More Regions
2026 Women In Real Estate Awards
New York & Tri-State
- Akerman’s Beth Zafonte Secures Over $3B in Economic Development Incentives
- Angela Gentry’s JLL Team Closes $230M in Leasing
- Benesch’s Laura Mehl Sugarman Structures Transactions Totaling Billions of Dollars
- Macy Finn Helps Close $951M in Acquisitions Across 3.6M Square Feet
- CBRE’s Iris Rosa Leads Efforts to Increase Diverse Supplier Spending
- Miryam Reintz-Kops Closes More than $600M in Financing for Greystone
- Nicole De Bare Structures Landmark Deals for Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
- Maria Blake Leads Portfolio Strategy and Repositioning for Columbia Property Trust
- Remi Mandell Produces $29B in Property Evaluations Since Joining Ariel Property Advisors
- Patti AmecAngelo Strengthens RIPCO’s New Jersey Platform
- Sabrina Lippman Expands Affordable Housing Activities through Habitat for Humanity
Akerman’s Beth Zafonte Secures Over $3B in Economic Development Incentives
Beth Zafonte, director of economic development services at Akerman, has generated more than $3 billion in economic development incentives over a 40-year career, helping developers navigate public programs and make complex real estate projects financially feasible.
Zafonte’s practice focuses on affordable housing, life sciences, charter schools, clean energy, cultural facilities, data centers and entertainment projects.
Her recent work includes securing incentives for a Chicago entertainment destination expected to generate more than $1 billion in economic impact and create over 400 permanent jobs. In Staten Island, she helped secure a 25-year property tax abatement estimated at $21.9 million for a 305,067-square-foot self-storage development. She also secured a New York City tax abatement estimated at $70.4 million over 25 years for a life sciences conversion and expansion in Long Island City, Queens.
Zafonte chairs Akerman’s Philanthropic Council and serves as vice president of the Akerman Foundation. She previously served as co-deputy chair of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group.
A longtime leader in CREW, ULI and REBNY, Zafonte is a former president of WX New York Women Executives in Real Estate. Her honors include CREW Network and CREW New York Impact Awards, recognition as a Bisnow New York Power Woman, and a New York Real Estate Journal Leading Woman in Real Estate designation.
These are just a few reasons Beth Zafonte is among the New York & Tri-State Connect CRE 2026 Women in Real Estate Award winners. The award honors the achievements and inspirational stories of women who have reached respected leadership positions and taken on mentorship roles.