Magic Moment: As a newly minted physician, I was posted at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. I met two brilliant women – fellow residents – who became lifelong friends (Dr. Kathy Siminovitch and Dr. Carol Sawka). It was a thrill to meet not one, but two women who contributed enormously to my learning and personal growth. We have become mutual mentors/mentees to each other. I think of them whenever I hear The Lovin’ Spoonful tune: “Do You Believe in Magic”.
Key Influence: My Physician-in-Chief at UHN, Dr. Michael Baker has been a stalwart mentor for many years. He taught me my major leadership lessons: a) statemanship, b) generosity, c) bias to action, and d) how to be a mentor myself! He regularly chastised me for “not being presidential” and he was a true “sponsor” for my career – opening doors for me and championing me as a leader.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: Research and innovation are not luxuries; they are critical investments in our people and our economy. Ontario research hospitals provide a 3:1 return on investment made in them. Right here in Ontario we have the third largest biomedical research cluster, bringing high quality jobs to our cities, attracting highly skilled talent and improving care. Governments at all levels must support these important health and economic drivers.
Secret Talent: No secrets – what you see is what you get!
On Championing Others… Always make time to role model for women as potential leaders, mentor and coach them. Consciously watch for my own biases and commit to gender equity on my teams. Try to be true to my own core value of generosity and provide opportunities for others
One word that captures you: Sturdy
yulia April 14th, 2017
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Magic Moment: Being named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women, and sharing the stage with those other amazing 99 women. It gave me the confidence to know that I had an important role to play as a coach, mentor and champion for other women.
Key Influence: David Crombie, former City Mayor – The importance of celebrating small successes and always looking for the positive opportunity adversity can create.
My Grandmother who lived to 94 – The importance of education and continuous learning, good manners, hospitality and a good meal can take you a long way.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: Building cities that enable collective action around shared interests, purposes and values, for government, commercial for-profit actors and civil society. Enhancing the participation of communities in the provision of services and in policy decision-making to allow all communities access to economic prosperity, higher quality of life and healthy living.
Secret Talent: Hobby home renovating and interior design (it’s my architectural training).
On Championing Others…
One word that captures you: Fearless
yulia April 14th, 2017
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Magic Moment: As a young architect, I was assigned to refresh a dialysis unit that patients and staff found depressing. My budget allowed for paint only as a method of improvement. Using bright colours that reflected healthy hues on patient’s faces, I transformed the space. The patients loved how much better they felt and I recognized the impact that design has on people’s daily lives.
Key Influence: George Christoff – The first architect that I worked for who taught me to ‘dot the ‘i’s and cross the t’s’ and never make assumptions about what the client wants.
Professor Ozdemir Erginsav – One of my profs at school, Ozzie taught me to never be so in love with a design solution that I couldn’t discard it and create a better design.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: We need to solve the issues of people movement by working together in a cooperative manner, not the automobile vs. the bikes. And architects need to be as much a part of the solution as planners. We need to create better destinations that incorporate transit, pedestrians, cars and bikes and become places that people want to spend time at rather than just a way to get from one place to another.
Secret Talent: I started making beaded jewelry a couple of years ago and enjoy taking courses to learn more about it.
On Championing Others… I have been a mentor for many architecture and interior design students through the OAA, Humber College, Ryerson and ARIDO and I make a specific effort to work with the younger architects and designers in the office to encourage them to invest in themselves both personally and professionally.
One word that captures you: Effervescent
yulia April 14th, 2017
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Key Influences: I’ve learned so much from my Colliers colleagues about best practices and the office market, especially since I moved to our downtown office about 10 years ago. Also, I’ve hired several coaches over the years that continue as invaluable ‘thinking partners’ for growing my business.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: As an industry, especially in brokerage, we need to be more consultative rather than just transaction-based. As a city, we need to focus more on developing beautiful public spaces and parkland, support bicycle routes, public transit and the arts. Quality of life is the way the most successful cities in the world attract the best and brightest employees and the businesses that hire them.
