People Who Perform - The Real Estate Careers Podcast

Richard Costello connects with Adam Mitchell.

Adam is VP Asset Management and Development at Low Tide Properties responsible for the strategic direction and financial performance of a diverse portfolio of properties in emerging neighbourhoods in Vancouver and Seattle.

In this conversation, we’ll learn more about:

• What first drew Adam to studying real estate at UBC
• His early career days as an Analyst at Bentall and what it took to be successful in that environment
• The opportunity at Low Tide
• Background, evolution and purpose of Low Tide
• What’s involved in being VP Asset Management & Development as well as Adam’s favorite aspects of the role
• What’s special about the five neighborhoods in Vancouver that Low Tide operates in (Kitsilano, Gastown, Strathcona, Mt Pleasant, South Flatz).
• Shining a spotlight on local business and how this sets Low Tide apart
• Market trends and the demand for medical office space. Unique requirements of these tenants.
• The benefits of being a member of ULI
• Advice for younger self
• Quick fire questions (favorite coffee shop, pub, restaurant - in the portfolio ;-)

Richard Costello connects with Jennica Palecek.

An industry rising star, Jennica is a Commercial Real Estate Advisor at Colliers Vancouver, specializing in office leasing. A graduate of the Beedie school of business, Jennica has a double major in business and economics and prior to starting her brokerage career, completed internships in finance and held roles in retail banking and property management.

With a passion for advancing diversity, Jennica is actively involved in Colliers North America Women’s Council and serves on the boards for the Canadian Mental Health Association and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

In this conversation, we’ll learn more about:

• What it means to be a commercial real estate broker
• The two main types of commercial leases
• The value that a broker can bring to a business
• How brokers are compensated
• Jennica’s pathway into brokerage and how Colliers sets new recruits up for success
• The benefits of working for a globally recognized business
• Building a personal brand
• Pulse check on the current state of the office market in Vancouver
• Giving back to the community and volunteering as a board member. What’s involved in this commitment and how might somebody go about doing something similar

Richard Costello connects with Cindy MacMillan.

Cindy MacMillan is currently VP Investments at Grosvenor in Vancouver, responsible for leading the groups transit-oriented development sites delivering 3 million square feet of mixed-use multi-family rental & commercial property in Metro Vancouver. Cindy has close to two decades of commercial real estate experience with a strong background in finance, leasing and asset management. Passionate about advancing women in business, Cindy is Past President of CREW Vancouver and was recently awarded the prestigious Woman of Influence award, furthermore, Cindy has been appointed Crew Network President Elect for 2024.

In this conversation we’ll learn more about:

• Cindy’s background, first job and why real estate?
• From corporate accounting to asset management – how Cindy’s career has evolved
• Cindy’s current role at Grosvenor
• Navigating market challenges from high costs to AI
• How being part of the CREW network has contributed to Cindy’s professional growth and development
• Cindy’s role as President Elect of the CREW network in 2024 and President in 2025. What does this mean?
• How the network continues to evolve
• Benefits of effective mentorship for the mentee and the mentor
• Crucial skills that young professionals should focus on developing to succeed in today's competitive business environment
• How to approach failures or setbacks in your careers
• Cindy's passions outside of work

Richard Costello connects with David Basche.

David Basche is the President of Astria Properties in Langley, BC and is focused on the strategic growth of the business and oversees the company’s day to day operations. Prior to Astria, David spent a decade specializing in development and acquisitions for one of Vancouver’s leading real estate developers, Bosa Properties.

In this conversation today we’ll learn more about:

• David’s background (including his move from Germany to Vancouver Island and his education in BC)
• How his career evolved at Bosa Properties
• How real estate became his passion
• Reflections on working in acquisitions in a hot market
• Motivations for starting a business and reflections on how this new chapter is going so far
• We’ll learn more about Astria and David’s thoughts on the market and opportunities ahead
• David’s advice for aspiring real estate (acquisitions) professionals
• How David spends his time and energy outside of the office

James Ashley connects with Jeff Ranson.

With a focus on market transformation in the building industry, Jeff has worked for a number of leading organizations over the past 15 years. This includes the Canada Green Building Council, Building Owners and Managers Association of Toronto, and now Northcrest Developments.

Jeff has also participated in a number of public advisory roles - including the Waterfront design review panel and the City of Toronto climate advisory group. His career has included inter-governmental work, at the national to provincial to municipal level, and more recently on a hyper-local level leading sustainability and responsible development for one of the largest master planned communities in North America.

In this episode we discuss;

• The importance of carbon planning and net zero
• Utility innovation, placemaking and affordability
• Financial implications of ESG
• How sustainability has evolved
• How we go about setting and achieving net zero goals
• Characteristics of companies leading the way
• Whats next?
• And much more...

Heather is a city builder with a passion for social purpose real estate and sustainable development. Since joining Options for Homes, Heather has been a champion of affordable homeownership and has helped achieve change to both public policy and funding in support of this segment of the housing spectrum. Prior to her role as CEO, she founded and led a strategic real estate and development consultancy to non-profits, and was the co-founder and CEO of a Vancouver-based green building consulting and development company.

