CREW Network Adds Memphis and Northwest Arkansas Chapters
CREW NW Arkansas: Wendy Mann, Micy Liu, Tracy Meeks, Mandy Leesch, Jessica Straub, Brie Madden, Karen Whitt | CREW Memphis: Laura Meanwell, Karen Whitt, Wendy Mann
CREW Network has added chapters in Memphis, Tennessee and Northwest Arkansas (United States) expanding the organization’s presence to 83 chapters and more than 14,000 members globally. Delegates representing CREW Network chapters unanimously voted to add CREW Memphis and CREW Northwest Arkansas on June 21 at the 2024 CREW Network Spring Leadership Summit in Charlotte, North Carolina. The new chapters will promote commercial real estate business opportunities for members and provide industry networking, education, and leadership opportunities in their respective markets.
The formation of CREW Memphis first began in earnest by Casey Flannery and Laura Meanwell in fall 2019. In March 2020, just as the group was getting ready to launch recruiting events, the COVID pandemic struck, and subsequently, Flannery relocated to Nashville, Tennessee. A new board was formed in December 2023, and revived efforts were under way.
“Memphis has a strong, robust commercial real estate community, which has been predominantly populated with male practitioners, so there remains an untapped potential for networking, collaboration, and professional development specifically tailored to the unique needs of women in the industry,” CREW Memphis’ board said in a collective statement. “Establishing a CREW chapter in Memphis not only fills this void but also unlocks a myriad of benefits for the local community. By bringing together professionals from various sectors of commercial real estate—from developers and brokers to attorneys and architects—a Memphis chapter will foster an environment ripe for innovation, knowledge sharing, and mutually beneficial partnerships, especially for women.”
Through mentorship programs, educational initiatives, and advocacy efforts, CREW Memphis plans to champion gender diversity and inclusion, paving the way for greater representation and leadership opportunities for women in commercial real estate.
Professionals interested in joining CREW Memphis may contact President Laura Meanwell at lmeanwell@commadv.com.
The establishment of a CREW Network chapter in Northwest Arkansas (NWA) comes at a pivotal time in the region's growth trajectory. NWA is currently experiencing a rise in business expansion, population influx, and the blossoming of a robust and diverse professional ecosystem. Professional organizations are gathering momentum within the market.
“Our inaugural board members, who have each discovered the value of CREW Network through varying paths and at distinct stages in their careers, share a common aspiration—to introduce the wealth of resources and the fundamental mission of CREW Network to our community,” CREW Northwest Arkansas’ board said in a collective statement. “We have recognized the profound influence CREW Network has on professional development, mentorship, and fostering meaningful connections. We have identified a void in these areas within the commercial real estate industry in NWA, a gap that CREW Network is perfectly positioned to fill. The organization serves not just as a platform for business networking, but also as a champion of equality, guiding the next generation to sidestep the hurdles faced by their predecessors. We are enthusiastic about the prospect of integrating these values and resources within our region, prompting us to advocate for the establishment of a CREW chapter in NWA.”
Individuals interested in joining CREW Northwest Arkansas may contact President Brie Madden at bmadden@wacotitle.com.