Magic Moment: Having interned at NBLC conducting market surveys I was introduced to the residential real estate sector, an area I knew nothing about. After this experience I felt that I had found my calling – matching analytical skills and market data with providing clients solutions and seeing the real change to the surrounding landscape.
Key Influence: I have been lucky to have many mentors in my career including Barry Lyon, Mark Conway, and Mimi Ng, but on the personal side, my partner Dan Young has been my biggest cheerleader helping me navigate the easy and hard decisions.
Next Big Challenge as an Industry: Creating true complete communities, including long-term affordability, keeping up with infrastructure needs, and adapting to the ever changing needs of the population.
Secret Talent: Ability to retain random facts and anecdotes and interjecting these factoids to development sites across the country.
On Championing Others: I have long been a champion of the next generation, trying to give opportunities as they arise and let them rise to the occasion.
One word that captures you: Outgoing
erin June 13th, 2019
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Magic Moment: Speaking at the AMCTO Municipal Leaders Forum on the topic of Smart Cities Integration, and advocating the importance for government to have a clear vision, create a climate of collaboration and quick adoption, and leverage on partnerships opportunities with other non-profit, academic and private sectors.
I spoke about data is the new oil and how Quantum Machines Algorithm which processes data at the speed of “square root of n” can potentially help government to structure predictions to optimize resources for the rapid growing population; and to advance fact-based decision making that helps to expedite moving the city forward.
As the head of Urban Design, leading a city of 0.6 million through a paradigm shift to grow beyond a million and be the model of suburban intensification.
Key Influence: Leslie Woo. Strategies of divergent thinking and passion for giving back.
Ken Greenberg. Build champions and invest in consensus through conversations.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: Facilities challenge: municipalities are experiencing extensive delays in human services delivery to meet the anticipated citizen’s needs (i.e. population growth misaligned with service delivery of community facilities).
Destinations challenge: the challenge to implement holistic, comprehensive, integrated city-building visions that leverage on scale, synergies and market opportunities to attract office, hotel and cultural investments. “Piecemeal” approach and interim measures may negatively impact the performance of the ultimate build-out communities.
Funding challenge: the lack of sustainable capital and operational funding to deliver and maintain high-quality public infrastructures. Meeting the demand for substantial capital investments upfront and the costly on-going maintenance at high service-level.
Creating a virtuous cycle to generate sustainable funding: strategic utilization of land and property assets to revenues from smart zoning to finance cross-city transit infrastructure, and to enable the regeneration of core areas and the delivery of complete communities.
Secret Talent: I am nicknamed A.I. by my MBA class for the exceptional ability in connecting the dots, generating systematic predictions at rapid rate, and untiring energy in the pursuit of excellence.
On Championing Others… Serving on ULI Toronto District Council management board, the City of Toronto Public Art Commission Review Panel, OALA Editorial Board, CSA Design Standards Committee, GBCI LEED Exam Review Committee and has been invited as speaker and design critic at the University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, Ryerson University, University of Guelph, University of Oklahoma, and York University. My community-driven urban design process with the St. James Town Community was profiled in the Design Exchange magazine and was awarded honour by the American Society of Landscape Architects.
Travels regularly and has recently been to Oslo, Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo to document the emerging trends and innovation in transit-oriented system, technology, and land development business model.
Establishing city-led By-design Studio to lead the development of tech-friendly governance, processes and integrated design standards and tools.
One word that captures you: Engaging.
erin June 12th, 2019
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Magic Moment: Three major milestone projects that I had the privilege to lead include the new Globe and Mail Centre, Royal Conservatory of Music / Koerner Hall and the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad. These legacy projects share a common theme – creating vibrant and sustainable initiatives that serve a diverse range of civic, cultural and corporate stakeholders.
Key Influence: Judy Elder There have been many generous mentors over the years but Judy Elder, General Manager Microsoft, stands out. Judy was a dynamic visionary and business leader. She urged women to be proud of their ambition, to reject barriers, and to “make stuff happen”. Through her intelligence, tenacity and ambition, Judy reached the top ranks at IBM, Ogilvy One, CMA and Microsoft. Judy died at the age of 47 but her legacy continues through the “The Judy Project” a leading forum at the Rotman School of Management which prepares women for executive leadership roles. This game-changing program had a significant impact on my career, as it encourages women to embrace their ambition and become exceptional leaders. Many thanks to Colleen Moorehead and to the oustanding team at Rotman led by Tiziana Casciaro.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: The major challenges for the GTA include waterfront, housing, environment and transit. Toronto is one of the fastest-growing cities in North America and we need to transition toward a human centric ‘people first’ approach to planning and design. There are some exceptional global precedents for planning communities of the future – let’s learn from them. We can reimagine and revitalize our waterfront, develop environmentally sustainable neighbourhoods, build affordable housing, and make our city safe for pedestrians and cyclists. Our shared goal is to build healthy inclusive communities of the future through vastly improved public spaces, housing and transit.
Secret Talent: Perseverance
On Championing Others…I champion individuals in our industry through my commitment and passion for building smart, connected and inclusive communities. The culture of collaboration is foundational to all of my work. Mentoring, coaching, sharing and learning with project teams, clients and communities is a daily activity. It’s important to convey an optimistic vision of the future and clearly demonstrate how we can all make a difference in our work. Why it matters, how to strive for it against all odds, and how rewarding it is to set a high benchmark and deliver great spaces for future generations.
One word that captures you: Futurist
erin June 12th, 2019
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Magic Moment: Being featured in the Toronto Star as a female leader in development was pretty great.
