Roosevelt University’s Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate (MBIRE) will recognize Melanie Jefferies, chief operating officer of Milhouse Engineering and Construction, with its 2026 Rising Star Award during the Institute’s 25th Anniversary Real Estate Gala on Thursday, Oct. 22.
Jefferies joins previously announced honoree Robert “Bob” Wislow, chairman of Parkside Realty, Inc., who will receive the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award. Together, the honorees represent the breadth of leadership, innovation and community impact celebrated by the Institute during its milestone anniversary year.
A visionary C-suite executive, Jefferies has built her career at the intersection of business, community and economic development, with a particular focus on Chicago’s South Side. As a second-generation leader of a family-owned business, she brings a distinctive perspective to the highly technical engineering and construction industry, where she has helped drive organizational growth and innovation.
Jefferies also founded Milhouse Development, an affiliate of Milhouse Engineering and Construction created to bring small-business innovation and entrepreneurial thinking within a corporate structure. Her work reflects a commitment to creating lasting economic and community impact while developing new approaches to business growth.
“Melanie Jefferies exemplifies the kind of emerging leadership that the Rising Star Award was created to recognize,” said Collete English Dixon, executive director of the Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate. “Her ability to connect business innovation with community impact, while creating opportunities for others, reflects the values we seek to instill in the next generation of real estate professionals.”
The 25th Anniversary Real Estate Gala will bring together nearly 300 industry professionals, alumni, students and supporters to celebrate MBIRE’s history and invest in its future. Since the Gala’s inception, attendees have helped raise more than $6 million to support scholarships, innovative programming, student resources and career pathways for more than 400 Institute graduates.
The anniversary celebration also underscores MBIRE’s ongoing commitment to preparing students for leadership in a rapidly evolving industry. Through education, experiential learning, mentorship and professional connections, the Institute helps students build the knowledge and networks needed to pursue careers across the real estate sector.
The 25th Anniversary Real Estate Gala will be held Thursday, Oct. 22, at 167 N. Green St. in Chicago. Sponsorship opportunities and individual tickets are available through the event website.
