Association of Real Estate Women: Association of Real Estate Women: Meet the Board

	Sponsorship Co-Chair Jane Lyons Partner Rhodes and Associates jlyons@rhodesassociates.com
Ms. Lyons has been a Partner at Rhodes Associates since 1998, specializing exclusively in the real estate industry, and has completed more than 500 search assignments. Earlier in her career, Ms. Lyons worked in marketing and sales for the Wharton Business School and CBS, Inc. Ms. Lyons is a member of Urban Land Institute, Pension Real Estate Association, Mortgage Bankers Association, Commercial Mortgage Securitization Association, Association of Women In Real Estate and is a participant in the ULI YLG Mentor Program. Ms. Lyons holds a BA. from the University of Maryland.
	Sponsorship Co-Chair Robin Fisher Director Newmark Knight Frank rfisher@newmarkkf.com
Robin Fisher joined Newmark Knight Frank in 2004 as an associate. Ms. Fisher specializes in the tenant representation of financial service, legal, consumer, and business consulting firms, as well as domestic and international not-for-profit organizations. She also advises corporate portfolio operators on strategies for local and domestic asset optimization. In her first two years at Newmark Knight Frank, Ms. Fisher completed a record number of transactions with clients throughout Manhattan and the tri-state area. She recently restructured a 500,000-square-foot domestic portfolio consisting of retail, office, and industrial assets that resulted in a 25% savings to the client. In September of 2007, Ms. Fisher completed the acquisition of approximately 20,000 RSF at 712 Fifth Avenue on behalf of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation (a newly formed not-for-profit foundation) responding to immediate direction prompting the conclusion of the transaction in six weeks time. She is currently advising Sesame Workshop on its Headquarters real estate strategy involving approximately 140,000 RSF. Ms. Fisher’s clientele includes Hale and Hearty Soups, LLC; Russell Newman, Inc; ORT America; TheaterMania.com; The American Bureau of Shipping; Vitreous Retina Macula Consultants of New York (national locations); American Liver Foundation (national locations); iDNA Inc (formerly National Auto Credit), Kreisberg & Maitland, and The Roth Law Firm. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Fisher worked at The Blackstone Group and Cushman & Wakefield. The Blackstone Group provided her with a background in both research as well as real estate investments that brings an invaluable perspective to her work. At Cushman & Wakefield she gained experience in market analysis and trend projection that is essential to creating long-term real estate solutions for her clients. Ms. Fisher is the recipient of the Real Estate Board of New York’s Most Promising Commercial Salesperson of the Year Award for 2008. She is an active member of REBNY and was elected to serve on the 2010 Board of Governor’s for the YMWREA (Young Men’s/Women’s Real Estate Association) as Vice Chairman. She has served on the Board of the Financial Women’s Association (Co-Chairing its Emerging Leaders Committee) and sits on the Board of the Association of Real Estate Women (AREW). Ms. Fisher volunteers her time to The American Liver Foundation and the Enterprise Foundation dedicated to raising awareness for local community development and affordable housing projects. She is also a member of the Greater Manhattan Area’s Advisory Board of the American Red Cross. At Cornell University, Ms. Fisher double majored in Spanish and American Studies, receiving her B.A. in American Studies. She was a Dean’s List student and is proficient in Spanish.
