CREW Up: How CREW Foundation Is Making an Impact

Gayle Bourdeau first learned about CREW Network in 1998 while she was a summer associate in the business department of a title insurance company. She joined CREW Boston in 2003 and since then has held multiple positions within the organization. Today, she is the chair of CREW Network Foundation, dedicating all her resources to accelerating success for women and bringing more young girls into commercial real estate.

One of the things she’s most proud of is the scholarship program. Since its launch in 2008, the foundation has granted $2 million in scholarships to 296 female students. Elected undergraduates receive $5,000 and graduates receive $10,000 for tuition and books. Additionally, they also get a paid summer internship opportunity, CREW Network student membership and a six-month mentoring opportunity with a senior leader in commercial real estate, among other benefits.

---

LISTEN TO: CREW Up Podcast—Making the Case for DEI

---

Besides scholarships, the foundation is also involved in career outreach efforts through programs like CREW Careers and UCREW, as well as mentor modules. Additionally, grants from the foundation contribute to CREW Network’s research on women in commercial real estate.

In this CREW Up podcast episode, Bourdeau reflects on the pivotal moments for the organization and reveals what’s ahead. Tune in now!

Here’s what we touched on:

• How Bourdeau started in the commercial real estate industry (0:50)
• Joining CREW Network (1:55)
• Top moments in the foundation’s history (3:48)
• Who can benefit from a CREW Network Foundation scholarship (5:28)
• Success stories from scholarship recipients (7:03)  
• How career outreach programs work (8:05)
• Supporting CREW Network’s benchmark study (10:34)
• The foundation’s priorities going forward (12:20)

Follow, rate and review CPE’s podcasts on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe to CPE’s recently relaunched YouTube channel!