REFA Real Estate Mentorship Program
REFA works from a platform that leverages the strengths of the GW faculty and the resources of the F. David Fowler Career Center. It merges those strengths with a powerful alumni community. The initiative is a shared enterprise involving students, alumni, faculty, career management experts and donors. It is designed to provide students with a competitive advantage in securing top-tier employment and to help them skillfully transition from university life to the business world.
- What to Expect
More information coming soon!
- View Requirements & Apply Today
All applicants must submit a comprehensive application and complete two rounds of interviews with a selection committee comprised of current REFA mentees, GW staff and leading alumni.
Once selected, students work closely with representatives of the Fowler Career Center, the Center for Real Estate Studies, and their mentors on resume/interview preparation and job prospecting. Each student will be assigned to former mentees and distinguished alumni for mentoring. They will be required to attend all REFA mentorship program-sponsored events, participate in training sessions, engage in extensive interview prep, and work diligently to obtain a summer internship.
- Meet the Class of 2023
Cole Chernow
Class Year: Class of 2023
School: School of Business
Graduation Date: May 2023
Degree and Concentration(s): Bachelor of Accountancy
Career Interest(s): Real Estate Development and Real Estate Investment
How do you hope to benefit from and contribute to the REFA Mentorship Program?
I am excited to have the opportunity to grow my professional skills by taking advantage of all that REFA has to offer. Additionally, I am looking forward to learning valuable information from the experience of successful REFA Alumni. I plan to further refine my knowledge and skills of the industry while forming meaningful relationships with fellow REFA members and real estate professionals. Another important aspect of the REFA program is giving back to the GWSB community as well as the REFA community. I am excited to be in a position in which I can help future GW students who are equally as driven when it comes to learning about the real estate industry.
What action steps have prepared you to pursue a career in real estate or finance?
My interest and passion for the real estate industry have helped me to constantly look for opportunities to grow and develop my professional skills. I am actively joining student organizations related to the real estate industry as well as staying current on market trends. Recently, I joined the Commercial Real Estate Network (CREN) and am seeking other similar opportunities. I look forward to more engagements that will advance my knowledge of the industry and prepare me for a career in real estate.
Ashika Chintalapati
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Class Year: Class of 2023
School: School of Business
Graduation Date: May 2023
Degree and Concentration(s): Bachelor of Business Administration with concentrations in Real Estate and Finance, Minor in Psychology
Career Interest(s): Real Estate Investment, Real Estate Brokerage
How do you hope to benefit from and contribute to the REFA Mentorship Program?
Through the REFA program, I hope to improve my networking abilities and expand my professional network with the help of my mentors. I am confident that I will be able to gain invaluable knowledge from the many accomplished alumni as well as learn about real world experiences as a student from the upperclassmen within the program. I look forward to learning about the various sectors within the Real Estate industry so that I can get a better idea of what career path I would like to pursue. In the future, I hope to serve as a peer mentor to the newer classes of the REFA program by offering all of the knowledge I gain during my time here. I look forward to working with newer students who are passionate and determined to pursue a career in Real Estate.
What action steps have prepared you to pursue a career in real estate or finance?
My active involvement in GWSB has allowed me to get a better understanding of the business world which will help me pursue a career in Real Estate. By joining organizations such as Alpha Kappa Psi, a professional business fraternity, I was able to greatly advance my professional development in a short amount of time during my freshman year. In addition, being a member of the Commercial Real Estate Network (CREN) has allowed me to gain exposure to that sector of Real Estate. A significant part of the Real Estate industry centers around building relationships and taking initiative which I have been able to do as a First Year Development Program mentor at GWSB. This role allows me to not only help other students develop a better understanding of the business world and important skills needed to succeed, but improve my own as well.
Julian Daszkal
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Class Year: Class of 2023
School: Elliott School of International Affairs
Graduation Date: May 2023
Degree and Concentration(s): Bachelor of Science in International Affairs, Finance
Career Interest(s): Real Estate Finance, Financial Services, Corporate Law
How do you hope to benefit from and contribute to the REFA Mentorship Program?
