Our CREW

Executive Board

jennifer baker, PRESIDENT

Jen Baker is a senior tax accountant at Cohen & Co Advisory, LLC. Focused primarily on working with the firm’s large real estate developer clients, she also serves as a team manager and is actively involved in real estate-related tax training. A CPA, Jen earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance at Kent State University and her Masters in Taxation at The University of Akron. She is a member of the Ohio Society of CPAs’ Young CPA Committee, and is the medical records coordinator and a volunteer at the Alleycats & Aristocats cat shelter. Jen and her husband live in Medina along with their three cats.

LIana Lake, IMMEDIATE PAST President

Liana Lake manages business development in northern Ohio for DLZ, a full service architecture, engineering, surveying and construction services firm. With over 20 years in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, Liana excels in client engagement and market strategy, driving growth and forming lasting partnerships. At DLZ, she focuses on identifying new opportunities and aligning DLZ’s expertise with the needs of clients and communities. 

 Liana also serves as the Chair of ULI Cleveland’s Women’s Leadership Initiative, championing the advancement of women in the industry. Additionally, Liana is former President of the Northeast Ohio chapter of the Society of Marketing Professional Services (SMPS). She resides in Fairlawn with her husband, two teenage sons and a golden doodle.

lori sallaz, first vice president

Lori Sallaz is the Manager, Bond Finance Programs for Development Finance Authority of Summit County. She is responsible for managing the Jobs and Investment Fund (rated A by S&P). Lori helps structure new deals from inception through bond issuance and manages all post compliance activities. She works with private borrowers and local public and community officials to facilitate closings. Lori also manages all conduit bond activity of the Authority which encompasses tax-exempt private activity bonds and sales tax capital leases. She is responsible for various activities to promote economic development in the region.

Lori is a Development Finance Certified Professional with over 9 years’ experience in economic development financing and 30 years of management experience in both public and private sectors. Furthering her education, she attended ITT Technical Institute and Youngstown State University. She currently serves as Vice Chair for the Ohio Council of Port Authorities, Second Vice President and Assistant Treasurer for the Greater Akron chapter of CREW (Commercial Real Estate for Women) and Treasurer for the Southeast Youth Baseball & Softball Association.

katie thome, Second vice president

Katie Thome is a Senior Associate on the Advisory & Transaction Office Agency Leasing team at CBRE Akron, where she specializes in representing a diverse range of landlords in the leasing of office and retail space throughout the Akron and Cleveland areas. With a portfolio that includes both small and large properties, Katie is dedicated to delivering tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of her clients. Katie’s work also includes Tenant Representation and her background in Interior Design and Project Management equips Katie with a comprehensive understanding of commercial projects across various sectors, including office, industrial, hospitality, and higher education. This expertise allows her to effectively help landlords and tenants visualize their new spaces, while her experience in construction, scheduling, and budgeting ensures a strategic approach to maximizing property value and achieving successful leasing outcomes. Katie is committed to providing exceptional service and fostering strong client relationships, utilizing her extensive industry contacts to drive successful results for her clients in Northeast Ohio.

brittany michael, treasurer

Brittany is an attorney working in the real estate field. Brittany earned her bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University and her JD/MBA from The University of Akron. She has worked in the industry for ten years.

rachel davis, vice president | secretary

Rachel’s positive attitude coupled with her organization skills and quick-to-respond nature make her invaluable to any team. Clients who work with her appreciate the respect she shows them as individuals and as business owners.  Since beginning her public accounting career in 2017, Rachel has specialized in pass-through entity taxation. She serves private companies in a variety of industries, including rental real estate and construction. She is a licensed CPA and is actively involved in training, staff development, mentoring and recruiting for the firm’s tax practice. A Northeast Ohio native, Rachel lives in Brunswick, Ohio, with her husband, two sons and two dogs. In her free time, Rachel enjoys spending time with her family and baking.