Secret Talent: I take piano and ballet lessons but they have nothing to do with talent. Does canoeing and hiking require talent? … because I do those things well.
On Championing Others… I’ve mentored other women in the industry through Toronto CREW, and both men and women informally within my own company. Along with a colleague, we’ve developed a first ‘Women in Brokerage’ event to recognize and foster relationships among our women brokers.
One word that captures you: Driven
yulia April 14th, 2017
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Magic Moment: Many of the best moments in my journey have come through collaborations and connections, whether it was working on an important project together, shaping the growth of a company, mentoring younger staff, etc.
Key Influence: My parents – Growing up, work was often discussed at home. From an early age it taught me there was more to work than the work itself. It is about the people.
So many other wonderful colleagues – My mentors have taught me about fairness, respect, inclusivity and patience but also that you just need to step up, get in there and go for it!
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: Diversity is one of the greatest strengths of our region but we need to do better in terms of reflecting that diversity in the leadership within the community, and within our industry. Decisions about how our region will grow will require strong leaders and it will be important for these people to reflect the diversity of the community.
On Championing Others… I make myself available to formally (through ULI and OPPI) and informally mentor our young leaders. I also enjoy helping to make introductions and connections that contribute to the success of those people being connected. Being a part of the WLI Committee has provided a forum to be a champion.
One word that captures you: Dedicated
yulia April 14th, 2017
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Magic Moment: In October of 1994, after 10 years of practicing law, I had become a partner at a large law firm and had two children under the age of 3. My husband encouraged me to strike out on my own. He persuaded me to believe in my ability to attract clients and do good work, and that in the long run, I would not regret having chosen some autonomy for myself. In December, I decided and announced that I was leaving to start my own law firm with Dennis Daoust, as of January 1, 1995. My husband was right. The timing was perfect and the path has been “onward and upward” since the beginning.
Key Influence: My parents were my major influencers. They immigrated to Northern Ontario in the mid 1950s and while my father took jobs initially in the mines and later at a steel plant, my mother and father together owned and operated a Sault Ste. Marie motel while raising their family of three daughters in the 60s and 70s. They worked very hard and they were entrepreneurial. Problem solving, risk taking and planning for the future were their daily preoccupations. They imparted those skills and tendencies to me, and they impressed upon me not only the value of hard work but the importance of relying on and believing in yourself.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: Is to transfer skills and knowledge from the baby boomers to the millennials. We have to hire the millennials and invest time in them. We have to allow them to make their own mistakes and to learn from them. We cannot begrudge them their youth. As a successful city-region, our next big challenge is to provide better infrastructure for public transit and health care.
Secret Talent: I like to bake. I especially like carrying on baking traditions that my mother taught me from ‘the old country’.
On Championing Others… Our firm has already begun succession planning. The next generation of leaders has been hired and trained. We have introduced them to clients and groomed them for partnership/ownership. They are included in all key decision-making and their perspectives are valued and respected.
One word that captures you: Realist
yulia April 14th, 2017
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Magic Moment: No question that a “magic moment” was my 50th birthday when the phone rang and I learned that I had been the successful candidate in the search for my current job at Habitat for Humanity. Not only did it open the door to a great organization with a great mission, but also to the world of real estate development and city building.
Key Influence: Toni Rossi (WLI Champion 2014) – Never be afraid to take a risk and to put yourself out there.
Rick Lint (former partner at McKinsey) – Believe in yourself. Embrace your fear. Breathe. Know that turbulence and hurdles are part of the process and that “this too shall pass”.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: Inclusionary zoning – and more broadly, ensuring a vibrant city with mixed income neighbourhoods – is a key challenge and a complicated one. Thoughtful attention is required to how we will ensure new affordable units – both ownership and rental – remain affordable in the long-run. This takes us into more complex discussions around property taxes, condominium legislation, and other frontiers.
Secret Talent: I drive a manual transmission (something that apparently only 4% of new car buyers now do!)
