Executive Director
Cushman & Wakefield
Industry:
Real Estate
Member since:
2010
Membership Type:
Full
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Marilyn Lissner is an innovative and influential leader at Cushman & Wakefield (C&W), serving as Executive Director of Brokerage. She has established herself as a pillar of the real estate community with 40+ years of experience, of which 34 have been with C&W.
Marilyn has achieved a successful track record of advising her clients regarding high-level strategic planning, negotiation and implementation of real estate transactions, as well as corporate advisory and portfolio management solutions in the greater Chicago area as well as globally. Within the past 2 years, she has sold over $60 million of properties and executed transactions with a lease value of well over $100 million. As the lead real estate account manager for several corporations with portfolios in excess of ten million square feet, her advice and expertise combined with the wealth of C&W’s corporate talent and resources has resulted in over 600 lease and sales transactions with a value of over $5 billion.
Further, she has contributed significantly to the growth and prestige of women in the commercial real estate industry. Marilyn has dedicated extensive time to improving the commercial real estate industry for women. As one of the founding members of CREW’s Chicago Chapter, an active member of the Chicago Network and the International Women’s Forum, Marilyn has worked to break down barriers and empower women.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
CREW (Chicago Real Estate Executive Women Founder and President)
Demonstrated leadership initiative as one of the founders of the first real estate women’s network organization in 1987 dedicated to the support, education and career advancement of women in the commercial real estate industry. Was one of the original board members and President having served a two-year term in 1990-1991.
NN CREW (National Network)
Was instrumental in the formation of the National Network that consists of 12,000 women and served as one of its first delegates.
COLBA (Chicago Office Leasing Broker’s Association)
THE CHICAGO NETWORK Chicago’s most distinguished professional women’s network of over 400 women and have served on numerous committees including WIFL (Women in the Forefront luncheon), Engagement Committee and Future Leaders (career mentoring program for girls).
THE EXECUTIVE CLUB Was a member of a leading business and industry organization and part of a mentor program to develop future leaders.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S FORUM is a Global Women’s organization of over 7,000 senior women leaders. Marilyn was a Chicago Board Member for 7 years. She served as Membership Chair and Hospitality Chair for the 2016 IWF Chicago World Leadership Conference of over 1000 attendees.
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS (UIC) Real Estate Advisory Board Member
Participated in creating a viable market plan for the board.
CUSHMAN AND WAKEFIELD Executive Advisory Leadership Council
Reviewed and set corporate policy for the firm.
CUSHMAN AND WAKEFIELD Chicago Executive Committee
Advised the Chicago area manager on a number of issues, including market trends, procedures and policy.
CUSHMAN AND WAKEFIELD –Strategic Development Committee
Was on the committee that set policy and direction for the company offices in Chicago during the previous challenging economic environment
COMMUNITY SERVICE (Currently active or has supported)
Blessings in a Backpack Advisory Council
The organization feeds 95,000 food deprived children every weekend.
Chicago United Leadership Council Member
For 50 years, Chicago United has maintained the dialogue among multiracial senior leadership driving corporate and minority-owned businesses, civic and non-profit leadership in the common goal of creating a stronger social and economic climate for all races. Marilyn recently received the Chicago United Ambassador Honorable Mention Award.
Girl Scouts Camp CEO Leadership Program
Was a volunteer for six years involved in a camp environment leadership development and mentoring experience for teen Girl Scouts. Continues to mentor a Girl Scout from her first camp experience in 2007 who received a full scholarship at Cardinal Stritch College and Harvard Divinity School Master’s Program. After graduation, she was offered and accepted a position as Chaplain at Tufts University Hospital.
Girl Scout Honor Circle Breakfast Committee and Table Host
Girl Scouts/CREW Career Day
Volunteer and presenter for three years in a real estate learning and development experience for Girl Scouts.
Chicago Foundation for Women -Table Host
Women Employed-Table Host
United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Chicago
Board Member and President of the Women’s Board.
Temple Jeremiah
Board Member and held numerous leadership positions.
Menttium (Women Leadership Mentoring Organization)
Participated in a mentor program and currently mentors a woman in management at a major corporation on an ongoing basis.
SPEAKING EXPERIENCE
Local newspapers quote her regularly, such as The Chicago Tribune and Crain’s Chicago Business, along with trade magazines such as Illinois Real Estate Journal, where she was featured. She has been a speaker at industry seminars, conferences and meetings, discussing national and local office market trends including:
Downtown Office Market RealShare Conference Panel
Young Entrepreneurs’ Forum
East/West Suburban Corridor RealShare Conference Panel
Mortgage Bankers Conference Speaker
The Appraisal Institute Speaker
Naperville Chamber of Commerce Panel
Girl Scouts- Gold Award Keynote Speaker
CREW Convention Real Estate Market Trends Panel
CREW Commercial Real Estate Executive Women Leadership Panel
Cushman and Wakefield Achievement Conference Panel
Cushman and Wakefield Broker Symposium Moderator
Cushman and Wakefield Research Conference Speaker
Mt. Assisi Academy Graduating Class Women Leadership Panel
CREW “Greening of Leases” Panel
IREM (Institute of Real Estate Management) Market Trends Panel
PROFESSIONAL AWARDS
2020 CREW Industry Leadership Award
2019 Crain’s Notable Women in Real Estate
2014 Bisnow Power Women of Influence in Commercial Real Estate Award
2012 Midwest RE News Hall of Fame Award
2011 Illinois Real Estate Journal –Career Achievement Award
2009 Cushman & Wakefield Chicago Region Top Producer
2008 Illinois Real Estate Journal Nominee – Career Achievement Award,
Illinois Real Estate Journal – People News Feature Article and
Cushman & Wakefield – Chicago Region Top Producer
2007 Cushman & Wakefield – Special Recognition Award
2006 Cushman & Wakefield – Chicago Region #1 Producer
2005 Cushman & Wakefield – Service Excellence Award
2004 NAIOP – Suburban Office Transaction of the Year
2003 Cushman & Wakefield – Service Excellence Award
2003 NAIOP – Build-To-Suit Transaction of the Year Award
2001 NAIOP – Industrial Transaction of the Year Award nominee
2000 NAIOP – Office Transaction of the Year Award nominee
1999 NAIOP – Office Transaction of the Year Award winner
1997 NAIOP – Office Transaction of the Year Award nominee
1997 Crain’s Chicago Commercial Real Estate Awards – Office Tenant Rep nominee
1995 Crain’s Chicago Commercial Real Estate Awards- Office Tenant Rep Award