Programs Committee

The Programs Committee shall work to provide various professional development events and networking events; both members only and open events for recruiting purposes. Subcommittees may be formed to coordinate some of the signature events; Coffee Talks, Bus Tour, Insiders Tours and Annual Forum.  In addition, CREW Greater Akron hosts an annual holiday event, with net proceeds going to benefit a local non-profit agency. The event provides an opportunity for all to enjoy professional networking and fulfill philanthropic interests during the holiday season. Committee members work to select the organization receiving the proceeds as well as plan the event.

LIana Lake, committee chair

Membership Committee

The membership committee works to identify and recruit new members. The chairperson coordinates the application process and verifies qualifications and submits qualified members for vote by the Executive Committee for membership. 

The committee works to retain members and works to follow up on membership renewals each year with CREW National. The committee works with the Program Committee to organize New Member Events and other events for recruiting new members. 

MICHELLE BURKE, Committee Chair

Michelle Burke is a Business Development Officer, AVP at First National Bank. She specializes in helping businesses in Northeast Ohio with important financial decisions and needs from depository to lending needs. Michelle’s niche is working with investors purchasing properties in the area. She brings over 25 years’ experience in the financial industry and a passion for the success of her clients. Connecting her clients to people and resources to help them grow, is what makes her unique in her industry. Additionally, Michelle serves on the Board of the Solon Chamber of Commerce, The Solon Rotary, and many other volunteer organizations. She has lived in Northeast Ohio her entire life and resides with her husband and dog. Their son is a recent graduate of Bowling Green University.

Sponsorship Committee

The Sponsorship Committee shall work to secure Annual and Event Sponsors for each year. The chair person works with the Treasurer to invoice sponsors and confirm receipt. The committee works with the Programs Committee to make sure valued sponsors receive the recognition of sponsorship and the free tickets to events. 

The committee shall work to identify new sponsors and expand the opportunities for sponsorship. These efforts support the activities of the organization not covered by dues and event charges.

erika finley, Committee Chair

Erika is a Senior Attorney at Harpst Becker in Uniontown, Ohio, where she focuses her practice on commercial real estate and business transactions.  With over 13 years of experience as a real estate attorney, she regularly assists clients in drafting and negotiating purchase agreements and guides them through all phases of transactions, including environmental analysis, title examination, zoning, and closings.  Erika has extensive experience helping growing businesses acquire property and assets for industrial use in Ohio and beyond, leveraging a strong network of attorneys for out-of-state transactions.  

Erika earned her J.D. from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and her bachelor’s degree in business management, magna cum laude, from Walsh University.   A lifelong resident of Northeast Ohio, Erika lives in North Canton with her husband, daughter, and cat. 

Communications Committee

The Communications Committee of CREW Greater Akron is designed to promote and communicate the value of CREW membership to current and prospective members, as well as the value of the organization and its members to the community through our website and media initiatives.

michelle reese, Committee Chair

Michelle Reese is a Partner in the commercial real estate group at BakerHostetler. In her role as a real estate attorney, she represents corporate clients in acquisitions and dispositions, real estate financing, leasing, and tax credit work.  She regularly manages high-volume real property due diligence in connection with mergers and acquisitions; drafts and negotiates leases and purchase agreements; and resolves complex title matters. Michelle received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Findlay and her juris doctor from Case Western Reserve School of Law. She grew up in northeast Ohio, and currently lives in Wadsworth with her husband, two kids, and three dogs.

Scholarship Committee

CREW Greater Akron provides a scholarship opportunity available to Juniors, Seniors and Graduate Students enrolled in a local Northeast Ohio College/University, who have an interest in pursuing a career in Real Estate. This is a chance for real estate career seekers to not only receive scholarship money, but to network with women and men in the Commercial Real Estate industry, as well as attending some of our member-only events.

TARA SILVA, COMMITTEE CHAIR

Network Foundation

SARAH YOUNG, NETWORK FOUNDATION LIAISON

Sarah is an Environmental Manager at IRG Realty Advisors, a national commercial real estate management firm. She has been working in the environmental industry for over 20 years with experience managing due diligence for acquisitions, long-term investigation and remediation projects, and comprehensive regulatory compliance reporting. She earned her bachelor’s degree, with a focus in Environmental Management, from Indiana University. She was born and raised in Northeast Ohio and lives here with her husband, three beautiful children, and two dogs.