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Speakers and Panels

2023 Steering Committee

Tammy Kelly

Tammy Kelly

Head of US Multifamily Asset Mgmt

EQT Real Estate

Collete English Dixon

Collete English Dixon

Executive Director

Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate, Roosevelt University

Ginna Ryan

Ginna Ryan

Regional Director - Chicago

Mauge | 1905 New Media

Alissa Adler

Alissa Adler

Senior Vice President

Colliers

Tammy Kelly

Head of US Multifamily Asset Mgmt

EQT Real Estate

Tammy Kelly CCIM, CPM joined EQT Exeter, successor firm to Redwood Capital Group, in 2014 and brings +20

years of experience in asset management, transactions, and investment strategy. She is responsible for the

strategic oversight of the Firm’s investments, assists with underwriting, and oversees tactical dispositions and

is a member of the Firm’s Investment Committee. As a career total, Tammy has transacted over $4B of real

estate investment transactions to include dispositions, acquisitions, loan modifications and refinances.

Prior to Redwood Capital Group, Tammy spent 8 years at Blue Vista Capital Management as Senior Vice

President - Asset Management. Tammy’s responsibilities at Blue Vista included oversight of investments in

the firm’s Middle Market Equity Funds. Prior to her tenure at Blue Vista, Tammy joined Equity Investment

Group as an Investment Associate where she was responsible for overseeing, coordinating, and evaluating

the company’s property acquisitions.

Tammy earned a BA from DePaul University. She is a past President of CREW Chicago and serves on various

committees within CREW Chicago and CREW Network. Tammy was recognized as a Women of Influence in

2022 by Globe Street and Bisnow’s Power Women in Chicago in 2022 and 2014.

Collete English Dixon

Executive Director

Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate, Roosevelt University

Collete English Dixon has more than 30 years in investment management with a focus on commercial

real estate investing. Prior to her current role at Roosevelt University, she was Executive Director -

Transactions for PGIM Real Estate (formerly known as PREI), a business unit of Prudential Financial,

and co-leader of PREI’s national investment dispositions program. In that role, she oversaw the sale of

more than 200 investment properties located throughout the US, with a total value of more than $8.7

Billion, on behalf of PREI’s investment funds. Prior to her role in dispositions, English Dixon was

responsible for sourcing more than $2.75B of wholly-owned and joint venture real estate investment

opportunities in the Midwest markets covering all property types, including office, rental and for-sale

multi-family, hotel, industrial and retail properties. Collete’s experience also includes property

development and asset management.

In her current role, English Dixon is the Executive Director of the Marshall Bennett Institute of Real

Estate at Roosevelt University where she is oversees all aspects of the undergraduate real estate

major and the MSRE/MBA-RE degree programs. She is the first African American woman leader of a

higher-education real estate program in the US. She is a member of the administrative team for the

Heller College of Business and is also the program director for the university’s Hospitality and Tourism

Management undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

She is a member of the Board of Directors and a member of the Nominating Committee for Marcus

Millichap, Inc., a member of the Board of Directors for Broadstone Real Estate Access Fund and a

member of its Audit and Governance committees, a member of the Advisory Board for Waterton

Associates, LLC and a member of the Board of Directors for Community Investment CorporationChicago and the Harold E. Eisenberg Foundation. She is a Past President of CREW Network, a Past

Chair of the CREW Network Foundation, and a Past President of CREW Chicago. She is also a

Global Governing Trustee and member of the Americas Executive Committee of ULI.

Ginna Ryan

Regional Director - Chicago

Mauge | 1905 New Media

As Principal and COO at Mauge, a Chicago-based marketing boutique in its 26th year, Ginna leads a team of branding experts known for precision and excellence in real estate and beyond. In many ways, she’s the foundation of Mauge’s success, building the relationships it takes to provide their best-in-class service, motivated by just how much stronger businesses can be with Mauge at their side. When not at work, she enjoys spending time hiking, reading, and planning her next adventure!

Alissa Adler

Senior Vice President

Colliers

I bring more than 30 years of experience to my position as senior vice president of Colliers | Chicago. I specialize in investment sales, as well as debt and equity placement for office properties. In my career, I have executed over $1.2 billion in real estate transactions. I am widely recognized for utilizing my broad real estate knowledge and strong nationwide connections to uniquely serve my diverse client base.

Prior to Podolsky Circle’s merger with Colliers | Chicago in 2019, I was managing principal at Podolsky Circle where I was a member of the Middle Market Investment Advisory Team focused on the sale of office and industrial properties. Prior the merger which formed Podolsky Circle, I established Circle Realty Advisors, LLC. As president of the company, I was responsible for all operations and staffing in addition to asset management and investment advisory work for clients.

