The Rise Initiative Honoree Program FAQ: What To Know Before Submitting

Throughout this year, Bisnow has been committed to shining a light on the need for more diverse representation in commercial real estate. Now, we want to honor the CRE firms that have adopted inclusive practices in the workplace while taking steps to eliminate bias and barriers with the Rise Initiative. 

The Rise Initiative honoree program seeks to spotlight firms that have been turning promises of diversity and inclusivity into actionable steps within their internal practices. 

Thinking about submitting to become a Rise honoree? Check out the FAQs below to learn more about eligibility criteria and the upcoming Rise Initiative event for honorees in New York City.

What is the goal of the Rise Initiative honoree program?

The goal of the Rise Initiative honoree program is to help the CRE industry become more diverse and equitable by highlighting firms that have been re-evaluating their current initiatives, putting strategies for advancement into effect and using data to measure outcomes. Through this program, firms can share successful DEI practices, facilitate constructive conversations about expanding diversity in CRE, and keep one another and the industry accountable.

DEI initiatives may include, but are not limited to: hiring and retaining diverse candidates within the organization; maintaining and updating reports on the initiatives that were implemented; and identifying tangible opportunities for growth.

Who is eligible to enter? 

Any firm within the CRE industry that is located or has offices in the U.S. is eligible to enter. Nominations can be submitted by either a firm’s internal team or from individuals outside the firm who have knowledge of its DEI initiatives.

How do I submit a nomination? 

Nominations can be submitted by:

— Sharing your company’s diversity initiative via https://bisnowrise.awardsplatform.com/

— Creating an account on the Bisnow award platform

— Completing an entry form by the Jan. 28 submission deadline

Can I submit multiple initiatives for the same firm?

No, each firm may submit only one initiative.

Can you explain more about the firm-level excellence category?

To be recognized as an honoree, the firm must show what DEI initiatives were taken to make improvements across various levels of the organization internally. Applicants must provide data on program specifics and measurable outcomes.

Firms that are selected as honorees are also encouraged to share initiatives as an example for others to learn from, replicate or adapt to their own firms.

While partnering with outside organizations or taking steps to raise awareness outside of a firm are great examples of initiating change within CRE, The Rise Initiative focuses on how a firm makes changes internally. Tell us how you recruit, retain and advance diversity within your organization.

What if I don’t have any large-scale examples of measurable outcomes?

While the size and scope of the initiative don’t matter, firms should be able to provide concrete examples that support the success of their initiatives. If hard data can’t be included, feel free to think outside the box and come up with a way to show how implementing the DEI initiative led to creating equal opportunities within the firm.

Within the submission, the firm’s diversity program may show measurable outcomes through:

— KPIs

— Short-term or long-term case studies

— Program outcome reports

— Employee surveys and interviews

Who is evaluating the entries? 

The steering committee comprises a group of seven industry CRE industry experts who will be evaluating each entry. This committee includes:

— Devon Prioleau, director, Macro

— Sonya Rocvil, principal, Bedrock Real Estate Investors

— Daniel Chatters, aviation compliance director, The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

— Sam Chandan, Silverstein Chair and academic dean, NYU SPS Schack Institute of Real Estate

— Desmonde Monroe, CEO, The Monroe Group

— Kimberly Dowdell, principal, Hok

— Lynn Reyes, co-founder, Pürepiphany

Bisnow staff will not be reviewing submissions or participating in the evaluation process.

When will honorees be announced? 

Honorees will be announced at The Rise Initiative’s cocktail event on Thursday, April 28, 2022, in New York City. We will hold an honoree presentation and hear from keynote speakers and panels on DEI in the CRE industry.

Have a question that wasn’t covered here? Reach out to [email protected].