The Goldie Initiative

What The Goldie Initiative does

The Goldie Initiative (legal name: The Goldie B. Wolfe Miller Women Leaders in Real Estate Initiative) is a 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 2007 by commercial real estate veteran Goldie B. Wolfe Miller and headquartered at 231 S. Lasalle Street, Suite 2100, Chicago, IL. The organization operates a two-year leadership development program for women pursuing graduate degrees (MBA, MSRE, JD, MUPP) in commercial real estate-related fields, awarding merit-based scholarships of $7,500 per year, up to $15,000 with continued enrollment, alongside executive mentorship, networking events, and leadership training. Since inception it has supported 200+ Goldie Scholars, awarded over $2 million in cumulative scholarships, and expanded to partnerships with 20+ universities including Harvard, MIT, Columbia, Northwestern, Georgetown, Yale, and Cornell.

The organization's product portfolio centers on the Goldie Scholar Program as the core offering, supplemented by the Goldie Central online community platform (providing events, news, recordings, job postings, and member groups), the annual Goldie Gala signature fundraising event, the Impact Summit, the Shero Award recognition program, the Goldie Mentor Program, the Goldie Scholar Retreat, and event series such as Gold Access: C-Suite Conversations and the Sub-Industry Spotlight Series. Technology infrastructure is intentionally lean — built on Goldie Central plus third-party integrations with Flipcause (donation processing), MicroEdge (scholarship application portal), Constant Contact (email), and LGL Forms (form engine). The team is small (1-10 employees including CEO Megan Abraham, CFO Becky Zitella, Program Director Kelsey Cleland, and Communications and Events Associate Monica Torres-Mancilla), reflecting a relationship-intensive operating model where human mentorship and event execution are the primary deliverables rather than software.

Revenue is generated through three primary streams: corporate sponsorships structured in tiers from Bronze ($2,500) to Presenting ($50,000+); individual donations including major gifts, monthly giving, planned giving, stock transfers, and donor-advised fund contributions; and event revenue from the Goldie Gala and Impact Summit. In-person programming is concentrated in the Midwest and Northeast regions, with scholar application eligibility restricted to 20 select states (Illinois, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., and others). The organization operates as an independent nonprofit with no parent company, funded in part by the Jack Miller Family Foundation and presenting sponsors such as Chicago Title Insurance Company.

Name

The Goldie Initiative

Legal name

The Goldie B. Wolfe Miller Women Leaders in Real Estate Initiative

Website

https://goldieinitiative.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Goldie Initiative is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that prepares women graduate students for senior leadership in commercial real estate through merit-based scholarships up to $15,000, executive mentorship, and a network of 200+ alumnae across 20+ partner universities in the U.S. Midwest and Northeast.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Women Leadership Development

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Mentorship & Coaching (Career, Academic, Industry-Specific) (EDAMAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Leadership, Service Learning & Volunteer-to-Career Pathways (EDAMAKAJ), Higher Education Capacity Building & Scholarships (BPADAKAG), Executive Leadership & C-Suite Development (EDABAAAA)

Keywords

• Women's leadership development
• Commercial real estate education
• Graduate scholarship programs
• Executive mentorship matching
• Professional networking events

Headquarters

HQ city

Buffalo Grove

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Corporate Sponsorships: Annual corporate sponsorships at various levels (Presenting $50,000+, Diamond $25,000+, Platinum $15,000+, Gold $10,000+, Silver $5,000+, Bronze $2,500+) providing brand promotion at events and networking opportunities
2. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals including major gifts, monthly giving, planned giving, stock transfers, bequests, and donor advised fund contributions
3. Event Revenue: Goldie Gala ticket sales and event fundraising, including inaugural Goldie Gala New York 2026

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Goldie Initiative provides a two-year leadership development program that combines merit-based scholarships of up to $15,000 per scholar, one-on-one executive mentorship with senior commercial real estate professionals, networking opportunities with industry leaders and alumnae, and tailored leadership development training. The program targets women pursuing graduate-level education (MBA, MSRE, JD, MUPP) in commercial real estate-related fields at 20+ partner universities, and is supported by signature events including the annual Goldie Gala, Impact Summit, and Shero Award.

Product overview

The Goldie Initiative is a nonprofit organization operating as a single unified program—primarily the Goldie Scholar Program—supplemented by related products and events. The core Goldie Scholar Program is a two-year leadership development package combining merit-based scholarships (up to $15,000), executive mentorship, networking opportunities, and leadership development training for women pursuing graduate studies in commercial real estate. Supporting offerings include the annual Goldie Gala (signature fundraising and networking event), Impact Summit (annual celebration of scholars and alumnae), Shero Award (recognition of women industry leaders), Goldie Mentor Program (executive mentorship matching), Goldie Central (online community platform), Goldie Scholar Retreat (leadership development), and C-Suite Conversations (intimate speaker series). The portfolio is unified around advancing women in commercial real estate through scholarship, mentorship, leadership, and networking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Goldie Scholar Program
• Goldie Mentor Program
• Goldie Central
• Goldie Gala
• Impact Summit
• Shero Award
• Goldie Scholar Retreat
• Gold Access: C-Suite Conversations
• Sub-Industry Spotlight Series
• Goldie Scholar Orientation

Quantifiable outcome

• $2M awarded to scholars since 2007
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered key and core.

