Page 28 - RE-NJ #80 Nov.2023

26 WINTER 2023
For an association with its own robust calendar of networking events, it was notable that a
key moment for CREW NJ came during a program hosted by another organization.
Krista Korinis points to the United Way of Northern New Jersey’s annual Legacy Event in early June — which drew a crowd of nearly 500 — where the chapter was honored with the Spirit of Philanthropy Award for its history of giving and supporting a host of charitable causes.
“I’d like to believe that the event had great exposure,” said Korinis, the New Jersey chapter president for
Commercial Real Estate Women Inc., the global networking organization. “And although many people know
us and many of them have come to our events, I think that just gave us a lot of street cred and leverage to say that we’re still here, we’re a hundred women strong and we’re still doing great things for our community.”
It was especially gratifying for someone who has spearheaded much of CREW NJ’s philanthropic efforts during her 15 years with the chapter. That focus has only grown since Korinis took over as president late last year, in a tenure that’s
also sought to create new value for
members and expand networking opportunities.
With her one-year term now coming to an end, she feels the chapter is well-positioned to continue growing on all fronts under her successor, Ware & Malcomb’s Erica Godun. Membership has grown to roughly 100 people, an uptick of more
than 10 percent, while the group hosts multiple events each month, putting it in rare company among networking organizations. That includes not only traditional, larger meetings, but also more intimate and sometimes informal gatherings for its professionals.
“It’s a very warm and friendly environment,” said Korinis, president of Global Installation Resources
LLC in Clifton, which she founded in 2009 alongside Marge McCabe. “And I think that these smaller groups
of people really take that to the
next level and make CREW unique, because it’s people getting to know each other on a more casual level. And when you get to really know someone, I think you’re more apt to try to do business with them.”
Korinis — whose firm specializes in office furniture, casework, mountable walls and signage — says the environment was equally
GIVING BACK
Korinis, outgoing CREW NJ president, reflects on chapter’s push to expand philanthropy, member benefits
By Joshua Burd
Krista Korinis, president of Global Installation Resources LLC in Clifton, is set to step down as president of CREW NJ, or Commercial Real Estate Women Inc.’s New Jersey chapter, after a one-year term that has focused on philanthropy, creating new value for members and expanding networking opportunities.
Photo by Aaron Houston for Real Estate NJ