Real Estate & Finance Alliance (REFA) Mentorship Program
GW is proud of this extraordinary and powerful initiative. For talented students aspiring to careers on Wall Street and in real estate, the Real Estate and Finance Alliance Mentorship Program (REFA) provides an unparalleled opportunity to secure high-level internships that lead to coveted jobs.
But it goes far beyond that, adding value to a GW degree, building the GW community and elevating the GW brand. The REFA Mentorship Program is designed to prepare GW students to interview in a competitive marketplace, match students with leading alumni for mentorship opportunities, and utilize high-level alumni to open doors at their companies for GW students to apply and secure top jobs in the industry.
GW alumni and the REFA mentees are united in the goal of expanding the career possibilities of GW students today as well as creating a legacy of access to high-level job placement in New York.
Program Overview
REFA works from a platform that leverages the strengths of the GW faculty, the resources of the F. David Fowler Career Center and the expertise of the Center for Real Estate and Urban Analysis. 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.
All students from across the University are eligible for the REFA Mentorship program, which takes place during the junior year. There are two tracks within the program: Finance and Real Estate, each with its own GPA requirements and application.
Applicants are encouraged to apply to the track that aligns best with their career goals, as mentor assignment and support will be industry specific.
- REFA Alumni Council Members
Suzanne Dannheim ('20)
Digital Assets, Goldman Sachs
REFA Council Co-chairStephen J. Brown ('18)
Vice President, Goldman Sachs
REFA Council Co-chairPhillip Brill-Edwards ('03)
Managing Director, J.P. MorganTaylor Brimberg ('18)
Vice President, Wells FargoAugie Burkhardt ('23)
Investment Banking Analyst, Wells FargoAlex Caffrey ('13)
Principal, Boundary CompaniesAndrew Ellis ('22)
Financial Planning (Virtual Engagement Associate), Morgan StanleyMauricio Izurieta ('01)
Managing Director, Bank of AmericaHannah Jackman ('21)
Investment Banking Associate, Goldman SachsAllison Latham ('13)
Director, UBSEric Muha ('22)
Analyst, J.P. Morgan Asset ManagementAlyssa Shen ('23)
Investment Banking Analyst, Citi VenturesEmily Wagner ('12)
Vice President & ESG Research Analyst, Calvert Research and ManagementJames "JP" Wilkinson ('14)
Vice President, Goldman Sachs Group
Application & Requirements
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 and Urban Analysis and 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, attend the NY REFA Networking Trek (in person or virtually), and work diligently to obtain a summer internship.
Apply to the Finance REFA Class of 2027
Apply to the Real Estate REFA Class of 2027