I hope to benefit from REFA by developing my technical and professional skills through learning from experienced individuals in the industry. Furthermore, I believe that working among a group of like-minded, aspiring peers creates a rich, cohesive environment that will help to establish myself within the real estate and financial services industries. The mentor/mentee dynamic within REFA is especially important, as both senior REFA mentors and alumni mentors both provide invaluable knowledge from two important perspectives. By engaging with peers and professionals alike, I hope to position myself for future success in order to then assume the mentor role for the next cohort of REFA mentees.
What action steps have prepared you to pursue a career in real estate or finance?
Keeping a keen eye on market trends and major events, developing my technical skills both in and outside the classroom, as well as reaching out to alumni within the industry have all helped to prepare me for a future in real estate-relate fields. I have also worked on expanding my network and knowledge within student organizations such as Finance and Investments club (FIC), GW Socially Responsible Investment Fund (GW SRIF) as a REIT analyst, and GWU Credit Union Initiative (GWU CUI) as a development/finance analyst.
Kelton Estabrook
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Class year: Class of 2023
School: College of Arts and Sciences
Graduation Date: May 2022
Degree and Concentrations(s): Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Minor in Creativity, Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Career Interest(s): Real Estate Development, Corporate Real Estate
How do you hope to benefit from and contribute to the REFA Mentorship Program?
By joining the REFA Mentorship Program, I hope to formalize my study of Real Estate and carve out a career path of my own. As someone outside the school of business, in particular, the REFA program offers unique opportunities for me to push my professional and technical skills to new heights. Under the guidance of GW accomplished alumni and student networks, I hope to build lasting relationships throughout GW real estate community and beyond. In turn, I want to contribute back to the REFA mentorship program as an alumni mentor by providing future mentees with guidance and hopefully introduce new avenues and pathways in the real estate industry they may never have considered.
What action steps have you prepared you to pursue a career in real estate or finance?
I have taken a very “hands-on” approach in developing my knowledge base and preparing myself for a career in real estate. I have built up my knowledge and network across the industry by becoming a member of relevant school organizations such as the Commercial Real Estate Network (CREN) as well as by taking advantage of the Center for Real Estate and Urban Analysis vast array of fascinating events and guest speakers. I have also looked beyond GW gates by taking part in the Young Real Estate Professionals of New York’s (YREPNY) summer workshop this past summer, and subsequently, interning for its founder. Staying up on market trends and reading a variety of industry news sources have been integral in expanding my view and making me aware of Real Estate innumerable aspects and businesses. Ultimately, however, it is by engaging with numerous industry professionals and mentors that I have not only gained the most insight but also the confidence to take my next steps in pursuing a career in real estate.
Aryanna Lyons
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Class Year: Class of 2023
School: School of Business
Degree and Concentration(s): Bachelor of Science in Real Estate and Minor in Sustainability
Career Interest(s): Real Estate Investment and Sustainable Real Estate Development
How do you hope to benefit from and contribute to the REFA Mentorship Program?
Through joining the REFA program, I hope to benefit by surrounding myself with like minded individuals who have a similar passion for real estate as well as develop fundamental intrapersonal and technical skills. I am eager to learn from alumni and receive meaningful feedback from my mentors and upper level seniors to further my personal career in the Real Estate industry. More importantly, I hope to contribute to the REFA Mentorship program by providing advice in addition to serving as a liaison between future mentees and the next step in their career.
What action steps have prepared you to pursue a career in real estate or finance?
I have worked to expand my knowledge of Real Estate through joining clubs that pertain to the Real Estate industry. In addition to REFA, I am a member of GW Commercial Real Estate Network (CREN). I have also attended the events hosted by the GWSB Center for Commercial Real Estate and Urban Analysis (CREUA). Through pursuing a degree in Real Estate and Sustainability, I have developed skills to help me excel in the industry. By being a brother within a professional co-ed business fraternity (Delta Sigma Pi) I have also been introduced to the world of business through a wider lens.
