The CRE Finance Council has unveiled its 2026 class of 20 honourees under 40, spotlighting a generation of professionals who came of age during a period defined by market dislocation, technology adoption, and capital-flow disruption across the $6 trillion commercial and multifamily real estate finance industry. The recipients, who will be recognised at CREFC's Annual Conference in New York City next week, span balance-sheet and securitised lending, bond investing, private debt and equity, loan servicing, credit ratings, and advisory services.
CREFC President and CEO Lisa Pendergast described the class as exceptional professionals who distinguished themselves during a period of market volatility and rapid industry transformation. The honourees have brought what Pendergast called fresh thinking, innovation, and leadership to the market, with contributions extending beyond day-to-day roles into committee work, mentorship efforts, and industry initiatives designed to support CREFC's Young Professionals programming.
The 2026 class includes Karen Anzalone, a partner at Katten Muchin Rosenmann, and Katie Baskin, an associate at McGuireWoods. Sean Bastian, senior director of capital markets and institutional advisory at Walker & Dunlop, and Ravi Belsare, a principal at Apollo Global Management, also feature among the honourees. Steven Bernstein, managing director at Harbor Group International, and Darren Breda, managing director at Affinius Capital, round out part of the list.
Additional recipients include Zachary Cion, managing director at Hudson Bay Capital, and Jonathan Cohen, senior director at Monticelloam. Marcello Cricco-Lizza, managing director, principal, and head of CRE lending at Balbec Capital, and Allison DeLong, managing director at Greystone Servicing Company, were also named. Michael Dillon, vice president of CMBS trading and analytics at Prime Finance Partners, and Sang Kim, director of investments at Lionheart Strategic Management, appear on the list alongside Daniel Lim, investment director at AustralianSuper.
The legal and ratings segments are represented by Alison MacKenzie, senior associate at King & Spalding, and Neel Munot, senior director of CMBS at Kroll Bond Rating Agency. Gabrielle Neiss, commercial bank counsel at Capital One, and Christopher Pratt, director at JLL Capital Markets, were also recognised. Samantha Rotchford, managing director at BDT & MSD Partners, Will Stiles, director at Citi, and Samir Tejpaul, head of investments at Madison Realty Capital, complete the 2026 class.
CREFC's annual awards programme forms part of the organisation's broader commitment to supporting emerging leaders through education, mentorship, networking, and professional development. The trade association represents more than 400 companies and 19,000 individuals across the commercial real estate finance sector, spanning balance sheet and securitised lenders, loan and bond investors, private equity firms, servicers, rating agencies, and borrowers.
Many of this year's recipients are active participants in CREFC committees, events, and mentorship efforts, helping ensure the organisation's Young Professionals programming remains relevant and impactful for the next generation of industry leaders. Pendergast noted that their engagement is helping strengthen the future of CRE finance and shape industry leadership in the years ahead.
The honourees have navigated what CREFC described as one of the most demanding and rapidly evolving market environments in recent memory, embracing new technologies and bringing increasingly sophisticated analytical and operational expertise to every corner of the business. Their work, the organisation said, is helping to shape the future direction of the commercial real estate finance industry.