WREAA's Cornerstone and Sustaining Members help WREAA by supporting initiatives to advance the Wisconsin Real Estate Program and Network. We are grateful for their dedication and generous financial support. Renew your membership today and become an Honor Roll member!

Membership renewal is underway for 2023! With an expected increase in expenses, the WREAA Board made the decision to increase dues levels across all membership categories This increased funding will be used to provide for the expanded role WREAA has undertaken in supporting the UW Real Estate Program as well. As a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) charitable organization, donors are encouraged to consult their tax advisor to determine what portion of their dues payment may be tax deductible. We appreciate your involvement and continued support of the WREAA!

The kickoff of the 2023 Young Alumni Mentorship Program was extremely successful with over 100 alumni volunteering as Mentors! Recruitment for mentees is now underway. The program is geared to help recent UW real estate graduates (2018-2022) make connections within the Wisconsin Network and build relationships with senior level WREAA members. The innovative program allows recent graduate mentees to pair themselves with alumni mentors who are seasoned professionals. The mentee will subsequently meet with 3 or more mentors for an hour-long one‐to‐one networking session. Visit the Mentor Gallery to check out available mentors! Email Mandy Kaegy (mandy.kaegy@wreaa.org) to begin the registration process. 

Q: What drew you to New York City? What are some of the unique aspects about working in real estate in New York as opposed to other large cities?

A: I decided to move to New York City to be within the financial hub of the U.S. The diversity of ideas and industries allows for nonstop learning opportunities. Specifically on the financing side, New York is either a headquarter or regional office for most capital providers and advisors. As a young professional, this increases the potential interactions one can have with individuals across different risk spectrums, investment strategies and roles. What I find particularly interesting about New York real estate versus other MSAs is scale and logistics. When you couple a large population with scarce land, it forces investors to be creative and pursue projects you would not find feasible elsewhere in the U.S.

Q: What drew you to Austin, Texas after graduating from UW-Madison? If you had to pitch why upcoming graduates should consider Austin, what would you say?

A: I have always been someone who has tried to blaze their own path. Growing up in Arizona, none of my friends went to school in the Midwest so it was a big change for me. But I relish in the opportunity to reinvent oneself and force yourself to grow as a person. After graduation, most of my friends wanted to go to Chicago or New York, but again I wanted something different. Austin is the perfect mix of good weather, young people, and a stellar real estate market. For me, Austin is everything that I ever dreamed of and could not imagine myself in a different city. I am a very outdoorsy person and I get to be in the sun almost 365 days of the year. I also find that it is super easy to make new friends in Austin because everyone is so open and kind. I cannot say enough good things about Austin, both professionally and socially.

The Graaskamp Center is actively seeking top candidates to apply for the MS in Real Estate and the Real Estate MBA for the Fall 2023!  We need your support to keep our program strong.  

For more ideas or questions, contact Greg Reed, or visit the Graaskamp Center website. 

Join the Real Estate Club for the Fall Real Estate Career Fairs and your company will have the unique opportunity to connect with and recruit over 650 undergraduate, MS and MBA real estate students from the #1 Real Estate Program in the country as ranked by US News & World Reports.

The Badger Deal Fund continues a long tradition of giving back by UW Real Estate Alumni. The fund provides financial resources that assist the WREAA in their long-term goal of advancing the Real Estate and Urban Land Economics Program at UW Madison. Student financial assistance and department support are among the growing needs that will be met by the fund.

The fund receives donations from alumni and friends of the Wisconsin Real Estate Program to recognize a completed deal. Donations are recognized in the WREAA newsletter and on the WREAA website. Alumni and their colleagues also compete for the Badger Deal Fund of the Year Award which is presented during the Wisconsin Real Estate Biennial Conference. To learn more about making a donation to the fund, visit the WREAA website or call the WREAA Office at 262-746-9030.

WREAA is in search of volunteers for Senior Market Directors and Associate Market Directors in several markets. Directors are an essential part of the WREAA leadership team as their primary role is to increase engagement among alumni and friends in local market areas. They plan local events throughout the year to bring WREAA members together for networking and education. Head to the WREAA website for information on available positions, a list of some of the benefits and responsibilities that are a part of the roles and a volunteer application. Those interested in applying for an open Market Director position should fill out the volunteer form found on that page and return it to the WREAA Office.

San Francisco area alumni were treated to an in-depth tour of Mission Rock, a development which includes residential, retail and lab-ready office space in October. Thanks to Mitesh Patel (MBA 2014) Northwest Regional Director for coordinating the event.

WREAA members and guests gathered in October for a virtual round of golf at Five Iron Golf - Herald Square in New York City. The group enjoyed networking and appetizers as well. Many thanks to Jason Udoff (BBA 2013), Northeast Region Associate Market Director, for organizing the event!

Over 100 alumni and friends joined a virtual panel in November to hear a discussion of current conditions and future predictions of the availability of financing in the challenging market. Thank you to WREAA President, Michael Zelin (BBA 2001), for arranging the panel.

Washington D.C. alumni and friends celebrated the holidays at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House in December. Lunch was followed by a roundtable market discussion titled "Market in Flux!". Many thanks to Luke Koczela, Senior Market Director for the Northeast Region for setting up the event.

The Badgers had a cheering section in Newport Beach, California in December as they took on Maryland. Alumni and friends met at Classic Q's to cheer on the Wisconsin men's basketball team and enjoy some networking. Thanks to Louis DeFino (BBA 2011), Orange County Senior Market Director, and Chris Casey (MS 1984), Southern California Regional Director for coordinating the event!

The Minnesota Region hosted a Holiday Party on December 7 at AxeBridge Wine Company in Minneapolis. Attendees enjoyed networking, appetizers and wine. Many thanks to Liz Curley (BBA 2017) WREAA Minnesota Region Associate Market Director, for arranging the event.