Thea Maletta
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Class Year: Class of 2023
School: School of Business
Graduation Date: May 2023
Degree and Concentration(s): Bachelor of Science in Finance with a concentration in Real Estate
Career Interests: Real Estate Investments and Acquisitions
How do you hope to benefit from and contribute to the REFA Mentorship Program?
I hope to benefit from REFA professionally by working closely with an organization of equally motivated peers and mentors. As a mentee, I will take advantage of the opportunities REFA can offer by developing my networking, interviewing, and professional skills as well as gaining industry knowledge. It is important to me as well that I dedicate my time in this program to making sure I am forming strong relationship with mentors and peers alike who I can continue to communicate with long-term.
REFA has been instrumental in expanding the GWSB community and past members continue to keep strong ties to the program. Once a REFA alum, I fully intend to be a highly involved with the program and would like to align myself in some sort of position where I can be of help to the incoming REFA members.
What action steps have prepared you to pursue a career real estate or finance?
Attending GWSB has allowed for exciting opportunities to network with leading industry professionals and expand on my knowledge of Real Estate outside of the classroom as the school’s primary location allows you to explore downtown D.C. Upon arrival to school, I sought out relevant GW organizations that would cater to my interests. I am now a part of the Women in Finance Alliance and the Commercial Real Estate Network. Through joining these organizations, I have built on my passion for the business and Real Estate industry. This ultimately led me to expand my network and create relationships that will grow in the future, such as with a range of industry professionals, GWSB staff, and peers that I can reach out to as I build my career in real estate.
Joshua Robinson
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Class Year: Class of 2023
School: School of Business
Graduation Date: May 2023
Degree and Concentration(s): Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics; Concentrations: Finance, Real Estate
Career Interest(s): Commercial Real Estate Development, Financial Services
How do you hope to benefit from and contribute to the REFA Mentorship Program?
Example Answer: I hope to benefit from REFA by further developing my professional skills and network to propel my future career in business. I look to benefit from working alongside like-minded individuals who will push me to excel in every opportunity. I will contribute a diversity of thought by sharing my perspectives and experiences. I will also look to contribute a positive attitude and an ambitious spirit. I hope to develop new and meaningful relationships with my peers and the business professionals I will meet along this journey. Most importantly, I hope to benefit from the valuable lessons and teachings that will serve me in my professional career and life.
What action steps have prepared you to pursue a career in real estate or finance?
Example Answer: Upon attending GW, I never knew the possibilities that a career in real estate could provide. I've always been fascinated the physical structure of buildings and the financing and politics it takes to enact these structures. Once I arrived at school, I noticed that I now had more opportunities to bring my interest in real estate to life. Organizations such as Commercial Real Estate Network and Black Business Leaders provide a wide range of opportunities that helped me obtain exposure in the field. Upon completing my freshman year at GW, I had the chance to intern with a Partnership for Southern Equity analyzing tax abatement strategies to lure potential commercial developers to Atlanta, GA.
Aidan Rowland
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Class Year: Class of 2023
School: School of Business
Graduation Date: May 2023
Degree and Concentration(s): Bachelor of Science in Business, Real Estate, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Career Interest(s): Real Estate, Real Estate Development, Sustainability
How do you hope to benefit from and contribute to the REFA Mentorship Program?
I am excited to be a part of the REFA Program and to engage in all of the opportunities it has to offer. The legacy of the program is one of high performance and professionalism, both within the GWSB and in the professional world. I am excited to continue that legacy and to build upon it. I am looking forward to working alongside current members and alumni of the REFA Program to build my professional network and expand my knowledge of the Real Estate industry. I am eager to engage with my fellow mentees as we learn and push each other to expand our knowledge and professional presence.
What action steps have prepared you to pursue a career in real estate or finance?
Talking to professionals already established in the Real Estate field has been the most influential action I have taken to learn what the industry has to offer. In addition to engaging with professionals, reading about the current market climate, along with new development projects both in my home town and in the greater DC area have helped form the foundation that has prepared me to pursue a career in Real Estate. I am looking forward to engaging with professionals through the REFA Program, CREN, and even outside the GWSB community. Always being open to new opportunities and knowledge will continue to prepare me for a successful career in Real Estate.
