Pedro Lopes has assumed the role of CEO of Marlin Spring Developments, the company’s dedicated operating business that focuses on the development and construction of low-, mid- and high-rise communities across the Greater Toronto Area.

For nearly five years, Lopes helped lead the development platform through his involvement in both its strategic and day-to-day operations. Lopes spent the past three years as senior vice-president, development and prior to that was vice-president, land development.

Prior to joining Marlin Spring Developments, Lopes had been with Minto Group for seven years, working as director, development and manager, land development. He also spent almost nine years in the planning department of the City of Toronto.

A Ryerson University grad, he holds a bachelor of urban and regional planning.

In another move, Marlin Spring CEO Benjamin Bakst has become executive chair of the board of Marlin Spring Developments.

Colliers names Faber director, national retail leasing

Ingrid Faber has been named director, national retail leasing in Canada for Colliers.

Faber is a longtime retail leasing executive with experience in urban, mixed-use, necessity and enclosed mall leasing and development across Canada. Her knowledge about the market, including consumer trends, demographics, and the competitive landscape makes her an important addition to Colliers' REMS team.

Faber has worked for Cadillac Fairview, Ivanhoe Cambridge, Oxford, Brookfield Properties, and was most recently with a regional retail developer and operator. 

McKinnon joins IMC as senior managing director

Institutional Mortgage Capital has hired Ken McKinnon as senior managing director and equity partner. Reporting to IMC CEO and managing partner John Ho, McKinnon is the newest member of the senior leadership team

He will manage IMC’s relationships and capital raising activities for its debt and equity businesses, will be a member of IMC's investment committee and will work alongside fellow senior managing directors Darren Schmidt and Bob Fitzpatrick. 

McKinnon joins IMC from TD Bank where he was the head of real estate corporate banking at TD Securities since 2014. He was with TD Bank Group for over 23 years and within the real estate corporate and investment banking team for 18 years. 

McKinnon and his team originated, advised and risk-managed over $100 billion in debt transactions.

Mather steps up to CIO at Western Wealth Capital

Doug Mather has been appointed chief investment officer at Western Wealth Capital (WWC).

In his expanded role, Mather will be responsible for WWC’s investment and financing strategy, the execution of asset management, institutional investment partnerships, risk management, finance and accounting. 

Mather has been promoted from the role of executive vice-president, where, since joining WWC in 2017, he helped shape in the company’s growth – surpassing $6 billion in total transactional value across 170 acquisition and disposition transactions.

With over 20 years in commercial real estate and finance, Mather has extensive investment, asset management and finance expertise. 

In previous roles, he served as both vice-president of finance and capital and investments for Amacon Development Group, and in management roles with Canadian financial institutions. 

Montalbano, Russell join Nicola Wealth board

Nicola Wealth has named John Montalbano and Carrie Russell to its board, joining previously appointed independent directors Tom Shepansky and Anne-Marie Thomas. 

Montalbano is a retired CEO of RBC Global Asset Management and currently serves as a director of CPP Investments, Aritzia Inc., AbCellera Inc., and Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals.

He holds a VFA designation and a bachelor of commerce, with honours, from the University of British Columbia, and an honourary doctorate of letters from Emily Carr University.

Russell is a builder of consumer and B2B businesses in financial services and fintech. She most recently served as CEO and president of one of Canada’s largest RESP companies.

Her executive experience includes leading retail, commercial and wealth management business lines at TD Bank Group, in addition to serving as president of Equifax Canada and CMO of D+H Technologies. She has expertise in customer strategy and product innovation, leveraging her knowledge of fintech partnerships and digital transformation to drive growth.  

Russell has served on several industry committees and boards, currently sitting as an independent director of Coconut Software. 

She is a graduate of McGill University and the Degroote School of Business, Directors College. 

Avison Young hirings, promotions in Quebec, Vancouver

Avison Young has announced additions and changes within its Vancouver and Quebec operations, including the appointment of its first female managing director in Canada.

Jessica Toppazzini takes on the role in AY’s Vancouver office from retiring MD Michael Keenan.

Toppazzini joined Avison Young in January 2022 to build the valuation and advisory team as senior vice-president and practice leader British Columbia. She will focus on business development, prioritizing initiatives that expand the firm’s reach and brand in the marketplace and increase revenue.

Keenan retires from Avison Young after 12 years as principal and MD, and more than 40 years in the industry. 

In Montreal, AY appointed Patrick Laurin as managing director, stepping up from his role as principal and senior VP. He will also continue to lead the occupier services group in Montreal.

Laurin has over 15 years of experience in real estate brokerage, advisory, and civil engineering.

Jean Laurin, as president of Avison Young Québec, will devote his time to business development, client-focused activities and strategic growth initiatives. 

The Laurins joined Avison Young in 2021 as part of the firm’s acquisition of Devencore.

Also in Quebec, AY unveiled a new capital markets team with the arrival principals Mark Sinnett, Sebastien Gatti, Yann Charles and Marie-Claire Laflamme-Sanders from JLL.

Sinnett has over 22 years of experience in the industry, with expertise in strategic acquisition and disposition of properties. He has facilitated more than 650 transactions totalling over $5 billion.

With more than 10 years of experience, Gatti specializes in major multiresidential and office transactions. Since 2016, he has closed on over $1.5 billion in investment transactions.

Charles brings more than a decade of experience, specializing in the origination and execution of major retail and industrial assets. He has closed $1.5 billion in investment transactions totalling over three million square feet since 2016.

With 15 years of management experience, Laflamme-Sanders has overseen over $5 billion in investment transactions across the multiresidential, office, retail and industrial sectors.

Parvis Invest adds independent board member

Tech-driven real estate firm Parvis Invest Inc. (PVIS-X) has appointed Jeff McCann, founder and CEO of APOLLO Insurance, as an independent member of its board of directors. McCann will fill the seat of outgoing board member Conan Graham.

McCann has led Apollo to become a major online insurance provider and a fast-growing financial technology company, and brings first-hand experience in the financial technology sector to Parvis.