Congratulations to the CREDA Chicago 2026-27 Future Leaders Scholarship Recipients!
CREDA Chicago is excited to introduce our 2026-27 Future Leaders University Scholarship recipients. These eight students from Chicago State, DePaul, Marquette, Northwestern, Roosevelt, University of Chicago & University of Illinois exemplify the commitment and innovation coming from the new generation of Chicago’s commercial real estate industry and we are honored to play a role in fostering their professional development.
Now in its 12th year, the University Scholarship Program has contributed more than $350,000 in tuition assistance and benefits to 56 scholars. We believe in making a difference in future leaders, and we believe that our scholarship program is helping pave the way for a stronger future in our industry.
In addition to tuition assistance, recipients of the Future Leaders Scholarship receive a one-year CREDA membership, a mentor involved in a field related to their interests, as well as a variety of other local benefits. The CREDA Chicago (formerly NAIOP) University Scholarship program is annual, with applications to the program accepted in Spring/early Summer of each year. Read more about our University Scholarship program.
Join us as we celebrate this year’s scholars at the 39th Annual Awards for Excellence on November 5! Tickets and additional information are available here.
Corin Campbell | University of Chicago
Corin Campbell is an MBA candidate at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, concentrating in Real Estate. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, Economics, and Psychology from Indiana University Bloomington.
At Booth, Corin serves as Co-Chair of the Real Estate Group, where she and her team took first place this year in the Kreisman Initiative Housing Challenge.
Before business school, Corin spent three years as an Underwriting Analyst at CREA, LLC, where she underwrote more than 50 low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) syndications totaling over 4,500 affordable units and $575M in equity. This past summer, she joined Brinshore as a Development Intern, gaining firsthand experience in how LIHTC properties are financed, closed, and guided through long-term compliance. She is excited to join the team full-time upon graduating in June 2027.
Corin is passionate about affordable housing and the critical role real estate development plays in strengthening communities.
Maximo Castillo | DePaul University
Maximo Castillo is currently a senior at DePaul University pursuing a double major in Honors Finance and Real Estate. Most recently, he spent time as a Summer Analyst at Stream Realty Partners in Chicago supporting their Office and Industrial Brokerage teams. On campus, Maximo enjoys participating with the DePaul Real Estate Club and currently serves on the board of DePaul’s Ski Club.
Through CREDA’s Future Leader Scholarship, he is excited to deepen his knowledge of the commercial real estate professionals and market within Chicago, his hometown, where he hopes to apply what he learns academically, professionally, and through CREDA to make a lasting impact on CRE in the city.
Sakina Electricwala | DePaul University
Sakina Electricwala is an MSRE student at DePaul University with a passion for real estate development and the built environment. During her undergraduate career, she served as the Director of Marketing and Communications for the DePaul Real Estate Club and now serves as Vice President of the Housing Opportunity Development Corporation. Sakina currently works at GGP, specializing in retail redevelopment, and has developed a well-rounded foundation in property management, real estate investments, industrial development, and project management through her previous internships. Outside of building her career in real estate, she enjoys discovering new restaurants, exploring fashion, and traveling. As a CREDA Scholar, Sakina looks forward to expanding her professional network, learning from seasoned industry leaders, and giving back by supporting and mentoring the next generation of real estate professionals.
Joshua Keaton | Chicago State University
Joshua Keaton is a sophomore at Chicago State University majoring in Business Administration and is a proud first-generation college student. He is passionate about construction management and hopes to pursue a career as a construction project manager. Outside of academics, Joshua is a member of the track and field team and volunteers at Freedom City Church. He is grateful to be selected as a CREDA Chicago Future Leader Scholar and looks forward to the opportunities, experiences, and connections this program will provide.
Isabella Lucaccioni | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Isabella Lucaccioni is a junior at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the Gies College of Business, majoring in Finance with a career concentration in Commercial Real Estate. At Illinois, she serves on the executive teams of Rho Epsilon and Reichard Real Estate Academy, recently competing in the Eisenberg Real Estate Challenge development pitch for the 78 of Chicago, where her team was awarded the Financial Feasibility Award.
This summer, Isabella worked as a capital markets and acquisitions intern at Clear Height Properties, specializing in industrial value-add opportunities. She underwrote $115M in industrial value add acquisitions, developed an AI driven comp aggregation tool to enhance underwriting accuracy, and conducted a comprehensive analysis of 5,000+ Chicago industrial assets to identify rent gap trends.
She is excited to join CREDA to build relationships with mentors and continue to be curious about all that Commercial Real Estate has to offer.
Michelle Murias | Marquette University
Michelle Murias is a junior at Marquette University, double majoring in Commercial Real Estate and Finance. She is a member of the Real Estate Asset Program (REAP), Marquette’s selective in-class real estate investment program. Outside of the classroom, she competes on Marquette’s Club Tennis team and serves as Director of Finance for both the Commercial Real Estate Club and the Polish Club.
This past summer, Michelle worked as a Real Estate Acquisitions Intern at Equity LifeStyle Properties (ELS) in Chicago, gaining firsthand experience in acquisition underwriting and evaluating investment opportunities. Through the CREDA Chicago (formerly NAIOP) Future Leaders Scholarship, Michelle is excited to build on that experience through mentorship from experienced industry professionals and by expanding her network within Chicago’s commercial real estate community.
Tyler Parbs | Northwestern University
Tyler Parbs is a Managing Director with Lake Street Real Estate, a Chicago-based commercial real estate investment and development firm. He specializes in complex transactions, aligning the people and the capital needed to take a project from concept through closing. He has served as a strategic advisor to several large-scale developers across the Chicago area and has closed more than $500 million in transactions. Tyler serves as Vice Chair of the Milwaukee County Historical Society and holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is pursuing his MBA at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, where his team took first place in the school’s Real Estate Venture Competition.
Caitlyn Thomas | Roosevelt University
Caitlyn Thomas is an undergraduate student at Roosevelt University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Real Estate. She currently serves as President of the Marshall Bennett Institute Real Estate Club and Vice President of Women in Business, where she helps create opportunities for students to build meaningful connections, develop professionally, and expand their knowledge across the business and real estate industries. In addition to her campus leadership, Caitlyn has gained hands-on experience in property management, leasing, and real estate development through her work with SCC Development Corporation, a family-owned real estate company serving Chicago’s Roseland community. Her experiences have strengthened her passion for commercial real estate, affordable housing, and community-focused development. Caitlyn aspires to build a career in corporate real estate and ultimately use her education and industry experience to help create high-quality, affordable housing and contribute to the continued growth of underserved communities. The support of the CREDA Chicago (formerly NAIOP) Future Leaders Scholarship will allow her to continue expanding her real estate knowledge, building meaningful industry relationships, and preparing to make a lasting impact within the commercial real estate industry and the communities she hopes to serve.