Preceding the formation of Circle, I served as vice president of acquisitions and dispositions at Duke Realty Corporation leading the Midwest markets including Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri and Minnesota. I transacted across office, industrial and retail property types and was also a member of Duke’s management committee.

Prior to my tenure at Duke, I was vice president of dispositions for Equity Office Properties Trust. In this role, I was responsible for the successful sale of transactions nationwide, including assets in distress and tertiary markets. I also held the position of asset manager for both Equity Office and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in Chicago. Asset management responsibilities included CBD high-rise and suburban office, regional malls, neighborhood retail and industrial properties on a national basis.

The Present & Future of Dealmakers in CRE

A conversation on getting CRE deals done and where we are headed in the future

Damla Gerhart

Damla Gerhart

Principal & Managing Director

Avison Young

Jennifer Nichols

Jennifer Nichols

Senior Vice President & General Counsel

CRG

Diane Cullinan Oberhelman

Diane Cullinan Oberhelman

Chairman & Founding Partner

Cullinan Properties

Kate Coxworth

Kate Coxworth

Vice President

JLL

Tricia Trester

Tricia Trester

Head of Client Solutions

Cresa

Sumayyah Theron

Sumayyah Theron

Director of Sustainability

Cyclone Energy Group

Sandya Dandamudi
Moderator

Sandya Dandamudi

President

GI Stone

Jennifer Nichols

Senior Vice President & General Counsel

CRG

CRG is a real estate development and investment firm with eight regional offices and deep expertise in

delivering industrial, office, residential, and mixed-use projects throughout North America.

As a member of CRG’s senior leadership team, Jen oversees the in-house legal department handling all

real estate, development, financing, compliance and risk management for the firm’s development projects

across the United States. With more than 16 years of legal experience counseling corporate clients on all

aspects of real estate, corporate, tax, and commercial matters, together with her business background,

Jen brings a unique perspective to each project.

Prior to joining CRG in 2020, Jen was with Harsch Investment Properties (now Schnitzer Properties) in

Portland, Oregon, where she was vice president and general counsel. Prior to that, she was deputy

general counsel for Banner Real Estate Group and an attorney with Ginsberg Jacobs LLC, a real estate

boutique firm in Chicago. She has also held positions with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of

Michigan and Warner Norcross & Judd LLP.

Based in Chicago, Jen has been admitted to state bars in Oregon, Michigan and Illinois.

ASSOCIATIONS

CHIEF

Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts, Finance & Spanish (Honors) — Michigan State University

Master of Business Administration, Management & Organizations, Real Estate, & Marketing —

Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management

Masters in Science of Taxation — Grand Valley State University

Tricia Trester

Head of Client Solutions

Cresa

With a focus on strategy and a commitment to excellent service delivery,

Tricia helps our clients navigate today’s rapidly evolving commercial real estate landscape. Her industry experience and reputation, as well as her passion for solving complex challenges and building strong client relationships, make her an

invaluable member of our team.

Tricia brings over 21 years of industry experience to Cresa. Prior to joining, she served as Managing Director and Principal at JLL, where she led multi-regional teams, provided insight and strategies to create value-driven client

outcomes. Prior to JLL, Tricia was the London-based Head of Enterprise Solutions for Cushman & Wakefield, where she led Sales and Solutions in EMEA. Before moving to London, she was a regional lead in the Americas creating solutions for Fortune 50/100 clients.

Sandya Dandamudi

Moderator

GI Stone

Sandya Dandamudi is President of GI Stone, located in Chicago. Founded 28 years ago by her mother Rani Dandamudi, GI Stone is WBE/MBE certified, a signatory to Union Local 21, and a vital employer.

Sandya’s deep knowledge of stone and her “get it done” attitude has propelled GI Stone as the leading stone company in Chicago. GI Stone is unique in its versatility by executing both Exterior and Interior work – With an impressive resume that includes buildings such as 9 Walton, One Bennet Place, The Ritz Carlton, The Four Seasons Hotel, Wolf Pointe, The Tribune Tower,

Northwestern Outpatient hospital, The Northwestern Kellogg’s School of Business parking garage, One Chicago Square etc. – there is not a project that GI Stone cannot do.

Sandya is also on the Board of the Chicago Marble Contractor’s Association and is an active participant in contract negotiations. She is actively engaged in mentoring, sponsoring, and training apprentices for The Marble Setters Union-Local 21. She has a personal commitment to encouraging individuals who do not have a traditional background in the construction industry.

