An award-winning architect with over 25 years of experience, Jay is recognized for thought leadership and design excellence in institutional architecture of varied scales in Canada and overseas. Currently a Design Lead in Arcadis’ Global Education Practice, Jay leads the design, strategic thinking, and planning for education projects, and engages meaningfully with clients, stakeholders and authorities to define and implement the strategic vision of the project through place-centric design. Her most prominent projects in the City of Toronto include the Student Centre at York University, the Jane Sheppard Public Library and the addition and renovation at Credit Valley Hospital. She has experience in both design and project management for new and existing structures of varied typologies, scales, and complexity. Over the past five years she has conducted a longitudinal design research project on the future of campus through extensive interviews with faculty, students and staff at institutions across the globe. This ongoing research has been published extensively and made her a frequent speaker advancing thought-leadership and campus design. Her recent advocacy has also led her engage actively with Equity, Diversity and Inclusion groups at Arcadis, ULI Toronto and the Textile Museum. She is deeply engaged in the arts and design community at the Textile Museum and Royal Ontario Museum, and as a frequent guest critic and lecturer at design schools.
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Heather Dubbeldam is the principal of Dubbeldam Architecture + Design, an award-winning architectural practice based in Toronto. She has been recognized as a leading advocate for sustainable design and the betterment of our built environment. Through her practice and ongoing research in both Canada and Scandinavia, Heather has become an advocate for more progressive design and planning that exemplifies best practices in social and environmental sustainability, climate-positive developments, and urban resilience. She is regularly invited to speak as a thought leader on the subject at schools of architecture, industry events and national conferences. As part of her commitment to bring positive change to sustainable practices in Canada, Heather is also disseminating her studio’s research through a blog, public presentations, and dialogue with policy makers on how to integrate these more innovative approaches into the Canadian mindset. Heather has been recognized as one of the country’s leading architects by Canada’s national newspaper The Globe & Mail and one of 30 “must know” women architects in the world by leading international design publication, Azure magazine. A well-respected architect in Toronto, Heather is known as an advocate for the profession and is active on many boards including as an executive member and past Chair of the Toronto Society of Architects; Director of Twenty + Change, a national organization dedicated to exposing the innovative ideas of emerging Canadian architects; past Vice-Chair of the Design Industry Advisory Committee, a provincial not-for-profit, cross-disciplinary design think tank and research group; and the Chair of the advisory board of BEAT (Building Equality in Architecture Toronto). Heather regularly gives her time to mentoring young professionals and students. She is a mentor through the OAA Intern Architect program, UofT student mentoring events, and BAIDA portfolio reviews. She is the co-editor and author of several publications, including the Toronto Architecture Guide Map and five publications in the Twenty + Change series. Heather is regularly invited to participate on professional and awards juries and as a guest critic at schools of architecture across Canada.
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Hadley believes that social purpose real estate assets belong in the hands of community. As the Senior Partner leading New Commons Development, she champions this belief through the organization’s commitment to nonprofit and community ownership of affordable housing and civic assets. The New Commons approach to development focuses on implementing innovative housing and development solutions, building local capacity, and strengthening community organizations’ portfolios. Leveraging alternative sources of capital and working through community planning and new housing models, the New Commons team delivers dynamic developments in the GTHA and across the country. Based in Toronto, Hadley leads a development team that is delivering residential and mixed-use projects in a number of different communities, serving diverse populations. Hadley works at the intersection of policy and practice, she is a strategist and practitioner who is advancing affordable housing development and championing new and lasting ways of collaboration in the real estate and development sector. Hadley has a background leading community impact initiatives working in public, philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. As part of the New Market Funds leadership team, she also works across the platform to support the multifund manager’s mandate to deliver impact investment opportunities, providing both financial returns and lasting community benefit.
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Gloria has 45 years of real estate experience in Canada. As Officer of Administration, Gloria oversees Greenrock’s human resources, payroll, all insurance matters, and legal department. Gloria was formerly the CEO of Greenrock and took on countless complex files, such as the repositioning of Postmedia Place, which significantly increased the value of this Greenrock core asset. In 2019-2020, Gloria led Greenrock in advising on the sale of 8 multi-residential properties on behalf of 49 investors to Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (CAPREIT) valued at $1 billion. Prior to joining Greenrock, Gloria held the position of Alliance Director for CB Richard Ellis as Operations Manager for a 3 million square foot commercial portfolio for the Bank of Nova Scotia, which included Scotia Plaza. Previously, Gloria was Executive Vice-President of Greenwin Property Management Inc.
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Claire Santamaria is Head of Human Resources of Oxford Properties, a leading global real estate investor, asset manager and business builder. In this role, Claire is responsible for leading people practices across Oxford’s global business and is a member of Oxford’s Executive Committee, OMERS HR leadership team and Chair of the Global People and Culture Committee. Claire is a trusted, versatile and flexible leader and business partner, and has a deep understanding of Oxford’s business and culture. She initially joined Oxford in 2008 to lead marketing at Canada’s top performing shopping centre, Yorkdale, and quickly took on increasingly senior roles on the retail team. She was most recently Vice President, Yorkdale, with accountability for the operating performance of the $3.5+ billion property and leadership of its 200+ person team. Prior to joining Oxford, Claire worked at other retail real estate operators and investors. Claire has a Bachelor of Arts from York University and completed Post Graduate Studies in Human Resource Management from Humber College, and lives in Toronto. She is also a member of the Baycrest Foundation Board.
