The Builder Coalition Kicks Off Its Third Core Fellowship Cohort
The Builder Coalition | Written by Sandra Meetran, TBC Staff | Created July 30, 2026
On July 17th, The Builder Coalition (TBC) kicked off our third Core Fellowship cohort in Springfield, MA -- welcoming 19 emerging real estate investors and developers from communities across Massachusetts, including 5 from the Springfield area.
We were honored to hear from State Representative Carlos Gonzalez and Aaron Vega (President and CEO of the Western Mass Economic Development Council), who each offered powerful remarks about the importance of diverse, locally rooted developers in shaping the future of housing and economic development across the Commonwealth. A heartfelt thank you to Gerry McCafferty (Housing Director for the City of Springfield) for joining us and Western New England University for generously hosting us.
Following the kickoff breakfast, our fellows toured active development sites led by our fellowship alumni, Seneca Slaughter and Cassandra Swaby-Passmore -- an incredible opportunity to learn from those who have walked this path before them.
The cohort will meet monthly through December, deepening their knowledge across real estate finance, development, and community investment, supported by practitioners from across our network. We look forward to sharing their journey. Check out photos of the event!