Maureen Mitchell has joined Highland Capital Management as a managing director to head institutional sales globally.

Mitchell will report to Jack Yang, partner and head of business development, and will manage sales professionals focused on institutional investors.

Prior to joining Highland Capital, Mitchell was a senior managing director at Bear Stearns Asset Management for 10 years where she led that firm's global institutional distribution efforts. Prior to BSAM, she was with Zurich Scudder where she launched a variety of alternative investment products, and covered key consultants and institutional investors.

Yang said the institutional demand for proven alternative managers has resulted in strong interest in Highland Capital, particularly since markets have become more volatile. “We see the opportunity to significantly grow our investor franchise,” he said.

Highland Capital was founded in 1993 and currently manages more than $38 billion across a diversified set of asset classes including senior secured loans, high yield bonds, mezzanine debt, distressed investments, structured products, European credit, real estate and equities.