Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

A strong community is one where all are welcomed, included and supported. To achieve this vision for the CRE community, our association established a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) initiative in 2017 with the mission to build and develop a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture. 

The DEI Committee works to ensure that chapter programming, events and other activities proportionally reflect our diverse market, with a focus on acting as a resource and leveraging partnerships to attract and develop diverse talent industry-wide. 

Summer Intern Program

Our Summer Intern Program is a resource for current college students and those placed in a summer internship with member companies. This program is a platform for students of diverse ethnicities, genders, abilities, and sexual orientations to connect with peers, engage more closely with our association, and experience the breadth of the CRE industry. By providing an additional support resource for member companies, we aim to enhance interns' summer experiences and bring them together with other college students from diverse backgrounds. The more we can enhance the intern experience, the more likely students are to seek full-time employment in the industry.

Over six events, participating students meet with DEI Committee members and other industry professionals to learn about the development process, build networking skills, and develop deeper connections with peers and mentors. Applications open in May each year with Program kickoff at the end of June.

Applications for the 2026 Intern Program are now closed. For more information about the program, contact us at [email protected]

CRE Foundation Scholarship

In 2023, CREDAWA partnered with University of Washington to create the CRE Foundation Scholarship as part of our continued efforts to nurture the next generation of industry leaders and build a more inclusive and welcoming CRE community. This scholarship provides financial aid to students enrolled in UW's Commercial Real Estate Certification Program, an eight-month course that prepares students for a career in CRE with courses covering finance, development, property management, and marketing.

The 2026 scholarship application is open now. Visit our Scholarship page for information and to apply.

Support these Programs by becoming a DEI Sponsor.

DEI Programming On Demand

Recent programming includes the below events, which are now free to view for all CRE industry members and partners.

• 2025 Summer Intern Program: Life of the Deal Part 1
• 2025 Summer Intern Program: Life of the Deal Part 2
• 2025 Summer Intern Program: Recruiting & Job Search
• How is Your Company Progressing? 
• Demystifying the Image of APPI in CRE 
• Creating Inclusive Workplaces for LGBTQ+ People 
• Recruitment, Retention, & Relationships 
• The Roundtable Roam 
• Race and Real Estate 
• A Candid Discussion on Racial Barriers in CRE 
• Unpacking Biases 

Learn more

If you’re passionate about DEI and want to be more involved by participating on the DEI Committee, contact [email protected] for more information. To sponsor Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion events, visit the DEI Sponsorship Opportunities page.