B
oston – The New England Chapter of CoreNet Global has solidified its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the corporate real estate industry through an eighth consecutive year of partnership with the Commercial Real Estate Success Training (CREST) program.
The chapter's DEI Committee has played a key role in shaping the mentorship component of CREST since 2017. Each summer, underrepresented students and emerging professionals are matched with senior leaders in commercial real estate, fostering meaningful industry connections and pathways for growth. In 2025, the initiative supported 19 mentor-mentee pairs from June to August.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn from my mentor," said Osama Abdelmaaboud, a 2025 CREST intern and Master of Architecture student at Boston Architectural College. "CREST goes beyond technical training – it emphasizes networking and relationship-building."
The CREST program provides paid internship placements at top real estate firms, workshops, professional development, and access to industry leaders for students from underrepresented backgrounds. CoreNet Global's support has been invaluable, according to founder Milton Benjamin of KAGE Growth Strategies.
"This partnership continues to prepare young talent for meaningful careers in real estate," said Benjamin. "The value we've seen is exceptional."
This year, the New England Chapter deepened its support by offering complimentary student memberships to all CREST interns, valid through 2026. These memberships grant access to CoreNet's regional resources and events.
"Our chapter is proud to support this transformative program financially and operationally," said Adam Fandrey, CoreNet Global – New England Chapter President. "Our partnership with CREST remains critical in creating pathways for emerging professionals who reflect the diversity of our communities."
CREST interns also participated in social and networking events that exposed them to the broader commercial real estate ecosystem. This mentorship-driven model has become a hallmark of CoreNet's DEI strategy, inspiring a new generation of talent to consider careers in real estate.
As CoreNet Global – New England and CREST look ahead to their ninth year, they remain committed to scaling their impact, demonstrating that intentional mentorship and inclusive leadership are essential to industry success.
