Next Gen CRE Financiers Program

The core goal of CREFC’s Next-Gen Program is to provide select students interested in commercial real estate finance with educational programming, mentorship and relationship-building opportunities within our vast network of industry professionals. 
This initiative will provide participants with exceptional educational programming taught by senior industry members. These programs and opportunities will build student understanding of the CRE finance markets and they will provide an inside look into the various career opportunities within the CRE market. 
 
Recipients will receive:
  • Complimentary access to CREFC’s educational programming and resources
    • Hands-on CRE focused software training (Excel and ARGUS)
    • Programs hosted by CREFC’s Young Professional (YP) Network  
      • Events are tailored for YPs by YPs 
      • Programs are current and relevant to YP’s already involved with CRE finance  and provide meaningful insight for students
  • Access to CREFC’s network of members in the CRE industry as well as to CREFC’s Career and Resource Centers  
  • Ability to apply for CREFC's Mentorship Program  
  • Opportunity to apply for one of the limited student complimentary in-person registrations for CREFC’s two major conferences in Miami (January) and New York City (June)
  • Complimentary live-stream registration to all CREFC Conferences

Next Gen Spotlight

Next Gen Spotlight

Amber Dangelico

School: University of Florida 
Major:
Finance
Graduation:
May 2017
Connect With Me:  

Amber Dangelico is a second-year finance major at the University of Florida. Amber has had the opportunity to do an internship with a Real Estate developer, gaining exposure to the appraisal and management of commercial and residential properties. She most recently interned with CohnReznick where she worked on the buy-side and sell-side due diligence for M&A deals with Transaction Advisory Services (TAS). She is particularly interested in Real Estate Investment Banking, providing advisory and capital to facilitate property transactions and development and looks forward to exploring the different CRE career opportunities through CREFC webinars and events.

Staff Contact 

Danielle Nathan
Director, Education
‪646.494.4898
dnathan@crefc.org 
The information provided herein is general in nature and for educational purposes only. CRE Finance Council makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, validity, usefulness, or suitability of the information provided. The information should not be relied upon or interpreted as legal, financial, tax, accounting, investment, commercial or other advice, and CRE Finance Council disclaims all liability for any such reliance. © 2024 CRE Finance Council. All rights reserved.
Amber Dangelico
January 6, 2025

Next Gen Spotlight

Andrew Armstrong

School: Louisiana State University 
Major:
Sociology
Graduation:
May 2025
Connect With Me:  

Andrew Armstrong is currently a senior at Louisiana State University (LSU), pursuing a degree in Sociology with an expected graduation date of May 2025. His interest in commercial real estate (CRE) and CRE finance began during his involvement with the Student Real Estate Association (SREA) at LSU, where he currently serve as President. This role has allowed him to engage deeply with the industry, fostering a strong passion for CRE finance.

Andrew has a natural inclination for networking and have actively participated in various industry organizations such as the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), Urban Land Institute (ULI), and NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association. These experiences have provided him with valuable insights and connections within the CRE sector.

Staff Contact 

Danielle Nathan
Director, Education
‪646.494.4898
dnathan@crefc.org 
The information provided herein is general in nature and for educational purposes only. CRE Finance Council makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, validity, usefulness, or suitability of the information provided. The information should not be relied upon or interpreted as legal, financial, tax, accounting, investment, commercial or other advice, and CRE Finance Council disclaims all liability for any such reliance. © 2024 CRE Finance Council. All rights reserved.
Andrew Armstrong
April 22, 2025

Next Gen Spotlight

Anir Dasgupta

School: University of Massachusetts Lowell 
Major:
Business Administration Concentration in Finance
Graduation:
May 2025
Anir Dasgupta is a Senior Business Administration major concentrating in Finance at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. During his time at school, he has completed several internships, starting with Howard Hughes Corporation in Houston, TX, as a Capital Markets and Development Intern in Summer 2022. He then interned at AEW Capital Management in Boston, MA, focusing on Private Equity Acquisitions and Asset Management in Summer 2023, and most recently, Anir served as a Private Equity Capital Raising Intern for Prologis in New York City.

