Magic Moment: My ‘magic moment’ happened when I participated in an Enbridge’s program called Bridges. It was designed to introduce women into non-traditional roles, and I applied to be a Pipeline Inspector. Over several years I spent most of my time in the field working with Enbridge contractors. My role was to supervise natural gas infrastructure installations, visual inspections and additional verifications required to ensure complete compliance. The program allowed me to gain valuable skills and experience by meeting multiple deadlines and handle multiple tasks within my work environment. I enjoyed working with a team who supported my personal growth and encouraged me while I learnt from them and advanced my technical knowledge. I knew during that experience the I wanted to be involved with the ‘dirt to door’
process by focusing on our Enbridge customers, the builders, and homeowners.
Key Influence:
My Dad: There was never a small problem or important decision I couldn’t reach out to my dad. His encouragement, his belief, and his confidence in me has helped shape who I am today.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: I believe the next challenge we face as an industry is energy transition and how to address the transition’s negative impact. For example, high prices for consumers, the loss of carbon-intensive jobs and the impacts of technology. The city-region needs to foster collaboration and transparency with cross-sector industry leaders and the community to discuss innovation and resiliency to achieve the federal goal of zero carbon.
On Championing Others…: To champion others in the industry, I believe the key is to get involved. Attend professional networking opportunities, participate in educational courses to broaden your understanding and knowledge. I also participated in the Enbridge Mentorship Program which allowed me to facilitate knowledge sharing, bridge competency gaps, and provide other employees a unique and valuable opportunity to learn through relationships.
One word that captures you: The best word to describe me would be dependable. I have been in my current role for 22 years and have built strong lasting relationships with industry partners and co-workers. It takes time to earn trust, but once you prove yourself to be dependable through knowledge, commitment and communication, they will and do re-engage with you.
erin June 20th, 2023
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Carolyn King is the sole proprietor of JDI Business Services which she operates business from home. Her goal is to be a facilitator /resource person for Aboriginal / First Nation people in Canada. She has been engaged by government, colleges/universities, businesses and community organizations to do cross-cultural training sessions / presentations to help people develop a better understanding of Aboriginal – First Nations people in Canada. Over the past 10 yrs, she has delivered her unique, informative, “Indian 101, Who Are the Aboriginal People in Canada Today” across Canada. Carolyn just finished a 4-year contract working for the Mississaugas of Credit First Nation on a mapping project that will assist the First Nation is identifying the significance of current and historic sites within their traditional territorial lands. This project is part of the duty to consult and accommodation office. Previously she was employed for 6-years as the Partnership Development Advisor at Two Rivers Community Development Centre, Ohsweken, where she assisted in helping develop the business environment for the members of the Six Nations of the Grand River and the Mississaugas of Credit First Nation communities and had a key role in the marketing and promotions activities. Carolyn has over 25 years of work experience in the community economic development field. Her experiences include community development, public relations, economic development, planning policies and procedures for the environment. As a First Nation employee for over 14 years (1980 – 95, and now 4 years more (2010-2014) in the Consultation and Outreach office she has ‘hands-on’ experience and an in-depth knowledge of the First Nation communities. Her life and work experience brings a life-long commitment to the development of her First Nation community. She is the former elected Chief of the Mississaugas of Credit First Nation. She completed one two-year term in political office. Carolyn was the first woman ever elected as Chief in her First Nation and served from December 1997 to December 1999.
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Magic Moment: My career shifted in a “magic moment” of realization that occurred while working in community and learning about the lived experiences of the youth and their families. One young adult in particular led me to not just understand, but to feel deeply their frustration, where she said many like her dared not to even dream of a future career, let alone a successful one. Two simple truths emerged from that: 1) dreams are free and 2) while talent is universal, opportunity is not. Since then, starting at the Pape Adolescent Resource Centre with Children’s Aid and then George Brown College, members of my team and I forged a collaborative program to connect youth to careers in construction based on Speak Outs by industry professionals, a Day of Discovery on a construction jobsite and at GBC; leading to training, education, employment and career development. We called the program Building Opportunities for Life Today (BOLT) which ultimately became a charitable foundation that still exists today. I continue work in community and with multiple foundations to attract talent to our industry and bring opportunities to as many as I can.
