Damla Gerhart

Damla Gerhart serves as Regional Managing Director for Avison Young’s Central Region, overseeing ten offices in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas. She also serves on Avison Young’s U.S. Executive Committee and provides strategic direction for brokerage services. Gerhart leads the region’s growth through talent development, recruitment and strategic acquisitions.

Regarding a recent accomplishment, Avison Young’s Chicago office won a competitive, major portfolio assignment for a major public sector client, winning against the top firms in the country. The portfolio includes hundreds of facilities across the State of Illinois.

Gerhart is the Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate at Roosevelt University’s advisory board co-chair, an Advisory Board member and a member of the Programs Committee with ULI’s Chicago Chapter. She also serves on the boards of the Chicagoland Chamber of Council and the Civic Federation. She is involved with Leadership Greater Chicago, The Executives Club of Chicago, The Economic Club of Chicago, CoreNet Global NAIOP, and CREW.

Additionally, Gerhart spearheaded a new initiative at the beginning of this year to develop a national learning and development program that would be rolled out regionally. The program will focus on junior brokers and young employees to help them develop various skills to stay ahead of the competition. She also started a monthly Emerging Leaders initiative with the junior team members in the Chicago and Rosemont offices to help them build relationships with each other and provide learning opportunities through monthly lunches.

These are just a few reasons Damla Gerhart is one of the Chicago & Midwest Connect CRE 2024 Women in Real Estate Award winners. Connect CRE’s Women in Real Estate Awards honor the achievements and inspirational stories of women who have reached respected leadership positions and taken on mentorship roles.