The Goldie B. Wolfe Miller Women Leaders in Real Estate Initiative, known as The Goldie Initiative, has announced its latest cohort of scholarship recipients for the coming academic year. The nonprofit program focuses on women pursuing graduate-level education that directly connects to commercial real estate and related disciplines, pairing financial support with a broader professional development platform.
Since its launch in 2007, The Goldie Initiative has built a network of more than 250 women designated as Goldie Scholars. Participants are selected for both academic performance and leadership potential, and the program is designed to create a sustained professional community as those scholars advance through school and into the industry. Over nearly two decades, that alumni group has become a growing pipeline of talent across the commercial real estate ecosystem.
For the 2026-2027 academic year, the organization reported its most competitive selection cycle to date. The Goldie Initiative received 145 scholarship applications, described as a record-breaking total for the program. That volume represents a 51% increase compared with the prior year, underscoring sharply rising interest in its combination of scholarship support, mentorship, and leadership training for women focused on commercial real estate careers.
Following the competitive review process, 34 new Goldie Scholars were chosen for the upcoming year. When combined with 11 returning scholars already in the program, The Goldie Initiative will support a total cohort of 45 women in 2026-2027. Each scholar is pursuing a graduate degree aligned with commercial real estate, such as programs in real estate, finance, urban planning, or related fields that intersect with the built environment and property markets.
The new class will be welcomed into an existing community that emphasizes mentorship, peer networking, and access to industry leaders in addition to tuition assistance. As part of its annual activities, the organization also stages the Goldie Gala Chicago, a flagship event that recognizes established industry professionals alongside current scholars and alumnae.
This year, the Goldie Gala Chicago will spotlight the Shero award, which honors a woman recognized for leadership and impact within commercial real estate. The 2026 Shero award will go to Lisa Konieczka, who serves as Executive Vice President at CBRE Chicago. Her recognition at the gala positions her as a visible role model for the scholar cohort and the broader community that supports the initiative.
Commenting on the incoming group of scholars, 2026 Board President Julie Thick said the program continues to focus on elevating and empowering the next generation of women in real estate. She described the latest cohort as a strong demonstration of that mission in practice, reflecting both the depth of the applicant pool and the ongoing momentum behind efforts to expand women's representation in commercial real estate leadership.
With a larger applicant pool and a steady number of scholarship positions, The Goldie Initiative's latest cycle highlights both strong demand for industry-specific leadership development and the continued role of nonprofit organizations in supporting diverse pipelines of graduate-level talent for the commercial real estate sector.
