The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) is partnering with the Pension Real Estate Association (PREA) Foundation in an endeavor to encourage college students to consider careers in the commercial real estate finance industry. The partnership will highlight MBA’s and the PREA Foundation’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth in the CRE industry through expanding opportunities to diverse talent.
Through this new partnership, the MBA will receive a $750,000 grant over three years from the PREA Foundation to expand industry outreach and engagement. This will encompass in-person and virtual campus events at colleges and universities and strengthening on-campus infrastructure to create dedicated spaces for students aspiring to pursue commercial real estate careers.
“Recruiting and retaining talent has been a longstanding priority of MBA, and we are excited to partner with the PREA Foundation to boost talent in the CRE industry,” said Bob Broeksmit, MBA’s president and CEO. “Combining MBA’s experience and infrastructure with the funding and connections of the PREA Foundation will provide individuals from all backgrounds opportunities in the CRE industry.”
“I am thrilled to see the launch of the MBA Awareness Program,” added Dr. Ivan Barron, PREA Foundation’s executive director. “This partnership between MBA and the PREA Foundation will expand opportunities for students across the country by providing exposure and access to pursue transformative careers in the CRE industry.”
“MBA has long had educational and career programs for college students. Adding this outreach program is a natural extension, and exposing these college students to the CRE industry and opportunities within it will positively impact the thousands of lives annually that the Program will reach,” said Jeff Friedman, Principal at Moreton Bay Capital. “And the partnership with PREA and the PREA Foundation, with their deep and complementary membership and dedication to creating a strong real estate industry, will greatly turbocharge the MBA Awareness Program.”
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