2025 Zonta Women In Business Leadership Award Nominee

Roxanne Ibe is the founder and managing partner of Talisman Development Group, a boutique real estate development firm with in-house construction management and architectural design services. Her firm specializes in adaptive re-use of existing underutilized commercial properties and historic buildings – transforming overlooked spaces into vibrant, purpose-driven places. With a background in architectural design, development, finance, and hands-on experience in construction estimating, preconstruction, and project management, Roxanne brings practical expertise and creative vision to her projects.

She began her career at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, earning a Bachelors in Architecture, and recently completed her Master of Real Estate Development at Iowa State. She is currently finishing a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Real Estate Finance, further deepening her ability to blend real estate design, strategy, and financial performance.

Beyond her professional work, Roxanne is passionate about community engagement. She volunteers with several local nonprofits serving as a CASA advocate for children navigating the foster care system, after-school tutoring at her local homeless shelter, and mentoring youth from underserved backgrounds. Her dedication to both place and people reflects her belief that good development should create lasting value – not just for investors, but for communities too. In her free time, Roxanne loves traveling, swimming, cooking, and reading.