CREW Charlotte Creates Fund to Honor Anne Vulcano’s Legacy through CREW Network Foundation Scholarships
Anne Vulcano, a past president of CREW Charlotte, passed away unexpectedly on July 23rd, 2023. CREW Charlotte has set up a memorial fund to honor Anne’s legacy through the CREW Network Foundation scholarship endowment. Contributions made in her honor will support future generations of female leaders and advance women in the industry.
Anne began working in the commercial real estate field in 1984. Anne spent just over a year working for The Bissell Companies where she was responsible for the development of the commercial brokerage unit.
She began working at CBRE in 1997, where she spent the majority of her career and was the top leasing broker for decades. In 2020, Anne moved over to Cushman & Wakefield as a brokerage specialist. Cushman & Wakefield Managing Principal, Brett Gray, says Anne “is best remembered as a friend, mentor to many and one tough woman.”
Anne was considered a trailblazer in the office leasing space and the commercial real estate industry as a whole. She forged a path for other women to follow. She worked hard and had very high standards for herself and her team.
Anne served on the board of CREW Charlotte for several years and as President in 2000. During this time, CREW Charlotte became affiliated with CREW Network. She played a large role in making CREW Charlotte what it is today.
In 2021, she was awarded the CREW Charlotte award for Career Advancement for Women, which honors a member who consistently exemplifies CREW Charlotte’s commitment to elevating the status of women in commercial real estate by working to advance the careers of other women. Anne always wanted to have other smart, professional women on her team, so she made the decision to hire and mentor them. As she said …. “I’d like to say that I went out of my way to find them, but there are so many awesome women out there that I didn’t have to look hard.”
Personally, Anne loved to spend time traveling or with family. Anne’s LinkedIn tagline says, “My passion is foreign and active travel and I have made many real estate deals via cellphone from remote locations.”
Here are a few quotes from CREW Charlotte members who were deeply impacted by Anne both personally and professionally.
“When Anne came to one of her 1st CREW meetings, I was on the board. Her enthusiasm about the group was infectious. She was instrumental in taking CREW to the next level. What a remarkable woman!” –Carol Fortenberry
“I recall being so inspired by her tenacity and unwillingness to not be heard, to not have a seat at the table – she gave me the confidence to push for the same.” – Mary Wilken, 2022 CREW Charlotte President
“Anne was one of my absolute favorite people in the world. I am so so sad, it’s truly a tragedy to lose her friendship and guidance.” – Stephanie Moore
Click here to donate in Anne’s memory.
Randy Hopkins
August 1, 2023 at 12:44 pmAnne was a mentor to me, like so many other women she would come into contact with over the years! She was my strongest advocate to take on the Presidency of CREW Charlotte when I had a young son at home and self employed (so no real Corporate Support in pre-full-time administration days for CREW) which has blessed me and my family in so many ways! She would laugh and shake her head that she was afraid at first for what she did as I went in, with the knowledge I learned from Nationals, and reworked the structure to how it is today. While seeming insignificant, her believing in me helped me become a better person and I hope a better professional woman. I will miss my friend, Anne! Randy Hopkins
Mary Wilken
August 2, 2023 at 4:18 pmAnne was a force. She will be missed. We can all honor her memory by continuing to mentor as she did!