Cynthia Foster Joins Colliers International as President, Office Services | USA
Former Executive Managing Director at Cushman & Wakefield Will Lead Colliers' Office Services and Business Development
SEATTLE, Jan. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Colliers International today announced that Cynthia Foster has joined the firm as President, Office Services | USA, effective immediately. Foster, who most recently served as Executive Managing Director at Cushman & Wakefield, will lead Colliers' national office platform across all services, including capital markets, tenant representation, leasing agency, property management and valuation.
"Cynthia is a strategic addition to our leadership team who further strengthens our investor and occupier services platform," said Craig Robinson, President | USA, Colliers International. "Her phenomenal background in both capital markets and brokerage gives our clients a unique perspective. With more than 20 years of experience leading significant transactions and developing new business initiatives for multinational clients across a wide geographic range, she is the perfect fit for this role as we continue to raise the level of service we bring to our clients."
Foster will be based in New York City but will drive office solutions nationally with a focus on Colliers' strategic client markets. In this capacity she will work closely with the firm's market and service line leaders including Karen Whitt, President of Investor Services, and Scott Nelson, President of Occupier Services.
"I've known Cynthia for more than 10 years, and I am excited to have her on board in the New York City office," said Joseph Harbert, President of the Eastern Region. "She has a fantastic reputation with the largest landlords and key service firms in New York City, which strengthens the talent and leadership we have on our team."
"Not only am I excited to partner with the outstanding leadership team at Colliers, but I am thrilled to be joining this prestigious firm and to be leveraging Colliers' highly collaborative culture and global reach to grow its office services platform, starting right here in New York," said Foster.
At Cushman & Wakefield, Foster served on the Global Leadership Team and Office of the President Committee, specialized in New York City brokerage transactions representing hedge funds, private equity and top service firms, and served as the New York City leader for the law firm practice group. During her tenure at Cushman & Wakefield, Foster was responsible for managing the firm's leading institutional and investor relationships across the globe, as well as new business initiatives. Transaction highlights include representing Citigroup on multiple sales and leases, including the $1.8 billion sale of its world headquarters in New York City, the sale of 250 West Street and 333 West 34th Street and over 400,000 sf of leases at 731 Lexington Avenue and 787 Seventh Avenue. She also led $2.8 billion of national transactions for TIAA-CREF, Lazard's 450,000-sf world headquarters lease at Rockefeller Center, the sale of 850 Third Avenue and Park Avenue Tower for Deutsche Bank, a $1.2 million-sf agency lease at Canary Wharf, London, advisory services for a large investment group on a $30 billion bid for Equity Office Properties, and Belstaff's global flagship store on New Bond Street in London.
Foster joined Cushman & Wakefield in 2001 with the firm's acquisition of California-based Cushman Realty, where she was a top producer. She worked directly for John Cushman in New York City developing an institutional capital markets platform where she led major sales transactions including 2001 K Street in Washington, DC for Louis Dreyfus, Union Bank's headquarters in Charlotte, 625 Madison Avenue in New York for Related, as well as Chicago trophy properties 900 North Michigan, 625 North Michigan and 311 South Wacker. On the west coast she completed transactions including LA Mart, Pacific Design Center and multiple Northern California locations for Equitable. Foster also worked with Cushman in strengthening the firm's office presence, for which she completed transactions including headquarters for Paine Webber, Milbank and Random House. Prior to Cushman Realty, Foster worked with the real estate investment banking group at Lazard, where she focused on large portfolio restructurings.
Foster has a long history of success in the commercial real estate industry, recognized widely for her achievements. She was recently appointed to the Board of Governors for the new Harvard Business School Real Estate Alumni Association and serves as Chairman for one of ULI's leading councils (CRC-Blue). In 2008, Foster was named one of Real Estate Forum's "Most Influential Women in Real Estate." In addition, she has been featured in Real Estate New York cover stories "40 Under 40" and "New York Women of Influence."
Foster has a master's degree in business administration from Harvard University and a bachelor's degree in the history of science from Skidmore College, where she was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. Foster is a co-founder of an executive women's networking group, the Committee of Professional Women. She is on the Board of Trustees and numerous committees and task forces at the Hospital for Special Surgery and the Board of Advisers for the Westchester Children's Museum. She has been honored by numerous nonprofits for her active philanthropy including the Hudson Valley Hospital and Campaign for the Westchester Children's Museum.
Foster's appointment follows Colliers national leadership appointments, including Anjee Solanki, National Director, Retail Services | USA, Dwight Hotchkiss, National Director, Industrial Services | USA and the recent appointment of Andrew J. Nelson as Chief Economist | USA.
About Colliers International
Colliers International is a global leader in commercial real estate services, with over 15,800 professionals operating out of more than 485 offices in 63 countries. A subsidiary of FirstService Corporation, Colliers International delivers a full range of services to real estate users, owners and investors worldwide, including global corporate solutions, brokerage, property and asset management, hotel investment sales and consulting, valuation, consulting and appraisal services, mortgage banking and insightful research. The latest annual survey by the Lipsey Company ranked Colliers International as the second-most recognized commercial real estate firm in the world.
For the latest news from Colliers International, visit Colliers.com, or follow us on Twitter: @ColliersIntl and LinkedIn.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150112/168526
SOURCE Colliers International
Share this article