Magic Moment: I studied art history before becoming an architect. The inspiration for this change of course was the Tate Modern in London, England. The transformation of a decommissioned power plant into a world class contemporary art gallery was a feat of architectural genius, but even more powerful was Londoner’s joy brought about by the preservation and re-use of the existing structure.
Key Influence: My first boss was Joe Lobko. He taught me to never settle for less than your best, no matter how painful the process. There are no shortcuts, but if you dedicate yourself to meaningful work the payoffs will sustain you.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: Toronto is experiencing urban intensification at an unprecedented rate, and the demands on our infrastructure not only to function, but to enhance the quality of life for all residents, are immense. This pressure for growth and intensification must be balanced with immediate and sustained action on climate change. Prioritizing the health of our planet is imperative in order for any other ambitions to be realized.
Secret Talent: I make excellent pastry.
On Championing Others… Mentoring students through the U of T Alumni Mentorship Program, discussing career options with recent graduates and interns, guest lecturing for universities across Ontario, providing public tours of projects, and volunteering time as a critic in design studios at U of T and Waterloo.
One word that captures you: Industrious
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Magic Moment: The first step towards my career as a professor was to apply for a job for which I was not qualified. The job was a full-time urban and regional planning professor. I had no teaching experience and I didn’t have a PhD! But I wrote a letter explaining why I thought I would be great for the job. I was hired to teach one course, loved it, and the rest is history.
Key Influence: Eha Naylor, Dillon Consulting Ltd. – She told me that you can only do your best and trust that your best is good enough. The key is to consistently bring your best to everything you do!
Ray Simpson, Hemson Consulting Ltd. – Admit it and say “I don’t know” to a client if you don’t know the answer but then say “I will find out.”
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: The next big challenges are:
1. To pay more attention to neighbourhood-scale nature. Consolidating natural features into natural heritage systems is important to retain and restore ecosystems—especially for climate change mitigation and adaptation—but we also need to think about the importance of nearby-nature in communities to support everyday quality of life; and
2. The energy transition to net zero communities is about to change the way energy infrastructure is planned and delivered.
Secret Talent: Movie critic
On Championing Others… My superpower is networking and I connect incoming students, emerging planners, and new professors with others in their field.
One word that captures you: Curious
yulia April 14th, 2017
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Magic Moment: I was seconded to prepare the Downtown Secondary Plan for the City of Hamilton. I worked with an inspiring consulting team from whom I learned a great deal. I learned about city building and built form. I was able to get the plan adopted by Council. It has stood the test of time – that plan is being implemented and is a key part of the Hamilton renaissance.
Key Influence: Bill Janssen- From Bill I learned that people who work very differently can be a great team. We leveraged each other’s strengths.
Betty Matthews-Malone- From Betty I learned how to support and mentor colleagues and staff.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: I think transit is a key issue. Land use density that makes transit successful must be our focus. I am as concerned about underbuilding our city-region as I am about overbuilding our city-region. However, we must build communities that are walkable neighbourhoods with all the amenities that make a place great to be in.
Secret Talent: I love working on communicating planning in exciting new ways.
On Championing Others… I am a big believer in education and continuous learning. I strongly support everyone taking courses and attending conferences. I strongly support taking on new and different roles to learn and grow – through secondments and special projects.
One word that captures you: Tenacious
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Magic Moment: The creation of the Community Bond, our innovation in Social Finance, which enabled us to purchase our first building, CSI Annex. This was an amazing “magic moment” in my journey as CEO of the Centre for Social Innovation and has certainly shaped our ability to grow and become home to even more Social Innovators over the years.
Key Influence: Margie Zeidler (of Urbanspace Property Group) – Margie showed me the potential of Real Estate and how space can be used to foster community in the most beautiful way.
Mary Rowe (VP & Managing Director, Municipal Art Society of NY) – Mary introduced me to Jane Jacobs and taught me the power of old buildings.
Secret Talent: Hula Hooping
One word that captures you: Provocateur
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Magic Moment: Hammerson PLC asked me to become President of Hammerson Canada Inc. in 1996 and then waited for me to adopt my second daughter. I was, of course, proud of this personal achievement and that Hammerson PLC’s Executive and Board had the confidence in me to give me this extra time before I took over as President.
Key Influence: Leslie Boyd – Leslie passed away some years ago. She was my colleague and friend: smart, generous, supportive, thoughtful and gracious. I have tried to emulate her.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: Intensive, high density development in Toronto is exciting but the infrastructure to support the buildings and people who are, or will, live and work in these buildings is not keeping up: improvements to basic utilities; transit quality and capacity; enough public spaces including urban parks and green park areas; sidewalks that are active but large enough to accommodate pedestrians.
Secret Talent: Organizing parties and baking cakes!
On Championing Others… While I hire employees and retain consultants and advisors that I think are the best, I make sure women are given a full and equal opportunity.
One word that captures you: Empathetic
yulia April 14th, 2017
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Magic Moment: Without being aware of it, competition in the locker room prepared me for competition in business. Wanting to win, wanting to improve was internalized through sports. My first magic moment was the recognition of hard work and success being achieved as I became Vice President at the age of 28 and running a significant land development department.
