Women in CRE: Melanie Jefferies
The engineering leader and developer is strives for real and inclusive change through real estate projects.
For Melanie Jefferies, commercial real estate was not a choice. As she immersed herself in community work, it became a calling.
“I saw the untapped potential for real, tangible change through development, and I couldn’t ignore it,” said the COO of Engineering Services at Milhouse Engineering & Construction and principal of Milhouse Development LLC in Chicago. “The chance to revitalize communities and empower residents is what drew me in and keeps me committed.”
As COO of Milhouse Engineering and Construction, Jefferies oversees planning, performance and delivery, cross-function collaboration and financial success. As principal of Milhouse Development, she creates and manages a real estate portfolio across seven markets.
Jefferies, who holds a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University and a master’s degree in organizational science from The George Washington University, has built a reputation for operational excellence, innovative and solutions-based problem solving, with a focus on diversity and inclusion of African-American people and women of color in male-led industries.
In July, Jefferies was appointed by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to a new Cut the Tape Task Force, which aims to create more housing and stimulate commercial development.
For Jefferies, success isn’t just about personal achievements but rather the broader impact she can make.
“Living in one of the communities I serve, I witness firsthand how our efforts inspire and create a sense of possibility,” she said. “Development isn’t just about building. It’s about igniting hope for a brighter future and sparking a belief in change that the entire community can rally behind.”
On Chicago’s South Side, Milhouse and a co-developer are currently collaborating on a $46 million mixed-use project featuring 74,000 square feet of dining retail, entertainment and recreational space.
Deconstructing biases
To eliminate barriers in CRE and foster true inclusivity, Jefferies notes, the industry must offer more funding and opportunities for women and underserved communities.
“As a women commercial real estate developer and owner—a tiny 2 percent fraction of an $82 trillion industry and lesser as a Black woman—I see my role as not only breaking barriers but also setting a precedent,” she said.
“My advice to aspiring leaders is to push relentlessly, and most importantly, pull other women along with you. Our success is collective and supporting each other is the key to lasting impact.”
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