CREW Silicon Valley's 11th Annual Awards & Wine Celebration Recap

CREW Silicon Valley Celebrates Local Leaders with 11th Annual Awards and Wine

The Silicon Valley chapter of CREW wrapped up a fun-filled summer at the end of August with the 11th Annual Awards and Wine Celebration. Members and guests gathered at One Workplace and started the evening with networking, wine and hors d’oeuvres. In addition to our usual networking, many of the CREW SV board and committee members were interviewed about their experience and advice for those thinking of joining the only business organization with the goal of advancing women in the commercial real estate profession. Read through to the end of the article for links to our highlight video and photos of the celebration.

After catching up with business associates old and new, the Awards program began. As is tradition, CREW Silicon Valley’s Awards and Wine Celebration is presented by the incoming President Elect. Our 2024 President is Leigh Zils, Sales Director with One Workplace.

CREW Network Scholarship Winner

As many members donated to CREW Foundation all year, it is a special treat to hear directly from the young women who are benefitted by these opportunities. Ivana Maldonado Signor from CSU Sacramento came to the front of the room and explained how the CREW Network Scholarship helped pay for her school, and also how the CREW student affiliate membership plus a trip to the most recent CREW Convention helped accelerate her studies. Thank you for sharing your experience with us, Ivana. We are thrilled to see you continue to climb in your budding career.

Rising Leaders Mentorship Program

The Rising Leaders program, led by board member Maryjane “MJ” Archuleta, featured 10 mentor and mentee pairs this year. Our mentor and mentee groups were honored this year with a plaque and round of applause for the explosive professional growth they have achieved this year.
 

Rising Star

2023’s Rising Star received an overwhelming number of nominations this year. Elisabeth Toste is the honoree for this award this year. Elisabeth dove into her committee work headfirst, helping coordinate things that needed to be done behind the scenes, all with an amazing attitude. Elisabeth also participated in the mentor program, pushing herself to grow professionally and expand her network. Elisabeth is now stepping into more of a leadership role at CREW and at Kreuger Properties, where she is rising through the ranks. Congratulations, Elisabeth!

Project Excellence

The award is given to a commercial real estate development that shines in a way that makes it an example to follow. Especially with the ups and downs of the office market, the winner of this year’s Project Excellence award provides proof that highly amenitized office properties outperform more traditional office spaces. 

Great America Commons’ outdoor amenity project in Santa Clara was completed in 2023 and it is the winner of the Project Excellence award. The 103,000-square-foot outdoor space includes lawns, volleyball and basketball courts a fireside lounge with outdoor grill, an amphitheater, outdoor conference room and exterior fitness area. 

Recognized as essential team members who led this massive undertaking were the following honorees:
Mary Carter from Harvest Properties (CREW SV Member) 
Dolores Estrada from Cushman & Wakefield (CREW SV Member)
Peter Jeziorske from McLarney Construction (CREW SV Sponsor) 
Kimberly Izadi from LPA Architecture Firm
Shayle Wallis from KBM Hogue 

Congratulations to this interdisciplinary team for working together with fellow CREW members and industry pros to create a beautiful outdoor amenity space.

Community Impact

The Community Impact award is given to a company that goes above and beyond the call to improve the community surrounding them. This year’s Community Impact award was given to Reseat, a woman-owned digital platform and marketplace dedicated to giving contract furniture a new home. Created by Brandi Susewitz, Reseat serves businesses and designers in a way that allows them to plan for the entire lifecycle of office furniture from move-in to end of contract and donation. Since 2020, Reseat has saved 6 million pounds of office furniture from landfills! Congratulations to Brandi Susewitz and the Reseat team for the important work you’ve done to deserve this award.

Woman of Impact

The Woman of Impact award is a big deal, perhaps the most prestigious award of the year! This award is given to a woman who brings out the best in her team and is an inspiration to all. 

Kristen Sinnot, Executive Vice President with McLarney Construction, was described as not only having the professional skills to organize and complete projects, but her unique ability to hold all project contributors accountable in a way that is positive and constructive. 

“Kristen never steps forward into the light of success, but instead is illuminated by its reflection off of others. She was recently promoted to Executive Vice President at McLarney Construction, being the first female in the company to hold a position of that level. She has paved the way for women within not only the company, but our industry, to grow and hold higher positions. She trains and mentors many people within McLarney to assist with their professional careers,” said CREW Silicon Valley President Elect Leigh Zils.

In addition to the accolades Kristen has earned within the professional sphere, her husband shared some touching thoughts about what an amazing spouse, mother, daughter, and friend she is. 

Congratulations, Kristen, and thank you for being an illuminating light as our Woman of Impact in 2023.

Raffle Sponsored by DryCo

Following the awards bestowed on these very deserving individuals and companies, a raffle benefitting the CREW Foundation was held. Special thank you to Mike Herold for your donation of an Apple Watch and Apple Airpods. Both raffle items were won by Abigail Parsons, whose mentor generously bought her a large number of raffle tickets. Lucky gal!

That’s a wrap on the Awards and Wine Celebration of 2024! Thank you to our inspiring leaders who have made a difference in our community and continue to work to uplift women in commercial real estate. 

View photos from the event here.