Elise Couston, senior managing director of Newmark Knight Frank’s Chicago office, was awarded the President’s Award for Community Service from the Society of Industrial Office Realtors.
Couston was presented with the award at SIOR’s Fall World Conference held at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago in late October. She is the first woman to receive the award and the 6th recipient overall.
The President’s Award for Community Service is presented as warranted to an SIOR member who displays outstanding stewardship in their community through work with nonprofit and charitable organizations.
Couston was selected for this award for her many years in leading charitable endeavors such as serving as the co-chair of the SIOR Chicago Chapter and being responsible for its annual fundraising to benefit the Ada S. McKinley Trunk Scholarship Program. She also co-chairs the Association of Industrial Real Estate Brokers’ annual food drive and Toys for Tots fundraisers. Couston was instrumental in pushing forward legislation for Cindy’s Law in Illinois in memory of her friend and fellow SIOR member, Cindy Bischof.
As part of the award, Couston will receive a keepsake and $5,000 to donate to a charity of her choice, which was the Ada S. McKinley Trunk Scholarship program.
“It is an incredible honor to receive this award from SIOR Global on behalf of the SIOR Chicago chapter,” said Couston in a statement. “The President’s Award would not have been possible without the generous support of the chapter’s members and sponsors over many years. This award is certainly one of the highlights of my real estate career.”
