New Internship Program Creates Opportunities for Underserved Youth

BETHESDA, Md., June 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Walker & Dunlop, Inc., in partnership with Project Destined, REPLI, and REIRail, announced the launch of a paid summer internship program for high school and college students from diverse backgrounds. The six-week program provides students with the opportunity to work with leading commercial real estate firms, where live transactions will help participants gain real-world experience in digital marketing.

The program will be administered by Project Destined, which has deep experience in training underserved youth. Also integral to the internship experience are REPLI, a full-service property tech company providing software solutions to owners of multifamily properties, and REIRail, a real estate lead generation and business education platform. 

The internship builds on Walker & Dunlop's longstanding partnership with Project Destined, a social impact education and investment non-profit with projects in Detroit, Memphis, London, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, as well as the Bronx and Baltimore. The organization was co-founded by Cedric Bobo, a former investor and investment banker, and Fred Greene, a leader in commercial real estate development.

"The advent of Covid-19 has caused internships across the country to be cancelled, which has jeopardized on-the-job experiences for underserved youth," commented Mr. Bobo. "We believe it is critical to continue providing learning and professional development opportunities to students during this time, and we are grateful for innovative partners like Walker & Dunlop, REPLI, and REIRail, who helped make this program possible."

"Walker & Dunlop remains committed to diversifying the commercial real estate industry, and this partnership with Project Destined will help build a pipeline of future leaders," stated Willy Walker, Walker & Dunlop's Chairman and CEO. "Racial and social justice in America begins with education and opportunity.  These internships provide a unique educational experience, along with access to industry leaders, that will transform the career opportunities for these interns," continued Walker.  "It is an honor to deepen our partnership with Project Destined and bring REPLI and REIRail into this innovative digital marketing internship program."

"This internship is critically important – especially now – and not just for the students, who will gain valuable skills, but also for the organizations that will host them," said Vincent Harris, Co-Founder and CEO of REIRail. "Opportunity and access is often denied when those in power don't recognize talent when it doesn't look like them. Corporate America will need guides who have roots in black and brown communities. Project Destined is providing that guidance and helping to cement a pipeline into those organizations. REIRail is thrilled to support this effort."

"REPLI is incredibly honored to be partnered with Project Destined, Walker & Dunlop, and REIRail – and we're committed to providing youth with professional development opportunities coupled with digital marketing fundamentals that will last a lifetime," stated Corbin Wrights, CEO of REPLI. "By equipping these students with digital marketing fundamentals and resources, we are guiding them towards success as future leaders in the multifamily real estate sector."

As part of the program, interns will dedicate eight hours per week to working within the commercial real estate industry. In addition to building a range of technical, financial, and leadership skills, students will participate in weekly team-based competitions. The weekly competitions will comprise presentations on multifamily transactions, offering students the opportunity to collaborate with real estate professionals on real-world scenarios. The program will culminate in a Shark Tank-style finale, in which each team of interns will present a digital marketing plan to industry leaders.

About Walker & Dunlop
Walker & Dunlop (NYSE: WD), headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, is one of the largest commercial real estate finance companies in the United States. The company provides a comprehensive range of capital solutions for all commercial real estate asset classes, as well as investment sales brokerage services to owners of multifamily properties. Walker & Dunlop is included on the S&P SmallCap 600 Index and was ranked as one of FORTUNE Magazine's Fastest Growing Companies in 2014, 2017, and 2018. Walker & Dunlop's 850+ professionals in 40 offices across the nation have an unyielding commitment to client satisfaction.

About Project Destined
Project Destined is a leading social impact platform that provides training in financial literacy, entrepreneurship and real estate. Project Destined partners with corporations, schools and non-profits to deliver training using its proprietary e-learning platform and live courses. Project Destined leverages a work-based learning approach where students work with executives to evaluate live deals in their community and present them in a pitch competition to industry leaders. Scholars emerge with the skills, confidence, experiences and networks that prepare them to secure a strong first job and to become stakeholders in their community. For more information, please visit projectdestined.com. 

About REPLI
Founded in 2018, REPLI is a leading prop-tech company that provides best-in-class websites and digital marketing solutions to multifamily organizations. Headquartered near Atlanta, Georgia - REPLI is one of the fastest growing bootstrapped prop-tech companies in the United States, managing and servicing over 200,000 units nationwide.  Owners and operators rely on REPLI to simplify and streamline their digital marketing efforts with integrated websites, marketing software, digital advertising, SEO, virtual tours, photography, and video solutions. For more information, visit www.repli360.com.

About REIRail
REIRail is a popular lead generation platform utilized by residential real estate investors and agents. Its patented Deep Trace technology empowers sales and marketing teams with intelligence about their prospects so that every interaction is personalized, leading to richer conversations and improved conversion rates.  The system jolted the industry when it was introduced in 2018, bringing enterprise caliber software to a price point that was accessible for newer real estate professionals and solo operators. It has become the marketing backbone for thousands of members nationwide.

Since that time, the platform has grown to include a robust educational component that offers training on a range of business fundamentals from data management to copywriting. The company's high tech + high touch model is intended to foster a vibrant entrepreneurial community among members. For more information visit reirail.com or @reirail_app on Instagram. 

SOURCE Walker & Dunlop, Inc.

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