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SIOR Foundation Awards the 2025 Mildred C. Hanson, SIOR, Memorial Scholarships
SIOR Foundation Announces 2025 Mildred C. Hanson, SIOR Memorial Scholarship Winners
The SIOR Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of the prestigious 2025 Mildred C. Hanson, SIOR Memorial Scholarships, awarded annually to outstanding students pursuing careers in commercial real estate.
This year, the selection committee faced the challenging task of choosing winners from among 25 exceptional applicants, each demonstrating significant promise and commitment to the real estate profession.
Julie Cohen is a third-year student at San Diego State University studying Real Estate & Business Management, currently serving as the Professional Development Director for their Real Estate Society. With an interest in launching a career in tenant representation brokerage, she is particularly driven by the connection-based business development that fuels the industry. She is committed to building a career rooted in relationship driven results and high professional standards.
“There is a profound difference between achieving academic success and being recognized by the very professionals who are shaping the industry you aspire to join. It is an incredible honor to be recognized as a Mildred C. Hanson Memorial Scholar, paying tribute to one of the first women to earn the SIOR designation.
My commitment to launching a career in CRE brokerage has always been the driving force behind my academic and professional pursuits. This scholarship is an empowering vote of confidence in that vision, and I am fully committed to the standard of excellence SIOR represents. I am sincerely appreciative of this support and look forward to honoring this legacy through my future contributions to the industry.”
Roxanne Ibe began her career at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, earning a Bachelors in Architecture, and recently completed her Master of Real Estate Development at Iowa State. She is currently finishing a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Real Estate Finance, further deepening her ability to blend real estate design, strategy, and financial performance. Ms. Ibe is the founder and managing partner of Talisman Development Group, a boutique real estate development firm with in-house architectural design and construction management services. Her firm specializes in adaptive re-use of existing underutilized commercial properties and historic buildings – transforming overlooked spaces into vibrant, purpose-driven places. With a background in architectural design, development, finance, and hands-on experience in construction estimating, preconstruction, and project management, Roxanne brings practical expertise and creative vision to her projects.
“I’m truly grateful to be selected as a recipient of the 2025 Mildred C. Hanson SIOR Memorial Scholarship. This recognition means a great deal to me, not just as financial support, but as encouragement from an organization I deeply respect within the real estate industry.
I’m thankful to the SIOR Foundation for believing in me and investing in my continued growth. Knowing that professionals I admire see value in my path gives me even more motivation to keep pushing forward and doing meaningful work within the commercial real estate industry.
This scholarship helps support my studies at Iowa State University, where I have earned my Master of Real Estate Development and am now working toward completing my MBA. I’m enjoying deepening my understanding of real estate, business, and finance within the classroom while also balancing running my own real estate development business. Being recognized by a group that values integrity, leadership, and giving back is incredibly motivating, and I hope to pay that support forward by mentoring others and contributing to the industry in the same spirit.”
Paula Litwin-Logan is an MSRE candidate at NYU’s Schack Institute of Real Estate, concentrating in Finance & Investments. She currently serves as President of NYU’s REIT Investment Fund and is an actively involved student. Paula previously earned her Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University, where she led the McGill Real Estate Club and was an ICSC Canada Scholarship recipient. Paula is passionate about beginning a strong career in brokerage and becoming a leader within the commercial real estate industry.
“I am deeply honored to receive the Mildred C. Hanson SIOR Memorial Scholarship. As a female student in commercial real estate, this recognition affirms my commitment to the industry and my passion to excel. Mildred C. Hanson’s legacy inspires me to continue pushing boundaries, supporting other women in the industry, and building a career defined by impact and leadership.”
Kaylee Tigner is pursuing a double major in Real Estate and Finance at the University of Northern Iowa. She was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, and has had a passion for real estate since high school. I became interested in commercial real estate because of the wide range of opportunities within the industry.
During her junior year of college, Kaylee interned at a commercial real estate firm, where she developed strong skills in financial analysis, market research, and professional communication. She is committed to continuing her education while building a successful career in real estate.
“I am incredibly honored to have been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Mildred C. Hanson, SIOR Memorial Scholarship. This support allows me to continue pursuing my education and professional goals, and I am sincerely grateful for the generosity of the donors. This scholarship represents more than financial assistance—it is an encouragement to continue striving toward my goals and growing both academically and professionally.”
Established in 2008, the Mildred C. Hanson, SIOR Memorial Fund has generously instituted an educational scholarship program intended to encourage and assist qualified female students in obtaining an education that will lead them into productive careers in the commercial real estate industry. For more information on the the Mildred C. Hanson, SIOR Memorial Scholarship, click here.