Magic Moment: Agency
I learned the power of agency early understanding that progress begins when you define yourself rather than accept assumptions. That realization shaped my career in construction, where women, especially women of colour, remain underrepresented. Agency became the choice to lead with intent, to claim space, and to move forward without waiting for permission.
Key Influences
My leadership has been shaped by mentors, sponsors, and colleagues who challenged my thinking and expanded my field of vision. From family to industry leaders to the next generation of women entering the profession, each reinforced the importance of perspective, allyship, and sponsorship in building durable careers and stronger communities.
Key Lessons
Three principles guide how I lead and advocate:
The Next Big Challenge: Championing Others
The industry does not lack talent; it lacks sustained advocacy. While more women are entering the workforce, representation in senior leadership and on construction sites remains limited. The next phase of progress requires intentional sponsorship, inclusive leadership models, and leaders willing to use their influence to create access and opportunity. Championing others is how lasting change happens
erin January 14th, 2026
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Milestones in a career and life are a wonderful way of inspiring our emerging young leaders. Please share a proud or “magic moment” that shaped your journey?
I experienced a ‘magic moment’ when I recognized that career progression is neither linear nor singular. People have the ability to move up, move laterally, take a step back, and even leap frog. Early in my career, witnessing the career growth of my fellow classmates made me reflect on my career slower progression and made me feel bad about not being able to keep up. It was further stunted by two separate maternity leaves. Through hard work, determination, and making good career decisions, I was able to leap frog twice, and ultimately passed my classmates. This has made me recognize that career journeys are our own, and there is no ‘standard’ path to get there.
Who were your major influencers/mentors (up to 2) and what were the key lessons you gained from them?
What do you think are the next big challenges we need to tackle as an industry and as a successful city-region? Are there specific things you think we should be doing to meet the challenges?
In my opinion, sharing stories (successes, but mostly failures) is so powerful when engaging with each other and the next generation. I think having the WLI Champions share their stories (through mentorships, fire side chats, or group discussions), helps to dispel assumptions, identifies common circumstances, and helps to see how people rise after a failure.
Tell us how you champion others in the industry.
I am a member of the board (Director, Mentorships and Jobs Day) at Toronto CREW. I am a mentor for the ULI Mentorships program 2025. I am the Chair of an internal community group called INSPIRE (Inclusive Network Supporting People in Real Estate) where I initiate and champion policies and events within Northwest Healthcare to elevate women and people of colour. I have informally mentored 5 people in the last couple of years – women and people of colour – who I had worked alongside in previous companies. Generally I am a vocal critic of injustices in the workplace and industry, and will usually call it out in the moment.
What is your secret talent no one knows you have?
I am a former football player of 16 years, playing on both the Offensive and Defensive lines.
What is the best word to describe you? And Why?
Honest. You will always know where you stand with me. The truth matters more than the outcome.
erin July 2nd, 2025
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Milestones in a career and life are a wonderful way of inspiring our emerging young leaders. Please share a proud or “magic moment” that shaped your journey?
I’m very fortunate to have been involved with The Bentway from the start and to have played a role in its foundation and success. Recognizing that there is still enormous opportunity to grow the Bentway model and make improvements along the larger extent of the Gardiner we approached the City of Toronto about building a shared vision for the corridor, including safer intersection crossings; a continuous mixed-use trail; regenerative landscape strategies; consistent wayfinding and identity features; new public space and programming opportunities. This resulted in the development of the Under Gardiner Public Realm Plan – a 7km effort uniting public and private stakeholders and shaping the expressway’s next chapter. After 3 years of collaborative planning and engagement work the plan was endorsed by Council in 2024 – a significant milestone that illustrates the power of design to unite interests, solve complex problems, and inspire communities.
Who were your major influencers/mentors (up to 2) and what were the key lessons you gained from them?
What do you think are the next big challenges we need to tackle as an industry and as a successful city-region? Are there specific things you think we should be doing to meet the challenges?
Toronto is experiencing a housing crises and we need to dedicate resources and energy to addressing the urgent shortfall. However, in order to create thriving and truly affordable communities we can’t lose site of the public spaces, services and amenities that allow communities to thrive. We need to ensure that Toronto’s rapid densification is supported by an expansion and enhancement of our public realm. To be successful in this pursuit, all levels of government must identify ongoing capital and operational funding for these multi-solving assets, and ensure new and existing public spaces are delivered and sustained with ambition. Additionally, public investment must be used to leverage and incentivize ongoing private funding. Private involvement shouldn’t be feared as a threat to the spaces’ public nature but rather a sign of joint responsibility for our shared resources. Governments and the public alike must continue to champion new governance models that endorse design excellence, support ongoing programming and promote local participation.
Tell us how you champion others in the industry.
I believe that we need to remove barriers for younger professionals and create opportunities to nurture talent at all levels. This belief led to the creation of The Bentway’s Public Space Fellowship, which seeks to address sector-wide gaps and create more opportunity for hands-on learning. The program is a paid professional development opportunity that provides resources, support, and a platform for learning, generative exchange, and capacity-building. Fellows act across disciplines and engage in unique collaborations with urban space practitioners, creatives, and organizational partners to support new initiatives and ongoing research. The Fellowship program has supported invaluable two-way learning. Past participants helped to inform The Bentway’s growth plans, commitments, and actions to deliver on its mission and core values.
What is your secret talent no one knows you have?
Right now I’m busy nurturing the talents of my kids and am an enthusiastic soccer fan, cheering them on from the sidelines!
What is the best word to describe you? And Why?
Tenacious – when I believe in an idea I’m committed to it. I don’t give up easily!
erin July 2nd, 2025
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Milestones in a career and life are a wonderful way of inspiring our emerging young leaders. Please share a proud or “magic moment” that shaped your journey?