Anir is also heavily involved with the global Commercial Real Estate Internship Project Destined, where he has been a Program Manager since Fall 2021. In this role, he has mentored hundreds of students while collaborating with top CRE firms such as JLL, Greystar, US Bank, Brookfield Properties, Trammell Crow, and Hines.

Additionally, Anir has been a CREFC Academic Member for the past two years, attending two CREFC Miami Conferences and one CREFC Annual Conference in NYC. He looks forward to future CREFC programming through the CREFC Next Gen CRE Financiers Program. His passion for Commercial Real Estate stems from the entrepreneurial aspects of the industry, driving my ambition to work in Commercial Real Estate Capital Markets Brokerage post-graduation.

Staff Contact 

Danielle Nathan
Director, Education
‪646.494.4898
dnathan@crefc.org 
The information provided herein is general in nature and for educational purposes only. CRE Finance Council makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, validity, usefulness, or suitability of the information provided. The information should not be relied upon or interpreted as legal, financial, tax, accounting, investment, commercial or other advice, and CRE Finance Council disclaims all liability for any such reliance. © 2024 CRE Finance Council. All rights reserved.
Anir Dasgupta
April 22, 2025

Next Gen Spotlight

Ashley Harvey

School: Prairie View A&M University
Major: Civil Engineering
Graduation:
May 2027
Connect With Me:  

Ashley Harvey is a dedicated and driven sophomore at Prairie View A&M University, pursuing a major in Civil Engineering and double minoring in Construction Science and Real Estate. Her career aspirations are centered on creating sustainable urban environments and developing affordable luxury properties, particularly in ways that benefit middle- and lower-income communities. Ashley is also deeply involved in organizations like the American Society of Civil Engineers, the National Society of Black Engineers, and the Society of Women Engineers, reflecting her commitment to both her academic and professional growth.

In addition to her studies, Ashley is passionate about mentoring and supporting at-risk youth. She has spent the past three summers volunteering as an ambassador for various youth programs such as the Saluki Opportunities Awareness Residency, Project Upward Bound, and LEGO with Robotics. Through these roles, she aims to inspire young people to pursue careers in STEM, while also providing guidance on career development and financial literacy.

Ashley seeks to surround herself with like-minded, driven individuals who can challenge and mentor her as she continues her journey in both academics and community outreach.

Staff Contact 

Danielle Nathan
Director, Education
‪646.494.4898
dnathan@crefc.org 
The information provided herein is general in nature and for educational purposes only. CRE Finance Council makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, validity, usefulness, or suitability of the information provided. The information should not be relied upon or interpreted as legal, financial, tax, accounting, investment, commercial or other advice, and CRE Finance Council disclaims all liability for any such reliance. © 2024 CRE Finance Council. All rights reserved.
Ashley Harvey
April 22, 2025

Next Gen Spotlight

Bill Huynh

School: University of California, Berkeley
Major:
Economics and Data Science Bachelor Arts
Graduation:
May 2026
Connect With Me:  

Bill Huynh is pursuing a degree in Economics and Data Science at the University of California, Berkeley. His academic background as well as his internships at CBRE and Project Destined have shaped his passion for real estate. He has also completed the Adventures in CRE Certification where he did a deep dive into financial modeling. Through the Next Gen CRE Financiers Program, Bill looks forward to gaining new skills and experiences, with a long-term goal of contributing to affordable housing initiatives.

Staff Contact 

Danielle Nathan
Director, Education
‪646.494.4898
dnathan@crefc.org 
The information provided herein is general in nature and for educational purposes only. CRE Finance Council makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, validity, usefulness, or suitability of the information provided. The information should not be relied upon or interpreted as legal, financial, tax, accounting, investment, commercial or other advice, and CRE Finance Council disclaims all liability for any such reliance. © 2024 CRE Finance Council. All rights reserved.
Bill Huynh
April 20, 2025

Next Gen Spotlight

Brandon Neal

School: Prairie View A&M University 
Major:
Business Management 
Graduation:
2017
Connect With Me:  

Brandon Neal is an undergraduate student at Prairie View A&M University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business management with a minor in psychology and real estate. Originally from Louisiana, Brandon relocated to Texas after a devastating hurricane, embarking on a new journey as he and his family rebuilt their lives in Texas. Real estate has always intrigued him as an entrepreneur, and he has followed his passion for helping others. As Brandon’s knowledge in real estate grew, he became aware of the vast opportunities in commercial real estate. As a licensed Real Estate Agent in the state of Texas, he saw a chance to be a resource not only for individuals but also for businesses that form the backbone and foundation of the economy.

