The Goldie Initiative® Celebrates 2026 Award Winners and Record-Breaking Year at 3rd Annual Impact Summit
The event spotlights the Goldie Initiative’s major accomplishments and growing influence on the commercial real estate industry throughout 2025–26.
Chicago, IL – May 28, 2026 – The Goldie B. Wolfe Miller Women Leaders in Real Estate Initiative (‘The Goldie Initiative®”), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to prepare women to advance as leaders in commercial real estate by providing financial and professional support, held its 3rd annual Impact Summit at the Union League Club of Chicago on May 20, 2026. The focus of the event, attended by over 200 commercial real estate industry professionals, was to recognize volunteers, mentors, and donors for their contributions to improving the commercial real estate industry and to demonstrate the impact of the organization’s program on Goldie Scholars over the 2025-26 school year. Additionally, the event celebrated all in attendance, including 2026 graduates and award winners.
Impact Summit Award Winners were honored for the contributions during the 2025-26 school year, based on the four pillars of The Goldie Initiative’s programming: Scholarship, Networking, Mentoring and Leadership. The Networker of the Year Award recognized Goldie Alumna Kristin Bush, Senior Vice President, Pritzker Realty Group, and a graduate of DePaul University, for her role as an individual who attends networking events often and consistently promotes organizational visibility. The Trailblazer Award recognized Paula Harris, Managing Principal & Board Chair, Golub & Company, an industry leader who advocates, endorses, and sponsors women in commercial real estate. Paula is also the founder of the Debbie Frank Legacy Fund, an initiative of the Golub Family Foundation dedicated to advancing the professional development of women in real estate. The Mentorship Impact Award recognized Amy Galvin, CEO & Co-Founder, Luxury Living, for her longevity and commitment to mentoring with The Goldie Initiative. The Corporate Champion Award recognized Chicago Title Insurance Company, with Cindy Malone, Senior Vice President & Director of Sales accepting on behalf of the company. The award recognizes the ongoing, outstanding financial contributions to The Goldie Initiative and active participation in programming.
The speakers included Goldie B. Wolfe Miller, Founder/Chair of The Goldie Initiative; Julie Thick, Board Chair of The Goldie Initiative & Managing Director & Central Region Market Manager at JPMorgan Chase & Co; Megan Abraham, CEO of The Goldie Initiative; Teresa Amaro, Goldie Scholar, 2026 graduate of DePaul University, and Senior Property Manager at Hiffman National; and Sevara Davis, Goldie Alumna and Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at POAH Communities. In addition to covering the impact of The Goldie Initiative on Goldie Scholars’ careers in commercial real estate, speakers also commented on the past year’s growth and expansion of the organization’s activities both in the northeast United States and virtually via virtual community.
This year’s program was expanded to include The Goldie Initiative’s Networking Power Circles, an interactive session that brought the organization’s signature networking approach to a broader audience. The session drove highly engaged participation, with every table actively connecting and exchanging insights—demonstrating the clear demand for and measurable value of intentional, structured networking in strengthening relationships across the commercial real estate community.
Named Scholarship donors and Presenting Sponsors were also recognized for their significant contributions. Guests were invited to attend the Goldie Gala NYC on June 17, 2026, and the 10th annual Goldie Gala Chicago on September 17, 2026, honoring Shero Award winner Lisa Konieczka of CBRE. The Impact Summit concluded with an informal informational session for students, regarding The Goldie Initiative’s Scholarship Application, which is which is open until June 1, 2026.hich is which is open until June 1, 2026.
Learn more about The Goldie Initiative at www.goldieinitiative.org.
The 2026 Goldie Initiative Board of Directors at the 3rd Annual Impact Summit
2026 Board President of The Goldie Initiative, Julie Thick (right), with Lee Golub (left), who accepted the Trailblazer Award on behalf of his sister, Paula Harris
Left to right: Goldie B. Wolfe Miller, Founder/Chair of The Goldie Initiative; Maggie Marinovich, Annexstad Family Foundation; Megan Abraham, CEO of The Goldie Initiative; Morgan Marinovich, Annexstad Family Foundation; and Goldie & Annexstad Scholar Daniela Ivanov.