During the presidency handover at the annual general meeting on February 12, Julie Dubé, outgoing President of CREW M and Senior Advisor, Appraisal at CDPQ, and Sanaa Benzakour, President 2025 of CREW M and Co-founder of PMML, spoke with Caroline Lacroix, outgoing board member of CREW M and Co-founder of Henvog & Co.
In this interview, Julie Dubé recounts the highlights of her presidency, of which she is most proud, including the annual golf tournament and the Excellence Gala, which saw record attendance. She points out the ever-increasing support from men, contributing to making women shine in the commercial real estate industry. Sanaa Benzakour, for her part, says she begins her term as president with continuity, pursuing the achievement of CREW M’s strategic objectives so that members and new members can benefit from the strength of the network, leadership training, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, continue to develop professionally and personally and shine within the industry.
CREW M is part of CREW Network, created in 1989, and the first network in the industry to be devoted to the promotion and success of women in commercial real estate. Its 14,000 members, representing nearly every discipline in the commercial real estate sector, are spread among the network’s 85 chapters, located in all the major North American markets, including 7 chapters in Canada: Vancouver, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, Nova Scotia, Montreal/Quebec and soon Ottawa.
CREW M is going through a global overhaul in our approach to expand our reach within the Greater Montreal region and to the rest of the province.
CREW M is a successful business catalyst for its members. At heart is the desire to adopt a business model based on diversity and to highlight women’s achievements and expertise in the industry. CREW M members are well recognized for the quality of their contribution to the industry.
CREW M is a “hub,” a place of exchange and enrichment, where all industry disciplines converge on a unique platform offering relevant content and memorable experiences through forums and through both real and virtual meetings that promote fruitful business exchanges between members.
The mission of the international CREW Network is to transform the world of commercial real estate through the advancement of women professionals in the industry, with CREW M as the vehicle for the Quebec real estate community.
– Grow the organization through increased visibility and prominence
– Mobilize members and the industry itself in support of the advancement of women
– Provoke change by being a source of inspiration for all industry players
Julie Dubé
CDPQ
Sanaa benzakour
PMML
Jenny-Kate Sgarbi
Groupe Petra
Cindy Benech
PFD Avocats
Pierre-Alain Rodrigue
CREW M
Brigitte Dupuis
GBI
Cynthia Brunet
Donati Maisonneuve
EMILY KONCSIK
DeRico Experts-Conseils SENC
Kayci Ozorai
Regisco
Myriam Boutin
Sumus Collab
Rochelle Methot
Broccolini Immobilier
CREW M’s success unquestionably rests on the organization’s diverse committees. They are skilfully overseen by our members and allow for an ever-expanding array of initiatives.
The Communications and Public Relations Committee aims at promoting and showcasing the members of CREW M, all exceptional women, by creating and maintaining critical platforms such as our website, newsletter, as well as maintaining social media presence. The committee’s platforms focus on raising the association’s profile, communicating information relating to the real estate sector to the public and promoting networking and visibility of its members.
CYNTHIA BRUNETDirector |
DENISE BOUSQUETNewsletter |
EVGUENIA KAPCHIISociété immobilière Bélanger |
GIACOMO GHEDUZZIPartenership |
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The goal of CREW M’s DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Committee is to promote an inclusive and diverse environment within the commercial real estate industry. It aims to raise awareness and foster equal opportunities by providing resources and initiatives that allow individuals, regardless of their background, gender, or experience, to contribute fully to the industry.
LINDA MAURICEDirector Trium Mobilier de Bureau inc. |
CAROLINE CAUCHONArtelia Canada inc |
Frédric Clairoux Clairoux |
JULIE DUBÉCDPQ |
LOUISE MAZAURIC |
LU GRAVELLEJLL |
MISOO CHUNGPresima Securities ULC
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PIERRE-ALAIN RODRIGUECREW M |
VALÉRIE DESROCHESValérie DesRoches, Coaching |
The objective of the Events Committee is to assist CREW M in accomplishing its mission by providing a window on its members’ professional activities, by organizing events that keep these activities top of mind. The Events Committee strives to highlight CREW M members and to provide them with opportunities to acquire and hone their leadership skills, to enable them to build relationships through efficient and structured networking activities and to allow various forms of mentoring. Whether it’s by hosting conferences or networking events, we always have at heart the recognition of the success of women in commercial real estate by the industry.
