Join us for the 6th Annual Building Foundations Breakfast as we come together to raise resources to prevent children and families from becoming homeless and to secure stable housing for those living in shelters.
In early 2021, a diverse group of commercial real estate and building industry professionals, came together to create the Building Foundations Breakfast. The goal was to bring the industry together to prevent and address homelessness in partnership with United Way. Since that time, the event has raised nearly $1.7 million to support programs and services in Greater Hartford.
This is THE event for the commercial real estate and building industry and has grown every year since inception. The event began with 100 attendees for the inaugural breakfast in 2021 and has grown to host more than 400 members of the industry.
The funds raised ensured that:
• 2,560 people were supported to stay in stable housing
• 928 people accessed emergency shelter accommodations
• Information and referral services through United Way 211 continued to be funded; and
• Two (2) students at Covenant Preparatory School in Hartford have their tuition fully paid each year they attend the school
Real estate combined Jeff Digel’s interest in architecture, finance, geography and economic systems. As he built his career, Jeff was drawn to the investment side of the business. He co-founded and served as Executive Vice President for iStar Financial Inc., where he helped build the company’s investment team and originate more than $3 billion in structured finance assets. He went on to Figure Eight Properties where he formed a company that brought personal, concierge-level services to his clients. Jeff was equally committed to philanthropy and community action. He was the co-founder and first chairman of the board of Covenant Preparatory School, an independent, interfaith, tuition-free middle school for boys from under-served families in the Hartford Area. Jeff also served on nonprofit boards for organizations including: Charter Oak Cultural Center, Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity and Achievement First Hartford Academy.
Annually, we will pay tribute to our colleague and friend by presenting the Jeffrey Digel Award to a member of the industry that embodies the characteristics of Jeff’s legacy.
Andy Bessette is Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for Travelers. He is responsible for Corporate Real Estate, Corporate Procurement, Administrative Services, Community Relations and Event Management, among other corporate groups. He is also responsible for sports sponsorships, including the company’s official marketing partnership with the PGA TOUR and title sponsorship of the Travelers Championship, for which he serves on the board of the Greater Hartford Community Foundation.
He is a member of the University of Connecticut Board of Trustees, chairs its Financial Affairs Committee and serves on the Board of Directors of the University of Connecticut Health Center. Bessette is Chair of the MetroHartford Alliance Board of Directors and Vice Chairman of the Capital Region Development Authority. He sits on the board of AdvanceCT and Greater MSP. He is a corporator for Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center and serves on the Board of Governors for Hartford Hospital. A member of the 1980 United States Olympic Team, he continues to support Olympic Committee activities. Bessette holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree from the University of Rhode Island.
Past recipients of the Jeffrey Digel Award are Alan Lazowski (2022), Bill Farley (2023), Martin J. Kenny (2024) and Michael W. Freimuth (2025).
Marshall S. Ruben
Vesta Corp
Aligned Elevator
Cherry Hill Construction Company, Inc.
Coleman B. Levy LLC and Levy Properties LLC
Connecticut Wealth Management
Earthlight Technologies
Eastern Metal Works, Inc.
Marsh Surety
Newman Architects, PC
Ascend Bank | Beacon Communities | CBIZ | CT Chapter CCIM, Inc. | Belfor Property Restoration | | CHK Architects | Corridor Ventures, Inc./Honeycomb Real Estate Partners | GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. | Hartford Athletic Charitable Fund | Horvath & Tremblay | MRG MacDermid Reynolds & Glissman, P.C. | Orissa LLC | Partner Engineering and Science, Inc. | ORL Commercial | Outsource Risk Management Solutions | Rogin Nasau LLC | SDV – Saxe, Doernberger + Vita PC | SIOR | Stone Point Properties