Key Influence: David Wex I’ve worked along side David since 2004 and he’s taught me that long term working relationships require mutual trust and a deep respect. If people have respect for you as a leader, they will follow you anywhere (even to a project in Winnipeg in the dead of winter…).
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: I grew up with most of my family living in walkable proximity to each other in the Annex, but with current housing costs that’s no longer a possibility. A modern version of communal living really interests me and it’s getting harder to find in the downtown core. Developing spaces that truly appeal to all life stages and feature more shared spaces, convertible design, and affordability is a real challenge to overcome.
Secret Talent: Escaping. I’m half way to my goal of visiting 100 countries and no matter how hectic life gets, I always prioritize getting away
On Championing Others…Having more women sitting in our boardrooms is a priority for me. I actively reach out to female consultants and ask male leads to bring more women to the table. Real Estate Development is one of the last hold outs of the heavily male dominated industries and I am actively seeking to shift that.
One word that captures you: Open minded (and generally awesome).
erin June 12th, 2019
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Magic Moment: Since the late 1980’s, I dreamed of helping communities become more bicycle and pedestrian friendly through my work in transportation planning and design. More than two decades later, two cycle track projects opened: one in Hamilton (Cannon Street) and one in Toronto (Richmond and Adelaide Streets). They represented not only years of learning and working at bikeway planning and design, but also an evolution of philosophy about cycling facilities. Early in my career, we tried to “accommodate” cyclists already comfortable cycling in traffic. This approach has evolved to designing cycling facilities for people of “all ages and abilities”. This was a proud and reflective moment for me. Have career dreams but know that they take time to nurture and grow.
Key Influence: Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals
(APBP) I attribute my professional growth to Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals, which formed in 1994 as a community of practitioners working to create more walkable, bikeable places. I joined in 1996. I soon developed personal connections with professionals working on similar goals across Canada and the US. It was like I found my professional “home”.
Brian Hollingworth My transition from working on cycling and walking projects as just part of my overall transportation projects portfolio transitioned to full-time dedication to active transportation through the leadership and vision of Brian Hollingworth, Director, IBI Group (now Director, Transportation Planning and Parking, City of Hamilton). I knew when we met that we shared the same perspective on the importance of walking and cycling in making communities more livable. He walked the talk, recognized my dedication to the profession, and asked me to join IBI Group. He continues to be a leader, mentor, collaborator and friend.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: In my professional area of expertise, it will be important for us to understand transportation equity in evaluating project impacts and trade-offs. Accessible, affordable transportation is critical to urban and rural communities for travel to obtain better jobs, secure educational opportunities and access quality health care. We bring our own unconscious bias to specific projects. We need to pursue a better understanding of transportation equity and recognize its importance.
Secret Talent: I could roll a kayak in whitewater! It took me 8 years to learn how to do it. This came in handy when I accidentally flipped my kayak upside-down in the Rouge River just meters above a waterfall. Knowing which side is up, and how to get there, is important!
On Championing Others…As a former Director of the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP), we set up a mentorship program pairing
“elders” with young professionals. I also work within our Active Transportation Team at IBI Group to support a collaborative approach to project solutions. I encourage my team to find a balanced approach to work and life experiences, achieving happiness in everyday life
One word that captures you: Dedicated
erin June 12th, 2019
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Magic Moment: Abroad, a very proud moment would be my involvement in the UNESCO World Heritage Designation for the Town of St. George in Bermuda. Here in Ontario, leading the early works team in preparation for the Pan Am Athlete’s Village, and our most recent Transit Oriented Development successes here at Metrolinx are stand outs for me.
Key Influence: Stephen Diamond. Stephen and his team taught me that you must always be prepared, that hard work will pay off, and never proceed without a strategy. Those are life lessons.
Meg Davis. Meg trusted me, knew when to step in, and when to let me discover the answers on my own. This was very empowering and drew the best out of me.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: We must all continue to remind ourselves that we all need each other to succeed; to stay focused on respect and collaboration.
Secret Talent: I can be on any kind of watercraft, in any kind of weather or sea conditions, and not spill my drink
On Championing Others…I hope by teaching the same lessons that I learned from my influencers, and by structuring my decision making so that I avoid unconscious biases.
One word that captures you: Honest
erin June 12th, 2019
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Magic Moment: In 2004, after a midcareer shift that led me to do an urban planning Masters, I took a risk to apply for a national urban development fellowship in the US -I was selected as one of 8 Center for Urban Redevelopent Excellence Fellows – it blended mentorship, training, visits and a full-time, not super well paid, in the trenches job developing mixed income supportive housing in NYC for Breaking Ground. I was able to create a strategy to go national that was the foundation of a new organization, Community Solutions.
Key Influence: Rosanne Haggerty Her can-do passion for ending homelessness – deploy all of the problem-solving tools at your disposal
Margie Zeidler 401 Richmond is magical and infused with good design -new ideas need old building but also bold generosity!
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: We need to up our game on integrating housing choices into development at all scales. We need to create models that build equity and assets for communities and the nonprofits that serve them. We really need to address preservation of rental housing that is affordable and is being purchased to convert to market. An acquisition fund for land and building purchase could help address all 3 of the above.
Secret Talent: Well, I spring my secret talent out for dares and parties so keeping it secret. But my French is pretty darn good and I sing an annual ditty with my partner for a holiday video for friends and family. Not yet viral, though.
On Championing Others…I am always eager to learn and share what I have learned – whether through speaking at formal events, through mentorship of interns and student groups, or the coffees and conversations with people dipping their toes into real estate for the first time. I am also a champion that nonprofits are entrepreneurial, knowledgeable and sophisticated real estate practitioners who can work at scale!
One word that captures you: Goofy
erin June 12th, 2019
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