ROCHELLE METHOTAdministrator |
CHRISTINA BACHNERDirector |
FABIENNE BENOITFirst Canadian Title |
JESSIKA ANNE LEDINGHAMPMML |
LAURA GAGNÉHPDG Associés inc. |
RAFAELLA ARAPOVICMcCarthy Tétrault |
STELLA PRANDEKASDonati Maisonneuve |
VALÉRIE MICHAUDFransyl |
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CREW M’s success is thanks to the great generosity of its partners. For an organization such as CREW M, sponsor participation and funding are the pillars of its success. The committee focuses on developing programs that meet the needs – and surpass the expectations – of its partners, allowing them and CREW M to shine on the industry stage. It’s a privilege for the Sponsorship and Finance Committee to promote its partners, who are all leaders in the commercial real estate sector and believe strongly in supporting the success of women in the industry.
BRIGITTE DUPUISAdministrator GBI |
ISABELLE SERGERIEDirector |
ALESSANDRO DI GIACOBBESollicitation |
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ALEXANDRA GOBEILDepatie Beauchemin Consultants inc. |
CORALIA RADUCEALiaise |
FLORENCE MORIN-LAURINSollicitation |
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KAROLE-ANNE GAGNONSollicitation |
LISE HILLSollicitation |
MIREILLE GAUTHIERGDA |
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SIMON ST-GEORGESSollicitation |
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KAYCI OZORAIAdministratrice |
ALINE ZAFARIANMembership committee |
HÉLÈNE HARAMBURUMembership committee
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LOUISE MAZAURICMembership committee |
NATHALIE PICARD Cartier Miller |
FLORENCE GOULET PELLETIERNetworking committee |
LUCIE DESGAGNÉNetworking committee
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PATRICIA GRAVELDirector Recruitment |
EVGUENIA KAPCHIIRecruitment committee |
KATHERINE BLONDINFuture Leaders Director |
SOLINE ZOMAHOUNCo-director |
TATIANA HAKIMCo-director |
PIER-ANN DROUINComité mentorat |
SAFIE DIALLOMentoring committee |
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Strategic planning is essential to any organization. CREW M Strategic planning committee’s objective is the implementation of a collective effort by all members, who are committed to share a common vision and mission, to establish specific goals and to explore paths to achieve and realize them.
EMILY KONCSIKAdministrator |
NATHALIE PICARDDirector Cartier Miller |
ADINA-CRISTINA GEORGESCU |
CHANTAL COUSINEAULiaise Agent BDO |
HERVÉ NÉPLAZGroupe API |
JENNY-KATE SGARBIGroupe Petra |
JULIE DUBÉCDPQ |
MARIE-FRANCE BENOITAvison Young |
SANAA BENZAKOURPresident 2025 |
VALÉRIE DESROCHESValérie DesRoches Coaching |
CAROLINE LACROIXDirector |
GENEVIÈVE PARENT-HOULEColliers |
LAURENCE LESSARDLune Rouge |
MARIE-FRANCE BENOITAvison Young |
MYLÈNE FORESTGestion Forest – Prudhomme |
OLIVIA ANDERSONAvison Young |
WENDY BELISLEMiller Thomson |
CATHERINE MURPHY GRÉGOIRECo-director Burovision |
SABRINA BISSONCo-director Carbonleo |
ELISA KRUMMENGraph Synergie |
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Fabienne BenoitFCT |
JULIE DUBÉCDPQ |
KATHERINE BLONDINGBI |
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LAURENCE DESGENSHazelview |
EMILY KONCSIKAdministrator DeRico Experts-Conseils SENC |
EVGUENIA KAPCHIILiaise Société immobilière Bélanger |
LAURIE LABERGEPure Industrial |
MIREILLE GAUTHIER GDA – Services immobiliers intégrés |
With over 14,000 members in North America, CREW Network is the premier network dedicated to the success and promotion of women in the commercial real estate industry.
Founded in 1989, CREW Network (Commercial Real Estate Women) is the first network in the industry to devote itself to promoting and supporting the success of women in commercial real estate. Our 14,000 members from virtually all disciplines of the industry and our network has 85 chapters covering the major markets of the United States and seven chapters in Canada, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Saskatoon, Nova Scotia, Montreal/Quebec and soon Ottawa.
Network is to remain a key player in the success of women in real estate focusing on four aspects: development business and leadership, research and career progression. CREW Network members are recognized for the quality of service they provide to the industry. With a network as diverse, our members have the resources to create new ways to structure their transactions to benefit their business, and promote mutual assistance to get the job done.
For further information, please visit
www.crewnetwork.org
Canadian Chapters:
CREW Toronto
CREW Calgary
CREW Vancouver
CREW Edmonton
CREW Saskatoon
Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions section! This section, which we are adding to on an ongoing basis, provides answers to the most frequently asked questions about our organization. Feel free to get in touch with us for any additional information. We’d be happy to answer any other questions you might have.
If you wish to take part in a committee, get in touch with the CREW M office by emailing info@crewm.com. We will be happy to transfer your request to the chair of the committee you are interested in.
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