It is an honor to serve as President of the Berkeley Real Estate Alumni Assocation (BREAA) during such an exciting and pivotal time for our community. Berkeley’s tradition of academic excellence, innovation, and leadership has long produced some of the most thoughtful and impactful professionals in the real estate industry, and BREAA exists to keep that legacy thriving across generations.
Our mission remains clear: to strengthen the connection between alumni, industry partners, and current students, and to ensure that UC Berkeley continues to be a premier destination for those pursuing careers in real estate. Whether through educational programming, mentorship, networking opportunities, or career support, BREAA is committed to creating meaningful value for our members and giving back to the Berkeley programs that shaped us.
One of the greatest strengths of Berkeley's real estate ecosystem is the breadth of programs that help students launch successful careers in the industry. From the Berkeley Haas MBA program and the Fisher Center for Real Estate & Urban Economics to the interdisciplinary MRED+D program and real estate-focused student organizations, Berkeley offers students unparalleled opportunities to develop the technical skills, industry knowledge, and professional networks needed to thrive. We are particularly proud to congratulate Berkeley Haas on its continued recognition as one of the nation's leading business schools for real estate, with its MBA program recently ranked #2 in the country for Real Estate. This achievement reflects the strength of our faculty, students, alumni, and industry partners, and further reinforces Berkeley's position as a leader in real estate education.
I am especially energized by the new leadership now in place. Alongside me, Mark English has stepped into the role of Vice President and will be leading the BREAA Advisory Board, helping to deepen alumni engagement and guide our long-term direction. We are also thrilled to welcome Justin Sharp back to the working board, this time serving as Vice President of Strategy. Justin’s return brings fresh perspective, renewed momentum, and a strong focus on the future growth of our organization.
Looking ahead, our near-term priorities are ambitious and focused on expanding the value BREAA delivers to alumni and students alike. We are working to launch a Virtual Chapter that will enable graduates across the country and around the globe to engage more easily with our community. We are also finalizing a comprehensive rebranding effort, including a new logo and refreshed visual identity that better reflects the energy and aspirations of Berkeley's real estate network. In addition, we plan to broaden our programming both in scope and geography, creating more opportunities for professional development, industry engagement, networking, and lifelong learning across multiple regions.
Together with our dedicated board members, advisors, and volunteers, this leadership team is focused on expanding our reach, strengthening industry partnerships, and delivering programming that reflects the evolving real estate landscape. Most importantly, we remain committed to supporting UC Berkeley students and alumni at every stage of their careers.
Thank you for being part of this community and for your continued engagement and support.
Together, we can make Berkeley the #1 place to launch a career in real estate. Go Bears!
