Christopher ("Chris") Okada '98 Announced As Alumni Speaker for Class of 2023 Commencement on Sunday, June 11, 2023

We are pleased to announce this year’s alumni speaker, Christopher (“Chris”) Okada ’98, for the Class of 2023 Commencement on Sunday, June 11.  To learn more about Chris, please see below.
 
ABOUT CHRISTOPHER (“CHRIS”) OKADA ‘98
Christopher (“Chris”) Okada is a prolific dealmaker, entrepreneur, and CEO of Okada & Company, a multifaceted commercial real estate development, management, and brokerage firm based in New York City. Since 2002, Okada has focused on tenant representation of small and medium-sized companies, as well as the sales and leasing of middle market buildings across Manhattan.
 
He was mentored by his father, Naomi Okada (one of the most sought-after commercial real estate brokers in New York), for years prior to launching Okada & Co. During the financial crisis in 2008-2009, the firm rose to distinction when Chris re-focused on distressed mortgages collateralized by buildings in Midtown Manhattan. Over those two years, Chris achieved close to $700M in distressed debt sales.
 
Once the market recovered, he recognized the large inefficiencies still plaguing the market. He then started to acquire core plus and value-add properties throughout New York City and began developing a diverse commercial real estate portfolio. To date, the firm has transacted nearly $1.5B of commercial real estate sales and leasing.
 
Chris is a passionate speaker, blogger, and thought leader within the commercial real estate landscape. He has been featured in numerous publications including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Real Deal, New York Post, Crain’s New York Business, Commercial Observer, and many others.
 
He currently serves as Chairman of Commercial Real Estate at the Asian American Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) and is a longtime volunteer and youth advocate at Our Lady of Lourdes School.
 
 
#alumni #classof1998 #commencementspeaker #graduation #classof2023 #seniors #congratulations #thekewforestschool #wearekewforest #gojaguars
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List of 5 events.

  • Oct
    21

    Afterschool PS-Grade 6 STEM into Action Week


    Organizer: K. Sterling

    Join us for “STEM into Action Week” as PS through Grade 6 celebrate “Lights on Afterschool” this week.
     
    Lights On Afterschool is the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities. Here is the line-up of activities and events:
     
    Mon 21 Oct      Binary Alphabet Coding
    Tues 22 Oct     Rock Candy 
    Wed 23 Oct     Ice Cream Social & STEM Stations 
    Thurs 24 Oct   Pizza Party and DIY Lava Lamps
    Fri 25 Oct        Nature Scavenger Hunt
     
    If your child is not registered in afterschool, but you would like them to particpiate, there will be a drop-in fee charge.

    If you have any additional questions, please feel free to email Ms. Keesha Sterling, Director of Auxiliary and Summer Programs, at ksterling@kewforest.org.
  • Oct
    22

    DAY 7

  • Oct
    22

    Kew-Forest Giving Day


    Our Head of School, Tiffany D. Trotter, has a message about the importance of supporting Kew-Forest at this time through the 2024-2025 Ad Summum Annual Fund. Watch below.
     
     
    Your donation will be doubled between TODAY and Tues 3 Dec 2024, thanks to a generous Kew-Forest alumnus!

    Every gift, regardless of size, strengthens Kew-Forest’s commitment to delivering a robust education to all students and prepares them for a world of possibilities. 
     
    Please give on Kew-Forest Giving Day. 
    To donate, please visit:
    We look forward to partnering with you. Thank you for your support.
  • Oct
    22

    RULER with Ms. Garfinkel for Grades 7 and 8 During Homeroom

  • Oct
    22

    Grades 3-5 Movie Field Trip to Cinemart Theater


    Destination: Cinemart Theater, Metropolitan Ave.
    Movie:           The Wild Robot
    Organizer:     K. Lowery
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The Kew-Forest School

119-17 Union Turnpike
Forest Hills, NY 11375
(718) 268-4667
The oldest independent school in the borough of Queens, The Kew-Forest School is an independent co-educational, college preparatory school for students in Preschool through Grade 12.