Key Influence: Zita Stocco, my mother – My mother was a determined and compassionate person. I learned my determination, will to succeed and love of volunteerism from her.
Susan Fish Schiller – There were very few female role models in our industry when I was in school and starting out in business. She was as “urbanologist” I admired.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: The status of urban transit in the GTA is shameful. Decisions have taken too long and politicians at all levels continue to second guess themselves and decisions and financial commitments are delayed. We are a world class city with 3rd class transit. I love Toronto, I was born, raised and educated here and would like to see Toronto reach its world class status in all ways including transit.
Secret Talent: I love to arrange my own floral arrangements for all occasions and by all accounts I am very creative.
On Championing Others… I have always looked to hire and promote women in our consulting teams. I have mentored young women when asked. My primary message to other women is not to try to act like a man. Women have different strengths from men and should use those strengths.
One word that captures you: “Last Person Standing”
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Magic Moment: I was very excited and proud to rejoin Dentons in 2016. Leaving the comfort of a group I had been part of for many years to take on something new and challenging, in leading the planning law group, was stressful but you have to step outside of your comfort zone. You have to keep pushing yourself to be great and embrace new challenging opportunities.
Key Influence: Jane Pepino – I heard Jane speak when I first started practicing law and have been inspired since. I admire her passion and wit.
Michael Melling – I had the benefit and privilege of learning from Michael, a former Ontario Municipal Board member, for over 8 years. He is brilliant and strategic.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: As an industry we need to tackle the problems associated with lack of and aging infrastructure. We need to figure out how to manage this issue in the context of the demands on development and growth in the GTA and beyond. This will require private and public interests to work together rather than pushing back and fighting. It will also require consultants and lawyers to take an ingenious approach.
Secret Talent: I can sew and draw. I wanted to get into fashion design and merchandising, in a former life, before law. I love fashion!
On Championing Others… I mentor the great young people in our industry every chance I get, whether it is the students and associates at Dentons or others who seek out a coffee or a chance to chat, I make the time no matter how busy. I also speak at career and life events. I learn so much from these opportunities.
One word that captures you: Perseverance
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Magic Moment: Working on my first affordable housing project at City Home. Helping to move people from homeless shelters to permanent affordable housing, and working on non-profit projects that help people to live affordably has shaped my journey.
Key Influence: Elinor Caplan – Elinor hired me when she was a Councillor as the energy planner for North York. She took on the status quo and wasn’t afraid to change how things were done.
Adam Vaughan – He fought the cause, believed in it, and achieved results.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: As an industry and successful city-region, I think the next big challenges we need to tackle involve working in partnerships. We should be trying to form partnerships and alliances between the non-profit, private and government sectors in order to meet and address these challenges to a greater degree.
Secret Talent: My support and passion for Canadian Artisans Ceramic Craft
On Championing Others… At the Kehilla Residential Programme we host an Urban and Regional Planning student intern from Ryerson University. I have been able to mentor many students over the past 20 years, and many of them have ended up in successful positions within both the public and private sectors.
One word that captures you: Out-of-the-box
yulia April 14th, 2017
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Key Influence: Along with my mother, my mentors are my personal advisory board made up of my wonderful sister and my special friends and chaired by my best friend in the world. We have shared work and personal experiences on an ongoing basis for many years. They are my trusted female and male advisors who provide guidance, fun and support and when needed call me to task. I strongly encourage everyone to develop their own personal advisory boards who are there for them through thick and thin. And to paraphrase the advice of a wise woman, “they don’t just make me feel better, they help me to get better”. My heartfelt thanks to them all.
On Championing Others… I am very proud of the work I have done, along with Leslie Woo, as founding co- chairs of the Women’s Leadership Initiative and being a former member of the Management Committee of the Urban Land Institute (ULI). During our tenure we developed the Women’s Leadership Championship Team to highlight over 100 women who show exceptional leadership and skill in the real estate development and land use disciplines, dedication to, and success at, building thriving communities across the Toronto region and capacity to inspire others in the industry.
I was also the founding co-chair of the Women’s Infrastructure Network in Toronto which is a dynamic forum designed for women in infrastructure. As a co-chair of the steering committee we developed the National Outstanding Leaders and Emerging Leaders awards to celebrate excellence in Canada’s infrastructure sector.
I encourage you to look at the WLI Championship and the WIN Award Winners and be prepared to be inspired.
One word that captures you: Two words (I am a lawyer!), Resilient optimist
yulia April 14th, 2017
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Real estate professional with 17 years of experience in securing approvals for a variety of urban and rural development projects. Her experience includes managing and coordinating the professional and technical teams involved in the land development projects, reporting project progress; coordination, negotiation and communication with municipal/regional departments and representations; organizing public consultation sessions; assisting with development agreements and aligning development objectives with provincial and municipal regulations and guidelines. Currently working for Northcrest Developments, a subsidiary of PSP on the redevelopment of the Downsview airport site. Prior to joining Northcrest, Kristy was Vice-President at Metropia, a master-planned developer specializing in mixed use communities.
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