Roosevelt University’s Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate (MBIRE) will celebrate a major milestone this fall with its 25th Anniversary Real Estate Gala on Thursday, October 22—bringing together industry leaders not only to recognize a legacy of impact, but to advance the philanthropic support that creates new opportunities for the next generation of real estate professionals.
For 25 years, the MBIRE Annual Gala has convened hundreds of guests each year who share a common belief: that education creates opportunity and that the future of the real estate industry depends on how we prepare emerging talent. Through their generosity, attendees have helped raise more than $6 million since the Gala’s inception, directly supporting scholarships, innovative programming and career pathways for nearly 500 Institute graduates. This year’s anniversary both celebrates that collective impact and reinforces a shared commitment to expanding access and opportunity for those who will shape the industry’s future.
As part of the celebration, MBIRE will honor Robert “Bob” Wislow of Parkside Realty, whose distinguished career reflects the values the Institute seeks to instill in its students: integrity, vision and stewardship. His leadership and longstanding commitment to both the industry and the community exemplify the spirit of philanthropy and mentorship at the heart of the Gala.
The Gala remains a cornerstone of MBIRE’s commitment to investing in students—providing the resources, experiences and support needed to succeed in a competitive, evolving industry. The annual event is co-hosted by the Institute’s Executive Director, Collete English Dixon, and Advisory Board Chair Damla Gerhart, Executive Regional Director at Cushman & Wakefield.
Event sponsorships range from $2,500 to $25,000, and individual ticket sales begin July 6. For more information, contact Mary LaFleur, director of corporate and foundation relations, at mlafleur@roosevelt.edu.
Robert “Bob” Wislow
Chairman of Parkside Realty, Inc.
2026 Lifetime Achievement Honoree
Bob Wislow is a lifelong Chicagoan and senior real estate executive deeply committed to supporting the city’s nonprofit, civic, governmental, arts, and educational communities, and to enhancing quality of life across the region.
He began his career on the trading floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, later becoming a sales executive at IBM and a founding partner of LaSalle Partners (now Jones Lang LaSalle). In 1978, Bob and his partner Camille Julmy founded U.S. Equities Realty. As Chairman and CEO, Bob led the firm’s strategic growth, building it into Chicago’s largest privately owned commercial real estate company with an international presence. Over his career, he has participated in more than $4 billion in transactions, including over five million square feet of office leases, and has overseen more than eight million square feet of development. He also championed a culture of civic engagement, requiring senior executives to serve on nonprofit or civic boards.
U.S. Equities Realty provided a full range of services, including asset and property management, brokerage, leasing, consulting, and development management. The firm became the largest third-party property manager in both Chicago and Argentina, with major assignments including the renovation, management, and leasing of the Sears Tower and the John Hancock Building. Its development work included major healthcare and public projects such as John Stroger Hospital, Comer Children’s Hospital, the University of Chicago’s Center for Care and Discovery, the Cook County Health Services Central Clinic, the Harold Washington Library, Evanston Public Library, and Millennium Park, including Crown Fountain, Cloud Gate (“The Bean”), Pritzker Pavilion, and the BP Bridge.
In 2014, U.S. Equities Realty merged with CBRE, where Bob served as Chairman of the Chicago office and expanded the firm’s civic and nonprofit engagement. In 2019, Bob and Camille Julmy founded Parkside Realty, where Bob serves as Chairman and CEO. The firm provides management, leasing, and development services, and in 2020 completed Fulton East, Chicago’s first post-pandemic office building designed around tenant health, safety, and well-being. In 2021, Fulton East received awards for Best Office Development and Best Technology Pivot from the Illinois Real Estate Journal.
Bob remains highly active in Chicago’s civic and nonprofit communities. He is a member of the Civic Committee, Chair of the Civic Consulting Alliance’s Governance & Nominating Committee and a member of its Executive Committee, past Chairman and current Executive Committee member of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Chicago Public Library Foundation and the Museum of Contemporary Photography, and serves on the Executive Committee and as Chair of the Facilities Committee of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He is also a member of The Economic Club and the Commercial Club.