The moment I stopped asking for permission and began creating the spaces I once needed — not just for myself, but for others to stand, speak, and belong — was a quiet revolution. It wasn’t about taking power, but about offering presence. I design with clarity, simplicity, and care — not just to build walls and roofs, but to shape places where people feel seen, safe, and connected. In those subtle acts of transformation, I found my purpose: to craft spaces that hold us, heal us, and remind us we all have the right to belong.
Who were your major influencers/mentors (up to 2) and what were the key lessons you gained from them?
What do you think are the next big challenges we need to tackle as an industry and as a successful city-region? Are there specific things you think we should be doing to meet the challenges?
We can’t keep building for efficiency while people are starving for meaning, connection, and dignity. The challenge isn’t just infrastructure — it’s emotional infrastructure. How do we build cities that make people feel alive, included, and empowered? We must stop solving problems in isolation. Housing, transit, public space, and climate resilience aren’t separate issues — they are one interconnected challenge. Meeting it requires rethinking how we collaborate — breaking silos between disciplines, agencies, and communities. We should design cities the way nature designs ecosystems: dynamic, inclusive, and regenerative. The tools already exist. What we need now is the courage to meet urgency with imagination — to create spaces that are not just functional, but transformational. Design is a tool for equity, joy, and collective agency. That’s how we build cities worth living in.
Tell us how you champion others in the industry.
I champion others by showing up with heart, with honesty, and with action. I believe in creating spaces that spark possibility, in people and cities. To support others, I don’t just open doors — I help build entirely new ones, together.
What is your secret talent no one knows you have?
I also hold a Culinary Degree.
What is the best word to describe you? And Why?
Alchemist – I bring depth, clarity, and conviction to everything I do. I turn complexity into possibility. I’m rooted in purpose, adaptability, and a deep belief in the potential for transformation.
erin July 2nd, 2025
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Milestones in a career and life are a wonderful way of inspiring our emerging young leaders. Please share a proud or “magic moment” that shaped your journey?
When I became a partner at Aird & Berlis coming off of my maternity leave.
Who were your major influencers/mentors (up to 2) and what were the key lessons you gained from them?
What do you think are the next big challenges we need to tackle as an industry and as a successful city-region? Are there specific things you think we should be doing to meet the challenges?
As an industry, we need to proactively expand and upgrade our infrastructure in order to help unlock development. There needs to be better collaboration between all stakeholders to address funding issues around infrastructure.
Tell us how you champion others in the industry.
Asides from my role on my firm’s Associates Committee, I make myself available to connect with others (whether in a mentorship capacity or otherwise). Relationships are important in our industry and I’m happy to help others (particularly more junior colleagues) develop their own. Also, I believe that it is important to share with others my personal experiences in navigating my own career so far.
What is your secret talent no one knows you have?
Drawing and painting.
What is the best word to describe you? And Why?
Dependable.
erin July 2nd, 2025
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Milestones in a career and life are a wonderful way of inspiring our emerging young leaders. Please share a proud or “magic moment” that shaped your journey?
A defining moment in my journey came during a public meeting where emotions were running high and perspectives were deeply polarized. By holding space with care and truly listening, we witnessed a shift—from tension to understanding, from frustration to shared purpose. Someone stood up and said, “I came here angry, but I’m leaving hopeful.” That moment crystallized for me the power of engagement to heal, connect, and move people forward together. It reminded me that leadership isn’t always about answers—it’s about creating the conditions for transformation.
Who were your major influencers/mentors (up to 2) and what were the key lessons you gained from them?
Sally Leppard, Founder, LURA Consulting. Sally Leppard is a pioneer in public engagement in Canada and a champion of collaborative, grassroots, relationship-driven planning. She leads with the belief that real change starts with people—and that those closest to the issues must be at the centre of shaping the solutions. From Sally, I learned that listening is an act of leadership, and that trust is built through time, consistency, and care. She showed me how to navigate complexity with clarity, design processes that honour community wisdom, and lead with both humility and conviction.Her influence continues to guide how I approach this work—with care, humility, and a deep respect for community.
What do you think are the next big challenges we need to tackle as an industry and as a successful city-region? Are there specific things you think we should be doing to meet the challenges?
One of the key challenges ahead is evolving public engagement to meet the complexity of today’s city-building. As we navigate issues like housing, climate, and equity, there continues to be an opportunity to design engagement processes that are more inclusive, transparent, and collaborative. When people feel heard and respected, they’re more likely to support and help shape lasting solutions.
Tell us how you champion others in the industry.
I like to create space—for growth, for learning, and for recognition. I believe in mentorship rooted in trust and honest conversation, and I aim to be the kind of leader who listens, encourages, and opens doors. Whether it’s amplifying emerging voices, spotlighting the work of others, or pushing for more inclusive decision-making, I see my role as helping to build pathways for others to thrive. And I’ve learned just as much from those I mentor—mentorship, at its best, always goes both ways.
What is your secret talent no one knows you have?
My secret talent? Striking up deep, meaningful conversations with complete strangers. Whether I’m traveling, at a community event, or just in line for coffee, I somehow end up in real, honest chats. Connecting with people—really hearing their stories—is one of my greatest joys.
What is the best word to describe you? And Why?
Word: Curious Why: Curiosity drives everything I do—how I connect with people, explore cities, and approach complex challenges. I’m always asking questions, looking deeper, and trying to understand different perspectives. It keeps me open, grounded, and always learning—whether I’m facilitating a conversation, wandering through a new neighbourhood, or diving into a great dinner table conversation.
erin July 2nd, 2025
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