Arbor’s Spring Project Destined Programs Shape Well-Rounded Young Professionals

Arbor executives mentored more than 50 students from across the country this spring in two new Project Destined programs, representing the largest group and, perhaps, our most impactful cycle of this ongoing partnership.

Inaugural Women’s Fellowship Program

The Project Destined Women in Real Estate Fellowship Program, developed by Leah Fisher, Arbor’s Managing Director, Special Projects, Governance and Risk, is a first for Project Destined. In partnership with global law firm Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, the inaugural program included nearly three dozen young women who recently graduated or are pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate degrees. It aimed to nurture and cultivate soft skills, such as communication and empathy, which contribute to more successful career paths when paired with industry knowledge and experience.

The month-long fellowship featured weekly virtual discussions and culminated with an in-person networking and panel event in Hunton’s New York City office, meaningfully connecting mentees with fellow women and industry veterans to expand their networks, sharpen industry capabilities, and gain resources they can call upon throughout their careers. More than 300 students applied for the fellowship, and many of those accepted are the first in their families to attend college and/or study business and real estate.

Leaders from Arbor, Hunton, Blackstone, DealBinder, and Catal Capital served as mentors for the program and shared how they began their careers in CRE, a historically male-dominated field. During the networking event, the mentors led breakout room discussions focused on developing key soft skills, such as confidence, grit, and adaptability. Arbor’s mentors impressed upon the students that fellow Project Destined mentees will be an important part of their professional networks, potentially opening doors to new opportunities.

“You hear phrases like ‘It takes a village’ a lot as you move through your personal life and professional career, and that sentiment was never more evident than at the beautiful culmination of the Project Destined Women in Real Estate Fellowship Program,” said Fisher. “I’m proud that Arbor’s partnership with Project Destined continues to grow stronger each year, and we continue to get new mentors and executives from across our organization involved, because they understand the program’s impact and how it is mutually beneficial to students and our business.”

Arbor Analyst and Project Destined Alum Shares Advice

The Arbor Realty Trust Commercial Real Estate Finance Bridge program also debuted this spring, following successful Project Destined Bridge programs at other firms. Students and Arbor executives shared weekly virtual sessions, which explored various facets of commercial real estate finance specific to Arbor’s business, including bridge loans, agency loans, asset management, and the role of treasury and financing. The program culminated in an on-site networking lunch at Arbor’s New York City office, attended by the students and Arbor staff.

Arbor’s Gabriel Rondon, Analyst, Structured Asset Management, who joined Arbor in 2024, credits a Project Destined internship during college with exposing him to different pathways in CRE that he could leverage to build a career in the industry.

“Something important I learned during my internships and through Project Destined is how to make sure you make a personal connection with someone when you meet them for the first time,” Rondon told students during the onsite. “When you are networking, pay attention to what someone may share about their hobbies, or family, and ask about those when you next talk to them. It shows them that you listen and that you care.”

Thirty-one students were selected from more than 350 individuals from 90 universities who applied to Arbor’s Spring 2025 Bridge program. Participants of both the Women’s Fellowship and Bridge programs received a $250 academic scholarship stipend, gained access to early career activities at Arbor, and had face-to-face networking time with Arbor executives.

Investing in a Mentoring Culture

Both Project Destined programs highlighted how different Arbor departments operate and work together to deliver strong results for our clients, sponsors, and partners. Mentors shared their stories of how they discovered that CRE was the right fit for them and why they are excited about the industry’s future.

“One of our goals at Project Destined is to expose students to the breadth and depth of opportunities across CRE, and, along with that, also connect them with leaders who have taken unique or unconventional career paths as they have advanced,” said Cedric Bobo, CEO and Founder at Project Destined. “It’s important to highlight the different paths you can take to become a leader in any sector because, increasingly, many firms are looking for candidates with well-rounded experiences that show how they adapt and aren’t afraid to take on new challenges.”

Project Destined programs introduce 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. As Arbor continues to demonstrate our unique strategy and entrepreneurial roots through innovative transactions and new product launches, our team values the opportunity to mentor the next generation of CRE leaders through Project Destined.

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