Welcome to 2011!! Is it me or do you feel like activity has picked up dramatically? WX has already had a busy start to the year with a very well attended and informative update on the real estate capital markets on January 13th from Bob White, at Real Capital Analytics. His data was unabashedly upbeat. December was the busiest month in terms of transaction volume since 2007! Sandy Jackson and Caryn Miller hosted an informative Behind the Scenes luncheon on January 18th providing their insights on the new accounting rules for leases and the potential impact on various stakeholders. We have a great line up of upcoming breakfast meetings including Amanda Burden, Chair, NYC Planning Commission who will discuss “City Planning’s Agenda Under the Bloomberg Administration” on February 9th at the Harvard Club. (Please note due to space constraints, this event is for MEMBERS ONLY.) On March 10, Bill Ferguson, a well respected executive recruiter and Chairman of Ferguson Partners, will host a panel discussion on “Board Directorships; The Opportunities and the Challenges”. Some of the panelists will include WX members who have been active on various boards. I can’t thank Ellen Baer and the Programming Committee enough for their hard work in getting these events organized.

We had a very full fall calendar with well attended and informative functions including a terrific Conversations Event, acknowledging three WX members who were nominated to be on PERE’s “Top Ten Women in Private Equity Real Estate”. Paula Schaefer did a great job moderating a panel discussion with Cia Buckley, a Partner at Dune Capital, Marjorie Tsang, Assistant Comptroller of the New York Common Retirement Fund and Joanne Douvas, Co-Founder of Clerestory Capital. One of the highlights of the fall was the Annual Dinner, which was a record breaker for WX with close to 350 attendees. Our member honoree, Meg Blakey, Managing Director of URDANG Capital Management and our second honoree, Zainab Salbi, Co-Founder of Women for Women, International, both did an extraordinary job in conveying the theme, “Empowering Women Locally and Globally”. Many of our members and their guests commented on the energy and positive spirit in the room inspired by their compelling remarks. The evening’s success could not have happened without the tireless efforts of the Dinner Committee headed again by Peggy DaSilva as well as Kathleen Dolci’s administrative support. The funds for the dinner will continue to augment our important work empowering women locally through our scholarship program, enthusiastically headed by Beth Sapery and Paula Schaefer.

We continue to make terrific progress expanding our membership now with 192 members. Cheryl Boyer and Patty Connelly, Co Chairs of the Membership Committee, work hard at making sure the membership reflects the diverse nature of our industry. Please continue to recommend women you think will be compelling candidates for WX to consider and bring them to one of our upcoming breakfasts at the Harvard Club. As we look forward to the spring we have a strong line up of interesting events planned, including a new initiative entailing a structured mentoring program, spearheaded by Suzanne St. Pierre. Those of you that enjoy mentoring will also have the opportunity to participate in our 2nd Annual Speed Mentoring on March 23rd so please look in your email or on the website for further details.

The Board is working hard on your behalf to make sure we are not only providing quality programming, but improving such important tools as the WX website as well. We hope you like our redesigned and revamped website with improved functionality. You can use it to check the calendar for upcoming events, the membership directory as well as be able to make online payments.

WX can only continue to provide the many interesting opportunities during the year to network, reconnect with colleagues and hear stimulating speakers at breakfasts and panel discussions with your continued support. We look forward to your continued attendance at events and always welcome your input on programs and other ideas you would like WX to consider. Please feel free to contact me at my email address with your suggestions, concerns or thoughts as to how we can make WX even stronger.

We would appreciate if you would return the enclosed membership dues invoice with your payment, or feel free to pay online. If you have any questions, please call us at 212-414-9309.

See you at our next event!

Warmest regards,

Susan Swanzey