The founder of a company that raises capital through the EB-5 program is joining the board of one of the world's largest commercial real estate firms.

Cushman & Wakefield announced Friday it appointed Angelique Brunner, founder and CEO of Bethesda-based EB5 Capital, as an independent member of its board of directors.

EB5 Capital owns and operates five regional centers that raise money from foreign investors to finance projects in the U.S. through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. The firm has 27 projects completed or underway, and it has raised over $750M from more than 65 countries.

Before founding EB5 Capital in 2008, Brunner, — a Black, LGBTQ woman who goes by Angel, spent two years as a senior business manager at Fannie Mae. She previously worked for Neighborhood Development Co., National Capital Revitalization Corp. and Core Capital Partners, according to her LinkedIn page.

Brunner received her bachelor's degree from Brown University and her master's degree in public affairs from Princeton University. She has also served on the board of Chesapeake Lodging Trust, before it was acquired last year, and she is a member of the Real Estate Roundtable, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Urban Land Institute and the Real Estate Executive Council. Additionally, she is the industry membership chair and spokesperson for the EB-5 Investment Coalition.

"We're pleased to welcome Angelique to our Board as her experience and entrepreneurial mindset will be of great benefit to our board and our firm," Cushman & Wakefield Chairman and CEO Brett White said in a release.

Contact Jon Banister at jon.banister@bisnow.com.