October 23, 2025
Celebrating the Life of a Champion for Women in Real Estate and Supporting Emerging Female Leaders
Chicago, IL — On October 16, 2025, the real estate community came together at “Debbie’s Buck-It Bash,” in a heartfelt tribute to the late Debbie Frank. The event, attended by over 300 guests and supported by more than 40 corporate sponsors, honored Frank’s enduring legacy as a leader and advocate for women in the real estate industry.
Debbie Frank, remembered for her “unbridled awesome” spirit, spent 14 years in Golub & Company’s commercial leasing division, leaving a lasting mark through her leadership, energy, and mentorship. Her legacy lives on through the Debbie Frank Legacy Fund, which continues her mission to uplift and empower women across the industry. The Fund—an initiative of the Golub Family Foundation—receives vital support through the Buck-It Bash, its flagship annual fundraiser, driving opportunities for the next generation of women in real estate.
In 2024, the Fund catalyzed a groundbreaking partnership between two leading women’s organizations: The Goldie Initiative and CREW Chicago. The Goldie Initiative provides educational scholarships and mentorship programs, while CREW Chicago offers its members a wealth of resources and learning forums.
This collaboration resulted in the creation of the Debbie Frank Legacy Fund/CREW Chicago Goldie Scholar designation. Presented annually to women pursuing graduate-level real estate studies at Chicago-area institutions, the Scholar program grants participants full access to leadership development and networking opportunities through both organizations.
The 2025 Buck-It Bash raised over $200,000 in support of promising women pursuing graduate degrees in real estate.
Paula Harris, Managing Principal at Golub & Company, reflected, “Debbie’s passion for empowering women continues to guide us. The Fund ensures her vision lives on by supporting education, mentorship, and professional development for the next generation of women in real estate. At Golub & Company, we’re proud to carry that commitment forward — creating opportunities and strengthening the community Debbie cared so deeply about.”
About Debbie Frank
A graduate of the University of Texas and Kent College of Law, Debbie enjoyed a compelling 22-year career in commercial real estate, spending her last years as senior vice president of leasing for Golub & Company. Throughout her career, she was known for having great energy and empathy. She was a proactive problem-solver and prolific relationship-builder. Debbie died from cancer at the age of 44 in December 2020, leaving behind a husband and young daughter. Her family, friends, colleagues and peers remember her for her unique personality, brilliance, sharp sense of humor and boundless compassion.
Debbie always advocated for the advancement of women in the industry and was a mentor to many professionals, both within Golub and in the greater Chicago commercial real estate community. She was a member of CREW Chicago (Commercial Real Estate Executive Women), COLBA (Chicago Office Leasing Brokers Association), and the Goldie Initiative. The Debbie Frank Legacy Fund aims to capture her commitment of boosting others and helping women achieve great things in their lives and careers. More information: www.debbiefranklegacyfund.com.
About Golub & Company
With over six decades of success across several markets, Golub & Company has cultivated a reputation as an active, skilled owner, developer and property manager. The firm is recognized as an industry leader with an effective, hands-on approach from seasoned professionals with high profile real estate experience. Golub and its affiliates have owned, leased or managed more than 75 million square feet of commercial, mixed-use and multi-family real estate properties, including 45,000 residential units, valued in excess of $20 billion located across the U.S. and internationally. For more information, please visit https://golubandcompany.com/.