The Goldie Initiative empowers women in commercial real estate to lead with purpose and shape the future of the industry. Through scholarship, mentorship, leadership development and community, we help emerging professionals gain the confidence, connections and skills to build lasting careers and inspire change from within.
Our Contribution
Advancing Women. Elevating the Industry.
How We’re Reshaping Commercial Real Estate
The landscape of commercial real estate is shifting as more women rise to positions of influence. The Goldie Initiative helps accelerate that progress by equipping emerging leaders with the tools and confidence to lead with purpose.
Since 2007, we’ve supported over 200 Goldie Scholars across nearly 20 top graduate programs — including Harvard, MIT, Wharton, Kellogg, and Booth. These women are rising fast, shaping the future of CRE as developers, asset managers, attorneys, executives, and more.
Our Four Pillars of Impact
Our program is built on a strategic four-pillar model designed to foster meaningful, lasting advancement.
SCHOLARSHIP
We provide merit-based scholarships of up to $15,000 to graduate students pursuing degrees in real estate-related fields. This financial support allows Scholars to focus on their studies and careers without the weight of financial burden.
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MENTORSHIP
Every Scholar is matched with a senior CRE executive who serves as a mentor. These one-on-one relationships offer invaluable insight, career guidance, and personal support that often extend far beyond the academic year.
Become a Mentor
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
We are deeply committed to cultivating the next generation of women leaders in commercial real estate. Through mentorship, events, and real-world experiences, Scholars gain the tools and connections to shape their careers with purpose.
Build The Skills to Lead
Networking
From local meetups to national gatherings, Scholars gain access to a robust network of peers, alumnae, and industry leaders. These connections help create meaningful opportunities and lasting professional relationships.
Grow Your CRE NetworkChanging the CRE Landscape for Women
The Goldie Initiative is doing more than supporting individual women — we’re reshaping the industry itself.
Building the Pipeline
By identifying and investing in ambitious graduate students, we’re accelerating a more equitable leadership pipeline in CRE.
Highlighting Shero Role Models
Each year, we honor industry trailblazers at the Goldie Gala who inspire the next generation of female leaders.
Expanding Mentorship Access
Only 56% of women in CRE report having access to a mentor. For our Scholars, mentorship is built into the experience — ensuring they are never navigating their careers alone.
Driving Better Business Outcomes
Research shows that organizations with more women in leadership see increased innovation and profitability. We believe diverse leadership makes the industry stronger, and we are proving it one Scholar at a time.
Proving the Power of Women’s Leadership in CRE
The Goldie Initiative is driving measurable impact by investing in future leaders. From 2024 to 2025:
- 38 Scholars were selected from a highly competitive 27% acceptance rate.
- We hosted the 2025 Impact Summit & Awards in Chicago, honoring top women shaping the future of commercial real estate.
- We expanded national reach with a new strategic alliance with the SIOR Chicago Chapter, strengthening support and visibility for women across the industry.
- Our network of over 200 Goldie Scholars continues to rise through the ranks — demonstrating the value of investing in women at the highest levels of CRE.
Why It Matters
Women are still underrepresented in executive CRE roles. The Goldie Initiative bridges this gap with focused investment, expert mentorship, and strong access to opportunities. Our Scholars are not just building careers. They are reshaping leadership in commercial real estate.
“The Goldie Initiative opened doors to a powerful network of women leaders and provided mentorship, resources, and support that went far beyond a traditional scholarship.”
Neeva Shrestha, Associate, Private Equity Asset Management, Heitman, 2023 Goldie Scholar
Let’s Build the Future Together
Structured investment in women transforms careers and changes the commercial real estate industry. Join us in creating a more inclusive, innovative, and dynamic future for CRE.
