Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

As CRE professionals, our mission is to continue to promote and support advancing the principles and values that lead to and nurture an equitable, inclusive, and diverse community. CoreNet Global - New England's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) committee is dedicated to raising awareness and implementing strategies and initiatives that aid in fostering a sense of belonging throughout the organization, and in turn, throughout the CRE industry as a whole. By providing insight and perspective to the development of educational programs and resources, we are collectively empowering our organization to bring positive impact to people, spaces, and communities. We intend to cultivate a culture within CoreNet Global New England of respect, empathy, and humanity. We strive to be an organization that embraces differing perspectives, where people feel empowered to share their opinions and ideas, and where we can accept and acknowledge the various experiences of all our members, consistently learning and evolving and improving together. 

Please reach out to Meredith McCarthy & Zaw Latt with any ideas or suggestions for this initiative.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Leadership 

Zaw Latt
INTEC Group

Co-Chair
Bio
Contact		 Meredith McCarthy
Sasaki

Co-Chair
Bio
Contact

Charisse Smith
Corgan

Financial Coordinator
Bio
Contact

  

 


Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Members

What we mean by DEI:

DIVERSITY:

Diversity is the recognition, acceptance, and affirmation of our individual differences, identities, and our inherent dignity. It is more than representation. It acknowledges that the unique perspectives, experiences, and practices we each bring to our [CRE] community and work have value and a place in our collective conversations.

EQUITY:

Equity requires us to acknowledge the power imbalances and the unequal circumstances we all face. We recognize that each of us must actively work to remove barriers to everyone’s ability to participate and succeed by providing tools, resources, access, and support that are appropriate for each person and each context.

INCLUSION:

Inclusion is intentional, ongoing work to create a [CRE community] where everyone can participate as

their true selves. The goal of inclusion is to collectively build a global culture of belonging within the

foundation. We are all accountable for creating this together.

Definitions:

    Commercial Real Estate Success Training (CREST)

    CREST is a local, non-profit organization that provides meaningful summer internships along with personal and professional skills development to highly motivated and talented college students who have been historically underrepresented in our industry. CREST works with partner firms to recruit the right intern for real estate organizations and provides on-going support and skills development training throughout their internship.

    In 2026, CoreNet Global - New England Chapter is entering its 9th year partnering with CREST and is a Champion partner of CREST - this allows our association to mentor, educate, and support CREST. 
    Applications for the 2026 CREST Mentorship program open Monday, March 16, 2026 and close Friday, May 8, 2026. If you're eager to give back and help shape the next generation of industry leaders, apply today!
     
    If you have any question about the program or what it means to be a Mentor to a CREST intern, please reach out to Aby Bhat (aby.bhat@redgate-re.com), Russell Chin (Russell.Chin@LibertyMutual.com), or Mary McWright (mmcwright@bermangrp.com)

    2026 CREST MENTOR APPLICATION HERE

    SUBMIT 2026 CREST MENTOR APPLICATION HERE

    Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Policy

    • We will annually compile statistics as to the demographic composition of its board and the inclusion and representation of differing lived experiences and will publish those statistics with its membership and the Great Boston CRE/DEI Collaborative, and (b) will work with its board to establish measurable goals for the following year to increase diversity, promote cultures of belonging, and encourage practices of inclusion. 
    • CoreNet Global New England commits to annual professional coaching and development for board members that includes DEI-related topics (whether developed by such organization or developed by other organizations). The organization will also include programming for the broader membership and sponsor companies around DEI, similar to the 2019 and 2020 CRE Summits on Equity, Inclusion & Diversity. 
    • Board members, as part of their leadership commitment, will also advocate for their firms to participate in the current and future DEI pipeline programs for young adults in commercial real estate. Examples of such programs of this date include but are not limited to: CREST, REEX Summer Program, and Mayor's/City of Boston Summer Real Estate Jobs Program.
    • We actively promote the value of diversity, equity and inclusion in our board. This includes succession planning that identifies a pipeline of diverse board candidates and actively recruiting those members. 
    • CoreNet Global New England will maximize opportunities for each member and potential new member to contribute to the organization's goals by actively ensuring a fully diverse body of volunteer participants in appointments to committees, task forces, special projects, decision-making activities, and leadership roles. This includes ensuring that speakers, panelists or other program leaders are representative of our diverse membership. 
    • We will seek for the best and brightest to participate in our programs with a regard for diversity of gender, race, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, veteran status, disability, religion and age.