Magic Moment: In July, 2010, the Executive Committee of the City of Toronto and the entire public gallery gave me and my staff a standing ovation for our accomplishments on the St. Lawrence Market North Development. I was told that Exec had never bestowed such an honour on its staff before. It was a very big deal and a deep honour for me personally.
Key Influence: My dad, may he rest in peace, was an incredibly creative and industrious man who helped shape my love for architecture, planning and development. The best advice he ever gave me was to stay clear of mediocrity – if I was going to do something, I needed to do it well, full stop.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: We’re on the cusp of a massive demographic shift, a ‘grey’ shift, which we haven’t planned for. What will we be doing to meet the housing needs of an aging population? What will become of the housing that we are compelled to move out of? What impact will the retired and aging population have on the real estate market in the GTA, and on the economy generally?
Secret Talent: I have the ability to pull off elaborate, memorable practical jokes without ever being found out.
On Championing Others… I champion others in the industry through kindness, interest, appreciation and respect, and by directly mentoring young planners and newcomers to Canada. Since 2003, I’ve mentored around 40 planning interns.
One word that captures you: Tenacious
yulia April 14th, 2017
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Magic Moment: One of the “magic moments” in my career occurred when I became a Director at the City of Etobicoke at the age of 30.
Key Influence: My Father – He strongly encouraged his daughters to take a professional degree at University and also taught us that it is in difficult times when leaders emerge.
Susan Keir – She was the first professional woman I worked for who had children and managed to do it all. She encouraged me to put realistic expectations on myself.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: The challenge will be to finance the transit requirements of the city/region and to ensure that parks and other services can keep up with development in the downtown. As an industry, it would helpful to establish a positive relationship with municipal staff as it seems to be more adversarial.
Secret Talent: It is so secret that even I haven’t discovered it….
On Championing Others… By mentoring and including people in training, projects and activities that they would find interesting and challenging, as well as helping people make connections.
One word that captures you: A connector of people
yulia April 14th, 2017
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Magic Moment: My eldest brother in his third year of architecture at U of T, advised me to study architecture as I approached the end of a degree in Fine Art. He said that if I was anything like our mother, I would not support myself comfortably as an artist. I applied, and my friend Atom Egoyan photographed my portfolio of art work. He made the work look far more beautiful than it was.
Key Influence: My Parents – My mother was strong and complex. My father was even, determined and very kind. My brilliant partners – My husband Bob Davies encourages me to strive and be myself. Cal Brook’s creative intelligence is the bedrock of our business partnership.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: Architectural excellence that gives power to public space is a big challenge. Toronto must continue to promote midrise buildings on its Avenues. This building form achieves what tall buildings often don’t – human scale and density that promotes transit, cycling and wide tree-lined boulevards. Midrise buildings are the fabric of the some of the most successful cities worldwide
Secret Talent: Drawing with my best friend Sandy every Thursday night.
On Championing Others… Over nearly twenty years, our practice has become a wonderful place to engage with and encourage young professionals. They are smart, energetic and dedicated, and like working together. I love working with students and am constantly reminded that there’s no finish line for learning
One word that captures you: Thoughtful
yulia April 14th, 2017
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Magic Moment: I have been at the YWCA for 20 years and during that time we have been changed from a small organization struggling financially into a well-known and thriving force for the most disadvantaged women and girls in the community. I convinced my Board of Directors to invest in the building of admin infrastructure from a small reserve in order to expand creative coming programming.
Key Influence: Coming from a relatively privileged background I was greatly influenced by the Faulkner novel The Grapes of Wrath and the plight of those characters. I take very seriously the command “to love one another”. I try to treat all as individuals deserving of respect and dignity.
Secret Talent: I gobble down mystery novels as a very successful method of relaxing.
On Championing Others… As I work for the YWCA, my main mission is to help transform the lives of disadvantaged women and girls in our community. My organization has a range of direct service programs – housing, shelters, employment and training, and leadership programs for girls. We also advocate for women and girls.
One word that captures you: Entrepreneurial
yulia April 14th, 2017
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Magic Moment: After many years working with the South African anti-apartheid leadership through very difficult times, and mostly from outside the country from Zimbabwe, it was an incredible moment to be invited to Pretoria to work for the new Government in the Office of President Nelson Mandela to draft their new National Urban Strategy.
Key Influence: My Mother – She somehow (very subtlety!) taught me confidence and equality as a woman without ever discussing gender equality-words not in her vocabulary back then.
Prof Mario Carvalho- My Planning Prof.- Taught me to think globally about cities and nurtured a keen sensitivity to poverty and justice that remains at the core of my work on cities globally.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: Two key challenges in the Toronto Urban Region (TUR). First, “Governing the TUR” – to re-think the governance framework to allow us to think and act like a city region on the global stage. Second, establish an inclusive governance framework for the TUR, ensuring we leave no community or citizens behind. We can learn from other cities globally across Europe and the US who are failing to ensure inclusive cities.
