Cushman & Wakefield Hire Biz Veterans to Bolster Business Development

NEW YORK CITY – Cushman & Wakefield has hired Natasha Persad and Justin Scott Long as Directors at the real estate services firm. Persad and Long are tasked to use their knowledge to enhance internal operations and business development across Cushman’s various services, industries and specialty advisory groups.

“Both have impressive histories across a multitude of industries. We are always looking for experienced professionals with unique and diverse backgrounds who bring different perspectives to the table,” said Lou D’Avanzo, vice chairman and managing principal based in Midtown Manhattan.

Persad has worn many hats throughout her career, spanning several different industries. The former Fortune 500 executive gained experience at Goldman Sachs, The Deal, Li & Fung, Marriott, British Airways and Photronics, specializing in internal operations, business development and reinforcing best practices across the board.

“I am eager to use my global relationships and skill set to work with [Cushman's] best-in-class brokers, guide business development and support minority-owned businesses,” Persad said in a prepared statement.

Long – also a former Fortune 500 executive – similar to Persad has worked at several diverse companies. He has worked at William Morris Agency, United Talent Agency, Warner Bros. Television and NYC Health + Hospitals.  Along the way, he has led, developed and negotiated national and global deals in the realm of business development, sales, internal operations, finance and production

“Natasha and I have worked together for years, and I am positive we will be able to help the firm develop new opportunities to win business,” Long said in a prepared statement.

Currently, Persad and Long  sit on the advisory board of a healthcare technology company and have co-founded the “I Have a Dream Project,” a program that helps inner-city young adults fill jobs in the entertainment field.