HWS News
12 September 2025 • Alums Bozzuto Interns Build Real-World Skills in Real Estate
Deployed across the U.S., four summer interns explored the spectrum of residential and commercial real estate, from leasing and due diligence to marketing and operations.
This summer, four students gained business experience through a long-standing partnership at Bozzuto Group, based in Greenbelt, Md. Through internship placements in Chicago, New York City, Seattle and the Greater Boston area, students dove deep into property management, sales, marketing and operations, learning the ins and outs of commercial and residential real estate. Each intern’s journey was shaped by both practical experience and academic preparation.
The Bozzuto Group is a real estate leader in the U.S., with more than 120,000 apartments, 3.7 million square feet of retail space and co-founded by former Chair of the Board and Honorary Trustee Thomas S. Bozzuto ’68, L.H.D. ’18.
In New York City, Bauer Morrissey '27 worked in the sales and marketing management at The Capitol, a 39-story tower at the heart of Chelsea. Morrissey’s day-to-day responsibilities included touring prospective residential space and assisting residents. It was a mix of face-to-face communication, behind-the-scenes organization and learning, he notes.
“I felt as though I could adapt to the different situations I was put in at work because of all the diverse situations I have encountered at HWS,” says Morrissey. “The best part was getting to know my team at Bozzuto. They taught me so much.”
Estelle Bignet '26 interned at Atwater Apartments, a luxury high-rise in Chicago, where she focused on leasing efforts and resident engagement. Her role included updating property listings, creating content for resident communications and leading prospective tenants on tours. “I gained a deeper understanding of what it takes to run a residential community,” Bignet notes.
Bignet won first place in the company’s national intern project, which she presented in front of the President and CEO Toby Bozzuto. “My presentation was about TikTok and how the platform can increase visibility for potential renters and for the next generation of talent.”
An international relations major, Bignet is in the Business Management and Entrepreneurship 3+1 program, which allows her to earn her bachelor and master’s degrees in four years. “I loved learning from Bozzuto professionals who are so passionate about what they do. It made me more confident about pursuing a career that blends people-focused work with strategic thinking,” she says.
Dominic Schimizzi '27 helped with due diligence and customer service at Meriel Marina Bay, a luxury apartment building in the greater Boston area. After graduation his goal is to pursue a career in real estate, possibly development. His internship included supporting a property audit as the building was listed for sale and participating in asset tours with potential buyers.
Through Schimizzi’s internship, he helped develop an innovative AI workflow, the D.A.R.T. (Document AI Routing Tool), which automatically files resident documents scanned from the property’s printer. His major in economics, combined with HWS’ focus on critical thinking, he says, equipped him for the analytical nature of the work. “This internship directly translates classroom lessons into real-world practice, particularly in economics, operational efficiency and strategic problem solving,” Schimizzi says.
Kahlil Fontana '26 interned at Premiere on Pine, a 440-foot residential skyscraper in Seattle, Wash. As a business management and entrepreneurship major with a minor in media and society, Fontana’s property management and marketing internship included duties ranging from leasing and resident engagement to community event organization. He says he enjoyed the mix of face-to-face communication and behind-the-scenes work.
“The Bozzuto Group has been a great place to learn,” Kahlil says. “The alumni network, in particular, was a huge asset in shaping my path forward.”
Top: Dominic Schimizzi '27 stands outside the Meriel Marina Bay apartment complex in Quincy, Mass.