	Membership Co-Chair Mary Glynn Business Development TLM Group mglynn@tlmgroup.com
Mary Glynn is the Director of Marketing & Business Development for the TLM Group. The TLM Group is an Owner’s Representative Firm experienced in construction planning, management and inspection, real estate development, and relocation services. TLM Group has extensive experience in the mission critical industry, working with many major financial companies in the New York City area, across the country as well as overseas. TLM has also worked on many Charter Schools, Non-Profits organizations, Transportation, Healthcare and other industries. Prior to joining TLM Group, Mary worked as an Account Executive for a major office furniture dealer. Glynn is a graduate of Brooklyn College and also holds a degree from The Fashion Institute of Technology. After graduating from college, Mary worked in the Entertainment Industry for HBO, Classic Sports Channel and the Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC). At CBC, Mary was the Associate Producer for Fashion File, a cutting edge fashion program that reported on the major fashion shows in London, Milan, New York and Toronto. Mary left the Entertainment/Fashion Industry to start a family with her husband John. John and Mary are raising three sons. While raising her sons, Mary began a career in the Real Estate Industry as an agent for Residential and Commercial Real Estate sales. Mary lives in Belle Harbor, NY and enjoys spending time with her family, playing golf and volleyball and enjoying the beach. Mary is a member of the Executive Women in Golf and has served on the Health and Wellness Committee for the U.S Open at Bethpage Black. She is also on the golf committee for Rewired for Autism which raises funds for the Nassau-Suffolk Autism Society of America (NSASA) and Helps raise funds for her local parish school, St. Francis de Sales.
	Membership Co-Chair Pat Hildebrandt Director of Business Development JFK&M Consulting Group phildebrandt@jfkmcg.com
Pat Hildebrandt has more than 20 years of experience in marketing and business development in the real estate industry and is recognized for her leadership and energy by clients and colleagues alike. At Jacobs, Feinberg, Katz & Michaeli Consulting Group, an MEP/FP engineering firm, Ms. Hildebrandt works closely with the partners directing the marketing and business development efforts to promote the growth of this 4 year old Women's Business Enterprise. Ms. Hildebrandt contributes her time to the development of several professional associations and charities. She has been on the board of the Association of Real Estate Women (AREW) for seven years and was responsible for spearheading the re-branding efforts of AREW as well as serving as Secretary and a communications, sponsorship, special events, luncheons and membership co-chair. Ms. Hildebrandt is also an active member of the CoreNet Global NYC Chapter, serving on the programs committee. She was awarded the prestigious AREW Founders Award and was honored as a Capuchin Food Pantries Woman of Valor as well as participating in fundraising efforts for the Special Olympics. Prior to joining JFK&M, Ms. Hildebrandt held positions as Director of Business Development and Marketing for architecture/interior design, engineering, project management and facility services firms in New York City. Ms. Hildebrandt holds a BA from Trinity College in Washington, DC and an MBA from Pace University.
	Programs Co-Chair Iva Kravitz Founder Marketing for Designers iva@uthe-iva-reports.com
Iva Kravitz is the owner and principal of Marketing for Designers, a consultancy that helps creative businesses with strategic planning, marketing and public relations. Initially limited to architecture, her client list has expanded to include interior, graphic, lighting, landscape design; real estate and construction. Her services included strategic planning; brand analysis and brand audits; writing and editing proposals, contracts, brochure and promotional copy, speeches, press releases and/or authored articles; management of marketing projects; trade show coordination and preparation; media planning and placement; administering databases; website development; and social media programming. Iva's business expertise mirrors that of her clients, which includes restaurant and hospitality, housing, healthcare, retail, school, exhibit, corporate and residential design.