Key Influence:
Carol Dutcher-Bream: Carol Dutcher-Bream was one of the few female senior executive leaders in the industry when I started within her Collier & Park advertising agency in the mid’80’s. We later worked together at Bramalea leading the Marketing of the low and high-rise residential divisions, where she taught me to always pay it forward and to ensure everyone had not just a seat, but a voice, at the table. Her deep resilience, courage and compassionate intelligence still inspire.
Andrea DelZotto: Andrea DelZotto is her father’s daughter and is to her core, a fearless innovator that is motivated by her integrity of purpose – creating community. We worked together to drive new initiatives like environmental sustainability and create entire departments – CSR, People & Culture. She coined the “Built for Life” tag line that became the hallmark of her family’s company – Tridel – which is also a perfect metaphor for who she is, what she does and what she taught me. Like her father Angelo, she puts the lives of people and community first, always. In her words, “it’s about people, planet and then profit, in that order, if you do that, the rest follows”.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: We need innovations in collaboration to align all the “abilities” – affordability, connectivity, sustainability, accessibility, availability – in a way that transcends the changes in government. We need integrated strategic planning that sets long term investment and policy not just in the industry sense but beyond, in a way that considers what exactly a “city” is in the modern context and how it both needs and serves all of it’s people. A specific path to progress, starts with a vision that persists the political landscape one felt (like in Copenhagen, NYC) by every citizen-steward of our city with imagination, resolve and pride.
On Championing Others… I love our industry and the kind of impact it wields on the individual as well as the collective, and I champion it in the same way. I continue to coach and directly mentor a number of youth one-on-one while also co-chairing the ULI Mentoring Program. I am also working with a range of groups like The Ripple Effect, Honour the Work as well as different developers to attract great talent to the industry from under-resourced communities which also allows us to make a greater social impact beyond the build.
Secret Talent: I am a Las Vegas poker champion and stand-up comedian. Joking. I don’t have secrets, let alone secret talents. I do have a passion for diving, where I just certified as a specialist in Reef Renewal out-planting and husbandry.
One word that captures you: Passionate. I have always been very purpose driven, where I carry a strong and intense enthusiasm or excitement with deep commitment to all my pursuits. It has made me resilient and forever curious about how, what and where I can contribute to my family and community.
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Magic Moment: My proudest achievement is Tour de Sustainability – a self propelled cross Canada bicycle tour that I organized and completed. My friend and I cycled almost 10,000 kilometers sharing sustainability inspiration from across the country.
Key Influence:
My mom: She is a strong, determined and remarkably resilient woman. She has overcome major obstacles in her life and is truly a role model.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: There are many big challenges in the industry right now including climate change, affordability and labour shortages to name a few. It is imperative that we work together to tackle those issues in a transparent and collaborative action.
On Championing Others…: I am currently part of a mentorship program as well as I lead the Women’s Network at Multiplex organizing sessions and events to support and empower women in the industry.
Secret Talent: Procrastination
One word that captures you: Balance. I love riding bicycles and I love this quote from Albert Einstein ‘Life Is Like Riding a Bicycle. To Keep Your Balance You Must Keep Moving’.
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Magic Moment: One of the most pivotal moments in my journey took place back in architecture school when I decided to take an urban design course. It was like a lightbulb moment when I realized the incredible potential of working on projects at the urban scale and how it could profoundly impact communities. What truly captivated me was the course’s emphasis on putting people at the heart of design. It sparked a fire within me, pushing me to pursue a master’s degree in urban design. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working on a wide range of projects, all at that urban scale that I fell in love with, continuously inspired by the opportunity to create thriving communities.
Key Influence:
Influencer – David Harvey: Harvey’s ‘right to the city’ concept seeks to promote social justice, spatial equality, and the empowerment of individuals and communities to actively shape the urban environment they inhabit. I fully embrace this idea in my work, making sure that every project I undertake incorporates an inclusive and equitable community engagement process. It’s important to me that the voices and opinions of community members are valued and integrated into my designs at every stage.
Mentor: Antonio Gómez-Palacio: Antonio’s commitment to creating vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive communities is truly inspiring. You can see his unwavering dedication in how he carefully chooses the projects that DIALOG takes on, making sure they truly reflect these core values. But what’s even more amazing is that I learn so much from Antonio beyond our regular 1:1 sessions. Just by being around him and watching him in action on various projects, I gain a wealth of knowledge and insights that continue to shape my own approach to urban design.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: As we address housing affordability, mobility, and climate change as an industry, let’s remember the significance of the public realm. Investing in public open spaces is vital for fostering community connection and enriching our city-region. By prioritizing the public realm, we cultivate inclusive environments where communities can come together, socialize, and share experiences. These spaces not only nurture a sense of belonging but also contribute to public health, environmental sustainability, and economic vitality. Let’s prioritize the public realm, creating welcoming spaces that people would want to spend just a little bit more time in.
