#USA #New York #commercial real estate #CRE Finance Council #Industry Forums

CRE Finance Council Introduces New Chairs for Industry Forums

On June 9, 2026, during its Annual Conference held in New York City, the CRE Finance Council (CREFC) proudly announced the election of new Chairs for its 2026-2027 industry forums. This leadership change marks a significant move in the continuous effort to address and manage the critical matters pertaining to the U.S. commercial real estate finance sector.

CREFC's industry forums encapsulate various market constituencies which are pivotal in steering the commercial real estate finance landscape. These forums include diverse sectors such as Alternative Lenders and High-Yield Investors, CMBS Investors, and GSE/Multifamily Lenders, among others. Each forum plays a distinct role in addressing the unique issues their sectors face, promoting collaboration, advocating consensus for policymaking, and advancing best practices within the industry.

New Leaders Take Charge

The newly appointed Forum leaders are:

• - Alternative Lenders and High-Yield Investors

- Chair: Rachel Hunter-Goldman (KKR)
- Chair-Elect: Tony LaBarbera (Blackstone)
- Past Chair: Samantha Rotchford (BDT MSD Partners)

• - B-Piece Investors

- Chair: Josh Brand (Argentic)
- Chair-Elect: Zach Freedman (Eightfold Real Estate Capital, L.P.)
- Past Chair: Frank Yin (KKR)

• - GSE/Multifamily Lenders

- Chair: Lee Green (Wells Fargo)
- Chair-Elect: Yahli Becker (Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.)
- Past Chair: David Haynes (CBRE Capital Markets, Inc.)

• - Investment-Grade Bondholders

- Chair: Wendy Pei (Ellington Management)
- Chair-Elect: Li Pang (J.P. Morgan)
- Past Chair: Adam Smith (DWS)

The list of new leaders showcases a rich blend of experience and expertise, which is expected to be instrumental in pushing forward the initiatives and interests of their respective forums.

The Importance of Industry Forums

CREFC’s forums not only represent significant stakeholders in commercial real estate finance but also serve as a platform for fostering discussion and resolution around critical industry issues. They seek to bridge varying market views and present a united front to policymakers. This collaborative approach is essential in ensuring that the voices of all stakeholders are heard and adequately considered in the legislative and regulatory processes influencing the industry.

These forums engage with an array of activities including education, the development of market best practices, and advocacy efforts aimed to enhance the overall experience and financial viability of commercial real estate transactions.

According to Lisa Pendergast, President and CEO of CREFC, “We are excited to welcome these new leaders to our industry forums, which serve as the backbone of CREFC and all that it does. I want to thank all of our existing and past Forum leaders for their dedication and continued support of our work.”

About CREFC

The CRE Finance Council represents a pivotal part of the commercial real estate finance industry, with membership exceeding 400 companies and 19,000 individuals. This diverse membership base includes lenders, investors, rating agencies, and others integral to the sector’s operations. Established over three decades ago, the council continues to advocate for transparency and efficiency within the market while developing standards that benefit its members and the industry as a whole.

For additional details about CREFC and its ongoing mission in the commercial real estate finance sector, visit their official website at www.crefc.org.