Brandon’s interest in CRE Finance stems from his passion for excelling in a real estate career, leveraging his experience and education to become a valuable resource while fostering strong business relationships. He looks forward to building a successful career as a real estate agent and establishing a network of meaningful connections that can positively impact the city of Houston and continuously create opportunities for economic growth for both businesses and individuals within the community.

Staff Contact 

Danielle Nathan
Director, Education
‪646.494.4898
dnathan@crefc.org 
The information provided herein is general in nature and for educational purposes only. CRE Finance Council makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, validity, usefulness, or suitability of the information provided. The information should not be relied upon or interpreted as legal, financial, tax, accounting, investment, commercial or other advice, and CRE Finance Council disclaims all liability for any such reliance. © 2024 CRE Finance Council. All rights reserved.
Brandon Neal
April 20, 2025

Next Gen Spotlight

Dhanashree Patel

School: Rutgers University
Major:
Finance
Graduation:
May 15, 2025
Connect With Me:  

Dhanashree Patel is a student at Rutgers Business School, majoring in Finance and concentrating in Real Estate.

Her interest in CRE grew when she observed her own small-town transform with the development of the development of multi-use properties, such as offices, community centers, and local businesses, demonstrating the value of multi-functional spaces. Seeing these changes in a small town sparked her curiosity about how such projects come to completion.

She is an active member of Rutger’s Real Estate Club, where she especially enjoys attending talks from professors/alumni working in the industry and describing their career paths within CRE.

Dhanashree’s long-term goal is to develop innovative and sustainable projects that create value for both investors and communities.

Staff Contact 

Danielle Nathan
Director, Education
‪646.494.4898
dnathan@crefc.org 
The information provided herein is general in nature and for educational purposes only. CRE Finance Council makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, validity, usefulness, or suitability of the information provided. The information should not be relied upon or interpreted as legal, financial, tax, accounting, investment, commercial or other advice, and CRE Finance Council disclaims all liability for any such reliance. © 2024 CRE Finance Council. All rights reserved.
Dhanashree Patel
January 6, 2025

Next Gen Spotlight

Emily Robertson

School: Rutgers University 
Major: Finance
Graduation:
May 2026
Connect With Me:  

Emily Robertson is a junior at Rutgers University majoring in Finance and Marketing with a Real Estate concentration. She interned at Cushman & Wakefield which gave her firsthand experience in the commercial real estate world, where she did everything from analyzing company performance to recommending office spaces and touring buildings. She is also heavily involved with the Rutgers Real Estate Club. Long term, Emily would love to transition into brokerage.

Staff Contact 

Danielle Nathan
Director, Education
‪646.494.4898
dnathan@crefc.org 
The information provided herein is general in nature and for educational purposes only. CRE Finance Council makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, validity, usefulness, or suitability of the information provided. The information should not be relied upon or interpreted as legal, financial, tax, accounting, investment, commercial or other advice, and CRE Finance Council disclaims all liability for any such reliance. © 2024 CRE Finance Council. All rights reserved.
Emily Robertson
January 21, 2025

Next Gen Spotlight

Garrett Smith

School: University of South Carolina: Darla Moore School of Business
Major: Finance and International Business
Graduation:
May 2025
Connect With Me:  

Garrett Smith is a Senior at the University of South Carolina, double majoring in Finance & International Business with a minor in Spanish. Garrett has private equity experience from three summer internships, including where he was named lead intern and oversaw a group of interns while reporting to his mentor. Additionally, this past summer Garrett was able to intern at an affiliated venture capital fund to the Accelerator, IA Global Ventures. This grew Garrett’s experience and great depth of knowledge in financial modeling, portfolio analysis, due diligence of prospective companies, investor relations, and much more.

