Our Story

To inspire, empower and advance women in commercial real estate finance through distinctive programs, networking and scholarship opportunities

RENEW was founded in 2016 by Sharon Plattner and Lisa Hurd.  The ladies were both attending an event in Atlanta and realized only 6 of the 250 attendees were women. That evening at a cigar smoke filled closing dinner with all men, Lisa and Sharon lamented the lack of women in the industry and came up with a plan to try and change it. The idea of RENEW was born!

Real Estate Network Empowering Women (RENEW), Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization aimed at furthering the professional development of women in all phases of commercial real estate finance. In particular, it focuses on women in the following disciplines: Origination/Production, Underwriting, Investment Sales, Capital Markets, Law, Asset Management and Ownership/Development.

RENEW promotes communication and mentoring among professional real estate women, while encouraging their recognition and advancement in the industry. In addition, RENEW provides scholarship opportunities to women seeking both undergraduate and graduate level degrees in commercial real estate / finance.