In this episode of The Real Estate Careers Podcast, host Richard Costello welcomes Tiffany Duzita, Vice President of Acquisitions and Development at RCG Group.

Tiffany has spent her career working across a wide range of environments, giving her a broad perspective on how projects are shaped, financed, and delivered. From large public companies to private developers, non-profit housing organizations, and First Nation-led partnerships, she has gained exposure to various models, structures, and approaches along the way. Earlier this year, she joined RCG Group, where she now leads acquisitions and development across Western Canada and the U.S.

Key topics include:

Early inspiration and career foundations – What first drew Tiffany to real estate, the early experiences that shaped her understanding of successful development, and the lessons she shares with aspiring Development Managers entering the field.

Building the Community Land Trust – An inside look at what makes the Community Land Trust model distinct, what it was like helping build the organization from the ground up, the accomplishments she’s most proud of, and the leadership skills required to succeed in mission-driven development.

Balancing purpose and viability – How Tiffany approached the challenge of delivering financially sound projects while staying true to the organization’s social mandate — and what that taught her about decision-making, partnerships, and long-term impact.

The transition to RCG Group – Why, after nearly 10 years in non-profit housing, Tiffany chose to return to the private sector, what appealed to her about RCG’s culture and Harold Goodwyn’s leadership, and how the company is positioning itself for growth across North America.

Acquisitions and development under one roof – Tiffany shares how her dual role allows her to connect strategy with execution, why combining these disciplines strengthens project outcomes, and how her broad background shapes her perspective day-to-day.

Building community — on and off the court – From non-profit housing to mixed-use development to her love of pickleball, Tiffany reflects on how community shows up in every part of her life and career — and why it remains the thread that ties her work together.

In this episode, host Richard Costello welcomes Jeff Kennedy, Chief Financial Officer at Troika Developments.

Jeff has built a diverse career in real estate, starting in brokerage before moving into asset management and investments at Troika, where he became CFO in late 2024. Based in Kelowna, Jeff brings insight on leadership, finance, and growth in one of Canada’s most dynamic regional markets.

Key topics include:

• Career journey and lessons – What drew Jeff to real estate, his career path, and the mentors and experiences that shaped him.
• Troika Developments and leadership – Insights on the company, working with founder Renée Merrifield, and stepping into the CFO role.
• Life in the Okanagan – Jeff’s perspective on living and working in Kelowna, market trends, and future opportunities.
• Looking ahead – Troika’s upcoming projects and Jeff’s vision for the next chapter in Kelowna real estate.

*There are a few moments of lower sound quality, but don't let it stop you from listening to the end ;-)

Richard Costello connects with David Basche.

David Basche is the President of Astria Properties in Langley, BC and is focused on the strategic growth of the business and oversees the company’s day to day operations.  Prior to Astria, David spent a decade specializing in development and acquisitions for one of Vancouver’s leading real estate developers, Bosa Properties. 

In this conversation we’ll learn more about: 

• David’s background (including his move from Germany to Vancouver Island and his education in BC)
• How his career evolved at Bosa Properties
• How real estate became his passion
• Reflections on working in acquisitions in a hot market
• Motivations for starting a business and reflections on how this new chapter is going so far
• We’ll learn more about Astria and David’s thoughts on the market and opportunities ahead
• David’s advice for aspiring real estate (acquisitions) professionals
• How David spends his time and energy outside of the office

James Ashley connects with Jeff Ranson.

With a focus on market transformation in the building industry, Jeff has worked for a number of leading organizations over the past 15 years. This includes the Canada Green Building Council, Building Owners and Managers Association of Toronto, and now Northcrest Developments.

Jeff has also participated in a number of public advisory roles -  including the Waterfront design review panel and the City of Toronto climate advisory group. His career has included inter-governmental work, at the national to provincial to municipal level, and more recently on a hyper-local level leading sustainability and responsible development for one of the largest master planned communities in North America.

 In this episode we discuss;

• The importance of carbon planning and net zero
• Utility innovation, placemaking and affordability
• Financial implications of ESG
• How sustainability has evolved
• How we go about setting and achieving net zero goals
• Characteristics of companies leading the way
• Whats next?
• And much more...

Heather is a city builder with a passion for social purpose real estate and sustainable development. Since joining Options for Homes, Heather has been a champion of affordable homeownership and has helped achieve change to both public policy and funding in support of this segment of the housing spectrum. Prior to her role as CEO, she founded and led a strategic real estate and development consultancy to non-profits, and was the co-founder and CEO of a Vancouver-based green building consulting and development company.  

Heather is active engaged in other housing activities including co-founding Circle Community LandTrust that now owns and manages over 600 units of rent geared to income homes across Toronto. She also is a board member of Nch’Kay Development Corporation, the economic development arm of the Squamish Nation.

• Find out about Heathers journey into Real Estate development and what inspire the route into the non-profit sector
• Highlight the advantages and challenges of the non- profit world
• Look at the role that Architecture & Design plays in creating quality affordable housing and a sense of community and connectedness
• Discuss the increasing popularity and demand of proportional home ownership
• Share ideas on how to overcome the challenges of providing attainable housing
• Look at the positive impact of securing attainable housing on the emotional, physical and financial well being of homeowners
• See how affordable housing intersects with sustainability and environmental considerations
• Discover insights into the role of advocacy and policy work in advancing the goals of affordable housing developments

Richard Costello connects with Claudia Leung.

Claudia is currently a Manager, Real Estate with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and has over 19 years of progressive experience in both institutional and entrepreneurial settings.  Her diverse background includes roles in property management, leasing, asset management and investments across a myriad of asset types from retail, office, hospitality, industrial, and senior’s housing.   

 In the first half of this episode we hear about Claudia’s career journey including:

• What life was like growing up, early influences
• What factors Claudia considered when making a change in her career
• The most important career risks Claudia has taken
• The path from manager to leader 
• Proudest career moment so far

In the second half we learn more about life at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority including:

•  What lands/waters are covered by the Port Authority
• The importance of the ports in our daily lives
• Challenges facing the region due to a lack of industrial land
• What the real estate team looks like at the port
• Most enjoyable aspect of the job
• Why the port is a great place to work 

Richard Costello connects with Brandi Cooper

Brandi is currently the Director, Property Management with Warrington Residential, responsible for overseeing a growing portfolio of purpose built rental buildings located throughout the Lower Mainland.