On Championing Others…: I’m dedicated to mentoring and guiding emerging talents, especially BIPOC and immigrant designers and planners, sharing my experience to support their growth and success. I actively engage with peers to exchange ideas and insights
at conferences and symposia. One initiative close to my heart is co-chairing IAP2’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion community of practice, where we work towards creating more inclusive public consultations.
Secret Talent: Mixology! I shake good cocktails.
One word that captures you: Passionate – I deeply love and care about the work I do.
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Magic Moment: The first magic moment was becoming a Licensed Architect and working at a design-forward firm where the possibilities for shaping our cities seemed endless. The second was volunteering for Habitat for Humanity where I met my first mentor that helped start my path in the development industry. This allowed me to have a more direct impact on city building, improving the way we live.
Key Influence:
Martin Davidson, Principal, Diamond and Schmitt Architects: With Martin’s guidance and vision, I was able to work on notable institutional buildings and be part of Canadian history. We helped design and manage The Senate of Canada building where custom fabrication, design and construction came together. Through Martin’s teachings, I learned the importance of forming lasting relationships with teammates and stakeholders. I also discovered how to inspire others through my work ethic and by approaching challenges with a positive attitude.
Agnieszka Wloch, Vice President, Minto Group: Agnieszka was the first to help me navigate the real estate development world. She exposed me to a variety of purpose-built rental and condo complex projects. Agnieszka taught me valuable lessons on leading with empathy and being a fearless leader, which have had a tremendous impact on my personal and professional growth. As a leader in the industry, she has been an advocate for opportunity and advancement of women in this field, and I strive to follow in her footsteps and help pave the way for other women.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: The biggest challenge across the board is sustainability; not just green environmental, but social as well. Through a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) perspective, we will be able to improve the communities we build and how they impact the future of our cities. As city builders, we have a responsibility to evaluate our policies and practices through an equity lens and prioritize diversity in all aspects of our work in order to create more inclusive, vibrant, innovative, socially cohesive and resilient communities. I am proud that I can continue to advocate for DE&I through my work at Fengate Asset Management, a firm that puts diversity and inclusion front and centre.
On Championing Others…: I have benefitted from a series of mentors throughout my career that helped propel me forward. I look to impart the knowledge gained through their guidance, but also my own personal and professional experience. I believe a mentor and mentee have a lot to learn from each other to champion a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and growth. I have come to understand the importance of fostering a supportive environment where individuals can thrive and reach their full potential. I believe that encouraging and supporting others is an essential part of building a strong and successful team, and by working together, we can achieve great things and make meaningful contributions to our cities and communities.
Secret Talent: I love Pilates and practice it regularly.
One word that captures you: Curious. Learning has always been my main goal.
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Magic Moment: One would be when the small non-profit I currently lead exceeded an annual budget of over $6 million from $450,000. The other was the expansion of our housing portfolio from head leases to ownership and thirdly – the redevelopment of a supportive housing project to 35 self contained units of studios and one bedroom for women and gender diverse people and their families who were formally unhoused – in a highly residential neighbourhood (north Cabbagetown) that required extensive community consultation and the acceptance of the community of the housing development in the community – which I label – “reverse gentrification”.
Key Influence:
Eva Smith, who unfortunately is no longer with us – however her name lives on – Eva’s Initiative is named in her honour. When your cause is just – never back down and the values of tenacity, perseverance and building and nurturing strategic partnerships. Those values have served me well to continue to persevere when disappointments were many especially in the development of housing.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: The next and current challenges are; creating more housing and built form housing for unhoused vulnerable women and gender diverse people – especially those are challenged by historical barriers.
On Championing Others… I champion others in the sector by providing opportunities for personal and professional growth – whilst providing safe space for emotional exposure. As well as knowledge sharing.
erin June 20th, 2023
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Magic Moment: A proud and transformative moment in my journey occurred when I had the privilege of meeting a newcomer to Canada who relied on a wheelchair. This individual expressed deep gratitude upon discovering how AccessNow could empower him to navigate his new home and community with newfound independence. This encounter highlighted the profound impact our work can have on improving the lives of others and reinforced my commitment to fostering accessibility and inclusivity.