	Programs Co-Chair Karen H. Shaw Principal Shaw & Associates khshaw1@yahoo.com
Karen H. Shaw is Principal at Shaw & Associates, LLC, a real estate advisory and consulting firm specializing in public/private development projects, economic development, real estate, community investment, project management and planning. Her background combines extensive experience in real estate, economic development, finance and planning, along with significant non-profit and public sector experience. Previously, she was the President and CEO of the Union Square Partnership, a top-tier Business Improvement District and Local Development Corporation that fosters economic and real estate development, commercial and retail revitalization and business attraction in Union Square. Among the signature projects she advanced and led during her tenure, included the $20M ground up redevelopment and construction project for Union Square Park, which involved a significant redesign of the north-end of the Park. It was a transformative neighborhood infrastructure and commercial revitalization project, creating the “Gateway” to Union Square and enhanced the real estate, retail and commercial values of the area. Karen also served in high ranking positions in the Giuliani administration, where at City Hall, she was Senior Advisor for Real Estate, Economic Development and Finance, where she directed development projects including MoMA expansion, Governor’s Island redevelopment, Lincoln Center redevelopment, Waterfront development projects, Yankee Stadium, and 42nd Street Development; and Senior Vice President at the NYC Economic Development Corp. Earlier in her career, she was Assistant Budget Director at the NYC Office of Management and Budget during the Koch Administration. She was a Managing Director of Syndications, Sales and Trading at Westpac Banking Corp, and a Vice President at Chemical Securities, Inc. in Public Finance Investment Banking. Karen has an MBA in Finance/Accounting from the Stern School of Business at New York University, and a Masters Degree in Urban Planning and Policy Analysis from Hunter College. She is a graduate of Stony Brook University, where she received a B.A. in Political Science and Economics. An AREW Member for 7 years, and five years on the Board of Directors, Karen is currently Co-Chair of the Program Committee, and has served as Co-Chair of the Luncheon and Membership Committees; and on the Board of the AREW Charitable Fund.
	Programs Co-Chair Erin Bond Center for Real Estate Studies New York Law School erin.bond@nyls.edu
Erin Felker Bond, Esq.is the Associate Director of the Center for Real Estate Studies at New York Law School where she is also an Adjunct Professor of Law. As Associate Director, she directs all aspects of the Center’s activities, including planning conferences, curriculum development, advising law students interested in pursuing careers in real estate law, building and maintaining relationships with New York’s professional real estate community, and teaching seminars in the real estate curriculum. She comes to the Center with a professional background in government relations and performance contracting having spent three years working on Capitol Hill for both Members of Congress and private industry. Erin is also active with the New York City Bar Association’s Justice Center. She provides pro bono attorney representation to low-income New Yorkers seeking to prevent foreclosure on their family homes. In this role, she also counsels clients on their credit situations and helps them create sustainable household budgets. She has been successful in winning City-administered and private grants on behalf of clients to supplement modified mortgage terms as an alternative to auction. Erin holds a Bachelor of Arts, in Foreign Affairs and Spanish from the University of Virginia and a Juris Doctorate from New York Law School with a concentration in real estate law. She is admitted to practice law in the State of New York.
	Communications Co-Chair Kimberly Dowdell Associate AIA, NOMA, LEED AP Levien & Company kimd@levienco.com
Kimberly Dowdell joined Levien & Company in 2011 to serve in a dual position focused on business development and project management. Trained as an architect, Ms. Dowdell has worked with HOK, ASG, and the General Services Administration (GSA), in the Office of the Chief Architect. She holds leadership positions in a number of professional organizations, including the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), the ACE Mentor Program, and the Association of Real Estate Women (AREW). Kimberly earned her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cornell University, where she currently serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Architecture, Art and Planning. Ms. Dowdell is a LEED Accredited Professional as well as a co-founder of Social, Economic, Environmental Design (SEED), an inter-disciplinary organization with a mission to, "Advance the right of every person to live in a socially, economically and environmentally healthy community."
	Communications Co-Chair Michelle Cooper Project Manager Columbia University Medical Center mc3428@columbia.edu
As a Program Manager for Capital Project Management at Columbia University Medical Center, Michelle currently oversees planning efforts for CUMC’s Revitalization Initiative which includes a new medical education center. Prior to joining Columbia University, Michelle was a Vice President at Bank of America within Corporate Workplace’s retail division. Michelle was responsible for the implementation of major renovations and branch consolidations within BofA’s domestic real estate portfolio. Michelle has also managed real estate initiatives for Gensler, Lehman Brothers, and The Guardian Life Insurance Company. Michelle has earned a Green Belt in Six Sigma and a LEED certification. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University and is pursuing her Master of Science from Columbia University. Michelle and her husband, Richard, are currently raising their daughter, Grace, in NYC.
