Current News

University Real Estate Impact on South Loop Development 01/30/2008 CREW Chicago kicked off its 2008 programming season with a phenomenal presentation by three of Chicago's most prominent higher education institutions regarding their real estate impact on the South Loop. On January 30th, John Allerson from Roosevelt University, Alicia Berg from Columbia College, a CREW Chicago Member, and Jim Doyle from DePaul University provided an informative and insightful overview of each institution?s real estate challenges as well as future plans Learn more ...

What Are the New Mixed Use Projects in the Chicago Market 2/28/08 Block 37 in Chicago and CityGate Center in Naperville were the hot topics of conversation at a recent CREW Chicago panel discussion on mixed-use projects. The panel discussed mixed-use developments such as Block 37 in the Loop and CityGate Center in Naperville and how the hotel market, condo, office, retail, and entertainment industries as well as transportation trends continue to shape mixed-use developments in Chicago and its surrounding suburbs. Learn more ...

Existing Buildings Going Green 03/31/2008 CREW Chicago’s March Program explored the popular and timely topic of existing buildings going green. Helen J. Kessler, FAIA, LEED AP, HJ Kessler Associates, an expert in “green” and a CREW Chicago member, moderated a panel including Cathy Stephenson, Senior Vice President, National Director of Operations, Grubb & Ellis and a CREW Chicago member, Jim Stecich, First Vice President & Manager of Facilities Administration, Bank of America (formerly LaSalle Bank) and Myron Maurer, Senior Vice President, Merchandise Mart Properties. Learn more ...

Upcoming Accounting and Tax Law Changes (Will IFRS Be Adopted in the US?) 04/30/2008 CREW Chicago member and Principal of MGB Consulting, Inc., Mirela Gabrovska moderated a panel of experts in the accounting and tax arena at CREW’s April 30th program entitled “The Bottom Line – Accounting and Tax Law Changes and Their Impact on Real Estate and Portfolio Management.” Panelists included Larry Gill, Partner, Schiff Hardin LLP, Mary Fuller, Partner, Shepard Schwartz & Harris LLP and CREW Chicago member, and Joe Wisniewski, Partner, Deloitte Tax. The panelists discussed new tax laws and the implications of those new tax laws for U.S. companies. Learn more ...

Socializing at Rumba 05/08/2008 In keeping with CREW Chicago’s mission to provide member networking opportunities, a members-only event was held on May 8th at fun and lively Rumba. In a setting of the 1940’s supper club era, CREW members networked and socialized with a background of Latin Fusion…music, appetizers and drinks. As rumba is a family of music rhythms and dance styles that originated in Africa in the 16th century and was then adopted by the Latin American culture, a few members even attempted to learn some steps of this vigorous and playful form of expression and storytelling. Learn more ...

Annual Dine-Around 05/28/2008 The annual CREW Chicago Dine-Around, took place on May 28th 2008 at various locations around town including the Gold Coast, Lakeview, the North Shore and the Western Suburbs. This is always one of our most popular events. The attendees enjoyed gracious, informal dinner parties hosted by CREW members. The evening was a rousing success. Learn more ...

The State of the U.S. Economy 10 Months After the Mortgage Market Implosion 6/25/2008 Is the worst of the American financial crises over? The answer to that question seems to be elusive. However, if you were one of the many people to attend CREW Chicago’s annual economic forecast luncheon on June 25th, moderated by CREW Chicago member and DePaul University Associate Professor Susanne E. Cannon, you would have heard Economist and DePaul University Associate Professor Michael S. Miller respond that the worst of the financial crises does appear to be over. This is due, in large part, to extreme actions taken by the Federal Reserve Bank, such as the financial bail out of Bear Stearns & Co. Inc. "Unless another shoe drops it appears that the worst of the financial crisis is over," said Michael. Learn more ...