Brandi has been immersed in residential property management for close to 15 years, starting out managing portfolios of individual units on behalf of investors, to managing apartment buildings for established developers through to her current role, leading operations for the third-party management company Warrington Residential which includes leasing and launching brand-new purpose-built rental projects.   

In this conversation we hear about Brandi’s career journey, what’s happening at Warrington Residential, Brandi’s experience launching brand new purpose-built rental properties as well Brandi’s lessons and advice for aspiring residential property professionals. 

Richard Costello connects with Audrey Powell.

At the Real Estate Forum 2022, Audrey was awarded the Young Leader of the Year Award.  

Audrey is currently a Leasing Manager for Aspen Properties in Edmonton, responsible for overseeing the leasing of three downtown office towers.  Audrey started her career in 2014 working as a tenant coordinator with one of the largest private retail landlords in Edmonton.  In 2016 Audrey moved into brokerage and for the next three years she became an integral part of one of the highest-producing, well-respected office leasing teams in Edmonton.   Audrey is actively involved with Edmonton CREW's Future Leaders Committee and her voice on the subject of DEI is incredibly powerful.

• In this episode we discuss Audrey’s career journey to date.  
• The Young Leaders Award – what it means to Audrey.
• How Aspen Properties stands out from its competition.
• What a career in leasing looks like in the day to day.
• Most enjoyable and challenging aspects of the role.
• An overview of the Edmonton market.
• Benefits of getting involved with Edmonton CREW.
• Audrey’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Audrey’s lessons and advice for aspiring real estate professionals.  

As mentioned in our discussion: Creating Career Pathways in Commercial Real Estate (CCPCRE) is a partnership between Oteenow Employment and Training, Tribal Chiefs Employment and Training Services Association - https://aref.ab.ca/projects/career-pathways-commercial-real-estate/

Nicola Denning-Millar connects with Cheryl Gray. 

Cheryl's real estate career spans over 40 years and she has experience in management of all major asset classes, having worked for several leading RE firms in a senior leadership capacity.   Her focus over the past 15 years has been on ESG, prop tech, smart buildings, cyber security and pandemic response planning. She specializes in implementation strategies, operational organization and leading best practices. 

In this episode, we discuss the hot topic of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, specifically:

• Why DEI is so important in the Commercial Real Estate industry
• The challenges and barriers that exist in implementing DEI practices in the industry
• Who is responsible for driving the change?
• Obstacles Cheryl has faced and overcome 
• The future of DEI in commercial real estate and what steps the industry can take to stay ahead of the curve
• What positive changes have occurred and what are the biggest areas of development
• The key priorities for industry decision makers to address when succession planning, to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion

Richard Costello connects with Tracy McEvoy.

Tracy is the Director, Maple Leaf Self Storage responsible for the development and management of 15 self-storage facilities comprising over 1.7 million square feet with over 17,000 tenants as well as a commercial office portfolio.  During Tracy’s career in the real estate industry spanning over three decades, she has managed operations and leasing for some of Canada’s leading institutional landlords and covered all asset classes in the process.

In our conversation today we discuss the following:

• Finding community through running and managing energy to perform professionally. 
• Tracy’s career journey prior to her current role.  
• What’s involved in being the Director for Maple Leaf Self Storage.
• Self-storage facilities - what are they like and is there such a thing as a ‘typical’ customer?
• Common misconceptions around self-storage.
• How the industry and the properties have evolved over recent years.
• Why has self-storage become such a hot commodity for real estate investors.
• Trends and changes Tracy expects to see in the near future.
• Biggest challenges in running the business.
• Advice for anyone that’s in the industry and is looking to set themselves up for a successful career.
• The importance of working from the office for new professionals.
• Proudest accomplishments to date.
• Looking forward to the future.

In our conversation we discuss the following article, provided here for reference.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/industry-news/property-report/article-investor-driven-demand-prompts-vancouver-to-restrict-further-self/

James Ashley Connects with David Hoffman

With over twenty years of progressive leadership within the industry, David has a wide and resourceful perspective on the many issues and opportunities facing property managers and owners. 

During his career, David has managed two of the most prestigious business communities in downtown Toronto – CIBC Square  and the Toronto Dominion Centre. David also serves as the Chair for the BOMA Toronto Board of Directors. 

In this episode, we discuss;

-       Leading from the back
-       Learning from our mistakes
-       Fear of failure 
-       What makes a top performer
-       The power of intellectual humility 
-       And so much more...

Nicola Denning-Millar connects with Dave Merklinger.

Dave is an innovative SVP Marketing and Sales professional who has worked on both the agency and the client side and prides himself on trying to do things differently. He has been involved in many award-winning campaigns and loves to develop business strategy and delve into the psychology of buying and selling Real Estate.  He’s a self-proclaimed “Nerd” -  is huge into tech, loves to problem solve, leads by empowering his team.

 In this episode, we cover a variety of topics including;

·      The Digital and Ecomm impact on the RE Landscape in Canada
·      How lifestyle and buyers’ habits impact how Developers design their products
·      Interest rate hikes and upcoming predictions for 2023
·      Best times to purchase a home
·      Real Estate Marketing trends and their impact on home-buyer decisions
·      Location! Location! Location! How to make a remote area an attractive ‘destination’
·      How best to connect to buyers throughout their purchasing journey to deliver a consistent customer service
·      Successful launches and the importance of the four “P’s”
·      Empowering your staff by given them the “Why?!”
·      Advice and perks for anyone embarking on a career in RE S&M

 In this episode, host James Ashley welcomes Marlee Kohn, Vice President of ESG at Starlight Investments.