Staff Contact 

Danielle Nathan
Director, Education
‪646.494.4898
dnathan@crefc.org 
The information provided herein is general in nature and for educational purposes only. CRE Finance Council makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, validity, usefulness, or suitability of the information provided. The information should not be relied upon or interpreted as legal, financial, tax, accounting, investment, commercial or other advice, and CRE Finance Council disclaims all liability for any such reliance. © 2024 CRE Finance Council. All rights reserved.
Garrett Smith
April 18, 2025

Next Gen Spotlight

Kanishka Karki

School: Queens College CUNY
Major:
Finance Technology
Graduation:
December 2025
Connect With Me:  

Kanishka Karki is a senior at Queens College pursuing a BBA in Finance Technology. She currently works as a FAA certified Aircraft Maintenance Technician and her time working in airports grew her interest in CRE while she observed the strategic investments made by the airlines and the Port Authority of NY/ NJ and how these updates have drastically changed the look and feel of travel.

Looking ahead, she aspires to work in asset management. She recently bought her first property and looks forward to one day investing in multifamily housing.

Staff Contact 

Danielle Nathan
Director, Education
‪646.494.4898
dnathan@crefc.org 
The information provided herein is general in nature and for educational purposes only. CRE Finance Council makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, validity, usefulness, or suitability of the information provided. The information should not be relied upon or interpreted as legal, financial, tax, accounting, investment, commercial or other advice, and CRE Finance Council disclaims all liability for any such reliance. © 2024 CRE Finance Council. All rights reserved.
Kanishka Karki
April 18, 2025

Next Gen Spotlight

Marianna Martinez

School: Northwestern University
Major:
Education and Social Policy
Graduation:
Spring 2025
Connect With Me:  

Marianna Martinez is a senior at Northwestern University’s School of Education & Social Policy (SESP), where she is pursuing a degree in Learning & Organizational Change and minors in Psychology and Business Institutions. Her interest in real estate stems from personal experiences, such as watching fixer-upper TV shows with her dad during her childhood, to professional experiences that have enabled her to understand market dynamics and investment strategies. A combination of these experiences has allowed her to gain appreciation for the real estate asset class. Her internship experience at Morningstar DBRS has evoked her interest in real estate credit. She is looking forward to continuing to engage within the real estate capital markets space and plans to leverage the CREFC Next Gen CRE Financiers Program tools to expand her expertise.

Staff Contact 

Danielle Nathan
Director, Education
‪646.494.4898
dnathan@crefc.org 
The information provided herein is general in nature and for educational purposes only. CRE Finance Council makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, validity, usefulness, or suitability of the information provided. The information should not be relied upon or interpreted as legal, financial, tax, accounting, investment, commercial or other advice, and CRE Finance Council disclaims all liability for any such reliance. © 2024 CRE Finance Council. All rights reserved.
Marianna Martinez
January 7, 2025

Next Gen Spotlight

Richa Kumar

School: University of Pennsylvania
Major: Economics , Finance
Graduation:
2025
Connect With Me:  

Richa Kumar is a senior at the University of Pennsylvania, pursuing a B.S. in Economics with concentrations in Finance and Real Estate. Her interest in commercial real estate finance is rooted in her passion for exploring the economic drivers of markets and understanding how finance can play a role in sustainable development. Richa’s aspirations lie at the intersection of finance and impact, where she aims to leverage financial tools to empower communities and drive sustainable growth.

Staff Contact 

Danielle Nathan
Director, Education
‪646.494.4898
dnathan@crefc.org 
The information provided herein is general in nature and for educational purposes only. CRE Finance Council makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, validity, usefulness, or suitability of the information provided. The information should not be relied upon or interpreted as legal, financial, tax, accounting, investment, commercial or other advice, and CRE Finance Council disclaims all liability for any such reliance. © 2024 CRE Finance Council. All rights reserved.
Richa Kumar
April 20, 2025