Bergstrom Real Estate Center’s Alumnus of the Year winner, Lisa Dilts

The Warrington College of Business is proud to recognize Lisa Dilts (MSRE ‘01) as the 2026 recipient of the Bergstrom Real Estate Center’s Alumnus of the Year award. 

She currently serves as principal of Compspring, an independent real estate advisory firm she founded in 2012. For the past 13 years, Compspring has served hundreds of clients, including Walt Disney Imagineering and the Tampa Bay Rays, by providing strategic marketing insight and recommendations. She has more than 20 years of industry experience with companies such as RCLCO, Beazer Homes and Ernst & Young. Her clients have ranged from cities and countries to law firms and national home builders. 

Alongside her leadership in the real estate industry, she has served on the Bergstrom Center’s advisory board since 2018; she is currently chair of the executive committee. As a graduate of UF’s Nathan S. Collier Master of Science in Real Estate (MSRE) program, her leadership in the center allows her to give back to the next generation of MSRE students. 

“In my position, I have the honor to meet many amazing people,” Bergstrom Center executive director Tim Becker said. “But it is especially gratifying to work with people like Lisa. She is thoughtful, dedicated and willing to put the work in to make everyone better. She has great energy and ideas. I’ve learned so much from her and feel blessed to work with her every day.”

Dilts has stepped into several leadership positions throughout her time on the board. She has worked on the annual Trends Conference, connected students with industry professionals and found further ways to connect the board members. Dilts was the first to implement breakout sessions into the conference and roundtable discussions at the advisory board retreat. 

Mary Pat Dunleavy, a previous chair, said, “Lisa has been a great example of leadership. She leads by allowing others to have a voice. I admire the respect she has for everyone in the room. It is something that we could all use in our own leadership.”

Dilts is also involved in the advisory board mentorship program. As a mentor, she helps connect MSRE students with professional organizations and provides them with industry advice and perspective. 

“She embodies the type of person and industry professional we work to develop our young professionals into coming out of the program,” said Jonathan Balthrop, current conference chair. “Lisa is quick to connect students with other industry veterans and lead within the Bergstrom Center. She’s a big reason why UF has not only achieved its ranking as the top real estate program in the country, but also maintained it for so many years. We are all better for her involvement, and there could not be a more deserving Alumnus of the Year recipient.”

Dilts is the 21st alumnus to be recognized as the Alumnus of the Year. This award is granted to alumni who make significant and sustained contributions to Warrington’s real estate education. Winners are friends of the center who have gone above and beyond to ensure the growth of the real estate program. 

“We are better today, collectively, because Lisa has given us her time and energy,” Becker said. “Our students get better jobs because we are better. Our board is stronger because of Lisa’s efforts to improve the center. Our mission is to produce tomorrow’s leaders. Lisa’s efforts ensure that those leaders are better prepared, supported and ready to serve their neighbors and communities.”