Marlee has spent over 14 years at the intersection of real estate and sustainability, building a career focused on driving meaningful change in how the industry approaches environmental, social, and governance priorities. From her early work at Oxford Properties to her current leadership role at Starlight, she's tackled some of the sector's most pressing challenges—from climate action and energy efficiency to resident engagement and social impact. Recognized as a Clean50 Emerging Leader, Marlee brings both deep technical expertise and a genuine commitment to creating impact that matters.

In this conversation, we explore what it takes to move ESG from buzzword to real action in the real estate sector, and what's standing in the way.

Key topics include:

• Social impact and resident engagement – What meaningful community engagement actually looks like and where the industry is falling short.
• Net-zero commitments – The biggest opportunities and challenges in accelerating progress, from low-carbon retrofits to financing models.
• Resilience and future-proofing – How owners should be thinking about climate and market risks, and what lessons Canadian real estate can learn from other sectors.
• Bill C-59 and disclosure requirements – How new transparency rules are reshaping the conversation around greenwashing and what it means for smaller operators.
• Getting buy-in from the top – Strategies for building trust with investors and senior leaders to advance ESG initiatives.
• Marlee's career journey – What first drew her to sustainability in real estate, the defining moments that shaped her path, and the toughest challenges she's overcome.
• Advice for leaders and emerging talent – Where overwhelmed executives should start, how to balance short-term pressures with long-term goals, and what the next generation needs to know about making their mark.

Tune in to hear Marlee's perspective on navigating the ESG landscape, building momentum for change, and what it takes to lead with purpose in an industry that's finally starting to take sustainability seriously.

Richard Costello connects with David Ju.

David is a VP at Concord Pacific who are widely recognized and most well-known for developing Canada’s largest mixed-use high-rise urban communities.  David leads the group’s investments and development activity, and he is also a Director with CP Capital, a Concord affiliated investment company based in the US which focuses on multifamily communities.  

In this episode we discuss the following:

• David’s career background and how he made his way from public accounting to work on some of the largest real estate development projects across North America.  
• Takeaways from working in public practice
• About Concord Pacific and what sets them apart
• Proudest accomplishments
• Why Concord is sponsoring bike races in Vancouver
• The importance of ESG and what it means to Concord
• Lessons and advice for anyone looking to get ahead in the industry
• What makes a great Development Manager
• Important soft skills to have for a successful career in real estate investments

Richard Costello connects with Carol Waldmann.

A corporate real estate leader with over 20 years of progressive senior management experience within the public and private sectors.  Carol is the Director, Global Facilities and Real Estate for Hootsuite responsible for real estate transactions, renovations, and construction projects for Hootsuite’s offices across 11 different countries.  Prior to joining Hootsuite in 2019, Carol was a Senior Manager, real estate services at BC Hydro, in which she led a large team in delivering a range of strategic and core real estate services for the crown corporation.

In this episode, we discuss the following:

•  Carol’s unique background and career journey to date.  
• Pros and cons of working in real estate opportunities in the public sector.
• The unique space needs of tech companies.
• The joys of overseeing a global portfolio.
• What went into redesigning Hootsuite’s HO 
• What’s happening in the current market with some of the headwinds facing Canadian tech companies.
• The role that the office plays in driving employee engagement.
• Predictions and future trends.

Link to video featuring Hootsuite’s recently redesigned office: https://builtin.com/company-culture/Hootsuite-inclusive-HQ-redesign

Richard Costello connects with Lorna Park.

Lorna is the Senior Vice President, Property Management at Warrington PCI Management (WMP) in Vancouver, responsible for overseeing a portfolio of over 17 million square feet of office, retail, industrial, residential, and strata properties throughout Western Canada.

During Lorna’s thirty years in property management she has covered all asset types but is probably best known for her work in the retail sector.  In recent years, Lorna worked in Asia where she played a key role in the development of management and operating procedures for mixed use projects in China, South Korea and Macau. Lorna holds her Certified Shopping Centre Manager designation from the International Council of Shopping Centres.

In this episode we discuss the following: 

• How Lorna got her start in the industry.
• What makes the retail sector stand out above other classes.
• Looking back on Lorna’s time working in Asia.
• More about WPM’s business and culture as well as reasons for success.
• What makes the difference between a ‘good’ vs a ‘great’ Property Manager.
• What Lorna looks for when hiring for her team.
• Lessons and advice for anyone looking to advance their careers in the industry.
• Things Lorna does outside of work that help her perform better in it.
• What excites Lorna about the future.

Richard Costello connects with Liz Firer-Gillespie.

Liz is a Director of Asset Management, with Nicola Wealth Real Estate, a leading investment firm with over $7bn in real estate assets under management. Liz oversees a diverse portfolio of properties in both Canada and the U.S.  Liz holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa and an MBA from UBC’s Sauder School of Business. 

In this episode we discuss the following:

• Early years and how/why Liz came to enter the real estate industry.
• Career evolution in the US.
• What is was like to work in Chicago and the people who made an impact.
• Drawing inspiration from working in property management in Liz’s current role.
• Moving to Vancouver and repositioning for a career in asset management.
• More about Nicola Wealth Real Estate and how Liz has grown with the business. 
• What makes Nicola Wealth Real Estate so successful.
• What it means to work in asset management at Nicola Wealth Real Estate.
• Maintaining culture during a phase of rapid growth.
• Developing and honing a leadership style.
• Liz’s involvement in Vancouver CREW’s mentorship program.
• Proudest achievements so far.
• What excites Liz about the future at work.
• Advice for anyone looking to become an asset manager. 

Richard Costello connects with Jack Haining.

Jack is an Investment Manager with Grosvenor Americas responsible for overseeing portfolio analytics and directly managing a portfolio of commercial assets.  Originally from the UK, Jack has worked for Grosvenor since graduating from The University of Reading’s real estate program in 2014.   In 2018 he was offered the opportunity to relocate to Vancouver.

In this episode we discuss the following:

• History of Grosvenor.
• Jack's career path to date.
• What is means to be an Investment Manager at Grosvenor.
• Current trends impacting Jack's role as well as general market challenges. 
• Advice for anyone looking to become an Asset/Investment Manager.
• Story time - Jack's experience working in London and how it compares to Vancouver.
• How Jack has found moving to Vancouver and what his life looks like now.

