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New York & Tri-State  + Midtown New York  + Hospitality  |  September 16, 2025
Paul Bubny
By: Paul Bubny

REBNY Announces Honorees for 130th Annual at Waldorf-Astoria

The Real Estate Board of New York has announced the honorees for the 130th REBNY Annual, the premier event celebrating the leaders shaping New York City’s real estate and civic landscape. The celebration will take place on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at the Waldorf Astoria New York, newly restored to its historic grandeur following a significant renovation.

“REBNY is proud to shine a spotlight on this year’s honorees—visionaries whose careers have been defined by innovation, integrity, and a deep commitment to New York City,” said REBNY president James Whelan. “We look forward to celebrating their achievements in a space that has hosted generations of icons.”

The 2026 REBNY Annual Honorees include the following:

  • The Bernard H. Mendik Lifetime Leadership in Real Estate Award: Jeffrey R. Gural, Chairman and Principal, GFP Real Estate, LLC; for exceptional accomplishments and invaluable contributions to New York and its real estate industry.
  • The Harry B. Helmsley Distinguished New Yorker Award: Anita Laremont and David Karnovsky, Partners, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP; for a lifetime of professional excellence and contributions to New York’s civic welfare.
  • The Kenneth R. Gerrety Humanitarian Award: Winston Fisher, Partner, Fisher Brothers & CEO, AREA15; for outstanding service to the community.
  • The John E. Zuccotti Public Service Award: Christine Quinn, President & CEO, Women in Need (WIN); for exceptional accomplishments and service in the public interest.
  • The George M. Brooker Management Executive of the Year Award: Kevin Hoey, Executive Vice President, L&L Holding Company; for career excellence and service to the profession and broader community.
  • The Louis Smadbeck Memorial Broker Recognition Award: James Wacht, Managing Principal, Lee & Associates; for integrity, leadership, and long-standing contributions to the brokerage community and REBNY.
  • The Young Real Estate Professional of the Year Award: Camille McGratty, AVP, Head of Real Estate, Hospital for Special Surgery; for outstanding professional achievements and civic leadership as a rising star in the industry.

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Inside The Story

130th REBNY Annual

About Paul Bubny

Paul Bubny serves as Senior Content Director for Connect Commercial Real Estate, a role to which he brings 16-plus years’ experience covering the commercial real estate industry and 30-plus years in business-to-business journalism. In this capacity, he oversees daily operations while also reporting on both local/regional markets and national trends, covering individual transactions across all property types, as well as delving into broader subject matter. He produces 7-10 daily news stories per day and works with the Connect team and clients to develop longer-form content, ranging from Q&As to thought-leadership pieces. Prior to joining Connect, Paul was Managing Editor for both Real Estate Forum and GlobeSt.com at American Lawyer Media, where he oversaw operations at both publications while also producing daily news and feature-length articles. His tenure in B2B publishing stretches back into the print era, and he has served as Editor in Chief on four national trade publications. Since 1999, Paul has volunteered as the newsletter editor of passenger rail advocacy groups (one national, one local).
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