On Championing Others… I bring student interns and men and women in their early careers to the Global Cities Institute, University of Toronto, and the World Council on City Data to help build these two entities. The success/traction on the global stage of both entities is in very large part due to these young talents.
One word that captures you: Canadian
yulia April 14th, 2017
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Magic Moment: My magic moment was more of an “Ah ha” moment, when I was made a Principal at Quadrangle. It came with the realization that everything I had learned—about Toronto, projects, leadership skills—and accomplished was due in large part to the connections I’d made with people. It underscored the value that came from partnerships with my peers in the industry and what that brought to my career.
Key Influence: I have received a tremendous amount of support from others in the industry who have shared their experience, wisdom and time with me, enabling me to get where I am today.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: Intensification is going to be a big part of our city going into the next few years. We need to consider how to intelligently approach adding density while maintaining the feel of neighbourhoods and creating spaces that people want to be in.
On Championing Others… Part of my role at Quadrangle is to ensure our approach to people’s development is thorough and involved, that we are supporting people with what they need to succeed in their careers.
One word that captures you: Connection.
yulia April 14th, 2017
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Magic Moment: “Intrawest” – it’s hard to put your finger on one exact moment, there truly were so many from the over-the-top launches, launch parties, marketing campaigns, sales schools and a trademarked “branded way of selling”. Intrawest hired the right people, invested in the right tools and valued the best practices, fostering a powerful culture of loyalty. This passion was evident in the success of the company who owned and operated resorts around the globe and truly wrote the script for building the “Ultimate Places for People to Play”.
Key Influence: Back in the early 2000’s, Steve and Debbie Lafave (siblings) lived almost parallel lives in real estate for the same company but in different locations. At Intrawest, I had the fortunate opportunity to work directly under both of their leadership at various stages of my career. Both are passionate, magnetic and above all fantastic leaders. Neither got bogged down by the details, both cared deeply about relationships and valued a solid team who not only worked hard but played hard too.
Secret Talent: Sanity Saver – I have two crazy kids, a dog and a busy household so my saver is 5am workouts with a bunch of great girlfriends. This is my time and my sanity and it never fails to start my day out right.
On Championing Others… A couple lessons that I’ve learned over the years that I try to always embrace:
One word that captures you: Passionate/Authentic
yulia April 14th, 2017
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Magic Moment: There isn’t one moment. Where a project is successful it is a result of a team effort. My work with Bridgepoint Health is a highlight because the facility provides wonderful space for vulnerable people in our community.
Key Influence: My father was my major mentor who continually made me do things that scared the heck out of me. Driving a big motor boat at age 9 was a life changer. Changing my own spark plug on a motor bike I rode was also empowering.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: Approval bodies need to create approval teams, not silos with inter-departmental jurisdictional issues.
Secret Talent: Baking sour cherry pies with a lattice top.
On Championing Others… I respect ideas not status.
One word that captures you: Determined and lazy! Two words though!
yulia April 14th, 2017
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Magic Moment: A fallout with my private sector consulting firm partners led me to apply to the City of Toronto for a job while I decided what to do next. Twenty-five years later, still at the City, this led me to a career in the public sector that has been endlessly rewarding.
Key Influence: Jack Milliken, University Professor – Jack taught me to stand back to see the big picture before getting to the details.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: Climate change and environmental awareness. This needs be front of mind in everything we do, every day. The private and public sector working together, shoulder to shoulder, is critical. We all need to protect/create more green space, not treat nature as being disposable and champion environmental best practices.
Secret Talent: Mentoring and coaching those I work with.
On Championing Others… Championing is not just showcasing excellence but supporting the growth and space for future leaders. I do that by identifying opportunities and challenges for people to learn, passing on knowledge, standing beside my team and knowing when to stand aside.
One word that captures you: Advocate
yulia April 14th, 2017
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Magic Moment: I worked at the City of Mississauga in 11 different positions. Towards the end, I was working on creating an affordable housing strategy and the cards were stacked against me. I was able to overcome the naysayers and understand that what I wanted vs what was possible, at that time. I felt I really made a difference.
Key Influence: City Manager, Mississauga, Doug Lychak – He was a true visionary. He taught me to think big and be creative and innovative, and to challenge people to reach.
Ed Sajecki – He taught me the importance of relationship building and having good working relationships.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: The biggest challenge is to implement what we have committed to within the Growth Plan: Making walkable and transit oriented communities. In Brampton, we are in a great position. We are protecting the Greenfields and engaged in densification and growth. We work with developers to ensure this balance is continued. I find this to be very critical to good design.
Secret Talent: The game of golf, the less I practice the better I am.
On Championing Others… I am a mentor. I challenge my own staff to reach their full potential, and I am there to support them. I think it is about coaching and mentoring. Succession planning is key for me.
One word that captures you: Integrity
yulia April 14th, 2017
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