

Lori Sokol
Founder & Publisher
NY Residential

12:25 pm – Concurrent Session  A

Holding the Purse Strings: Financing and Investment

Local real estate players may be using their own investment funds, although many rely on third party equity. Still other projects are being financed with an influx of funds from foreign investors looking for opportunities to gain a foothold in New York’s market. In this panel, learn from top female executives what smart strategies are being used to raise capital for new projects and the redevelopment of existing properties.

Speakers Include:

Kristen Lonergan

Kristen Lonergan
Partner
Greenberg Traurig
MODERATOR

Brittany Bragg

Brittany Bragg
Chief Operating Officer
Crown Acquisitions

Marlena Demenus

Marlena Demenus
Founder & CEO
SkyLake Partners

Collete English Dixon

Collete English Dixon
Principal
Prudential Real Estate Investors

Katie Keenan

Katie Keenan
Managing Director
Blackstone

12:25 pm – Concurrent Session  B

Designing Women: Architecture and Innovation

If variety is the spice of life, New York’s skyline is anything but bland. In this panel, hear from the women who are developing and designing the projects that are changing the landscape and challenging the market. Learn what design innovations are on the rise, how new projects are influenced by the demands of the market, and how New York’s unique design challenges can be opportunities in disguise.

Speakers Include:

Carol Rosenthal

Carol Rosenthal
Partner
Fried Frank
MODERATOR

Jacqueline Barr

Jacqueline Barr
Design Principal
Ted Moudis Associates

Diane Lewis

Diane Lewis
Professor of Architecture
Cooper Union

Samantha Rudin Earls

Samantha Rudin Earls
Vice President
Rudin Management

Jenifer Steig

Jenifer Steig
Partner
Cheshire Group

1:10 pm – Networking Lunch 

2:00 pm – General Session

Special Talk: Advancing Women in the Trades

Kathleen Culhane

Kathleen Culhane
President
Nontraditional Employment for Women

2:10 pm – General Session

Decision Makers, Movers and Shakers: Women Who Lead

Join the presidents, CEOs, chairwomen, and founders of some of New York’s top real estate companies for a conversation focused on the unique challenges faced by women who are the heads of their organizations. Find out what moves they made to play key roles, how they’ve advanced their careers and their companies, and what keeps the decision makers up at night.

Speakers Include:

Jennifer Mazawey

Jennifer Mazawey
Partner
Genova Burns
MODERATOR

Kate Goodman

Kate Goodman
Co-President
ATCO

Jane Lyon

Jane Lyons
Co-President 2015
CREW New York

Jodi Pulice

Jodi Pulice
Founder & CEO
JRT Realty Group

Elizabeth Stribling

Elizabeth Ann Stribling – Kivlan
President
Stribling

3:00 pm – Afternoon Keynote

Gail Ayers

Gail Ayers
Chief Executive Officer
CREW Network

3:45 pm – Cocktail Reception & Networking