Gerhart will lead operations and strategic growth across Midwest markets
CHICAGO, February 5, 2026 – Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK), a leading global real estate services firm, announced today the appointment of Damla Gerhart as Executive Regional Director of the Midwest Region, effective March 2.
In her new role, Gerhart will oversee Cushman & Wakefield’s operations and strategic growth initiatives in the Midwest which includes Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Detroit, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Minneapolis and St. Louis. In this role, she will lead client service delivery, talent development and recruiting, while driving business collaboration across the firm’s service lines. She will be based in the Chicago headquarters office and report to Victoria Malkin, President of Americas Markets.
“We are thrilled to welcome Damla to Cushman & Wakefield as she takes on this critical leadership role,” said Malkin. “Her visionary approach, significant industry knowledge and strong commitment to exceptional client service will be tremendous assets as we continue to accelerate our growth and deliver outsized results across the Midwest.”
Gerhart joins Cushman & Wakefield from Avison Young, where she was Principal and Regional Managing Director of the firm’s Central Region, overseeing more than 10 major markets, while also serving as Managing Principal and Market Leader for Chicago. With two decades of industry experience, her work has spanned multiple sectors and service lines, including capital markets, investment sales, real estate development, construction, project management and commercial property management. Gerhart has held roles at CBRE as Senior Managing Director and Americas Lead for Workplace Strategy & Design and served in JLL’s Strategic Consulting Group.
“Cushman & Wakefield is in a period of incredible momentum, and I am excited to join the firm at such a pivotal time,” said Gerhart. “I look forward to collaborating with the many talented teams in the region and across the Americas to strengthen our client partnerships and unlock new, strategic avenues for growth.”
Gerhart is set to lead the Midwest Region as Vicki Noonan prepares to retire on March 31, concluding a distinguished nine-year tenure at Cushman & Wakefield.