Key Personnel Changes in the Canadian Real Estate and Development Sector - July 2026

📅 6 days ago

A roundup of notable hires, promotions, and appointments within the Canadian real estate and development sector for July 2026.

In July 2026, the Canadian real estate and development sector experienced significant changes in leadership and personnel, with numerous appointments, promotions, and new hires across various companies. This month saw Brad Cutsey take the helm at CAPREIT as the new President and CEO, succeeding Mark Kenney, who is retiring after an impressive 29-year tenure. This transition marks a notable shift in leadership for the company, signaling potential changes in strategy and direction.
At RioCan, Matthew Vihant has ascended to the role of Project Manager of Commercial Construction, reflecting the company’s commitment to developing its project management capabilities. Additionally, Susan McArthur has been appointed to the Board of Trustees, a move that could enhance governance and strategic oversight at the firm.
Jona Capital welcomed Christie Love Thomas as its new President, while Ryan French has been elevated to the role of Chief Financial Officer. These promotions indicate a strengthening of leadership at Jona Capital, positioning the company for future growth and development.
In the operations sector, Lucy Gouveia has joined Signet Group as Vice President of Operations, bringing valuable experience to the team. Meanwhile, Daniel Leung has been appointed as Analyst of Credit Investments at Peakhill Capital, contributing to the firm’s investment strategy.
First National also saw a shift in its ranks, with Nicolas Colizza promoted to Commercial Real Estate Analyst - Level II, which may enhance the company’s analytical capabilities in the commercial real estate market. Additionally, Bram Bulger’s promotion to Senior Planner in the Zoning Section at the City of Toronto suggests a focus on urban planning and development within the city.
Toronto CREW has announced its new and returning Board of Directors for the 2026-2027 term, reflecting ongoing leadership continuity within this influential organization. Northcrest’s Vice President of Development, Kristy Shortall, has assumed the role of Chair of the ULI Toronto Management Committee, indicating her increasing influence in the urban land development sector.
The hiring spree continued with Bianca Gornik joining Hullmark as Associate on the Investments and Asset Management team, and David Yeo becoming Associate of Origination at Cameron Stephens. Furthermore, Dan Dissanayake has taken on the role of Development Manager of High Rise at Primont, emphasizing the ongoing demand for high-rise developments in urban areas.
Colliers International has seen Chris Wigle step into the role of Vice President of Broker, while Noel Cardy has been promoted to Senior Sales Representative, showcasing the firm’s growth in brokerage services. Meanwhile, Melissa Eller’s promotion to Senior Marketing Manager of Capital Markets at Cushman & Wakefield highlights the importance of marketing in driving capital market activities.
At Oxford Properties Group, Tyler MacDonald has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Strategy & Operations, indicating a focus on strategic growth and operational efficiency. Colin R. Brenneis has joined MCAP’s Development Finance Group as Senior Director of Investment Management, potentially enhancing the firm’s investment management capabilities.
Emmy Kelly has been appointed as Executive Vice President of Enterprise Growth and Social Ventures at Habitat for Humanity GTA, reflecting the organization’s commitment to social impact and community development. In architectural services, Tushar Negi has joined Naylor Architect Inc. as Principal Architect.
Other notable hires include Bhavika Sood as Senior Analyst of Asset Management at Starlight Investments, Andy Lee as Vice President of Sales and Marketing (Digital) Technology at Mattamy Asset Management, and Tim Clark as Director of Business Development at Colliers. The sector also welcomed new talent with Vishal Sawlani promoted to Vice President of Client Solutions on CBRE’s Property Management team, and Mackenzie Walsh joining Pure Industrial as Asset Manager.
Pavel Philippov has taken on the role of Senior Director of Commercial Mortgage Origination at Cameron Stephens, while Natalie Weed has joined Royal LePage Real Estate Services as Vice President of Brokerage Operations for Ontario. Jean Luc Cinq-Mars has also joined RBC as Associate Director on the Real Estate Markets team.
Valesa Faria from Build Canada Homes has been recognized as the 2026 Women’s Leadership Initiative Champion and Co-Chair of the Urban Land Institute Technical Advisory Panel, highlighting the importance of female leadership in the industry. Rachele Renzi has started a new position as Marketing Manager at Adera Development Corporation, while Jeremy Cheung has joined Cadillac Fairview as Investments Analyst.
The month of July concluded with Jeffrey Ribeiro being appointed as Director of Technical Services at Drake Property Management and Houssam Noureddine joining Bird Construction as Project Coordinator. Nancy Cha has also advanced to Marketing Manager at CBRE Canada, while Remo Agostino has joined the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity GTA. Cole Taylor has been promoted to Junior Planner at [siv-ik] planning & design inc., and Gordana Vuksic has taken up the position of Manager of Commercial Real Estate and Leasing at the Greater Toronto Airports Authority.

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