Colliers International in Greater Phoenix has announced the return of Ruth Darby, one of the area’s top tenant representation professionals, to its Phoenix office.

Darby, vice president, brings 16 years of in-depth corporate real estate experience. Darby has completed transactions in more than 30 markets throughout the United States and in Canada. She specializes in strategic planning, lease administration, project management and transaction management services on large national corporate accounts as well as single-location tenants.

In her new venture with Colliers, Darby will partner with Lindsey Carlson, vice president. The bulk of the team’s tenant representation is with technology companies, engineering firms and service corporations.

“Ruth and I have worked together in the past and perform really well together,” Carlson said, adding, “Ruth brings a new element of business development to our team.”

Darby previously served as a Colliers broker from 2004 to 2009. She was instrumental in advancing the “green” concept within Colliers. Working with the Green Building Group, Darby created many of the educational materials for Colliers University and served on the board for the U.S. Green Building Council’s Arizona Chapter, which conducted studies and implemented programs to help lower Colliers’ carbon foot print.

“We are very pleased to welcome Ruth back into the fold,” said Bob Mulhern, managing director of Colliers’ Phoenix office. “Ruth is a dedicated and skilled broker with an outstanding record of success and she will provide additional value and opportunities to our clients.”

Darby’s recent experience includes Newmark Grubb Knight Frank, where she was director of research and marketing for the Southwest region. She led both brokerage and property management’s research and marketing services in the Phoenix, Austin, Houston, Dallas, Portland, Seattle and Las Vegas offices.

“I am tremendously excited to be back with Colliers International, I’ve missed being on the brokerage side of the business,” Darby said, adding, “After being on the corporate side of the table, I am bringing a different point of view to the brokerage side, which is an added benefit for us in communicating and working with our clients.”

Darby also serves as an adjunct faculty member for Arizona State University’s Real Estate Development program. She is involved with the Arizona Commercial Real Estate Women (AZCREW), U.S. Green Building Council, AZ Technology Council and Women in Tech. She earned an MBA from the University of Phoenix.