As a child of immigrants, Sandya understands what the American Dream is about – her parents realized it and she and her two siblings have greatly benefited from their years of hard work. This family drive has led to her conviction that everyone deserves to participate in that dream.

Sandya has an unwavering interest in assuring the existence of services that support emotional health, access to nutritional food and promoting self-expression and identity.

She also believes that through the medium of the Arts, lies a powerful medium that needs to be valued and is active in promoting artistic expression in disenfranchised youth.

Innovator of the Year

Colleen Werner

Colleen Werner

Founder & CEO

Playbook

Amanda Horan

Amanda Horan

National Account Manager

Partner Engineering & Science, Inc.

Jessica Sivels

Jessica Sivels

Director of Education & Community Engagement

Community Investment Corporation

Colleen Werner

Founder & CEO

Playbook

Colleen Werner is the Founder and CEO of Playbook, a company transforming the future of the workplace through hospitality, placemaking, and human-centered design. Under her leadership, Playbook partners with leading owners and operators to reimagine office buildings as vibrant destinations—curating fitness, wellness, food & beverage, conferencing, and community programming that drive connection, productivity, and longevity.

Since launching the company in 2014, Colleen has grown Playbook into a national leader in workplace experience, working with top real-estate partners across 18 markets. A former professional ballet dancer turned entrepreneur, she brings the discipline of performance, the creativity of artistry, and the strategic rigor of a business leader to every project.

Colleen is a frequent speaker on the future of work, placemaking, and the intersection of hospitality and real estate. She is passionate about creating healthier, more connected workplaces that unlock human potential and ensure office buildings thrive in the new era of work.

Role Model

Suzet McKinney

Suzet McKinney

Investor

[Previously with Sterling Bay]

Regina Stilp

Regina Stilp

Founding Principal

Farpoint Development

Hope Tate

Hope Tate

Executive Vice President, Regional Operations Manager

JLL

Wendy Berger

Wendy Berger

CEO & Founder

WBS Equities

Regina Stilp

Founding Principal

Farpoint Development

Regina Stilp is a leading commercial real estate developer with over 30 years' experience

developing properties that strengthen cities.

As Founding Principal of Farpoint Development, Regina co-founded the firm in 2016 and has guided its

growth across the Midwest and Southeast, spearheading development work totaling $4.9 billion in

value created. She oversees Bronzeville Lakefront on Chicago's South Side, a 48-acre mixed-use

project reimagining the former Michael Reese Medical Center site.

Prior to founding Farpoint, Regina developed some of Chicago's most acclaimed projects, including

Google's first Midwest headquarters and McDonald's global headquarters at the former Harpo Studios.

Her expertise in public-private partnerships and innovative deal structures has positioned Farpoint as a

leader for groundbreaking urban projects.

As a prominent leader in Chicago real estate, Regina has received significant industry recognition,

including the 2024 Industry Leadership Award from Roosevelt University's Marshall Bennett Institute of

Real Estate and the 2025 Executive of the Year award from the Illinois Real Estate Journal. Currently,

she serves on the Board of Directors of The Magnificent Mile Association, Roosevelt University's

Advisory Board, the Membership Committee of the Economic Club of Chicago, the First Women's Bank

Advisory Committee, and is a member of the Urban Land Institute and CREW. She is also named

among Crain's Notable Chicago Women in Construction and Design.

Additionally, Regina actively mentors the next generation of real estate leaders through The Goldie

Initiative and the Howard E. Eisenberg Foundation. Regina holds a degree from the University of Iowa

and brings her global perspective, shaped by travels to every continent, to her work enriching the

urban landscape. She lives with her family in Wilmette.

Wendy Berger

CEO & Founder

WBS Equities

Wendy Berger is CEO and Founder of WBS Equities, LLC. WBS Equities is a real estate

development firm which specializes in ground-up construction, renovation, development, sale

lease back transactions and acquisition of industrial buildings for food and beverage

manufacturers and distributors. Wendy is also an active investor across multiple real estate asset

classes including retail, multi-family, senior housing and self-storage.

Over the last 28 years she has been involved in the real estate business as a developer, property

manager, broker and principally as an owner-investor. Wendy began her career at American

National Bank and Trust Company of Chicago (a subsidiary of First Chicago, now JP Morgan

Chase) in Commercial Lending. Wendy spent several years as a principal with Berger Realty

Group, an 80-year- old family owned Real Estate business where she focused on residential and

industrial property management and development. She was responsible for managing 3,000

apartment units, 200,000 square feet of commercial space and 250,000 square feet of industrial

space.