Key Influence:
My Mom – Orli Ziv: One of my major influencers and mentors is undoubtedly my mother. As an immigrant who faced numerous challenges, including raising a child with a disability without prior knowledge or guidance, she demonstrated incredible resilience and determination. Despite the lack of external support, she managed to instill in me unwavering confidence and the belief that I could achieve anything, even when societal norms didn’t necessarily reinforce those convictions.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: As an industry and successful city-region, one of the next major challenges we must tackle is the need to confront and overcome our unconscious biases regarding the value of disability. It is essential to recognize that accessibility is not just a compliance issue but a transformative design approach that fosters inclusion for individuals of all abilities. To meet this challenge, we should shift our mindset from a focus solely on compliance to embracing possibilities and driving innovation through inclusive design. By actively seeking and incorporating diverse perspectives, leveraging technology, and promoting inclusive practices, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society that values and empowers individuals with disabilities.
On Championing Others…: As a champion in the industry, my primary role is to challenge individuals to adopt a broader perspective on the significance of investing in accessibility and applying a disability lens to all aspects of our work. I advocate for the inclusion of people with disabilities at every decision-making table to ensure our voices are heard and our unique perspectives are considered. By promoting awareness, fostering dialogue, and actively engaging stakeholders, I strive to create a culture where accessibility and inclusivity are valued and prioritized. Through these efforts, I aim to empower and uplift others within the industry, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute their diverse talents and perspectives.
Secret Talent: One skill that often surprises people is my knack for improvisation. Whether it’s in a creative project, a problem-solving scenario, or even during spontaneous conversations, I thrive in adapting on the spot and finding innovative solutions. The ability to think quickly on my feet has served me well and added a sense of adventure to many aspects of my life.
One word that captures you: The best word to describe me is ‘tenacious’ because I am persistent, determined, and unwavering in pursuing my goals. I embody a never-give-up attitude and consistently strive to overcome challenges with resilience and passion in what I believe in.
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Magic Moment: Deciding to put my career of architecture on hold and pursue my Masters in Urban Design at the Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain.
Key Influence:
Nicholas Boyardsky at the AA.: Nicholas taught me on how to approach the site by not only visiting the site but sit there for hours to observe and record what actually occurs on the site prior to designing.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: Affordable housing, infrastructure, mental health.
On Championing Others…: I do not believe in using the word ‘I’. Regardless of position, I truly believe in order to have a successful project, it is a team effort. Through this ideology, I try to encourage others to put their best foot forward.
Secret Talent: Hmm…I played the piano since the age of 4.
One word that captures you: Quiet but thoughtful and confident. I am not an outspoken individual that needs to command the room, but when needed, I will voice my opinion and question others in order to get the best output for the project.
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Magic Moment: The most notable ‘magic moment’ for me was when I found urban planning as a profession in my last year as an undergraduate student. Until that time, I couldn’t see a way to apply my interest in places, politics and people. When I realized there as a career path out there for me, it was transformational.
Key Influence:
Joe Berridge: I had the benefit of working with Joe directly for the first few years of my career. The long car rides to many in-person meetings (imagine!) provided a space for discussion and reflection on many topics and time for personal relationship building that was invaluable. With Joe, I observed the delicate balance of hard and soft skills required to get things done, and the art of clear communication.
Cyndi Rottenberg-Walker: Cyndi’s mentorship has supported me both professionally and personally. From Cyndi I have learned a model of professionalism that is grounded in technical competence as well as strategic and critical thinking. Her support has elevated and inspired my own practice.
Next Big Challenge As An Industry: Understanding the long term impacts that Covid has had on our cities and how that might change our fundamental assumptions about core land use planning and development directions will be something to watch. As an industry we should be wary of only looking to ‘getting back to normal’ — what can we do differently now that we may never have considered before? How can we push ourselves to reflect on the premise, challenge it, and bring new ideas forward?
On Championing Others…: Recognizing the achievements and contributions of others to as large an audience as possible is so important to elevating voices within the industry; making connections between people to enrich their personal networks.
Secret Talent: I have a pretty extensive knowledge of oldies music from the 60’s and 70’s and I’m an excellent addition to a wedding dance floor.
One word that captures you: Curious. I love learning about new things, figuring out systems and processes, and expanding my knowledge, particularly about history and our natural environment.
erin June 20th, 2023
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