Hartford, Conn. (May 6, 2026) — THE Commercial Real Estate and Building Industry in Greater Hartford and United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut today announced that they raised a record-breaking of nearly $667,000 at their 6th Annual Building Foundations Breakfast on Thursday, April 30, presented by Liberty Bank and Trammell Crow Residential.
This year’s event brought together 144 sponsors and 600 attendees from across the commercial real estate and building industry. Since its inception in 2021, the Building Foundations Breakfast has raised $3 million for United Way-supported initiatives aimed at ending homelessness in the 860 region.
“We are really proud of what we have been able to accomplish through this event. It brings the commercial real estate and building industry together and makes an incremental impact in preventing and reducing homelessness in our community,” said Brian Zelman, Building Foundations Committee Member, United Way Board Member, and Principal, Zelman Real Estate. “Additionally, honoring the legacy of our colleague Jeff Digel for his tremendous commitment to the real estate profession and the community at large is something I look forward to every year.”
The fundraiser brings together commercial real estate and building industry professionals for networking and philanthropy and supports United Way’s efforts to prevent and address homelessness across Greater Hartford. During the event, Andy Bessette, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at Travelers, received the 2026 Jeffrey Digel Award. The award is a recognition created and presented by the commercial real estate and building industry.
“Being recognized with the 2026 Jeffrey Digel Award was incredibly meaningful given Jeff’s outstanding leadership and dedication to our community,” said Bessette. “It was truly an honor to be introduced by one of my early mentors and a person I greatly respect, Bill Farley, who is also a previous award winner. This award reflects the collaborative work we have all accomplished to create real change in our neighborhoods by providing opportunities to so many who may not otherwise have had the chance to succeed.”
Bessette is responsible for Corporate Real Estate, Corporate Procurement, Administrative Services, Community Relations and Event Management, among other corporate groups at Travelers. He also oversees sports sponsorships, including the company’s official marketing partnership with the PGA TOUR and title sponsorship of the Travelers Championship, of which he serves on the board of the Greater Hartford Community Foundation.
He is a member of the University of Connecticut board of trustees, chairs its financial affairs committee and serves on the board for UConn Health Center. He also chairs the MetroHartford Alliance board of directors and serves as Vice Chairman of the Capital Region Development Authority.
“United Way is honored to partner with the commercial real estate and building industry on the annual Building Foundations fundraiser. Every year we are impressed by their commitment breaking records that close housing gaps in our community,” said Eric Harrison, President and CEO, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. “This event is a major contributor to our Rapid Response Fund, which has become a critical resource to help ensure stability during the cold winter months. Public and private partnerships such as these lead to transformational solutions for the people and communities we serve.”
In addition to funding United Way-supported initiatives that address homelessness, a portion of the proceeds is donated to Covenant Preparatory School in honor of Jeff Digel to provide tuition scholarships for local students.
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