MBA Presents Zain Smith With the David H. Stevens, CMB, Real Estate Legacy Scholarship Award 

(From left: Zain Smith and Christine Chandler, by Anneliese Mahoney)

The Mortgage Bankers Association announced at its 2026 Commercial/Multifamily Finance Convention and Expo that Zain Smith has been recognized as the David H. Stevens, CMB, Real Estate Legacy Scholarship award winner. The award recognizes students from MBA’s Commercial Real Estate Finance (CREF) Fellowship Program and HomeFree-USA’s Center for Financial Advancement (CFA) Program who have shown career aspirations in the real estate finance industry.

“Zain’s exceptional academic record, his early work experience in commercial real estate, and his outstanding leadership qualities make him the perfect recipient for the David H. Stevens Real Estate Legacy Scholarship Award,” said Christine Chandler, 2026 MBA Chair and Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, M&T Realty Capital Corporation. “Zain has endless prowess and ambition, and I am truly confident that he will have a spectacular career in the CRE industry.”

Smith, a senior, is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration – Finance & Real Estate at Georgia State University. An active campus leader, Smith is involved in GSU’s Commercial Real Estate Group, where he serves as a managing partner. He is also an Urban Land Institute (ULI) Etkins Scholar, a Board of Directors member on the RCB Student Org Leaders Organization, and a Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) Fellow.

MBA’s award recognizes the life and achievements of David (Dave) H. Stevens, a former MBA President and CEO. In honor of Stevens, the David H. Stevens Real Estate Legacy Scholarship was established to enshrine his legacy and to foster the development of emerging leaders in the real estate finance industry.

The award is recognized annually in conjunction with MBA’s Annual Convention and Expo in October and at MBA’s Commercial/Multifamily Finance Convention and Expo in February.