James Ashley connects with Mark Halkias.

Since launching his career in real estate in 2007, Mark Halkias has climbed his way to Director of Operations at Primaris REIT. 

Mark has worked across office, retail and mixed-use assets, including the iconic landmark site of the Distillery District in Toronto, which has influenced his broad set of skills and hunger to learn. He holds an MBA from the University of Ontario Institute Of Technology, and he sits on the board of directors at BOMA Toronto. 

In this episode, Mark talks about;

• The impact of education on career development
• The value of industry associations
• Family support and influence
• Managing the Distillery District
• The decisions that have helped to elevate his career
• His passion for taking things apart 
• And so much more...

James Ashley connects with Josh Kaufman. 

Josh is currently Vice President, Development and Construction for the Canadian Multi-Family division at Starlight Investments. Prior to joining Starlight, Josh held senior titles at Dream and Smart Centres. Over the last 20 years, he has worked on an array of development projects across the GTA,  including complex and large-scale commercial, retail and mixed-use sites. 

Josh is a Graduate from the University of Western Ontario, and Postgraduate from the University of Ohio, with a Masters in City and Regional Planning. 

In this episode Josh talks to the trends that are driving RE Development in Canada. We take a deep dive into multi-family residential and talk about financing, pricing, and strategizing new projects. We discuss the decisions that helped to shape Josh’s career and the big lessons that he would choose to pay forward to the next generation of leaders.

Richard Costello connects with Martin Moriarty

 Martin is a Senior Vice President Investments at Marcus and Millichap and is one of Vancouver’s top retail brokers specializing in leasing and investment sales.  With previous experience as a commercial broker, appraiser and asset manager in London, England, Martin has an accomplished background and is known for delivering on high profile deals and has been a recipient of several industry awards over the years.   

 In this episode we discuss the following: 

• Early years, why real estate and how the move to Canada come about.
• What drew Martin to specializing in retail and what keeps him engaged.
• Biggest career risk taken so far.
• Proudest career moment so far.
• More about Marcus & Millichap, what sets them apart and why did Martin decide to join the group.
• Breaking it down, what is commercial brokerage.
• What are some of the food/restaurant trends happening right now.
• With the demise of some major retailers, what are the successful brands doing to keep people coming through their doors.
• Martin’s favourite city for inspiration at work.
• What excites Martin about the future of Vancouver from a retail perspective.
• For anyone contemplating a career in real estate brokerage, what are some truths to know before diving in and advice for anyone looking to get ahead.

Richard Costello connects with Beth Berry.

Beth Berry is currently Vice President Industrial Development with Beedie and is responsible for the sales and marketing of new developments including build-to-suit projects and strata.  This includes all due diligence for land and investment acquisitions, and client coordination through the development process.
 
Beth is a graduate of UBC’s Bachelor of Commerce program specializing in Real Estate and SFU's Executive MBA program.   Beth is Past President of NAIOP’s Vancouver chapter and a Mentor with Beedie Luminaries. 

In this episode we discuss the following:

• A typical week in the world of industrial development.
• Industrial market overview, challenges and opportunities looking ahead.
• What Beth enjoys about the industrial sector. 
• Experience working for a family business that has experienced so much growth.
• Involvement in Beedie Luminaries.
• Beth's early years and influences.
• Motivation to pursue the EMBA.
• What are the important skills required to be a successful Development Manager.
• The unique considerations in industrial development.
• Proudest career moments.
• The future of the industry from a diversity and equity perspective.
• Advice for women starting out in the industry.
• Secret talents.

Richard Costello connects with Mike Bishop.

Mike has been a mainstay of Vancouver’s commercial property management industry for the past three decades.  Having worked for some of the city’s leading development companies, Mike is now VP Asset Management with the new property development group, Third Space Properties.  

In this episode we discuss:

• Early influences and why commercial real estate.
• Mike's career path to date.
• Favourite things about working in property/asset management.
• Biggest takeaways from working with BOMA.
• The talent crunch - how to attract more people into the industry.
• What makes Third Space Properties different.
• Thinking about legacy and inspiring others to learn and grow their careers.

In this episode, host Richard Costello welcomes John Brendan McEown, Chief Executive Officer of the Burnaby Housing Authority.

John Brendan (JB) has been a leader in affordable housing for over a decade. As Associate Vice President of Development Strategies at BC Housing, he guided a team of professionals delivering thousands of homes across the province. With a Master of Urban Studies from Simon Fraser University and a track record of shaping housing policy and delivery, JB now steps into the inaugural CEO role at the Burnaby Housing Authority at a pivotal moment for housing in the region.

Key topics include:

• Career influences and lessons – What inspired JB to pursue housing and how his time at BC Housing shaped his approach.
• The Burnaby Housing Authority’s vision – Why it was created, what makes it unique, and its goals for the next decade.
• Balancing perspectives – How JB’s public-sector background informs his leadership and the advantages it brings to a development-focused organization.
• Innovations in housing delivery – The potential role of modular construction, robotics, and new technologies in solving supply challenges.
• Leadership at a young age – Insights on stepping into executive leadership, building culture, and lessons learned so far.
• Looking ahead – What gives JB optimism in a time of cost pressures, permitting delays, and market uncertainty.

Tune in to hear JB’s perspective on launching a new housing authority, the challenges and opportunities ahead, and what it takes to build sustainable, affordable communities in a rapidly evolving housing landscape

Nicola Denning-Millar connects with Jennifer Sicilia.

Building on over 25 years of experience, Jennifer is a visionary leader, who champions inclusivity and outside-the box thinking,  which have proven instrumental in making RYCOM a leader in the smart tech space.  

Jennifer is a highly valued strategist who creates viable business solutions to complex problems.  By promoting a culture that emphasizes collaboration, trust and honesty, Jennifer lays the groundwork for a strong culture and superior business results.  

As a senior executive, Jennifer is actively involved in all stages of the process, ranging from initial strategy to ongoing optimization to ensuring processes and systems are aligned to drive ROI to clients, enabling them to reach their short and long-term goals. 

