Michelle Freeman honored with Josiah Marvel Cup

The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce awarded its prestigious Josiah Marvel Cup to Michelle DiFebo Freeman during its 189th Annual Dinner, held Jan. 12 in Wilmington.

Established in 1951, the Marvel Cup honors a Delawarean who has made an outstanding contribution to the state, community or society. The state chamber’s highest honor is named in memory of the Hon. Josiah Marvel, who reorganized and served as the first president of the state chamber in 1913. As a tradition, the recipient of the Marvel Cup is kept secret until the night of the dinner.

“Michelle is a very accomplished businesswoman, and she joins a long list of distinguished Delawareans who have been leaders in business, civic life and more,” said Michael Quaranta, state chamber president. “She has contributed much to Delaware, Southern Delaware in particular, and continues to do so. We are honored to bestow this award on someone as special as Michelle.”

Freeman is the owner and chief executive officer of the Carl M. Freeman Companies, a real estate company established in 1947 that specializes in land acquisition, land planning, development and redevelopment, and the management of amenity-rich residential communities, neighborhood shopping centers, commercial properties and golf courses. Under her leadership since 2009, the company has expanded its portfolio across Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. Projects and properties owned or managed by the company include Tower Hill in Lewes, Nylon Capital Shopping Center in Seaford, Bayside Resort Golf Club in Fenwick Island and The Village of Bear Trap Dunes in Ocean View.

“Michelle prioritizes the quality of the community above everything else,” said Chris Schell, CEO of Schell Brothers. “She will often focus on the smallest of details to ensure the final product reflects the character, integrity and long-term vision of the community.”

“She has a vision for Sussex County that is beyond what any of us could ever have imagined for the spaces in the area,” said Sara Bluhm, executive director of the Sussex County Land Trust. “There are easy roads she could take to fulfill that vision. But for the benefit of the community and those who reside in her developments, Michelle chooses to take the one that’s less traveled every time.”

Her professional journey began with a deep appreciation for work ethic and responsibility – values formed early in her life. Freeman juggled multiple jobs: waitressing at Fran O’Brien’s in Rehoboth Beach, at her parents’ restaurant, Feby’s Fishery in Wilmington, and selling real estate.

“When you meet someone who is authentic, smart, enthusiastic, determined and gets things done, that’s an incredible combination. Michelle represents all those qualities,” said former Delaware Gov. Jack Markell.

Rooted in a belief that strong communities are built through meaningful investment, Freeman’s philanthropic leadership has left a lasting imprint across the region. Freeman serves as president and chair of the Carl M. Freeman Foundation, which has awarded more than $60 million in grants since 1960 to organizations in the communities where her employees live, work and play. The foundation supports a wide range of initiatives, including libraries, fire stations, cancer treatment centers and the arts. She also serves as founding chair of the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation, which expands access to the arts and arts education to create opportunities that elevate the human spirit. Among her most notable initiatives is the Freeman Arts Pavilion, an entertainment venue near the beach that brings high-quality arts and music programming into schools and communities that might otherwise go without.

A founding member of Venture Philanthropy Partners, Michelle serves on the board of Halcyon Foundation of Georgetown and Georgetown University Entrepreneurship Advisory Group at McDonough School of Business. She has also chaired AfterDark@THEARC in Southeast Washington, D.C., for several years and annually participates in the Covenant House Executive Sleep-Out. She is an active member of the Young Presidents’ Organization. Freeman is a minority partner in Monumental Sports and Entertainment, which owns Capital One Arena, home of the Washington Capitals, Wizards, Mystics and Valor Football. She is one of 13 female NBA team owners. Freeman is an investor in the Washington Spirit women’s soccer team.

“The sky truly is the limit with Michelle,” said Patti Grimes, executive director of the Freeman Arts Pavilion and Carl M. Freeman Foundation. “She is resilient, principled and unwavering in her commitment to doing what’s right. Michelle says what she means and means what she says – and that integrity is reflected in everything she builds and every community she touches.”