	Special Events Co-Chair Michelle Donaldson Director of Marketing First American Title Insurance mdonaldson@firstam.com
Michelle Cheney Donaldson currently works for First American Title Insurance Company as the Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications Officer with the responsibility of establishing marketing strategies among clients both nationally and internationally. In addition, Mrs. Donaldson works to promote internal awareness of effective and consistent corporate branding and she also utilizes her background in government and serves as the company legislative affairs representative. Ms. Donaldson initially started working with the parent company, The First American Corporation as the Corporate Director for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. She introduced this role to the organization and was eventually hired to spearhead their diversity and inclusion operations for 40,000 employees. Prior to joining First American, Ms. Donaldson held several leadership positions within New York State government which included her appointment as Commissioner for the New York State Division of Human Rights. In this capacity, Ms. Donaldson made history as the youngest commissioner to ever be confirmed by New York State Senate. She also worked as the Director of Operations for the New York State Department of Health, and she served as Governor George E. Pataki’s Assistant to the Governor for African American and Caribbean Affairs. Ms. Donaldson earned a Master of Public Administration Degree from the City University of New York-Baruch College through the National Urban Fellows Program, and her Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Care Administration from St. John’s University. She has received a number of awards over the years such as The Network Journal 40 Under 40 Award, Baruch College Alumnus Award, Partner Award from the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Toward Excellence Award from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Ms. Donaldson is also committed to community service and is affiliated with several organizations including membership with The Greater New York Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, YMCA’s Fund Development Committee, Alvin Ailey School Committee, and Association of Real Estate Women. Michelle Donaldson shares a blessed life with her husband Randolph Donaldson and her seven year old twins Morgan Jade and Brandon Alexander Donaldson.
	Special Events Co-Chair Jana Goldin Director Haworth jana.goldin@haworth.com
Jana Goldin is a Director of Haworth, a global manufacturer of office furniture, raised access floors and movable walls. Prior to joining Haworth in 2006, Jana was a founding partner in 1993 of Brescia Goldin Partnership – a professional furniture project management consulting practice. Jana is a graduate of New York University and The New York School of Interior Design. Professional Organizations: AREW – Board of Directors, Co-Chair Special Events Committee SHARE (Self Help for Women with Breast or Ovarian Cancer) Co-Chair Design/Construction/Real Estate Division
	Luncheon Co-Chair Vivian Aronica Director of Business Development The Advance Group varonica@theadvancegrp.com
Vivian joined The Advance Group as Director of Business Development. She brings her talents of nearly ten years of industry experience and aptitude. After twelve years in the banking industry, Vivian left to raise a family. She then returned to the business world as a Real Estate Agent and developed a strong reputation for professionalism, industry knowledge, and integrity. For three years, Vivian excelled as VP of Sales for Allegiance International and then spent nearly five years as a sales representative at Arrow Transfer and Storage. At Arrow, she specialized in everything from estimating to on-site project management; one of her largest commercial moves was the esteemed Law Offices of Meyer, Suozzi, English, and Klein, PC. Not only is Vivian well versed in all facets of office moving, but her previous years of versatile sales experience brings flexibility and problem solving skills to her projects and the development of new relationships. With all her varied credentials, Vivian is a strong addition to The Advance Group’s continued strategic growth. Vivian is responsible for managing the day to day moving needs for Creditex. She has also completed successful relocation projects for: Cohen Milstein Hausfeld & Toll, Farallon Capital Management, Colliers International, Robotti & Company, The Distinguished Programs Group, First Eagle Investment Management and Jonathan Rose Companies. Vivian serves on the Board of Directors and participates in various committees and numerous business networking groups such as: AREW (Association of Real Estate Women) currently serving on the Board of Directors as well as the Charitable Fund where she chairs their annual “Bottomless Closet” event, Distinguished as one of the top women in real estate for 2010 (New York Real Estate Journal), New York Business Women’s Network (NYBN “The Divas”), Long Island Network Exchange for which she serves on the Board of Directors, American Heart Association “Go Red for Women” luncheon and Long Island Business Associates.