In this episode, we discuss;

• Braving a career switch into the prop tech industry
• RYCOM – Who, Where, What, and Why? The evolution of services
• Motivations of Real Estate Owners to embrace smart technology adoption
• Deploying smart strategic and tactical plans
• Don’t be scared of data!... The opportunities and the challenges 
• Outside of the box solutions
• The myth of job losses as innovation and automation increases
• Making difficult decisions in uncertain times
• Challenging yourself to become the best version of yourself
• How do you bring people, processes and technology together?
• Major advances that we will see in the next 10 plus years
• Advice for those wanting a career in the Prop Tech industry

Nicola Denning-Millar connects with Kimberly Train.

With over 25 years in the real estate industry holding a variety of unique and innovative roles, Kim is a strong female leader, a champion of change and a collaborative and creative problem solver. 

Kim has worked with Oxford Properties for over twenty years, and currently provides leadership to the 310.MAXX customer service platform and procurement programs.  She driving strategy around KPI’s and standards, and supporting Proptech innovation adoption to enhance performance and quality and to ensure tenant retention and operational efficiency.

In this episode we discuss the following:

• The importance of identifying what environment and culture you thrive in
• The pros of being a generalist /  "Jill of All Trades"
• Knowing your audience to adapt, grow and develop future strategy
• The significance of staying optimistic, positive and open to change
• Capturing and analyzing data and applying it to vision and innovation
• How to fight your way out of a box

James Ashley connects with Philippe Bernier.

With over 20 years of experience, alongside numerous contributions, publications and speaking engagements, Philippe is considered to be one of Canada's leading real estate innovators.  

He currently serves as Vice President, Strategy, Operations & Sustainability at JLL Canada, where he plays a pivotal role in advancing their strategy, ensuring operational effectiveness and accelerating the companies market growth.

In this episode we discuss:

• Energy, carbon and sustainability
• Climate change in Canada and across the globe in 2021
• Why the environmental performance of buildings matters
• How we measure the impact on our physical assets
• The career path from Oil and Gas, to Manufacturing and the Real Estate industry 
• The value of international studies
• Building a zero carbon home
• Practical energy-saving tips
• Framing our decisions and choices in real estate
• Advice for the next generation of sustainability leaders

Richard Costello connects with Chuck We.

Chuck We is the Senior Vice President, Western Canada with Hudson Pacific Properties responsible for operations of the Vancouver portfolio which notably includes the 1.45 million square foot Bentall Centre office and retail complex in the heart of downtown.   

In this episode we discuss the following:

• Chuck's early influences growing up.
• Mentors in the industry.
• Finding the source of energy to take on challenging projects and roles. 
• More about Hudson Pacific and the plans for the Bentall Centre.
• The pandemic's long term impact on the office.
• Chuck's leadership style and how he builds winning teams.
• Advice for anyone stepping up into a leadership position for the first time.
• Quick fire questions including a surprise musical interlude ;-).

Richard Costello connects with Kelly Lin

Kelly is a Senior Development Manager at Terra Housing, a social purpose real estate development consultancy based in Vancouver.  

Prior to joining Terra in 2017, Kelly worked as an Architect and Real Estate Developer in New York City.  Kelly has extensive experience with non-profit organizations and in 2014, started her own organization to empower women to get active outside.  

Kelly graduated from the Stern Business School of New York University with an MBA and a Masters in Real Estate Finance and Investment.  She also holds an Architecture degree from the University of Manitoba and a Psychology degree from the University of California, Berkeley.

In this episode we discuss the following:

• The issue of housing affordability in Vancouver and why the city is so far off reaching its goals.
• An overview of Terra Housing (backstory/service offerings).
• Kelly's career overview.
• Surfing in NYC and establishing an online community to empower women to get active outside.
• The role of a Development Manager at Terra Housing.
• What it takes to be a successful Development Manager.
• Development Management in the non-profit vs. private sector - what's the difference?
• Why social purpose real estate might be for you.
• Next steps in Kelly's career.

Richard Costello connects with Doug Allan.


Doug is Vice President of Finance and Operations with Burrard Properties, a private family company founded in 1979 and is tasked with managing project debt and equity capital.  Prior to working in commercial real estate, Doug spent over eight years in public accounting with EY.

Doug has a BComm from McGill University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant. 

Doug is also the author of a new book called A Fighting Chance: The High School Finance and Education Everyone Deserves.

 In this episode we discuss the following:

• Influences and reasons behind the decision to pursue accounting as a career.
• Lessons learned from working in public practice. 
• How Doug went from EY to Burrard Properties and a run through of  his current role.
• What makes Burrard Properties stand out.
• Why Seattle is such an attractive market.
• Challenges developers face building condos in Seattle. 
• We discuss Doug's book, A Fighting Chance including the key lessons to take away. 
• Fantasy dinner party!

Richard Costello connects with Michael Heeney.

 An internationally recognized leader, city builder, architect and urban strategist with over 30 years’ experience leading high-profile organizations. Currently with C+O Advisory, Michael Heeney is the past President and CEO of the Surrey City Development Corporation (SCDC), an independently governed, for-profit real estate company owned by the City of Surrey.  Prior to joining SCDC, Michael was the Managing Principal of Bing Thom Architects for over two decades where he oversaw the company’s growth into a leading international practice with offices in three cities worldwide.  

Well known for his ability to create a compelling vision and effectively bring disparate groups together, Michael has successfully led substantial local and international projects, organizations and initiatives, often ones without precedent and in highly complex situations and jurisdictions.

In this episode we discuss the following:

• Thoughts on how the City of Vancouver is taking shape from a building design perspective. 
• ‘Favourite’ building in Vancouver.
• What makes the City of Surrey special?
• The legacy of SCDC.
• The three most important things to look for when hiring.
• How the role of a Development Manager has evolved over recent years.
• Advice for anyone starting out in the industry.
• Quick fire questions, including lessons from working with Bing Thom.

James Ashley connects with Kyle Thorn.

