We caught up with CREW Boston, which held its annual gala recently at the Fairmont Copley Plaza to recognize the achievements of its members. The Leadership Award went to Judy Nitsch, co-founder and chairman of Nitsch Engineering (above with  Channel 7 reporter and gala MC Janet Wu and Elkus Manfredi's Elizabeth Lowrey). Judy, the 2014 national CREW president, has been a trailblazer for women in traditionally male-dominated professions: real estate and engineering. She’s a master networker, eager to engage with CEOs and entry-level associates, as well as a great adviser, coach and mentor.

The award for a deal that exemplifies the success and value of networking went to the team working on Samuels & Associates’ Continuum at Barry’s Corner in Allston. The project, Harvard’s first major expansion project in Allston, is 325 apartments and 35k SF of ground-floor retail with outdoor amenities. The winners: Karen O’Malley, Goulston & Storrs; Sophie Stein with Stewart Title Commercial Services, formerly with First American; Karen Gray, Harvard University; Elizabeth Lowrey, Elkus Manfredi Architects; Melissa Schrock, Boston Properties (formerly with Samuels & Associates); Julie Gray, McCall & Almy; and Leslie Cohen, principal at Samuels.