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2026 Next Generation Awards
Chicago & Midwest
- Bell with Lormax Stern Drives Midwest Growth Through Acquisitions and Development
- Berman Builds Chicago Multifamily Brokerage Platform Through Nara Realty
- Dowd Drives Operational Excellence Across McShane Construction
- Frame with Mavrek Powers Business Growth Through Operational Leadership
- Garavaglia Co-Leads One of Marcus&Millichap’s Top Retail Teams
- Kerekes with NAI Hiffman Guides Multimillion-Dollar Projects From Concept to Completion
- Newmark’s Coyne Balances Top-Producing Dealmaking With Industry Leadership
- Northmarq’s Cloos Helps Guide Billions in Commercial Real Estate Financing
- Transwestern’s Nelson Delivers Significant Leasing Wins in Downtown Chicago
- Cushman&Wakefield’s McNamara Supports Major Industrial Expansions Throughout the Twin Cities

Transwestern’s Nelson Delivers Significant Leasing Wins in Downtown Chicago
John Nelson is a Vice President with the Transwestern Downtown Agency Leasing team, where he represents building owners and tenants across a range of submarkets and classes.
In 2025, Nelson helped the Transwestern Chicago Agency Leasing team close over 308,710 square feet of deals. His efforts led to 159,403 square feet of new and renewal leases, including a new 68,137-square-foot lease for Workbox and a 15,523-square-foot lease for Pure Equator at the Civic Opera Building.
He has played an active role in Transwestern’s community initiatives, including Transwestern Young Professionals, Transwestern Belonging committees and Broker Foundations program. Nelson often participates in Transwestern’s philanthropic efforts, including Make-A-Wish fundraisers and volunteer days at the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Nelson is a member of the Chicago Office Leasing Brokers Association (COLBA), has been a member of the Young Office Leasing Brokers Association (YOLBA) and served as the leader of CBRE’s Young Professionals organization for two years.
These are just a few reasons we chose John Nelson as one of Connect CRE’s Chicago & Midwest Next Generation Award winners. Connect CRE’s annual Next Generation Awards recognize young leaders who will have a strong influence on the commercial real estate industry.