Kyle is the Operations Manager at BentallGreenOak in Toronto.  In 2020, his team at 10 Dundas won the prestigious national TOBY award for retail. He has climbed his way up through the ranks for over a decade, from Building Operator to Operations Manager.  He has worked for a number of reputable firms along the way – including Dream, 20 Vic and Cushman and Wakefield. 

Kyle believes strongly in the power of knowledge and so he has invested much of his spare time in furthering his education to learn the ins and outs of building operations. 

In this episode we discuss the following;

• Why Building Operations?
• The courses and programs to help you succeed
• The value of good mentors
• TBMOA and BOMA
• The enjoyment factor 
• Hiring for personality
• The challenges and hard lessons
• The 5-year Goal
• The power of communication
• Top Gun
• Life behind the lens

James Ashley connects with Geoff Williams.

Geoff has been working in the facility management and real estate industry for over 20 years. He is currently the Director of Operations for Eastern Canada, at Angus Consulting Management Limited (ACML). 

He is a proud member of the Internal Facility Management Association (IFMA), where he’s been heavily involved at a local, national and international level.  Through IFMA, he has attained his FMP and SFP designations and is a qualified instructor who has volunteered his time to teaching hundreds of FM students. 

He has won a number of awards for his outstanding contribution to Facilities Management, and he continuously looks for new opportunities to help the industry grow. 

In this episode, we discuss the following;

• How the FM Industry has evolved 
• Different touch points and career pathways 
• Staying connected and learning through IFMA
• Changes in technology 
• The value of education and volunteering
• Global thinking
• Working at ACML
• Strategies to raise your game
• 3 big lessons to pay forward

Nicola Denning-Millar Connects with Michelle Hunte.

Michelle has six years of Facility Management experience, and is an Asset Specialist in the Facilities Maintenance Division at Walmart Canada. She is responsible for the the operations, budget and the maintenance and repair of the Waste & Recycling portfolio for all the stores across Canada and supports Walmart’s sustainability goals such as Zero Waste by 2025. 

She is the Chair of the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Allyship (IDEA) committee at Toronto CREW and is the recipient of Toronto CREW’s 2020 Raising Star Award.

In this episode, we discuss the following;

• The passion for FM and “thirst for knowledge”
• Education and its pivotal role in breaking into the industry
• The positive influence of mentorship
• Being a member of Toronto Crew
• Volunteering and inspiring young females to step into RE
• Developing soft skills
• Benefiting from the advancements in technology
• The enjoyment factor of working at Walmart
• Unleashing the “inner nerd”
• The 5-year game plan
• Encouraging others to “lean in”

Todd Spencer joins Nicola Denning-Millar to share his journey from television to the world of residential property management.

With extensive international experience in Europe and Asia, Todd has a unique perspective on the rental housing market in Canada. His career spans several years in property management, and his insights have shaped his approach to improving the industry, from tenant satisfaction to operational efficiency.

Key topics in this episode include:

• Career transition – Todd's move from television to property management and what drives his passion today.
• Global perspective – How international experiences shaped Todd’s view of Canadian rental housing.
• Industry challenges – The impact of inflation, interest rates, and economic uncertainty on rent affordability and tenant turnover.
• Regulatory pressures – How rent control, eviction moratoriums, and zoning restrictions affect owners and property managers.
• Building rental supply – The difficulties developers face and the changes Todd wants to see from governments.
• Opportunities for transformation – Promising improvements for residents and property owners in the rental experience.
• PropTech – How technology can enhance the resident and employee experience.
• Workforce development – Changing perceptions of the residential property management sector and investing in long-term careers.

Tune in to hear Todd’s insights on the future of rental housing and the role of property management in Canada.

Richard Costello connects with Anthio Yuen.

Anthio is Director, Research Services and Strategy at GWL Realty Advisors, responsible for the organization’s market research and investment strategies across Canada.  

Anthio has a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning and Development from the University of Toronto and an Undergraduate Degree in Urban Geography from Simon Fraser University. Anthio is actively involved in NAIOP Vancouver and is President elect for 2021.

In this episode we discuss the following:

• Why GWL Real Estate Advisors places such emphasis on research and data.
• A typical week in the role of Director of Research.
• Insight into Anthio’s early years and influences.
• Motivation behind his education choices.
• How the role of research differs in the brokerage environment compared to working for an institutional real estate group.
• Getting into the details of a recent study called ‘Office Demand in the New Economy: Looking Beyond Covid-19’. https://www.gwlrealtyadvisors.com/research_report/office-demand-in-the-new-economy-looking-beyond-covid-19/
• Stepping up to become NAIOP Vancouver President for 2021.  The value of being apart of this community and expectations in the new role.
• The importance of finding a mentor (or three!).
• Creating a legacy and making an impact. 
• Passions outside of work.
• Quick fire questions including this book – Decisive https://heathbrothers.com/books/decisive/

James Ashley connects with Kristian Halkias.

As Property Manager at Menkes Developments, Kristian is responsible for managing the companies downtown commercial assets. He holds an Honours degree from Ryerson University in Urban Planning and currently is working towards completing his RPA Designation with BOMA. 

With over 10 years in the industry, Kristian has experienced a range of disciplines including leasing, underwriting, research analysis, client relations and property management. 

With his father Peter and two brothers, Jason and Mark, all working within Real Estate, the Halkias family name is well known in Canadian Property Management. 

In this episode. Kristian shares with us;

• The power of human connection
• His passion for learning and real estate 
• How the mentors in his life have helped to shape his career path
• His association with BOMA
• The ins and outs of property management
• His definition of success
• Ways to stay motivated
• Family influences from inside of real estate
• His advice to the next generation of real estate professionals

Nicola Denning-Millar connects with Natalie Presot.

As General Manager at Northam Realty Advisors, Natalie is responsible for managing a mixed-use portfolio of historical assets in the Toronto core. She sits on BOMA’s Board of Directors and is rapidly working her way up the career ladder to become a knowledgeable, engaged and committed property management professional.

In this episode, Natalie shares with us:

• How she got her break in the real estate industry
• How she morphed from a shy receptionist to a confident GM
• The importance of believing in yourself and stepping out of your comfort zone
• Which work environment elevated her performance the most
• The valuable lessons we learn from our mistakes
• Her association with BOMA as a young professional member
• The positive impact of a diverse and inclusive leadership team
• Her advice for junior real estate employees
• What she grabs for first thing in the morning!