Heather is active engaged in other housing activities including co-founding Circle Community LandTrust that now owns and manages over 600 units of rent geared to income homes across Toronto. She also is a board member of Nch’Kay Development Corporation, the economic development arm of the Squamish Nation.

• Find out about Heathers journey into Real Estate development and what inspire the route into the non-profit sector
• Highlight the advantages and challenges of the non- profit world
• Look at the role that Architecture & Design plays in creating quality affordable housing and a sense of community and connectedness
• Discuss the increasing popularity and demand of proportional home ownership
• Share ideas on how to overcome the challenges of providing attainable housing
• Look at the positive impact of securing attainable housing on the emotional, physical and financial well being of homeowners
• See how affordable housing intersects with sustainability and environmental considerations
• Discover insights into the role of advocacy and policy work in advancing the goals of affordable housing developments

Richard Costello connects with Claudia Leung.

Claudia is currently a Manager, Real Estate with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and has over 19 years of progressive experience in both institutional and entrepreneurial settings. Her diverse background includes roles in property management, leasing, asset management and investments across a myriad of asset types from retail, office, hospitality and industrial, and senior’s housing.

In the first half of this episode we hear about Claudia’s career journey including:

• What life was like growing up, early influences
• What factors Claudia considered when making a change in her career
• The most important career risks Claudia has taken
• The path from manager to leader
• Proudest career moment so far

In the second half we learn more about life at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority including:

• What lands/waters are covered by the Port Authority
• The importance of the ports in our daily lives
• Challenges facing the region due to a lack of industrial land
• What the real estate team looks like at the port
• Most enjoyable aspect of the job
• Why the port is a great place to work

Richard Costello connects with Brandi Cooper

Brandi is currently the Director, Property Management with Warrington Residential, responsible for overseeing a growing portfolio of purpose built rental buildings located throughout the Lower Mainland.

Brandi has been immersed in residential property management for close to 15 years, starting out managing portfolios of individual units on behalf of investors, to managing apartment buildings for established developers through to her current role, leading operations for the third-party management company Warrington Residential which includes leasing and launching brand-new purpose-built rental projects.

In this conversation we hear about Brandi’s career journey, what’s happening at Warrington Residential, Brandi’s experience launching brand new purpose-built rental properties as well Brandi’s lessons and advice for aspiring residential property professionals.

Richard Costello connects with Audrey Powell.

At the Real Estate Forum 2022, Audrey was awarded the Young Leader of the Year Award.  

Audrey is currently a Leasing Manager for Aspen Properties in Edmonton, responsible for overseeing the leasing of three downtown office towers.  Audrey started her career in 2014 working as a tenant coordinator with one of the largest private retail landlords in Edmonton.  In 2016 Audrey moved into brokerage and for the next three years she became an integral part of one of the highest-producing, well-respected office leasing teams in Edmonton.   Audrey is actively involved with Edmonton CREW's Future Leaders Committee and her voice on the subject of DEI is incredibly powerful.

• In this episode we discuss Audrey’s career journey to date.  
• The Young Leaders Award – what it means to Audrey.
• How Aspen Properties stands out from its competition.
• What a career in leasing looks like in the day to day.
• Most enjoyable and challenging aspects of the role.
• An overview of the Edmonton market.
• Benefits of getting involved with Edmonton CREW.
• Audrey’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Audrey’s lessons and advice for aspiring real estate professionals.  

As mentioned in our discussion: Creating Career Pathways in Commercial Real Estate (CCPCRE) is a partnership between Oteenow Employment and Training, Tribal Chiefs Employment and Training Services Association - https://aref.ab.ca/projects/career-pathways-commercial-real-estate/

Richard Costello connects with Audrey Powell.

At the Real Estate Forum 2022, Audrey was awarded the Young Leader of the Year Award.  

Audrey is currently a Leasing Manager for Aspen Properties in Edmonton, responsible for overseeing the leasing of three downtown office towers.  Audrey started her career in 2014 working as a tenant coordinator with one of the largest private retail landlords in Edmonton.  In 2016 Audrey moved into brokerage and for the next three years she became an integral part of one of the highest-producing, well-respected office leasing teams in Edmonton.   Audrey is actively involved with Edmonton CREW's Future Leaders Committee and her voice on the subject of DEI is incredibly powerful.

• In this episode we discuss Audrey’s career journey to date.  
• The Young Leaders Award – what it means to Audrey.
• How Aspen Properties stands out from its competition.
• What a career in leasing looks like in the day to day.
• Most enjoyable and challenging aspects of the role.
• An overview of the Edmonton market.
• Benefits of getting involved with Edmonton CREW.
• Audrey’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Audrey’s lessons and advice for aspiring real estate professionals.  

As mentioned in our discussion: Creating Career Pathways in Commercial Real Estate (CCPCRE) is a partnership between Oteenow Employment and Training, Tribal Chiefs Employment and Training Services Association - https://aref.ab.ca/projects/career-pathways-commercial-real-estate/