The BOMA/Chicago Foundation had its busiest and most successful year yet because of our generous donors and passionate volunteers. Please read through our newsletter to learn more about our programs and events.
Below is a quick recap of the BOMA/Chicago Foundation's accomplishments and events. In 2022, we:
- Raised over $270,000 for the Foundation, which allowed us to award $17,000 in scholarships.
- Awarded one Full Designation Scholarship to Maureen Mwangi (Northwestern Memorial HealthCare) and one Ollie Scholarship to Daja Walker-Parker (JLL).
- Held the 10th Annual Diversity Celebration in June and recognized the 2020-2022 Ollie Scholars.
- Launched the Authentic Allyship DEI Workshop and held it twice with over 60 attendees.
- Held 10 career days at local high schools and colleges for over 650 students.
- Participated in our first Pride Parade.
- Held 6 Financial Empowerment Workshops with 70 attendees.
- And more!
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Message from Bridgette Battle
Our Diversity Committee Chair & Foundation VP is more excited than ever about DEI in CRE!
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Bridgette Battle, the BOMA/Chicago Foundation Vice President and Diversity Committee Chair, is the General Manager for Hines at One South Dearborn. Hines is the Foundation’s 2022 Workforce Diversity Partner – and we would like to thank Bridgette and Lance Knez for their support of the Foundation and our DEI initiatives.
As 2022 comes to a close, Bridgette has a message for you:
“Dealing with increasing diversity, equity and inclusion can be overwhelming at times. I like to reference Lao Tzu who said, 'The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.'
This year, all of us took steps together that collectively moved our industry forward. We have supported and watched as minority professionals have been promoted. We helped a former intern (Joselin Rogel) secure a full-time position, we marched together in the Pride Parade, and we spoke with over 600 minority students about our industry. We are also having more honest conversations about allyship along with overcoming bias and inequities in the workplace.
As 2022 comes to a close, I want you to know that I am so proud of our DEI efforts. In my 22 years in this industry, I have never seen as much diverse interest in CRE as I do right now. This can be attributed to the increased involvement of our property management companies, Affiliate Members and YOU! All of us are working hand-in-hand to make DEI a priority. I want to thank all of you for joining us on this journey. I can’t wait to see what 2023 will bring!”
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2022 Workforce Diversity Annual Partner |
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Congrats to Jeff Bentley!
Jeff Bentley is the 2023 Full Designation Scholar!
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Congratulations to our 2023 Full Designation Scholar, Jeff Bentley!
Jeff graduated from Loras College in 2017, where he earned a degree in both marketing and sport management. He is currently a Property Associate for JLL at 801 South Canal, where he oversees the redevelopment and construction process. Prior to joining JLL, Jeff worked for MB Real Estate at Michigan Plaza as a Property Administrator. This is where he joined the CRE industry in 2019.
Jeff has already taken one RPA class. His scholarship will cover all eight required RPA classes (worth $10,000).
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Meet Joselin Rogel
Former Intern Joins the CRE Industry!
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Joselin Rogel, a 2021 BOMA/Chicago Foundation intern from National Louis University, has started a full-time job in CRE.
Joselin interned at Glenstar in the summer of 2021. She then interned at Hines during the summer of 2022. And now, she is a full-time Property Associate at Sterling Bay!
Let’s welcome Joselin to our industry!
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Ollie Scholarship Due February 1
RPA Full Tuition Opportunity for Underrepresented CRE Professionals
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The BOMA/Chicago Foundation is now accepting applications for the Reginald L. Ollie Inclusion and Outreach Scholarship. The Ollie Scholarship provides the $10,000 full tuition to underrepresented professionals in the commercial real estate industry to achieve the Real Property Administrator (RPA) designation.
Please review the eligibility criteria (listed below) for this scholarship. If you meet these criteria, we invite you to apply! Click here to download the packet containing the application and reference forms (note: forms must be submitted online using links in the packet). All parts of the application are due on February 1.
Eligibility Criteria
- Belong to an underrepresented group; underrepresented professionals are classified as: racial, ethnic, LGBTQ and disabled
- Applicant does NOT have to be a BOMA/Chicago member
- Must be at least 21 years old and have a minimum of two years of experience in the commercial real estate industry
- Applicants must have 24 months of commercial real estate experience by March 2023. The experience must specifically be in commercial real estate (residential and retail experience does not count toward the 24 months of experience).
- Have taken three or less RPA/FMA designation classes prior to applying for the scholarship
- Completion of at least one year of college level courses at a college/university and earned a GPA of 2.5/4.0 or 3.5/5
- Completion of the application, along with submission of all attachments and references, by February 1, 2023
- Available to interview with the Scholarship Committee on the morning of February 15, 2023
If you plan to apply for this scholarship, please email Jaclynne Madden or call (312) 870-9608 so that we can discuss the application process and requirements.
Runner-Up Scholarship: The scholarship runner-up will be given the opportunity to use a Single Course Scholarship for one RPA class offered in 2023.
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BOMA/Chicago Foundation Fund
Consider making a donation to the Foundation!
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The BOMA/Chicago Foundation and our 27-year-old Diversity Committee are 100% committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in commercial real estate. As we continue to expand our efforts, we also need to expand and grow our resources. And this is why we launched the BOMA/Chicago Foundation Fund campaign.
Donations and the interest earned from them will be unrestricted. We will use these funds to support all of the Foundation’s current and future programming, including scholarships, career days, student building tours, financial empowerment classes, internships and more.
You and your company can play a part in supporting the BOMA/Chicago Foundation. Make a donation today! Click here to be directed to our Foundation Fund donation webpage. Thank you in advance for your support!
The BOMA/Chicago Foundation is qualified as a charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations to the Foundation are tax deductible as charitable contributions or as ordinary and necessary business expenses. Donors should check with their tax advisors.
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Become a Diversity Ambassador Today!
Meet your peers and volunteer at our diversity events!
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By becoming a Diversity Ambassador, you will help the Diversity Committee and Foundation:
- Facilitate honest conversations about diversity and inclusion by encouraging others (and yourself) to share stories and experiences
- Educate and mentor underrepresented high school and college students about the CRE industry
- Recruit underrepresented professionals to the CRE industry and create professional advancement opportunities
- Host building tours, job shadow days and networking events
- Plan D&I education programs
BOMA/Chicago members and our community-at-large are encouraged to become Diversity Ambassadors. You will work hand-in-hand with our Diversity Committee in making measurable, positive steps in diversifying the CRE industry. Our future leaders are right here in our own community and YOU can make a difference by volunteering alongside us.
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Learn More About the BOMA/Chicago Foundation
The Foundation offers scholarships, CRE career days & more!
The mission of the BOMA/Chicago Foundation is to advance the development of emerging talent in commercial real estate, inclusive of underrepresented groups, through education, exposure and outreach. Learn more by visiting our website and watch a video highlighting our mission and volunteers.
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