Aside from her experience in the real estate field, Wendy spent 10 years working with ultra-high

growth technology startups. Wendy was employee number 10 at Orbitz, the Travel web site

founded in 2000 by American, Continental, Delta, Northwest and United Airlines. Wendy was

Director of the Enterprise Planning at Orbitz and focused on strategic planning. Prior to Orbitz,

Wendy co-founded and was COO of Neoglyphics Media Corporation, one of the country’s first

web site development firms. Neoglyphics grew from a small start-up to a corporation with a staff

of more than 150 employees before it was sold in March 1998 for $65 million.

Wendy earned her MBA in Finance and Real Estate from Northwestern University’s Kellogg

School of Business. She received a B.S., cum laude, in Finance and Marketing from Syracuse

University.

In her spare time Wendy is an avid triathlete and runner, having completed 31 Olympic Distance

triathlons and six half-marathons.

Wendy serves on the Board of directors of the Chicago Public Library Foundation (2016 –

present), the Board of directors of the Jewish Federation/Jewish United Fund of Chicago (2001 –

2007, and 2009 – present). Wendy has volunteered for TimeLine Theater, The Marwen

Foundation, Chicago Run and the Uptown Cafe. Wendy served until 2004 as Vice-President and

Membership Chair at The Standard Club of Chicago and as a member of the Board of Directors

(1994 – 2004). Wendy is also a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and served as the

chair of the Real Estate Membership Committee. Wendy served two years on the Board of

Directors of TEDxMidwest. Wendy co-founded Illinois Women in Cannabis in 2014. Wendy is

an active mentor, a role she takes very seriously, usually mentoring 4 – 5 young women at any

given time.

Most recently, Wendy is proud to now call herself a TED speaker, her talk is available on the

TED web site.

Leader of the Year

Melanie Jefferies

Melanie Jefferies

Principal

Milhouse Development

Liz Butler

Liz Butler

Partner

Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

Stacie Young

Stacie Young

CEO

Community Investment Corporation

Kate Varde

Kate Varde

Principal & Managing Director

Essex Realty Group

Amy Sands

Amy Sands

Senior Managing Director

JLL

Kathryn Kovitz Arnold

Kathryn Kovitz Arnold

Co-Chair

Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

Rising Star

Isabel Preskill Schwartz

Isabel Preskill Schwartz

Managing Director

Savills

Olivia Parker

Olivia Parker

Senior Associate

Tishman Speyer

Presley Norby

Presley Norby

Senior Associate

Cushman & Wakefield

Brooke McElhone

Brooke McElhone

VP

Slate Asset Management

Unsung Hero

Shannon Richardson

Shannon Richardson

Managing Director, National Investor Accounts Team

JLL

Lauren D.W. Tatar

Lauren D.W. Tatar

President & Managing Attorney

Easy Tax Appeals

Kellie DeVilbiss

Kellie DeVilbiss

Partner

VennPoint Real Estate

Heidi DeVries

Heidi DeVries

VP Sr. Property Manager

Calamos Real Estate

Dealmaker of the Year

Ellen May

Ellen May

Managing Director, Leasing

Tishman Speyer

Erin Lavin Cabonargi

Erin Lavin Cabonargi

Managing Director

Urban ReSOLVE

Suzanne Serino

Suzanne Serino

EVP

Colliers International

Wendy Katz

Wendy Katz

EVP

Stream Realty Partners

Keynote

Cynthia McSherry
Keynote

Cynthia McSherry

Executive Director

ULI Chicago

Why You Can't Miss This Chicago Commercial Real Estate Event

Bisnow is proud to host Chicago's Women Leading Real Estate Ceremony 2023, which will bring together some of the industry's most powerful and influential women to honor them and their accomplishments. Attendees will gain insight and resources for professional development and the opportunity to network with some of CRE's most notable names. Join us in honoring the women who are making the deals pushing the industry forward. 

Who You'll Network With: 

Brokers, owners, developers, investors, contractors, designers, architects, financial institutions, government officials and more.

Why You Should Attend This Event:

Bisnow's Women Leading Real Estate events bring together the biggest power players in the industry to celebrate and honor the leading professionals in Chicago's commercial real estate industry. Network with some of the industry's top leaders!

For questions, recommendations, comments or press inquiries, please email Event Producer Erika Eringis at erika.eringis@bisnow.com.

Agenda

Time Activity
8:00 PM
9:00 PM
Registration & Networking
9:00 PM
9:30 PM
The Present & Future of Dealmaking in CRE

A conversation on getting CRE deals done and where we are headed in the future

9:30 PM
9:45 PM
Keynote Address
9:45 PM
10:00 PM
Honoree Awards Ceremony
10:00 PM
11:00 PM
Networking & Cocktails