A Bridge to the Future…Leadership Series 6/17/2008 As CREW Chicago celebrates its 20th anniversary, we had the rare opportunity to engage our chapter’s founders and past presidents to share their insights on how the past is a bridge to the future. On June 17th, Roosevelt University’s Marshall Bennett School of Real Estate hosted an evening of our leadership series in the historic Gage Building. MB Real Estate graciously sponsored the event. Learn more ...

Breaking the “Grass” Ceiling – Business Golf for Women 07/30/08 Chicago CREW members were treated to a lively and interactive networking event on July 30 at Proline Golf.  It focused on the art of doing business on the golf course. Ellen Burton of EJ Burton and Associates, a personal and professional coach conducted the session which was moderated by Rana Lee of Smith Group, a CREW Chicago member.  The event featured valuable lessons and insights on golf course rules and etiquette, equipment, and tips on conducting business during golf outings. Learn more ...

Strategic Philanthropy & the Empowerment of Women 08/27/2008 On August 27th, CREW Chicago held an inspirational and educational program that connected strategic philanthropy to the empowerment of women and the health of communities. Helen J. Kessler, CREW Chicago member and President of HJKessler Associates, a green building design consultancy, moderated a panel of formidable women that shared their thoughts and stories about supporting organizations that empower women. Helen briefly defined the three types of philanthropy: Institutional, Personal and Strategic and noted that the program was focused on Strategic Philanthropy. Strategic philanthropy is defined as supporting an “intervention” that helps to change the way things have always been done using a systemic approach. It looks to the future by determining what is needed and wanted and distinguishing what is missing. Learn more ...

CAPITAL MARKETS – COMMERCIAL FORECLOSURES 09/24/2008 On September 24, 2008, CREW Chicago hosted a well-attended (and timely) program on commercial foreclosures.  CREW Chicago Member R. Patricia Kelly, Charter One Bank, moderated a panel that included Don Shapiro, President and CEO of Foresite Realty Partners, Roseanne Ciambrone, Partner, Duanne Morris LLP, and Cory Braun, Group Manager Special Assets, Charter One Bank.  The panelists provided the audience with an education in the commercial foreclosure process as well as a list of early warning signs or “red flags” for troubled real estate loans.  Learn more ...

CREW Spa Weekend 09/28/08 The 20-some CREW members and handful of guests who got to enjoy The Heartland Spa September 19 - 21 are lucky the other 175 members didn’t know how fabulous the weekend was going to be, or there might not have been room to accommodate all of us! Learn more ...

Managing Career and Compensation in a Challenging Real Estate Environment 10/28/2008 In the midst of one of the nation’s worst financial and economic crises, CREW Chicago held a timely discussion on navigating career and compensation challenges at a members-only luncheon on October 29th. Sharon Krohn, Principal of Sharon Krohn Real Estate Executive Search and CREW Chicago Past President, led an informative panel consisting of Donna Stettler, Director in Deloitte Consulting’s Human Capital Practice; Cindy Wozny-Carl of ChangeWorks Consulting and current CREW Chicago President; and Eve Valeria West, SVP and Managing Director of Administration at MB Real Estate. Learn more ...

Negotiating Your Career…Leadership Series 11/20/2008 By: Joanna Haerle, W.E. O’Neil Construction Company On the heels of the October 29th career and compensation discussion, CREW Chicago’s second leadership program of the year was held on November 20th and focused on negotiating your career and compensation package. Learn more ...

CREW Chicago 2008 Holiday Party 1/5/2009 On December 4, 2008, CREW Chicago hosted its annual members only holiday party at The Chicago Spire Sales Center located in the NBC Tower. With wonderful views of the proposed Spire site, CREW Chicago members were able to recap a wonderful year and toast the 20th anniversary of CREW Chicago. Learn more ...

Member Spotlight 1/6/2009 Nina J. Fain is a lawyer, adjunct professor and international lecturer. She is best known as one of the first African American women to become partner in a major US law firm. . Learn more ...