CBRE exec Jack Durburg receives leadership award from DePaul University

CHICAGO — Jack Durburg, CEO of the Americas at CBRE, was honored with the “Outstanding Leadership in the Real Estate Profession” award from the DePaul University Real Estate Center.

“In his day-to-day activities, whether business related or personal, Jack makes it a practice to lead by example. In this capacity, he has shown many people that a good leader is deliberate in making thoughtful decisions, is generous with their time, considers the impact of their actions on future generations, and makes personal investments in their community,” said Charles Wurtzebach, professor and chair of the Department of Real Estate, and Douglas and Cynthia Crocker Endowed Director of the Real Estate Center at DePaul.

“I can say without pause that the real estate industry and all of us who work in it are fortunate to have Jack as a role model and mentor. In many ways, Jack’s role as mentor also makes him a teacher, and so it is appropriate that this award is coming from an academic institution with a real estate program,” Wurtzebach said in presenting the award at a May 12 scholarship benefit luncheon at The Union League Club.

As CEO, the Americas, Durburg oversees CBRE’s largest operating unit, a business with more than $7 billion of revenue and 35,000 employees. He has responsibility for all the firm’s geographies and business lines within the Americas region. Durburg serves as a member of the company’s Global Operating Committee, and also chairs the Americas Strategy Group.

“I’m incredibly humbled to be receiving this award,” said Durburg. “My experience earning an MBA at DePaul was an inflection point in my career. I took classes at night while working during the day as a broker. The fact that I could walk to the downtown campus from my office made the whole thing feasible. The program gave so much to me. I’m grateful to be able to give back.”

Prior to his current role, Durburg was global president, Advisory & Transaction Services, which encompasses leasing across all product types (office, industrial and retail) for occupiers and investors. He was responsible for developing the global growth strategy, increasing market share, and cementing CBRE’s leadership position around the world. Earlier, Durburg served as president, central division for CBRE. In this role, he directed a geographical division encompassing more than 25 offices across nine states, with responsibility for all lines of business. Before that, he was the executive managing director and overall market leader for CBRE’s Chicago region.

Durburg is a DePaul alumnus, earning an MBA from the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business in the Driehaus College of Business. His undergraduate degree is from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.

“The tradition of recognizing an individual for their contributions and service to the real estate community began when the Real Estate Center celebrated its 10-year anniversary in the spring of 2013,” Wurtzebach said.

“So while this award is still in its infancy, Jack, in fact, is the fourth recipient and stands in esteemed company. Previous honorees are: Doug Crocker, 2013 recipient; Bob Wislow, 2014 recipient; and Susanne Cannon, 2015 recipient,” Wurtzebach noted.

Started in 2003, the DePaul Real Estate Center has ties to the university dating back to 1913, when DePaul offered its first real estate course to students. The university has offered a wide range of undergraduate real estate courses for more than 60 years and MBA-level courses since 1975.

Its newest endeavor is a partnership between DePaul and the Urban Land Institute to offer a Master of Science in Real Estate to ULI members. The first cohort of 28 students in this program began their classes in January.

“When it comes to real estate, DePaul has a rich history of teaching, research and leading by example. All three have been strengthened by our long-standing connection to the business community,” said Misty Johanson, director of DePaul’s School of Hospitality Leadership and incoming interim dean of the Driehaus College of Business.

“The Real Estate Center continues DePaul’s tradition of partnering with the business community. And the results of this collaboration have been transformational for our students,” Johanson said. “This academic year alone, the center awarded more than $100,000 in scholarship funds for 28 students, linked 32 students with industry mentors, and worked with 68 companies to place students entering the workforce.”

Additional information about the Real Estate Center at DePaul is at http://bit.ly/DPU_RE. Information about real estate degree programs is at http://bit.ly/DPU_REdept.

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Media Contact:
Russell Dorn
rdorn@depaul.edu
312-362-7128​​