Withum Real Estate Services Practice Leader Rebecca Machinga (left) and outgoing CREW NJ President Tara Carver were on hand Nov. 14 for the chapter’s annual holiday party, where the firm received the organization’s Company of the Year award. — Courtesy: CREW NJ
By Joshua Burd
CREW NJ has recognized one of the state’s largest accounting firms for its role in supporting the organization and the advancement of women in the commercial real estate industry.
The firm, WithumSmith+Brown PC, recently received CREW NJ’s prestigious Company of the Year award, capping off a decade in which it was a “significant and consistent partner” with the association, according to a news release. Outgoing chapter President Tara Carver presented the accolade at the group’s annual holiday party on Nov. 14, noting that Withum actively supports CREW by hosting and attending events throughout the year, while also encouraging its leaders to participate in the local governance of CREW NJ.
Rebecca Machinga, partner and practice leader of Withum’s real estate services group, accepted the award. She is a former CREW NJ board president who served as an adviser through this year, while the accounting firm has been a top-level sponsor since 2016, the news release said.
During her acceptance speech, she credited CREW’s global reach as helping to expand both Withum’s and her own brand and reach internationally.
“Organizations like CREW give women the tools to develop the right opportunities if they don’t see them in the marketplace,” Machinga said, adding that she was excited about how such organizations are changing the landscape of the commercial real estate industry. “For example, I just read an article about a 200-unit condo building in Toronto that is being led by an all-woman team!
“Withum is proud to be a member of CREW for a long time, proud to be a sponsor and, as I roll off the board this year, I look forward to continued leadership from a lot of the women in this room, along with the occasional brave men!”
