CREW Announces Partnership with Cornell Program in Real Estate

Lawrence, KS – July 9, 2009 — Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Network announced today it has selected the Cornell University Program in Real Estate to conduct its next benchmarking study measuring the advancement and achievements of women in commercial real estate.

Research for the study titled “Women in Commercial Real Estate: 2010” will be conducted in late 2009 and published in 2010, five years after the publication of CREW Network’s landmark “Women in Commercial Real Estate: 2005.” The 2005 study was the first to document pay and promotion level disparities between men and women at the same levels of experience and seniority in the field of commercial real estate.

“Women in Commercial Real Estate: 2005” led to presentations at industry conferences, media coverage, and initiatives to educate men and women about diversity in the field. It was created as a benchmark – with plans to conduct additional research after five years to chart the progress of women in the field of commercial real estate – and it became a catalyst for a dialogue within the industry.

“While it has traditionally been a male-dominated field, we believe that economic forces, a changing workplace, and our own efforts have led to a more dynamic and diverse environment in commercial real estate,” said Jane Snoddy Smith, 2009 CREW Network president and a partner with the international law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P..

“Our research agenda addressing the state of women in commercial real estate comes at a critical time in the industry,” said David Funk, director of the Cornell Program in Real Estate.
“Cornell and CREW Network are joining forces to provide thought leadership to issues of women in the commercial real estate industry as well as career advancement, compensation, the development of future leaders through undergraduate and graduate real estate programs and other related issues.”

About CREW Network:

The mission of CREW Network (www.crewnetwork.org) is to advance the success of women in commercial real estate. CREW Network does this by bringing more women into the industry, showcasing member successes, and serving as a key resource to its members and the industry at large.  CREW Network members represent more than 20 disciplines in commercial real estate - every type of expert required to “do the deal.” Members comprise more than 8,000 commercial real estate professionals in 68 chapters across North America.

About the Cornell Program in Real Estate:

The Cornell Program in Real Estate offers a comprehensive, two-year professional masters where students benefit from an encompassing core curriculum combined with a rich, diverse selection of real estate electives allowing for niche specialization—all in close interaction with the largest on-campus real estate faculty in the country.  Cornell is also home to the Cornell Real Estate Council, an extensive network of industry leaders, the Cornell Real Estate Review, conferences, research and industry news, and more.

For additional information, please visit http://www.realestate.cornell.edu.