Annual Dinner
Michelle DiFebo Freeman Honored with Josiah Marvel Cup “When you meet someone who is authentic, smart, enthusiastic, determined, and gets things done, that’s an incredible combination. Michelle represents all those qualities.” — Former Delaware Governor Jack Markell
THE DELAWARE STATE CHAMBER of Commerce awarded its prestigious Josiah Marvel Cup to Michelle DiFebo Freeman. 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 Honorable 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 DiFebo 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. “She has a vision for Sussex County that is beyond what any of us could ever have imagined for the spaces in the area,” shared Sara M. 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.” Freeman serves as president and chairman of the Carl M. Freeman Foundation, which has awarded more than $60 million in grants since 16
J109400_DB_MarApr2026_v2.indd 16
1960 to organizations in the communities where her employees live, work, and play. 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 Pavillion, 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 D.C. for several years and annually participates in Covenant’s 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, the Washington Capitals, Wizards, Mystics, and Valor Football. She is one of 13 female NBA team owners. Additionally, 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.” March/April 2026
| DELAWARE BUSINESS
2/25/26 9:04 AM