• SIOR Chicago ChapterkeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Strategic alliance strengthening support and visibility for women across the CRE industry. New partnership as of 2024-2025.
• Harvard UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007University partner providing Goldie Scholars access to Harvard Graduate School of Design real estate programs. One of 20+ university partners supporting women in CRE graduate education.
• MITcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007University partner providing Goldie Scholars access to MIT real estate and urban planning programs. Part of expanded network to nearly 20 graduate programs nationwide.
• Columbia UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007University partner supporting Goldie Initiative scholars in New York region. Expanded east coast reach for program recruitment.
• University of ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007Original founding university partner at Roosevelt University. Expanded to include Chicago Booth as key academic partner.
• Northwestern UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007University partner with Kellogg School of Management. Provides Goldie Scholars access to real estate and finance programs.
• Georgetown UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007University partner providing Goldie Scholars access to McDonough School of Business real estate programs in Washington D.C. region.
• University of Notre DamecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007University partner supporting Goldie Initiative expansion to Midwest region with real estate concentration programs.
• University of WisconsincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007University partner with Graaskamp Center for Real Estate. Named after award given to founder Goldie Wolfe Miller.
• Cornell UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007University partner with Baker Program in Real Estate. Provides access to elite Northeast CRE education.
• Yale UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007University partner providing Goldie Scholars access to Yale School of Architecture and management programs.
• Roosevelt UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding university partner where Goldie Initiative launched in 2007 with Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate.
• Boston UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner supporting Goldie Initiative Northeast expansion with real estate programs.
• University of MiamicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner extending Goldie Initiative reach to Florida and Southeast region.
• DePaul UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner with Driehaus College of Business supporting Chicago-area Goldie Scholars.
• CREW ChicagokeyGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry partner providing networking and professional development connections for Goldie Scholars.
• BOMA ChicagokeyGTM or Marketing PartnerBuilding Owners and Managers Association partner supporting professional development and industry connections.
• CoreNet Global - Chicago ChapterkeyGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate real estate network partner providing industry events and networking opportunities.
• CCIM InstitutekeyGTM or Marketing PartnerCertified Commercial Investment Member institute partner for professional education and networking.
• Greater Chicago Food DepositorykeyGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner recognizing Goldie Initiative founder with Legend Award; shared commitment to community impact.
• Harold E. Eisenberg FoundationkeyGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation partner supporting real estate professional development and networking events.
• IWIRE (Industrial Women in Real Estate)keyGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry network supporting women in industrial real estate with mentorship and professional development.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• BOMA International (Building Owners and Managers Association): A trade association for commercial real estate professionals, with Goldie Initiative's BOMA Chicago partnership as a key industry ally. Comparable as a broader CRE industry body supporting professional development and networking for women leaders.
• CoreNet Global: A global association for corporate real estate professionals. Goldie Initiative's CoreNet Global Chicago Chapter partnership and similar focus on preparing leaders for senior CRE roles makes it a broad incumbent peer in the leadership development space.
• CCIM Institute: A leading commercial real estate association offering certification, education, and networking. Goldie Initiative lists CCIM as a key industry partner, and both organizations target career advancement in commercial real estate through education.
• NAIOP: The largest commercial real estate development association with 22,000+ members. Goldie Initiative partners are frequently NAIOP member firms; comparable as a broader CRE industry body that also runs leadership development and diversity programs.
• ULI (Urban Land Institute): A global research and education organization supporting land use and real estate development. Comparable as a broader CRE industry body with leadership development programs and partnerships with the same university programs that Goldie Scholars attend.
• ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers): A global trade association for the retail real estate industry, with diversity and inclusion programs promoting women leaders in CRE. Comparable as a broader commercial real estate industry body with similar professional development and scholarship programming.

Direct peers

• WX (New York Women Executives in Real Estate): A NYC-based nonprofit organization supporting women in real estate through scholarships, mentorship, networking, and professional development. Directly comparable to Goldie Initiative in mission, scholarship funding model, and target demographic of women pursuing CRE careers.
• WIRES (Women in Real Estate Society): Industry network supporting women in industrial real estate with mentorship and professional development. Directly comparable in mission to advance women in CRE sub-sectors through networking and mentorship programming.
• CREW Network: The leading global nonprofit organization advancing women in commercial real estate, with 13,000+ members across 80+ chapters. Most directly comparable to Goldie Initiative as both target women in CRE, though CREW is a much larger professional association while Goldie is a focused scholar/mentorship program.
• NAWRB (National Association of Women in Real Estate Brokerage): A nonprofit dedicated to advancing women in the housing industry, providing education, advocacy, and resources. Comparable as a women-in-real-estate nonprofit focused on education and professional development, though focused on brokerage rather than institutional CRE.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UChJKLf62TXI0Op0kJU7Vm4w
• Facebookfacebook.com/GoldieScholars
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-goldie-initiative
• Instagraminstagram.com/goldieinitiative
• Xx.com/goldiescholars

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Goldie Initiative