CHICAGO — Chicago-based Cushman & Wakefield has appointed Michelle MacKay to assume the role of CEO effective July 1. MacKay currently serves as president and chief operating officer (COO). John Forrester is retiring from his position as CEO effective June 30, following 35 years of service with the company. Forrester will remain employed as a strategic advisor throughout the rest of this year. Andrew McDonald, currently president, will become global president and chief operating officer.
A commercial real estate executive with more than 30 years of experience at a variety of public and privately held companies, MacKay has served on three public company boards, including Cushman & Wakefield’s from 2018 to 2020. She was appointed as Cushman & Wakefield’s COO in 2020 and promoted to president and COO in 2022. Previously, MacKay served as executive vice president, investments and head of capital markets at iStar Inc., a REIT that has since merged with Safehold Inc.
Cushman & Wakefield announced MacKay’s appointment the same day it unveiled that John Cushman III had died at the age of 82. A member of Cushman & Wakefield’s founding family, his career spanned 60 years.