	Luncheon Co-Chair Heidi Blau Partner FX/Fowle hblau@fxfowle.com
As a Partner of FXFOWLE Architects, llp, Heidi is focused on designing spaces for life-long learning and exploration. Starting with her work at Buttrick White & Burtis, she has created daycare centers, primary and secondary school facilities, and learning spaces for institutions of higher education. She strives to create spaces and places that enrich people’s experiences; places for collaborative discourse, and environments where each individual is challenged and inspired to reach their highest potential. Working domestically and abroad, in and around historic quality buildings and campuses her work acknowledges the time in which it is created and the context in which it resides, while striving to be timeless. A graduate of Smith College and Columbia University and LEED AP design professional, Heidi holds licenses to practice in 12 states. She was honored by PWC as a Woman of Achievement. She is a member of SCUP and ALA and with the NY AIA chapter, Heidi has served on the Professional Practice Committee, and the Dinner Committee for the 2010 Heritage Ball. She currently serves on the Alumni Board of GSAPP at Columbia University and the NY Advisory Board of Health Leads.
	Charitable Fund Chair Theresa Nygard Senior Vice President KTR Real Estate Advisors LLC tnygard@ktrfirst.com
Theresa M. Nygard joined KTR Real Estate Advisors LLC in 2002 as a senior appraiser. She has more than 25 years of commercial appraisal experience and is in charge of litigation support activities, focusing on the appraiser’s role in arbitration and court proceedings. Before joining the firm, Theresa spent 18 years at Jerome Haims Realty, where she developed a specialized practice involving land and transferable development rights valuation and other complex zoning and land use issues. Theresa also provided litigation support services for the 42nd Street Development Project condemnation proceedings, which involved hotels, historic theater properties, store, loft and office buildings and vacant land. Theresa has served as an expert witness in various ground rent arbitration proceedings and in bankruptcy and New York State Supreme Court. Ms. Nygard is a member of the Appraisal Institute, holding the MAI designation and is a State Certified General Real Estate Appraiser. She received her Bachelor’s of Arts degree, magna cum laude, from Mount Holyoke College and a Master of Arts degree from Columbia University. Theresa has lectured on the topic of the analysis and appraisal of transferable development rights at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business and for the Metropolitan New York Chapter of the Appraisal Institute, and on the topic of land valuation at Baruch College. Theresa has served on AREW’s Board as Communications Chair, Luncheons Chair and as Secretary and Treasurer, and began a term as one of the Charitable Fund co-chairs in the 2010/2011 year. Theresa was honored to receive the AREW Founders Award in June 2010. She has also served on the board of the Metropolitan New York Chapter of the Appraisal Institute for many years and will serve as president of the Chapter in the 2012 calendar year.
	Charitable Fund Chair Stephanie Butler Horizon Land Service Senior Vice President sbutler@horizonlandservices.com
Over the past 30-plus years Stephanie Butler has established a well-deserved reputation for excellence among her colleagues and clients in the title insurance industry. It is her distinctive reputation, coupled with her industry expertise, that Stephanie brings to her position as a senior vice president of Horizon Land Services, a company which, she believes, expertly blends time-honored title expertise with an innovative, progressive business approach. Before joining Liberty, Stephanie was a senior vice president at Title Associates; and prior to that, she was a senior vice president at First American Title Insurance Company of New York. She also opened and managed the New York City office of Lawyers Title. A graduate of the University of Chicago, Stephanie currently serves as Co Chair of the AREW Charitable Fund and is a member of the AREW Board.. Notably, she was the only woman to have chaired the Young Mortgage Bankers Association for the first 40 yrs of its existence. Stephanie also has been honored for her outstanding accomplishments in real estate by AREW on its 25th anniversary, named a “Current Leader” and one of the “Top 50 Women in Real Estate” by Real Estate Weekly, and was recognized as a “Woman of Influence” by Real Estate New York. She was the co recipient of the cherished AREW Founders Award in 2007.