Lombardi Women Marks 20 Years of Supporting Breast Cancer Research; Honors Real Estate Entrepreneur and Breast Cancer Survivor Jessica Miller

Posted in News Release  |  Tagged Lombardi Women, philanthropy

WASHINGTON (September 1, 2026) — Lombardi Women, a philanthropic community that supports breast cancer research at Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, has named Jessica Miller, a commercial real estate leader, entrepreneur, breast cancer survivor and advocate, as the recipient of its 2026 Spirit of Life Award. The award will be presented at the organization’s 20th-annual event on Thursday, October 1, at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner.

The Spirit of Life Award recognizes exceptional individuals who demonstrate generosity, the ability to inspire others, and a commitment to making a difference for breast cancer research at Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Miller, founder and CEO of Rock Spring Real Estate Solutions and co-founder of REAiL, was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer in 2025. She came to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital for a second opinion from physicians at Georgetown Lombardi. Through the cancer center, she enrolled in a clinical trial.

“Georgetown Lombardi gave me more than a treatment plan,” Miller said. “They helped my family understand I could thrive on the other side of treatment. Research is not abstract when you are the patient.”

Miller said her experience strengthened her commitment to breast cancer research and to helping women become informed advocates for their own health, particularly when it comes to understanding breast density and whether additional screening may be appropriate.

“Jessica is an inspiration to all of us,” said Meredith LaPier, co-chair of Lombardi Women. “Throughout her breast cancer journey, she has continued to lead two companies, prioritize her family and face every challenge with remarkable grace, courage and optimism. The tenacity and perseverance that have defined her career are the same qualities she brings to this fight each day, making her an exceptional and truly deserving recipient of this year’s Spirit of Life Award.” LaPier is vice chairman at CBRE.

20 Years of Connecting for a Cure

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Lombardi Women, which brings together leaders from the Washington-area business and philanthropic communities to raise funds for breast cancer research at Georgetown Lombardi and its Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research.

For over two decades, the annual event has helped support Georgetown Lombardi researchers working to better understand breast cancer and develop new approaches to prevention, detection and treatment.

“Over the past 20 years, we have seen extraordinary progress in our ability to treat breast cancer, and research and clinical trials have been central to that progress,” said Claudine Isaacs, MD, a professor of oncology and medicine, who leads clinical research at Georgetown Lombardi. “The support of Lombardi Women helps us continue to ask the questions that will lead to better, more individualized treatments while also improving the experience for people with breast cancer. We are enormously grateful to this community and to patients like Jessica, who participate in research, for helping us move the field forward.”

For Miller, participation in research during her own treatment gave that mission personal meaning.

“I had done everything I was told to do for early detection,” Miller said. “I thought I was being so proactive with screenings, but there I was, one moment on top of the world launching a new company and the next day I was sitting with my husband, Rick, trying to explain to our son that mommy had a battle to conquer.”

She credits the physicians, nurses, technicians, rehabilitation specialists and support staff at Georgetown Lombardi and MedStar Georgetown with helping her and her family through treatment.

Now, as the recipient of the Spirit of Life Award, Miller hopes sharing her experience will encourage others to support research and become more informed about their own breast health.

“Receiving the Spirit of Life Award is deeply humbling because this honor is not only about what I survived,” Miller said. “If sharing my story helps one woman ask her doctor the right questions to get the right screenings, fund one advanced discovery, shorten treatment struggles or give one family more time, then every difficult part of telling it is worth it.”

The 20th Annual Lombardi Women celebration will take place Thursday, October 1, 2026, at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner. The evening begins with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the program at 7:15 p.m.

Proceeds from the event support breast cancer research at Georgetown Lombardi and the Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research.