**CREW Network CEO Alison Beddard on Building “The Most Inclusive CRE Business Network Ever Built”**
Alison Beddard, a seasoned commercial real estate executive with 20 years of industry and volunteer leadership experience, was named CEO of CREW Network and its affiliated foundation earlier this year. Having spent much of her career at Cushman & Wakefield, Beddard has also been deeply involved with CREW Network, holding numerous board and leadership roles on both local and global levels.
In a recent interview with Connect CRE, Beddard shared insights into her decision to take on this new role and her vision for the future of the organization.
**What made this the right time for you to lead CREW Network, from both your perspective and the organization’s?**
“Throughout my career, I have often thought of the book *Do What You Love and the Money Will Follow*. Each time I’ve made a career move, I’ve followed that mindset. I had just completed a 360-feedback session with a business coach, exploring how to build upon my executive skills at my previous company. I had enjoyed leading various teams and business lines over the years. Then I heard about the CEO opportunity at CREW Network—and it truly called to me.”
“I wouldn’t be the professional I am today if I hadn’t discovered CREW early in my career. My 15 years with the organization significantly shaped my leadership abilities and helped me grow in ways I then applied within my company. So, when the CEO role became available, I knew I had to pursue it.”
“CREW Network is at an incredibly exciting juncture. Our membership is expanding, our work in research, education, and scholarships is industry-leading, and our members represent all 36+ disciplines in commercial real estate. We’re creating the most inclusive business network in the CRE industry, backed by a forward-thinking technology platform. With the commitment of our partners and sponsors, it’s an inspiring time to lead this organization.”
**How has CREW membership benefited women in commercial real estate, and what impact has it had on your own career?**
“CREW provides truly unique opportunities for its members to build their networks in a genuine and valuable way. Early in my career, those connections set me apart—helping me gain business, make referrals, and seek confidential professional advice. Being actively involved at the chapter level provided leadership experiences that have been critical to my development.”
“Serving in leadership roles exposed me to executive-level thinking and allowed me to expand my network across geographies and sectors. Every speech, every meeting with an industry sponsor helped me grow. CREW is truly for everyone who aligns with our mission: accelerating success for women in commercial real estate. It’s not just about gender. It’s about creating a more inclusive, high-performing industry—for our clients and ourselves.”
**What has CREW Network achieved over the past few years, and what’s next?**
“Our global reach has grown significantly, with membership now totaling over 14,000. We’ve expanded our presence in Europe and Mexico and continue to grow throughout the U.S. and Canada.”
“We’re investing heavily in technology, undergoing a complete digital transformation to build a modern, data-driven platform that supports our 85 chapters. This infrastructure will allow us to foster quicker, smarter connections between members, deliver educational programs, and give access to business-building tools—all within one unified ecosystem.”
“We’re also revamping our Leadership Certificate program to offer greater flexibility through hybrid learning formats—both in-person and virtual.”
**What are some of your high-priority initiatives as CEO?**
“This year, we’re launching a strategic planning initiative to set clear priorities and goals for the next three to five years. We’ll be analyzing the impact we’re making today and where we can go next.”
“Our focus areas will include closing the compensation gap, building clear pipelines to executive leadership roles for women, and helping members create wealth through our powerful business network. Our members bring incredible value to the industry, and I’m thrilled to explore new ways to spotlight their talents and expand their opportunities.”
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Alison Beddard’s leadership marks a new chapter for CREW Network as it continues its mission to create a more inclusive commercial real estate industry—one meaningful connection at a time.
