This year’s Goldie Scholar Retreat was a powerful and inspiring gathering that brought together our incredible scholars, mentors, and board members for a day of learning, connection, and leadership development. Held annually, this retreat is a cornerstone of The Goldie Initiative’s mission to empower women in commercial real estate through mentorship, networking, and career development.
The evening before the retreat, The Goldie Initiative hosted a special pre-event, the “Meet the Goldie Scholars” Happy Hour, graciously sponsored by Heitman. This event provided an informal and welcoming setting for scholars, mentors, and industry leaders to connect and engage ahead of the retreat, setting the tone for meaningful conversations and collaboration.
The private retreat held at 311 S. Wacker featured dynamic discussions, interactive workshops, and invaluable opportunities for scholars to engage with industry leaders. Our scholars gained insights into leadership strategies, negotiation best practices, and career advancement in commercial real estate. A highlight of the event keynote with Ciere Boatright, the Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Planning and Development.
Retreat Agenda Highlights:
- Fireside Chat with Ciere Boatright: Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Planning and Development, moderated by ‘24 Goldie Gala Shero Molly McShane.
- Mentorship & Negotiation Workshops: Mentors and board members participated in a mentorship workshop led by Lori Crever from the Center for Mentoring Excellence, while scholars attended a negotiation workshop with past Goldie Board members Jay Raghavan and Molly Phelan.
- HR Panel Discussion: Featuring Julie Blaikie (EQR), Rachna Velamati (Heitman), and Lauren Zalaski (Hines), moderated by Megan Abraham, CEO of The Goldie Initiative.
- Scholars-only Cohort Building Activities: Strengthening connections and fostering collaboration among scholars.
- Working Sessions and Closing Dinner: Focused retreat work followed by a celebratory dinner at Seville.
We are grateful to all the mentors and board members who shared their time, expertise, and encouragement, fostering an environment where our scholars could thrive. Their guidance is instrumental in shaping the next generation of women leaders in real estate.
A special thank you to our Presenting Sponsors, McShane Companies and Chicago Title Insurance Company, for their generous support in making this retreat possible. Their commitment to empowering the next generation of women in commercial real estate is truly invaluable.
Thank you to everyone who made this retreat a success! The energy and enthusiasm of our scholars continue to inspire us, and we look forward to seeing how they apply their learnings in their careers and communities.
