CoreNet Global Connecticut Westchester
Chapter Quarterly Newsletter
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Dear CoreNet Global Connecticut/Westchester Members,
The first quarter has concluded with strong momentum for the chapter. Our Kick-Off Party, Economic Outlook, Coffee with a Leader series, Real Advantage Dinners, and Rye After Five events brought together members from across Connecticut, Westchester, and Western Massachusetts, reflecting the diverse and engaged community that defines our chapter. In parallel, our DE&I Committee continues to expand its impact by engaging students across the region, raising awareness of careers in corporate real estate, and promoting a more inclusive industry.
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Our mission remains consistent: to advance effectiveness, learning, and best practices in corporate real estate. At the same time, the landscape continues to evolve. Workplace strategy, technology, and portfolio optimization are increasingly interconnected, and our members are at the forefront of translating these dynamics into practical outcomes, shaping spaces, managing portfolios, and influencing organizational culture.
This chapter exists to support that work. It provides a forum where end users, service providers, and partners can engage in meaningful dialogue, exchange insights, and develop practical solutions. While our focus is regional, serving Connecticut, Westchester, and Western Massachusetts, we are also connected to CoreNet Global’s broader network of more than 10,000 professionals across 50 countries, enabling a valuable exchange of ideas and perspectives.
Looking ahead, the second quarter offers a full calendar of programming. The AI Skills for the CRE Professional session on May 6 stands out as a practical, hands-on opportunity to develop tools and workflows that can be immediately applied. Additional highlights include the Young Leaders Yard Goats outing, the Eastern Regional Symposium in Cambridge, and our annual Golf Outing in July.
We encourage you to register for the May 6 event, invite a colleague, and continue participating in chapter activities. The discussions shaping our industry are happening within this community, and your involvement strengthens their impact.
Thank you for your continued engagement and contributions to the chapter.
Sincerely,
Miles McDonald
Board President, CoreNet Global Connecticut/Westchester Chapter
| | Our Sponsorship Committee builds the partnerships that fund chapter programming and connects sponsors directly to the CRE leaders they want to reach. | | Meet our Sponsorship Chair | |
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Mary Martin Fox
Pavarini North East
| Sponsorship Committee Chair | | | | |
Q1 sponsor count:
18 partners across five tiers
Interested in sponsoring? Reach out to Mary Martin Fox.
| | Stay tuned for our upcoming Q2 Sponsor Spotlight Series! | | Our Membership Committee grows the chapter recruiting new members, onboarding them quickly, and making sure they get value from day one. | | Meet our Membership Co-Chairs | | Membership Committee Co-Chair | |  |
Debra Seay
Amenta Emma Architects
| Membership Committee Co-Chair | | | Our Program and Special Events Committee designs the marquee events of the year from the Kick-Off Party to the Economic Outlook to After-Five socials. | | Meet our Program and Special Events Co-Chairs | |
Program and Special Events
Committee Co-Chair
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Program and Special Events
Committee Co-Chair
| | | January 8, 2026 - Kick-Off Party | | Members gathered at MillerKnoll's HQ to set the tone for the year, meet the new board, and reconnect after the holidays. | | February 4, 2026 - Economic Outlook | | Susan C. Winkler of CT IFS, James Bohnaker of Cushman & Wakefield, and Dustin Nord of CBIA Foundation walked members through 2026 forecasts. | | March 31, 2026 - Rye After Five Happy Hour | | Members gathered at Rye Grill & Bar in Westchester County for an impactful social closing out Q1. | | Our Young Leaders Committee runs programming for CRE professionals in the first decade of their careers, mentorship, leader Q&As, and the social events where careers actually get built. | | Meet our Young Leaders Co-Chairs | | Young Leaders Committee Co-Chair | | |
Kelly Linares
Amenta Emma Architects
| Young Leaders Committee Co-Chair | | | January 28, 2026 - Young Leaders Happy Hour | | The YL community kicked off the year at the Bar New Haven with lively networking. | | February 24, 2026 - Coffee with a Leader | Michael Tyre, President & Director of Design of Amenta Emma Architects, shared the inflection points of his career and meaningful advice for younger CRE professional. | March 23, 2026 - Presentation at Providence College | | Chapter leadership introduced students to careers in corporate real estate and walked them through real-world roles across portfolio strategy, project delivery, and workplace experience. | | March 25, 2026 - Young Leaders Happy Hour | | Young professionals closed out Q1 strong at Sparrow Pizza Bar in West Hartford. | | Our DEI Committee opens doors to corporate real estate most visibly through career-fair programming in CT public schools, exposing students to a field most never knew existed. | |
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Restinel Lomotey
Cushman & Wakefield
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March 12, 2026 - Annie Fisher Montessori
Magnet School Career Fair
| | Committee members spoke with students about careers in CRE from architecture and engineering to project management and workplace strategy. | | Real Advantage is the chapter’s exclusive, by invitation only small-format dinner series typically 10–15 senior CRE leaders around one table for a candid conversation on pressing CRE topics. | | Meet our Real Advantage Chair | |
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Carmelo Pawelzik
Stanley Black & Decker
| Real Advantage Committee Chair | | | | |
February 11, 2026 - Real Advantage Dinner
at Barcelona Wine Bar
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March 26, 2026 - Real Advantage Dinner
at Boqueria West Hartford
| | | April 30, 2026 | DEI Committee - Stamford Public Schools College and Career Fair, 6:30PM | | May 6, 2026 | AI Skills for the CRE Pro: A Hands-On Introduction | | May 7, 2026 | DEI Committee - Bellizzi Middle School Career Fair | | May 13, 2026 | Real Advantage Q2 2026 Dinner | | May 19, 2026 | DEI Committee - New Britain Academies Career Fair | | May 27, 2026 | Young Leaders: Yard Goats Outing | | June 2, 2026 | CoreNet Global CT/W Happy Hour | | June 22 - 23, 2026 | Eastern Regional Symposium Cambridge, MA | | July 20, 2026 | CoreNet Global CT/W Annual Golf Outing | | August 12, 2026 | Real Advantage Q3 2026 Dinner | | Week of September 8, 2026 | Panel Program | | October 6, 2026 | Women's Networking | | Week of November 3, 2026 | Project Tour | | Week of December 1 or 8, 2026 | Annual Holiday Party | | | | | |
