Christine Battist has joined Avison Youing as a principal and chief financial officer (CFO).

Based in the firm’s Chicago office, Battist will lead the company’s finance and accounting organization, serve on Avison Young’s corporate leadership team and participate in the development and execution of the company’s long-term growth strategy and profit goals.

“I’m excited to be part of Avison Young’s collaborative global culture, which prides itself on providing premier client service,” said Battist. “I’m looking forward to joining a dynamic, highly strategic leadership team that is committed to growth and commercial real estate industry leadership. I’ll strive to transform Avison Young’s enterprise capabilities to support the agile and efficient execution of key initiatives for the purpose of sustainable – and profitable – growth.

She brings more than 25 years of financial management experience to the firm, most recently as CFO of Silver Bay Realty Trust and, previously, Two Harbors Investment Corp – two public REITs associated with global alternative asset management firm Pine River Capital Management. During her career, she has managed the financial aspects of leading corporations within and outside the real estate sector, co-ordinating such matters as company formation, investor relations, recapitalization, internal financial controls, due diligence, risk management and financial audits.

“Christine is a finance thought leader with a proven track record and keen understanding of the levers that propel shareholder value,” said Mark E. Rose, chair and CEO of Avison Young, She has confidently navigated companies through exponential growth.”

Battist succeeds Gary Hubbard who intends to retire later this year after a 37-year career as a financial executive with global corporations.