ATLANTA—Donna W. Hyland, president and CEO of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, has been elected to the Board of Directors of Cousins Properties Inc.

She joined the REIT's Board effective May 6, according to a company announcement. Hyland has served in various positions with Children's since 1998, including chief operating officer and chief financial officer. She is also a director of the Advisory Board of SunTrust Bank of Georgia and Stone Mountain Industrial Park, Inc., and holds leadership positions in a number of major charitable organizations, including Ronald McDonald House Charities, Metro Atlanta and Georgia Chambers of Commerce, and the University of Georgia Board of Visitors.

“Donna's deep business and financial experience will bring a valuable perspective to our Board,” says Larry Gellerstedt, president and CEO of Cousins Properties. “We are delighted that she agreed to join the Cousins team.”

Hyland was instrumental during the 1998 merger of Egleston Children's Health Care System and Scottish Rite Children's Medical Center, as well as the addition of Hughes Spalding in 2006 and Marcus Autism Center in 2008 that led to the formation of what is now one of the largest pediatric healthcare systems in the country.

Atlanta-based Cousins invests in top-tier urban office assets and opportunistic mixed-use developments in Sunbelt markets.