JLL’s Maren Christian has been named Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors (ABCR)’s Young Professional of the Year for her contributions to the commercial real estate industry and the Young Council of Realtors and the board. As a Senior Associate on JLL Atlanta’s Tenant Representation & Advisory team, Christian has distinguished herself as an innovative, forward-thinking and results-driven professional who is fostering the next generation of real estate leaders.

“I’m incredibly honored to be selected as this year’s Young Professional of the Year,” said Christian. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to not only grow my career at JLL but also play an active role in the education and mentorship of the future generation of commercial real estate professionals. This achievement is a testament to the incredible community surrounding me, including mentors, colleagues and friends who have invested countless hours in my growth and development.”

Christian began her career at JLL four years ago, working as a financial analyst intern before graduating from Auburn University. She returned to JLL following graduation, working her way up to Senior Associate on the Tenant Representation & Advisory team. Her responsibilities include overseeing transactions, supporting multi-market accounts, prospecting and providing extensive market knowledge. Throughout her career, Christian has worked with several high-profile clients. Most recently, she assisted Cargill, a global food and agriculture leader, in securing a large-block space at NCR’s campus in Midtown Atlanta. As one of the most noteworthy office transactions this year, the new hub is expected to create 400 technology-driven jobs.

In her time at JLL, Christian has excelled quickly and consistently stands out among her peers. She was accepted to the Young Guns program, which provides networking and professional development opportunities to JLL’s junior staff. She spearheaded a quarterly happy hour dedicated to connecting the women of JLL to other female colleagues. Having started her own career as a JLL intern, she now helps lead the program by running the interview and selection process and delegating intern responsibilities. In 2024, Christian served on the Magis Puppy Design Challenge fundraising committee, which raised over $60,000 benefiting The Link Counseling Center. Christian was also selected as the Atlanta Rookie of the Year and Culture Warrior for JLL’s Tenant Representation & Advisory team. 

"At JLL, we take great pride in fostering a culture of learning and growth, and we are proud to see one of our rising stars recognized with such a prestigious honor," said Ryanne Pennington, Senior Managing Director and Atlanta Tenant Rep Lead at JLL. "Maren has become an integral part of our team, consistently demonstrating exceptional initiative in her professional development. Beyond her own success, she has made a significant impact through her volunteer work, involvement in our internship program and other contributions. I look forward to continuing to watch her succeed and grow."

Christian has been a member of ACBR since 2021 and during her tenure, she has served on several committees. As a member of the education committee in 2022, she worked to plan monthly seminars designed to inform members of different facets of the industry. Also in 2022, she moderated a women’s panel focused on how women have created and embraced opportunities in commercial real estate. Christian joined the YCR board in January 2024 and regularly plans events, such as the inaugural pickleball tournament, to support the YCR mission of providing networking and educational opportunities to members new to the real estate business. In addition, Christian was named an ACBR Million Dollar Club member in 2024 for producing $5 million or more in commercial sales and leasing activity. 

Outside of the office, Christian is an active member of the community. She serves as a mentor with Atlanta Youth Academy, where she works with underprivileged children to support their spiritual, mental and academic growth. With Atlanta Youth Academy, she has organized school supplies drives and served on the committee for the annual Cartwheel Ball, which brings more than 600 young professionals together to raise over $120,000.