On Championing Others… I try to focus on two strategies: Providing opportunities for talented and ambitious individuals to test their mettle and shine; and then, finding ways to recognize and celebrate those achievements so that others are similarly energized and inspired.
One word that captures you: Passionate.
yulia April 14th, 2017
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Magic Moment: I had a boss who once said “…no matter what you do in life, make sure you’re invaluable to something. Be the ‘go to,’ person, become the expert and be recognized in something”. No one can predict one’s trajectory, but this advice helped me to be open to opportunities and better understand the core values of my work.
Key Influence: On the business side, I had a boss in the development industry who always gave me unlimited opportunities to take my ideas (as creative and unique as they may have been) and see them through – I never felt held back.
On a personal side, my mother was a huge influence. She raised me with the understanding that there are no restrictions for women in anything in life, and education was strongly encouraged. She taught me a very important principle that is foundational both in my personal and work life, and that is respect. For me, respect is a core value and a principle that I bring to everything I do.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: As new cohorts create demands for new amenities and services, the emerging “sharing economy” is providing new opportunities for innovation. We need to do our best to understand the fundamental shifts happening today. With the rapid pace of technological change and disruption happening with respect to technology-enabled services (autonomous vehicles, ride-sharing apps and more), we need to organize ourselves for success and remain relevant in this conversation.
Secret Talent: I practice the art of qi gong. This ancient art helps you to work with your energy field, stay centred and aware of your environment.
On Championing Others… I think that it is important to provide people with opportunities for successful growth – to engender environments where people feel truly challenged, satisfied and fulfilled with their work.
One word that captures you: passionate. Passion is critical to drive any vision forward.
yulia April 14th, 2017
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Magic Moment: The magic moment that shaped my journey started with a move to Toronto from Montreal to join the newly created CN Real Estate Division of Canadian National Railways. What a great way to become immersed in the real estate industry with a company that had holdings from coast to coast.
Key Influence: Paul Tellier, past CEO of CN Rail – Be brave, take risks – it pays off. I was privileged to work at CN during its successful privatization. He was a tough but great leader and influencer.
David Weinberg, CEO, CIBC Dev. Corp. – David convinced me to leave CN where I was in a senior leadership role. Positive experience and launching pad to other terrific opportunities.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: We need to create the right environment and support network for women to succeed in our industry. Although women are making great strides, the number of women in certain professions and executive positions is still relatively low. Programs geared specifically to attracting women to those professions through associations or corporate programs certainly help
Secret Talent: I make a mean tomato sauce thanks to my mom and dad who taught me to share their love of cooking.
On Championing Others… Throughout my career, I have often acted as a sounding board for many people who I have worked with over the years. I am also actively involved in the Colliers Mentorship Program, Concordia University’s Women in Leadership Initiative and most recently the NAIOP Mentorship Program.
One word that captures you: Passionate
yulia April 14th, 2017
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Magic Moment: I was about to quit law after having tried several different areas of practice and I stumbled into an opportunity to represent a ratepayers group at a very contested OMB hearing. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and could see that I was more suited to the OMB than to court. I could see that municipal law would be a blend of politics, strategy and law and I found my niche.
Key Influence: Alan Cohen – Mentor at Soloway Wright – Worked with and learned many skills under his tutelage. Key lesson was to be strategic and thoughtful before taking action and to be a respectful advocate.
Hy Soloway was also a mentor in teaching me by allowing me to make mistakes.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: Delivery on transportation solutions all of which depend firstly on effective and affordable transit. Coordination is required amongst all authorities as well as those responsible for making land use planning decisions that will enhance the use of transit. Second we need a sustainable solution to infrastructure financing properly balanced amongst stakeholders.
Secret Talent: I am an open book. No secrets.
On Championing Others… I built a law firm exclusively of women. I mentored my staff to become well-rounded lawyers including some support staff who chose to enter the field of law. I also often mentor young men and women coming into the practice.
One word that captures you: Driven
yulia April 14th, 2017
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