(Connect has handed out its third-annual Canadian Women in Real Estate Awards. This story profiles Avison Young Principal Marie-France Desrochers.)

By Amy Wolff Sorter

Marie-France Desrochers is a Principal, Lawyer, Senior Vice-president, and Real Estate Broker with Avison Young. She plays a pivotal role in Avison Young’s Corporate Occupier Services division, where she oversees transactional, advisory and lease administration activities.

Her leadership has been instrumental in managing some of the service line’s most significant leasing, acquisition, and disposition transactions, including emphyteusis and usufruct arrangements.

Desrochers has been instrumental in driving strategic RFPs, initiatives, and client connections, seamlessly cross-selling services and integrating AI technologies to meet evolving needs. She successfully brought together a diverse group across multiple business lines for a high-profile user-occupier presentation—one of the largest team presentations to date.

She actively mentors the next generation of real estate brokers, sharing her knowledge and experience to cultivate a strong, ethical and forward-thinking community of practitioners. Desrochers joined Devencore in 2008. Following the company’s acquisition by Avison Young in 2021, she became a key player in integrating the Corporate Occupier Services line within the firm, helping to align teams, processes and client service standards.

These are just some of the reasons why Connect Canada CRE honoured Marie-France Desrochers with a 2025 Canadian Women in Real Estate Award. The awards celebrate the achievements and inspirational stories of women who have reached respected leadership positions and taken on mentorship roles.

Read about all of the 2025 CWIRE award recipients.