Arbor Builds on Mentoring Tradition in Launch of Project Destined Programs
This spring, Arbor is doubling down on our commitment to aspiring commercial real estate students through our partnership with Project Destined by helping to launch the first-ever Women’s Fellowship and with our participation in the Project Destined Bridge Program.
Project Destined Women’s Fellowship Program
In partnership with global law firm Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, the Project Destined Women’s Fellowship Program is an opportunity for young women who are recent graduates of/or are pursuing an undergraduate or postgraduate degree to nurture and cultivate soft skills such as communication and empathy that, when paired with industry knowledge and experience, contribute to successful career paths. The fellowship will help create meaningful connections between mentees and fellow women and industry veterans that will help students expand their networks, sharpen industry capabilities, and have resources to call upon throughout their careers.
During weekly sessions, participants will hear from women executives who work in commercial real estate about how they have and continue to navigate the area of the industry they work in with the use of technical expertise and critical soft skills. Participants will learn how to develop their personal brand and get tips on negotiation techniques, which are necessary for forming and nurturing business relationships.
Mentors from Hunton and other firms will also speak to students each week. The program will then culminate in a panel discussion and networking event in New York City, bringing together students and industry veterans from firms such as Blackstone, DealBinder, and Catal Capital.
“I’ve learned in my over twenty years as a woman working in real estate finance that hard work, dedication, and passion are fundamental to success, but connection, support, and mentorship are just as critical,” said Leah Fisher, Managing Director, Special Projects, Governance and Risk, at Arbor Realty Trust. Fisher conceptualized the program, organized Arbor’s sponsorship and participation, and spearheaded Arbor’s partnership with Project Destined. “I’m so grateful to be a part of bringing this incredibly important program to life on behalf of Arbor and in partnership with Hunton and Project Destined,” Fisher said.
Long-term partnerships have been key to Arbor’s success since our founding more than three decades ago, and they are increasingly important in entering and growing a CRE career. The partnership with Hunton adds another key benefit to the program by allowing participants to connect with the firm’s vast CRE finance network.
“Joining forces with our longtime client Arbor, who also has such a long history of supporting Project Destined, is a perfect match to meaningfully collaborate on this groundbreaking program and help cultivate and support the next generation of women in real estate,” said Laurie Grasso, Partner and Global Real Estate Co-Chair, Hunton.
Project Destined Bridge Financing Program
The Arbor Realty Trust Commercial Real Estate Finance Bridge program also debuts this spring, following the Project Destined Bridge program’s years of success at other firms. It provides students with another opportunity to explore various facets of CRE finance, including bridge loans, agency loans, asset management, and the role of treasury and financing, with Arbor Realty Trust executives.
The Bridge program will also include four virtual speaker sessions and be capped by a site visit to an active multifamily property deal. Each participant who completes Arbor’s Women’s Fellowship Program and Bridge program will receive a $250 academic scholarship stipend, gain access to early career activities at Arbor, and have face-to-face networking time with Arbor executives.
Both the Bridge and Women’s Fellowship programs are customized to help students better understand Arbor’s business and team and offer insight into how the company’s different departments operate and work together to deliver strong results for our clients, sponsors, and partners.
Project Destined introduces diverse high school and college students and military veterans to business and real estate fundamentals. Since its inception nearly a decade ago, Project Destined has provided more than 15,000 students across the globe with training in real estate, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. Arbor looks forward to continuing this tradition by shaping the next generation of commercial real estate leaders in its two new programs this spring.
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