Q&A on the JDRF Real Estate Games

Adam Singer, Executive Managing Director at Savills and one of the firm’s longest-tenured professionals, provides real estate advisory services for a multitude of companies in Washington, DC, northern Virginia and across the United States. Outside of his day job, Adam is known as a master of ceremonies for big events, a dedicated mentor and passionate supporter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), currently serving as a Director Emeritus of the JDRF International Board of Directors. Adam shares his memories of the JDRF Real Estate Games and philanthropy within the commercial real estate industry.

When did you first become involved with JDRF?

In June 1978, I graduated high school in Rye, New York. I had just turned 18, which was legal drinking age in New York, and was looking forward to the summer before heading to The University of Pennsylvania for my freshman year. I went to the doctor for my college physical, which showed very high blood sugar, and was diagnosed with Juvenile or Type 1 diabetes.

I immediately began taking insulin injections and knew that I needed to learn as much as I could about the disease. JDRF was and is the leading diabetes advocacy and cure-driven organization both then and now. At Penn, I met some other people with diabetes and started a campaign to set up support groups around the world. Within two years, we started 30 groups and, in 1982 at age 22, I was elected to the JDRF International Board.

For 42 years now, I have made it my mission to cure the disease and help others find hope and good care. I have served as Chairman of the Board of the DC/Capital Chapter and have been a Director Emeritus of the International Board with portfolio since 1990.

**Must watch speech by Adam at the 2019 JDRF Gala where he was the honoree**

What are the JDRF Real Estate Games and when did they start?

In 1989, my then soon-to-be fiancé Suzanne (now my amazing wife) and I were talking about a corporate Olympics event. I said that I thought the real estate industry, which frankly is so interconnected and “one degree of separation,” would be perfect for such an event. We work together on transactions, we are competitive and we’ve always had a collective conscience - a desire - to give back to the DC region. I somehow forced about ten industry friends to help get our industry together behind my mission to cure diabetes through an annual event, which is now the JDRF Real Estate Games. 

What were the first Games like and how have the Games grown over the last 30 years?

We held the first Games at Gonzaga College High School in DC and raised about $20,000. We had fun and ran out of water by noon but knew we had stumbled onto something fantastic.

Somehow, someway, our entire industry has embraced the Games and the Foundation. Since 1990, we have held 30 DC Games, which have become the most important event in the DC region for commercial real estate brokers, developers, architects, construction firms, etc.

Last year at American University, nearly 3,000 people representing 70+ firms came together to participate in about 40 different events, including basketball, volleyball, track, swimming, relay races, biking, table tennis, chair hockey, and many others. We raised just under $740,000, a record by far. I still can’t believe it and I am incredibly proud of everyone involved.

What’s your favorite memory from the Games? What’s your funniest?

I love it when people bring their kids. That makes it more celebratory with children cheering on their parents.

We have had some odd moments. There have been a few costumed contestants. In 2018, there was a runner in the 5K race that carried a mock, life-sized Stanley Cup in honor of The Capitals through his race.

There have been some fantastic athletes. College basketball, track and tennis players. We have had a major effect on summer intern recruiting in the DC region. All the firms bring in the potential “athletes” early so they can roster them. There was a 7-footer on the basketball court a few years ago. Another time, an intern ran a 4:30 mile, which annoyed a bunch of pre-race “favorites.”

How much money has been raised through the Games and what kind of impact has that had on the organization?

We have raised more than $10 Million (remarkable!), which has made an incredible difference in the path of diabetes research. Also, the event has become a model for JDRF of how to embrace and engage an entire industry in support the Foundation's mission. As a result, the local chapter has included Board Members, Gala Chairs and Chapter Presidents from local commercial real estate companies and we have expanded the Games to New York and Chicago during the last five years with great results and buzz.

Maybe most important to me, JDRF has become a critical resource for those in the industry with diabetes in their families, among their friends or colleagues. I know this has changed lives in a very simple, direct way.

What’s next for the Games?

Other cities! COVID-19 delayed the inaugural Indianapolis and Nashville Games but we are targeting late 2021 for their launch. We also have had discussions for expansion to Toronto, London, Atlanta, Tampa, Dallas and Houston. We will continue to support research and spread awareness until the end of diabetes. I am looking forward to that and I will owe everyone a call, an e-mail or a hug on that day. We will get there. Together.

For the 31st Games in DC this year, we are holding a “Virtual” Games on September 10th. We will release the details later this month. This year’s leadership includes Brendan Owen of Newmark as the Honorary Chair and three, great Event Chairs: Charlie Smiroldo of Stream Realty Partners, Devon Munos of Savills and Ned Welbourn of CBRE.