A Conversation with Mark Rose ’85:

From Queens College to CEO

Mark E. Rose '85 is chief executive officer of Avison Young and chairman of the board of directors of Avison Young (Canada) Inc. He manages all strategic, financial, and operational activities of this full-service commercial real estate company, which provides solutions to real estate investors, owners, and occupiers throughout the world. In his six years with the Toronto, Canada-based firm, Mark has overseen its growth from less than 300 real estate professionals to more than 2200 professionals in 77 offices across North America and Europe. Deloitte listed Avison Young as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for 2011, 2012, and 2013, and named it a Gold Standard winner in 2014 and 2015. A frequent industry keynote speaker and author, Mr. Rose was named as a Service Executive of the Year by Commercial Property News.

Mark joined Avison Young after holding executive positions at two global publicly traded commercial real estate firms. He served as Chief Executive Officer of Grubb & Ellis Company from 2005-2008 and previously was Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Americas for Jones Lang LaSalle. Prior to his 12 years at Jones Lang LaSalle, he ran Metropolitan Realty Advisors, the brokerage and investment firm he founded in 1993. Previously, he was chairman, chief executive, and chief financial officer of the U.S. Real Estate Investment Trust of British Coal Corporation Pension Funds.

Mark earned a BA in Accounting from Queens College, where he served in the Student Senate, held student government positions, and played on the hockey team. He currently serves on the Queens College Foundation’s board of trustees and is a member of the real estate advisory board of the University of Miami (FL) Business School. Mark coaches developing leaders through NAIOP Greater Toronto Chapter Mentorship Program. He has served as a board member of Chicago Shakespeare Theater and the Chicago Botanic Garden.