We are excited to announce that Genevieve Benson, Director of Business Development at Milesbrand, has been named to Pro Builder’s prestigious Forty Under 40 list for 2024. This honor celebrates the next generation of leaders and innovators in the housing industry. Genevieve’s dedication, creativity and commitment to excellence have earned her a place among this elite group of professionals.
Selected from a pool of over 140 candidates, the Forty Under 40 list recognizes individuals who are shaping the future of homebuilding and real estate development. A rigorous, two-stage process – guided by past awardees – narrowed the field to 40 superstars, and Genevieve’s leadership stood out among the competition.
Mary Grothe, head of wholesale and broker partnerships at PNI-HCM, praised Genevieve’s innovative approach and work ethic, saying, “I’ve known Genevieve since 2020, when I stepped in as her Fractional VP of Sales. Over the past few years, I have had the privilege of mentoring Genevieve and witnessing her remarkable growth and accomplishments within the real estate industry. Genevieve approaches challenges with a unique perspective, devising solutions that not only meet but exceed client expectations. This creativity, coupled with her personal integrity and passion for excellence, has earned her the respect and admiration of colleagues and clients alike.”
Genevieve’s passion for improving the built environment began at an early age. “Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been aware of how much we are impacted by our surroundings,” she explains. “I wanted to find a way to improve the built environment and create lasting value.” Her love for creating communities where people thrive is what drives her every day. Whether it’s families moving into their dream homes or a mixed-use community coming to life, Genevieve finds joy in the results of collective efforts.
We recently sat down for a Q&A session with Genevieve to learn more about her work with Milesbrand, her professional goals and future plans.
Question: How long have you been a part of the Milesbrand team as their Director of Business Development?
Answer: It will be 7 years in January. That is a significant milestone for me because I’ve been with Milesbrand longer than any other organization. The reason for that is simple—Milesbrand aligns perfectly with the things that matter most to me: creative work, real estate, flexibility for my family and personal growth.
Q: What are some of your favorite things about what you do? What do you most enjoy about your role at Milesbrand?
A: Hands down, it’s the people—both my colleagues and clients. There’s something special about witnessing our collective efforts to bring these master-planned communities to life. It’s not just homes being built, but entire communities where people will raise their families or achieve the dream of homeownership. Being part of that process is, quite honestly, the coolest thing.
Q: What’s next for you professionally?
A: One of Milesbrand’s core values is Growth, and that resonates deeply with me. After attending the Innovative 50 this spring, I became fascinated with the customer journey. My next big goal is to get certified through the Certified Customer Experience Professional Program (CXPA), which is the gold standard in customer experience. It’s an important step toward improving our CX processes and my personal commitment to continuous development.
Q: Can you tell us about your involvement in the real estate and housing industry? Why is it important to you?
A: I believe strongly in giving back to an industry that has given me so much. Over the years, I’ve been involved with the Professional Women in Building (PWB) Board and the HBA of Metro Denver holding several board positions including Vice Chair of PWB in 2021. I’m also a volunteer in the formal mentorship program through PWB and the Young Leadership Council (YLC). Mentorship is something I’m passionate about because I’ve had so many impactful mentors throughout my career. Their guidance has been invaluable, and I love being able to share that knowledge with others. I also enjoy speaking at industry conferences, especially when I can inspire someone to embrace storytelling and emotional connection in their work.
Q: What are you most looking forward to in 2025?
A: 2024 has been a challenging year for me on a personal level. My father passed away in August, and the weight of his illness was something I carried through most of this year. As I look toward 2025, I feel a sense of optimism. I’m focused on achieving my Certified Customer Experience Professional (CCXP) designation in 2025 and continuing to focus on my professional development. I’m also eager to work alongside like-minded industry leaders who are passionate about building great places to live, while also maintaining our ongoing commitment to improving the home buyer’s customer journey.
“The entire team at Milesbrand is so incredibly proud to have Genevieve as part of our team and family and look forward to the many contributions she will continue to make in the real estate industry” stated Kelly Fink, Milesbrand General Manager. “Her recognition on Pro Builder’s Forty Under 40 list is well deserved and is a testament to her professional success, as well as her passion and dedication to the industry. We are excited to see what the future holds for her and Milesbrand.”
About Pro Builder’s Forty Under 40: Since 2012, Pro Builder’s annual Forty Under 40 program has recognized the best and brightest of the housing industry’s young leaders, innovators, and disruptors. Selected from more than 100 nominees by a panel of past “U40ers,” these individuals are up-and-coming leaders, impacting their communities and seeking out and applying new ideas and new technologies to better the business of home building. Online nominations for Pro Builder’s Forty Under 40 program open in April each year and the annual class is profiled in the September/October issue of the magazine and on probuilder.com.
About Pro Builder: Pro Builder Media (probuilder.com) is the leading B2B resource for the U.S. housing industry and the official media partner of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), delivering award-winning content through print, online, video, social, and in-person channels. Founded in 1936 and published by Endeavor Business Media (endeavorbusinessmedia.com), its editorial mission is to provide practical, proven solutions to help home builders, architects, trade contractors, and other housing professionals thrive in today’s market.