Last but not least, we had to feature an engaged industry couple with a bright future ahead. NELSON project manager Eric Baran and JLL business development VP Margie Kurkowski met while working together at a small design studio more than seven years ago. They have been dating over six years and Eric proposed last July at Oak Street Beach. Even with the long courtship, the proposal was still a complete surprise, he's proud to say. They enjoy working in the same industry because they know most of the same people and really understand one another’s careers.

Here’s Margie at a CoreNet event last year. The couple tries not to talk about work at the dinner table, but they do enjoy attending major industry events together, like the upcoming 26th Annual Commercial Real Estate Awards Dinner on March 20 to benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository (Margie’s event chair). They’re thrilled to be getting married this August at the Chicago Symphony Center, followed by a honeymoon in Europe. Eric’s favorite part of the entire wedding process is selecting items for the registry, since he’s an amazing chef, Margie says.