Richard Costello connects with Vera Liu

Vera is Director of Investments with KingSett Capital, responsible for sourcing, structuring, and negotiating the acquisition and disposition of real estate opportunities across Western Canada.  Vera has over 10 years of real estate investment experience covering the full range of asset types from office, industrial, multi-family, hospitality, senior’s housing as well as development opportunities in many of the core markets throughout North America. 

Vera holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia, specializing in Finance and Real Estate.

In this episode Vera discusses the following:

• Why real estate investments is an attractive career path to pursue.
• Top three requirements for any aspiring Investments Manager.
• How the role can differ between company’s.
• About KingSett and how the company culture gives the team the edge.
• What makes Vancouver such an appealing place for investment.
• How has this past year changed the way Vera views certain asset classes. 
• Vera's experience navigating a predominantly male dominated area of the business and why women so underrepresented in real estate investments. 
• Early advice that had a big impact.
• Role model growing up. 
• Taking lessons from failure.
• Finding motivation and fire in the belly.
• Finding balance between work and play.
• Passions outside of work and five quick fire questions.

Richard Costello connects with Nic Paolella.

Nic Paolella is the Vice President of Development at Marcon, responsible for leading all new development projects.  As part of the second generation of his family’s real estate development firm, Nic is helping build on the success of the company’s 35 years and 12,286 homes to date. Nic is passionate about urban planning and design and aims to create better, more livable communities. 

In this episode, Nic shares his insight into the following:

• What is was like growing up in the business
• Background of Marcon
• Why starting out as a construction company makes Marcon a better developer
• Proudest project to date
• Developing and maintaining company culture
• What is takes to be successful as a Development Manager
• Housing supply in Vancouver - where do things stand five years on from a Globe article focused on land speculation
• The ‘Missing Middle’ - Opportunities and challenges to gentle densification
• Finding Inspiration
• What success looks like
• Advice for anyone starting out in the industry
• Passions outside of work

Richard Costello connects with David Wan.

David is a residential sales and marketing leader with over three decades of experience and a broad portfolio of work in Vancouver, Toronto, Hong Kong and Singapore.  A graduate of the British Columbia Institute of Technology’s marketing management program, David went on to become an instructor at BCIT later on in his career in which he taught real estate courses and mentored hundreds of students.  David’s own personal and career journey is a fascinating one that is intrinsically linked to Vancouver’s relationship with Asia and has run parallel with the growth of high-rise condo development the city. 

In this episode David touches on the following:

Part 1 

• The importance of sales and marketing in real estate development.
• Reasons why BCIT’s Marketing Management program is one of the most popular programs for aspiring real estate professionals in Vancouver. 
• Career paths available to graduates of the program.
• Project sales and marketing, in-house or agency. What’s the difference?
• Most important skills to be successful in real estate sales.

Part 2 

• Why David moved to Hong Kong at a time when the trend was the opposite.
• Life and learnings in Asia.
• The importance of relationships.
• Vancouver’s changing skyline during the late 80’s and 90’s. 
• Proudest accomplishment to date.

Part 3

• Technology’s impact on sales and marketing.
• Three ways that technology will impact the future of condo living.
• Developers who are leading the way.
• Seeking the Tesla of real estate development.
• Quick fire questions. 

James Ashley connects with Elena Boyack

Elena’s working career has been focused on talent acquisition in the commercial real estate industry. She started her career working for a recruiting agency in Toronto that specialized in real estate hires. In 2010, Elena moved in-house with Great West Life as a Staffing Specialist. For the last eight years, she has grown her career at Triovest Realty Advisors. As Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition at Triovest, Elena spearheads the policies and processes to attract the best talent in the market. 

 In this episode Elena speaks to the following;

• From Recruiting Agency to in-house Talent Acquisition
• The advancements in technology that support the hiring process
• Hiring for Fit
• The power of creating structure at work
• People-focused leadership
• The role models who shaped her work ethic
• Finding work life balance
• Reading Gladwell
• The Strength Finder
• And much more....

Nicola connects with Marlene Farias. 

Marlene has over 25 years of Commercial Real Estate experience and is currently SVP Property Management at Triovest Realty Advisors. She is a passionate and hard-working industry leader known for building teams of excellence and maximizing the value of real estate investments. In this episode, you will hear:

• Emigration to Canada from Ecuador and the ways she has successfully navigated her career
• How she got her start inside the industry
• Who influenced her career and shaped her foundation
• Proudest moments and career highlights
• Balancing work and family life 
• What it takes to be a great leader
• Being a role model at home and at work
• Supporting your family, your community and your co-workers
• Advice for new-comers to the RE industry

Richard Costello connects with Peggy Howard.

Peggy Howard is a renowned shopping centre General Manager who has been the beating heart of Ivanhoe Cambridge’s portfolio in British Columbia for over twenty years. Peggy’s accolades include managing Guildford Town Centre mall during a $280 million redevelopment and expansion, which was the largest mall redevelopment in the company’s portfolio at the time.  Peggy was Surrey Business Woman of the year in 2013 and is co-creator of Shopping Centre Chronicles.  Peggy is a mentor, coach, confidant and friend to countless industry professionals whose lives she continues to influence in so many positive and inspiring ways. 

In this episode, Peggy shares her story and we discuss the following:

• Peggy’s early roles models.
• How Peggy got her start in the shopping centre industry and how her career evolved over the years.
• Proudest professional accomplishment.
• Advice for anyone starting out in the industry.
• Trends in the shopping centre industry over the years.
• How the role of a GM is different now to when Peggy started her career.
• Opportunities for mall operators and predictions on how things will look in 20 years.
• Saved by stranger.
• The motivation behind shopping centre chronicles.
• The next chapter and goals for the future.

Link to purchase shopping centre chronicles (all proceeds go to Dr Paul Klimo to help people who have chosen the less conventional path for cancer treatment): https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/731655611/shopping-centre-chronicles

Richard Costello connects with Bradley Cumming.

