Erica Godun, director for sustainability with Ware Malcomb, began her term as Commercial Real Estate Women Inc. New Jersey chapter president, speaking during the organization’s Dec. 14 sponsor expo and board induction event. — Photos by Gillian Deak Photography/Courtesy: CREW NJ
By Joshua Burd
Ware Malcomb architect Erica Godun has taken the reins as New Jersey chapter president of Commercial Real Estate Women Inc., leading a 13-member board that will guide the association in the year ahead.
Godun, who is based in the firm’s Newark office, began her term last month as CREW NJ held its annual sponsor expo and board induction event at Basking Ridge Country Club. She joined Krista Korinis, the chapter’s outgoing president, alongside many of its 120 members for a program that reflected on highlights in 2023 such as more than 40 meetings and events, the growth of its social media and marketing strategy and a surge in donations to the CREW Network Foundation.
They also recognized CREW NJ’s supporters throughout the industry, including special honorees Onyx Equities and Rockefeller Group.
“I am so proud of all we did together as a chapter to advance women in commercial real estate, and I’m super fortunate to have had the opportunity to be the president this year,” Korinis, president of Global Installation Resources LLC in Clifton, said during the Dec. 14 program. “I can’t thank all of you enough.
“I would like to thank my friend Erica, your 2024 president of CREW New Jersey,” she added. “I couldn’t have had a better partner to navigate this past year with, and I know she’s going to continue to move CREW New Jersey forward and keep investing in our members. And I’m so excited to watch all of the exciting things that Erica, along with the incoming board, is going to do next year.”
The full 2024 CREW NJ board includes:
- President: Erica Godun
- President-elect: Courtney Rosenkrantz
- Treasurer: Laura Riso
- Co-directors of programs: Melissa Clarke and Melanie Rogacki
- Director of membership: Dana Reynolds
- Director of social media: Therese O’Brian
- Director of sponsorship: Sandra Gaurin
- Director of community outreach: Kris Hurlbut
- Director of special projects: Kristen Wolansky
- Recording secretary: Susan Korath
- Chapter champion: Jessica Trifiro
- Adviser: Krista Korinis
- Adviser: Cecilia Lassiter
Godun, who recently was named Ware Malcomb’s first-ever director for sustainability, reflected on her path to becoming CREW NJ president. That began roughly eight years ago when she moved from the firm’s New York office to New Jersey, she said, noting that she “felt welcomed and supported” from her very first chapter event as she sought to grow her network in the state.
That led to position as a director and, ultimately, an important year as president-elect.
“I’ve shared my CREW journey not as a history lesson, but to highlight the people that made it possible and supported me along the way, because that’s what CREW is all about,” Godun said. “Through CREW, I’ve gotten project leads and birthday wishes and given career advice and baby gifts. Any time you reach out to a CREW member in your own chapter or internationally, it’s a warm introduction sure to receive a response and I’m so appreciative that I have the opportunity to be CREW New Jersey president in 2024.”