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With more than 15 years of experience in the construction industry, I have progressed to my current position as a senior estimator for PCL Constructors Canada Inc. (Toronto) since joining the team in 2011. I have worked on the successful pursuits for a variety of projects across the Greater Toronto Area, serving the residential, retail, health care, public institutional, commercial, manufacturing and aviation sectors. Prior to joining PCL, I worked for a large, local general contractor providing build services to the municipal, civil and energy marketplaces. Recognizing the value of the mentorship I’ve received in my career, I’m dedicated to mentoring new or junior employees and students on my team and in my department, with a focus on their training and development. As an active member of PCL Toronto’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, I strive to help create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive space within PCL, the construction industry and our communities. In 2021, I was recognized as the PCL Toronto winner of PCL’s prestigious internal Estimating Award of Excellence. I hold an applied technology degree in architecture from Conestoga College and an architectural technology diploma from St. Clair College. I am certified as a Professional Quantity Surveyor by the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, a Gold Seal Estimator by then Canadian Construction Association, and a LEED Green Associate by the Canada Green Building Council.
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Anna is a strategic advisor in city-building and real estate investment with 30 years’ experience in public and private sector organizations. She leverages interdisciplinary expertise in urban/land economics, planning, real estate, and social responsibility to inform strategic plans, investment, policy, and public interest. Her expansive career bridges population/employment forecasting; policy planning; socio-economics; market analysis; feasibility; site/location selection; valuations; portfolio strategies; revitalization, sustainability and social impact. As an expression of her experience, Anna launched BEL+RIT urbanism, an advisory practice at the intersection of urban economics and social impact.
Anna is a Professional Land Economist (AOLE), Registered Professional Planner (OPPI), Member Canadian Institute of Planners, Corporate Social Responsibility graduate (USMC UofT), and holds a BA Specialist Economics and Geography (UofT). She is an inductee and member of Lambda Alpha International, Honorary Society for the Advancement of Land Economics, Simcoe Chapter Toronto. Evolving from career to purpose with intention, Anna is particularly interested in supporting, advancing, and mentoring women and young talent. Contributions with Toronto ULI (WLI, UrbanPlan, Mentor), Toronto CREW (Vice-Chair Scholarships, Chair Sponsorship, Mentorship Committee, Mentor), and USMC’s Social Responsibility and Sustainability program (Faculty/Mentor) support this greater purpose. In her current TCREW role, Anna is working with the IDEA Committee on launching a Youth Summer Camp Bursary to inspire and support racialized minorities and LGBTQ high school students with financial need interested in real estate/city building, including a pilot through TCHC’s Lawrence Heights Revite NERDS program. Beyond formal programs, Anna continually mentors and champions young talent to excel and lead.
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Alpa has over 20 years of experience working with private companies and not-for-profit organizations in the real estate industry. She has recently joined Armel Corporation as Chief Financial Officer where she is an active member the executive team. She works closely with internal and external teams to aid in the creation of vibrant communities. Prior to that she was a partner at PwC Canada where she worked with organizations of all sizes in the real estate, construction and not-for-profit sectors providing advice and support on accounting, tax and business issues. In addition to the advising her clients, she was actively involved in interviewing members of the real estate community for the Annual Emerging Trends in Real Estate Report. Alpa recognizes the importance of developing strong relationships with members in the industry and working together to identify and resolve issues facing the industry today. Alpa is an active member and volunteer in her community focused on the responsible use of land. She is currently, Treasurer of ULI Toronto and a Board Member at Toronto Artscape. Alpa was also a member of the Women Presidents’ Organization and Vaughan Chamber of Commerce – Business Achievement Awards Interview Committee and Women’s Leadership Committee. Alpa is a strong advocate of mentoring others and creating great leaders. She has mentored participants in ULI’s Mentorship Program as well as PwC’s Women in Leadership Program. Alpa has shared her journey on several Womens’ Leadership and Recruiting panels.
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Magic Moment: Successfully shepherding a Diversity and Inclusion policy through a Board that I was a member of. Although there was orginally resistence, through patient and open communication, the Board came together and unanmously endorsed it.
Key Influence: Allan Leibel
Key lessons: I learned that an accepted approach is not always an acceptable approach and to be wary of ‘conventional wisdom’.
My children
We raise them and then they raise us.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: We need to find a way to keep families in urban areas. Schools, parks, religious buidlngs, grocery stores and other shops all improve when people are invested in their success and not just passing through.
On Championing Others… I always, always praise good work; I praise it to the person who did it and praise it to others who need good work done.
Secret Talent: I can make elaborate hats and wigs out of paper. It doesn’t have much application.
One word that captures you: Undaunted.
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Magic Moment: Career milestones for me are mostly embedded in moments of my personal growth. Choosing to always guide my career from a place of purpose first. Other moments include constantly challenging my colleagues to think broader and look for opportunities outside of the typical path as well as to facilitate growth opportunities for young women growing in our organization.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: I believe the next big challenge will be transitioning our industry to “do no harm” to people and the planet. This will require a broad industry and market shift but we can get there.
On Championing Others… I facilitate growth opportunities for young women in the industry.
One word that captures you: Inventive – because I look outside the typical.
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