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The trade group for Massachusetts’ commercial developers has named a new president and board chair for 2020.
Leslie Cohen, COO and head of asset management at Samuels & Assoc., was elected the 2020 president of NAIOP Massachusetts at the group’s annual meeting earlier this week. In this capacity, she will work closely with NAIOP staff and chapter leadership to guide the organization. Sara Cassidy of AEW, who served as the 2019 president, was named board chair; Tom Andrews of Alexandria Real Estate Equites was named president-elect; Jessica Hughes of Tishman Speyer was named the group’s treasurer; and Patrick McMahon of Federal Realty Investment Trust will become the board’s secretary.
“NAIOP is the voice for an industry that plays a critical role in the region’s economy and competitiveness. Our members are innovative, engaged in their communities and focused on ensuring that Massachusetts is a great place to work and live,” Cohen said in a statement. “At the same time, we have a great opportunity to foster diversity across the field. I look forward to collaborating with other senior NAIOP leaders to implement new initiatives that will cultivate a broader pipeline of talent interested in all aspects of the commercial real estate industry.”
Cohen has been part of the Samuels team for more than 17 years. She was previously president of CREW Boston and has served on the board of trustees and the building committee at the West End House in Allston, on the building and grounds committee at Tufts University and, for the second time, will co-chair Heading Home’s next Housewarming event.
“NAIOP’s volunteer leaders represent the best of this industry. NAIOP’s Executive Director Reesa Fischer and I are honored to work with professionals like Leslie in our efforts to advance and grow the industry,” Tamara Small, CEO of NAIOP, said in a statement. “Their creativity and energy will allow our organization to address the needs of commercial real estate professionals while focusing on advocacy, education and professional development.”
NAIOP Massachusetts also presented several special awards to select members who have made significant contributions to benefit the industry. Sara Cassidy presented the 2020 President’s Award to Rob Borden of JLL in recognition of his leadership, strategic direction and vision as vice-chair of NAIOP’s Program Committee. Larry Feldman of GZA was presented with the 2020 NAIOP Government Affairs Champion Award in recognition of his years of work on NAIOP’s Brownfields Redevelopment Committee. His advocacy has resulted in new laws and policies that encourage the cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated sites in Massachusetts, the group said.
