Crossing the Finish Line with My CREW
As we celebrate the holidays and look forward to the new year, I pause to reflect on the time and memories I’ve shared with our CREW DC members this year. I am so grateful for the opportunity to lead this amazing organization and I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all the work of our committee members, our committee co-chairs, and our Board of Directors. Your passion for our mission inspires me each day and pushes me to do more.
We continued our important work to advance our DEI and anti-racism initiatives by continuing our Leading with Learning reading circle where we explored three books—The Color of Law, Braiding Sweetgrass, and The Address Book. We also launched an intensive 12-week Anti-Black Racism workshop.
Our Professional Development Committee offered a myriad of programs including Powerful Presentations led by Mary Abbajay, webinars focused on how to Optimize Your Presence and Build Your Business with LinkedIn, Commercial Real Estate Finance 101 (for the 5th year!), Working Through Uncertain Times, and two facilitation training sessions. We also collaborated with CREW Network to present three webinars in a lunch and learn format focused on technology in commercial real estate, including Blockchain and Cryptocurrency in CRE, Prop Tech Trends to Watch in 2022, and AEC Tech Trends and Best Practices.
Our Programs committee hosted a three-part series on ESG, a panel presentation about What Employees Want, and most recently a conversation with Derek Thompson of The Atlantic about The Future of Work in a Precarious World.
Our Community Action Committee held four Fitness Fundraisers supporting our partners Suited for Change, D.A.S.H., and Calvary Women’s Services, including Vinyasa Yoga, Zumba, and Sweatbox Cardio. They also partnered with Girls on the Run and Thrive DC for two 5Ks and partnered with Calvary Women’s Services to support their In This Together community walk. I experienced the thrill of completing my first ever 5K with My CREW cheering me to the finish line. Our CREW also gathered for an evening of networking and shopping to support Suited for Change.
Our Now & Next Committee found fun in creative ways to come together to network and build their business connections, including Drag Queen Bingo, a cocktail mixology class, speed networking, and the ever-popular Friendsgiving lunch at La Cosecha in Union Market.
In addition to monthly New Member Meetups, our Member Services and Membership Committees also hosted numerous member only events including both lunch and dinner Dine-Arounds, Coffee with your CREW, a rooftop happy hour, Pop Art Your Pet art class, Breakfast with the Stars featuring CREW Network Past President, Tiffany English, a CREW Day Out cheering on the Washington Spirit women’s soccer team at Audi Field and the How CREW Changed My Life panel at Amazon in National Landing.
Our Student Outreach committee hosted 9 lunch and learn programs at Phelps Academy connecting with dozens of high school students and presented the Learn How to be a Scholarship Winner and Elevate Your Resume workshop for college students interested in the CREW Network Foundation Scholarship program. CREW DC members contributed over $25,000 to this scholarship program in 2022.
Our ever-popular CREW DC Golf program included networking at Top Golf, Golf Lessons, and our sold-out Golf Outing with nearly 200 members and guests participating.
CREW members also enjoyed the opportunity to participate in programs hosted by our CNCC sister-chapters (NoVa, Maryland Suburban, and Baltimore) – The Annual State of the Market, Avocet Tower Construction Tour, and Women of Influence Luncheon.
More than 50 CREW DC members attended the CREW Network Convention in Chicago with 1,400 CREW members from around the globe. CREW DC hosted a networking dinner for our CNCC chapter members during convention.
And last, but of course not least, we just held our Annual CREW DC Awards event, and I am thrilled we were able to gather in person once again for this night of celebration of the achievements and success of our members and sponsor companies this past year. Click HERE for a video presentation of the award winners.
I hope this recap helps you understand how many ways there are for you connect with Your CREW. With more than 650 in our chapter, we recognize members want and need very different things and different ways to connect--so we strive to offer options for all. If you find yourself thinking, “I didn’t know about all of those events,” make sure to check our website often and keep an eye out for the Weekly Update email. Now is the time to renew your membership for 2023. We are planning more amazing events for 2023 with renewed focus on doing business together, and you won’t want to miss out.
I now pass the baton to Miriam Brodie, my trusted partner for the past year. I know our organization will thrive and grow under the leadership of Miriam and our entire 2023 Board of Directors and Committee Co-chairs. I couldn’t be prouder to call these amazing women My CREW!
Stephanie Duncan - CREW DC President
Chief Operating Officer, Stonebridge
duncan@stonebridge.us.com