Marco Ding has joined Cadillac Fairview as executive vice-president, investments.
He’ll oversee the company’s real estate investments across Canada, with responsibilities for investment strategy and execution, growth and return on investment.
The move follows Ding’s 18-year career at CPP Investments, where he participated in more than $10 billion in global transactions as a founding member of its real estate program. His most recent title there was managing director and head of real estate for Canada and South America. Prior to that, Ding headed up CPP’s Canadian real estate portfolio as managing director of real estate investments.
Ding started his career as a real estate analyst in the investment banking group at TD Securities.
He has a master of laws degree from the University of Toronto, an honours business administration degree from Ivey Business School, and has also completed the Rotman-ICD Directors Education Program.
van Gelderen to depart PSP Investments
Eduard van Gelderen is leaving the Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) after six years as senior vice-president and chief investment officer.
He has stepped away from day-to-day operations and will fully leave PSP as of October 1. His departure was “mutually agreed” upon, according to a PSP announcement thanking van Gelderen for his time at the board and his leadership on diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Alexandre Roy, PSP’s senior managing director of total fund management, will take on chief investment officer duties on an interim basis.
Since van Gelderen joined PSP in 2018, his responsibilities there have included total fund portfolio and long-term investment strategy, sustainable investment, public policy, global government affairs, and strategic communications.
He’s been a board member of the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance since 2022 and chair of the global investor board at the Alternative Investment Management Association since 2021.
Petit out, Nakhleh in as Emergia CEO
Faraj Nakhleh, chairman of the board at Emergia Inc. (EMER-T), has been appointed acting president and CEO of the company.
He replaces Henri Petit, who is “no longer part of the management team”, according to a statement released by Emergia. In its announcement, the company also thanked Petit “for his years at Emergia” and wished him “success in his future endeavours.”
Petit had been president and CEO since 2018. He began practising law in 1991 and was CEO of GHP Real Estate Corp. from 1996 until 2018, when the assets of GHP Group were transferred to Emergia.
Nakhleh has owned and operated the mapping technology firm TrakMaps since 2008. He also spent nine years as a partner at Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, where he specialized in business acquisitions and sales.
Hudak steps down, Richards interim CEO at OREA
Tim Hudak has stepped down from his position as CEO of the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA).
Prior to his seven-year run at OREA, Hudak was the Ontario MPP for Niagara West-Glanbrook from 1995 to 2016. He was leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party between 2009 and 2014. In cabinet, he served as minister of northern development and mines (1999 to 2001), minister of culture, tourism and recreation (2001 to 2002), and minister of consumer protection and business services (2002 to 2003).
Sonia Richards has been appointed interim CEO of OREA while it undertakes an internal and external search process for Hudak’s successor. Richards joined OREA six years ago as its chief of staff and board strategy. She will continue those duties while managing the day-to-day functions of OREA as its interim CEO.
Leon becomes a FirstService president
FirstService Residential has added Gene Leon to its leadership team as president of FirstService Development Advisors.
Leon will focus on expanding the company’s developer advisory and consulting services in the U.S. and Canada. This division helps homeowner associations, community builders, highrise developers, landowners and institutional real estate investment companies plan and deliver new residential communities.
Leon was most recently senior vice-president, commercial at ISS, where he had earlier worked as group VP of global client solutions from 2021 to 2022. His other past experience includes roles at KemperSports, Sodexo, American Golf Corp., Aramark, and ClubCorp Inc.
Hoffman moves to Kadestone Capital
Kevin Hoffman has accepted a position as chief development officer at Kadestone Capital Corp. (KDSX-X).
He’ll be responsible for pursuing, obtaining and executing on development projects in the new role, which becomes effective on November 1. Hoffman joins Kadestone from Vanprop Investments, where he’s been CEO since 2021. He held previous positions at Aquilini Development and Construction, Concord Pacific, and Bluestone Construction.
Before entering real estate, Hoffman played professional hockey from 1996 to 2005 for teams in the East Coast Hockey League and the British Ice Hockey Super League.
Timolien promoted at Colliers
Eliezer Timolien has been promoted to the position of office research lead at Colliers (CIGI-T). He’ll use the latest market research to help clients understand changing workforce trends when acquiring new workspace for their teams.
Timolien joined Colliers in Montreal as a research analyst in 2020 before being promoted to senior research analyst there in 2022. He began his real estate career in 2018 as a research analyst with JLL.
Crozier appoints two new partners
C.F. Crozier & Associates is celebrating its twentieth anniversary by appointing two new partners within its Ontario operations.
Brittany Robertson’s new title is partner and manager, land development. Based in Collingwood, she will oversee large-scale residential development projects in Simcoe County.
She joined Crozier in 2013 and was named to its board of directors in February 2024. She’s also president of the Georgian Triangle Development Institute.
Jurgen Koehler has been appointed partner and manager for Guelph, where he opened the firm’s newest office in 2023. His team provides land development and engineering services in Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo, London and the surrounding area.
Koehler, a water resources engineer, originally worked at Crozier as a university intern before joining the firm full-time in 2013.