Bradley is VP Investments with Freed Developments in Toronto and oversees an investment group, which is responsible for the company’s real estate acquisitions, dispositions, deal structuring, and capital raising. Over the last twelve months his team has raised several hundred million of both debt and equity for new acquisitions and structured partnerships with several large-scale real estate focused Canadian financial institutions.

Bradley is a CPA and has a Bachelor of Commerce from Dalhousie, and a Master’s of Finance degree from the Rotman School of business.

In this episode we’ll hear from Bradley on the following:

• Early influences and why the real estate industry.
• Biggest takeaways from three years in public accounting.
• What’s involved in becoming a CPA and how this foundation brings value today.
• How does one go from Senior Staff Accountant to VP Investments?
• Who are Freed Developments and what sets the group apart?
• Recent transactions of note.
• Navigating the Covid waters.
• Financing in today’s environment.
• What does it mean to be successful in the role of VP Investments.
• The important skill sets required to be successful.
• The importance of building solid relationships within the industry.
• Becoming a people manager and leader within the business. 
• Plus – quick fire questions!

Richard Costello welcomes Edward Chang, VP Investments and Real Estate at Silverbirch Hotels.

Edward’s career spans over a decade of hotel investment, underwriting, and asset management across North America and Europe, with experience at firms like Goldman Sachs, SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts, Sonder, and American Hotel Income Properties REIT. He has played a key role in high-profile transactions, including a $1.2 billion portfolio sale, and brings a global perspective to hospitality strategy.

Outside of work, Edward is also a classical musician with over 8 million Spotify streams.

Key topics in this episode include:

• Hotels as an asset class – Why investors are drawn to the complexity and opportunity of hospitality real estate.
• Global insights – How Edward’s experience across North America and Europe shapes his approach.
• Investment and asset management – Lessons from high-stakes deals and large portfolios.
• Operational dynamics – How pricing, branding, and management models impact returns.
• Music and real estate – Parallels between curating guest experiences and composing music.
• Navigating market shifts – Where the hospitality sector is headed. 

Tune in to hear Edward’s unique insights and advice.

Nicola Denning-Millar connects with Theresa Warnaar.

Theresa is SVP, Retail and Asset Resilience at Kingsett Capital.  With over twenty years in the industry, Theresa's asset management experience includes retail and office investments in Canada, the US, Germany and Spain.  Theresa has held held progressive positions overseeing corporate environmental programs, project management as well as the design and implementation of operational benchmarking and analytics.

Theresa holds a Bachelors of Environmental Studies with an Honours in Urban & Regional Planning from the University of Waterloo.  Theresa has also completed an Authentic Leadership Development course through Harvard Business School.

In this episode, you will hear Theresa talking about the following and much more!:

• How she got her start in Commercial Real Estate 
• Learning by osmosis
• Finding motivation on a daily basis
• Discovering valuable lessons in failure
• A passion for helping young professionals
• The importance of life-long learning and investing in yourself 
• Not always getting what you want, but getting what you need
• What she enjoys about CRE and the people in it
• Advice for anybody looking to raise their game within the industry
• How to impress your Dad!

Richard Costello connects with Myles Millard.

Myles is a Director with Hines in Toronto and is responsible for a wide variety of functions including acquisitions/dispositions, asset management, and development.   Myles is the lead on the T3 Bayside development, which is comprised of two ten-storey mass timber office buildings in the Queens Quay area of Toronto.

In this episode, we hear about Myles’ story so far including:

• Why he chose to pursue real estate as a career and how he has picked his path.
• His experience in analyzing international investments.
• Honouring Gerald Hines and reflecting upon his incredible impact.
• What it’s like to work at Hines.
• T3 bayside project – it’s significance, what makes it so special and Myles’ role and responsibilities.
• The most enjoyable and challenging aspects of Myles’ job.
• Benefits of the CFA designation and recommendations on further education for real estate professionals. 
• Advice for anyone starting out in the industry.
• Passions outside of the office.
• Quick fire questions – including book recommendations (Factfulness, Other People’s Money, The Fish That Ate the Whale)

Nicola Denning-Millar connects with Ana Lopez

Ana is Managing Director, Lease Documentation, Central & Western Canada at Allied Properties REIT. She is responsible for overseeing lease transactions and administration nationally. Prior to joining Allied Properties in 2010, Ana held positions at Colliers International and SNC-Lavalin. She is a graduate of Ryerson University and holds her CLO designation with the Real Estate Institute of Canada.

In this episode, Ana shares her career journey, passion, knowledge and insights and speaks to the following:

• First steps into Real Estate
• The valuable lessons from making mistakes
• Investing in your own personal development
• Balancing family and education
• The power of connecting with people
• The measure of leadership
• Building a positive work environment
• Supporting local and national charities
• Advice to those stepping into the industry

Richard Costello connects with Andrew Tong.

Andrew Tong is the Senior Vice President of Investments at Concert Properties and is responsible for leading the planning and performance of Concert’s real estate income portfolio across Canada.  Andrew is also Managing Director of Concert’s CREC Commercial Fund LP, which he played a key role in creating in 2016.  This open-ended fund includes over 70 office and industrial properties valued at $1.8 billion.

In 2019, Andrew celebrated his 25th anniversary with Concert Properties and has been a key part of the company’s tremendous growth and success.  In this episode, Andrew shares how his journey with Concert began and also discusses the following:

• Early influences.
• How Andrew’s career has evolved over the years.
• Ways in which Andrew has invested in himself to ensure success in each new role.
• Lessons for anyone making the transition to management.
• How real estate financing works from a developer’s perspective. What are the types of mortgages and which organizations provide them, who you need on your team and how to ensure a successful lending experience. (Click to view blog)
• Most difficult professional experience.
• Proudest accomplishments.
• Areas of Andrew’s role that are the most rewarding.
• Using his experience, network and passion to make a difference in the community.
•  Advice for anyone starting out in the industry.
• Passions outside of work that you might not know about.
• Quick fire questions including Andrew’s favourite Vancouver restaurant!