Despite ongoing headwinds across the real estate industry — particularly within housing development — hiring activity has continued, particularly in property and asset management and related accounting functions. Our team has stayed active, working closely with clients who own and manage residential and commercial portfolios. Notably, the GTA remained particularly resilient, where our team broke new ground with a record number of placements in Q1. Here are a few highlights we’re proud to share:
Craig Swyer – Associate Director, Investments – ELM Developments
Craig is a finance-driven real estate investment professional with a strong track record in acquisitions, underwriting, and execution across multifamily and retail assets. He led the underwriting and due diligence on over $700M in multifamily and $16M in retail acquisitions at Equiton Partners, managing the full lifecycle from initial analysis through closing and asset onboarding. His earlier experience in asset management at TD Greystone, combined with a foundation in tax and transaction advisory at major accounting firms, gave him a well-rounded perspective on both the strategic and structural components of real estate investing.
Now at ELM Developments, Craig brings a highly analytical and detail-oriented approach that aligns closely with his employer’s need for institutional-grade underwriting and disciplined execution as it scales its development platform. With strong market insight, established industry relationships, and a track record of delivering investment committee–ready materials, he is well-positioned to support capital raising, evaluate complex opportunities, and help drive ELM’s continued growth in multifamily and mixed-use development.
Cecilia Hartl – Regional Property Manager – Greystar
Cecilia is a seasoned multi-site operations leader with more than a decade of progressive experience across luxury residential, retirement, and mixed-use portfolios throughout Ontario. She has overseen portfolios exceeding 1,000 units, led seven property openings from development handover through stabilization, and built a strong track record in operational leadership, financial performance, and team development. Her background spans lease-ups, stabilized luxury assets, and complex client environments, giving her a well-rounded perspective on how to balance resident experience, owner expectations, and disciplined execution across diverse property types.
Now at Greystar, Cecilia brings a highly structured, people-first approach that aligns closely with the company’s operating model and continued growth across Canada. In this Regional Property Manager role, she is well-positioned to support a six-property portfolio across Toronto, Southwestern Ontario, and the Niagara Region, with responsibility for financial performance, operational execution, team leadership, client satisfaction, and portfolio-wide standards. Her experience in budgeting, occupancy strategy, site inspections, staffing, market analysis, and owner reporting makes her a natural fit for a platform that values disciplined operations, strong leadership, and consistent performance across multiple communities.
Paul Derksen – Senior Director, Asset Management – Vital Infrastructure
Paul is a senior real estate leader with over 20 years of experience across brokerage, institutional asset management, and owner-operator platforms, with a career deeply rooted in Western Canada. Beginning at CBRE, he built a strong foundation in leasing and transaction execution before progressing into senior leadership roles overseeing large-scale industrial and mixed-use portfolios. At QuadReal Property Group, he operated as a senior leader for the Prairie Region, with full P&L accountability across a $750M portfolio, leading asset strategy, leasing programs, capital allocation, and major disposition initiatives.
At Vital Infrastructure, Paul brings a hands-on, ownership-oriented approach to asset management, with a clear focus on driving performance through leasing strategy, capital planning, and disciplined execution. His ability to integrate strategic thinking with on-the-ground decision-making aligns closely with the organization’s mandate to maximize asset value and optimize portfolio performance. With deep market knowledge, strong broker relationships, and a proven track record of repositioning underperforming assets, Paul is well-positioned to lead complex portfolios, mentor teams, and contribute to long-term value creation as the platform continues to grow.
Brian Liu – Accounting Manager – PenEquity Inc
Brian Liu is the kind of hire who doesn’t just fill a gap — he elevates the entire function around him.
With over 15 years of experience across commercial and multi-residential real estate, Brian built his career through progressively complex roles at Allied REIT and Greenrock, where he ultimately oversaw 2,000+ residential units and mixed commercial assets, managing $20–25M in annual cash flow. During Greenrock’s wind-down, he became a central figure in maintaining stability — leading entity dissolutions, supporting ownership, and ensuring continuity through a highly complex transition.
What truly sets Brian apart is how he shows up in moments that matter. One senior leader described him as “the best employee out of more than 65 people”, while another said he would be among their first calls when building a new platform.
Now at PenEquity, that same impact is already being felt. Brian has quickly become a trusted partner to leadership, taking ownership of day-to-day accounting, mentoring team members, and establishing structure within the team. His presence has allowed the Director of Finance to step back from operational detail and focus more on strategy and the broader business, including exploring opportunities on the investment side.
It’s a pattern seen throughout Brian’s career — not just delivering results, but creating the conditions for others to perform at a higher level.
Oleksandr Buznytskyi – Maintenance Supervisor – Greystar
Oleksandr is an accomplished building operations professional with over 9 years of experience in maintenance supervision, facilities management, and technical operations, spanning multifamily residential, condominium, and large-scale commercial assets. He began his career working hands-on in residential environments where he developed a strong foundation in repairs, preventative maintenance, and day-to-day building operations. Since transitioning to institutional real estate in Canada, he has progressed to supervisory roles at Angus Consulting, Allied Property Management, and Cadillac Fairview, supporting complex properties of up to 860,000 sq. ft. and leading teams in high-demand, fully occupied environments.
Oleksandr’s approach is rooted in preventative maintenance, operational discipline, and calm leadership under pressure. He has successfully managed critical building incidents, consistently demonstrating the ability to diagnose issues, coordinate vendors, and implement long-term solutions to prevent recurrence. His leadership style emphasizes accountability, clear communication, and leading by example, ensuring both strong team performance and a high standard of resident service. His combination of technical depth, hands-on experience, and systems-focused thinking positions him well to support Greystar’s premium residential portfolio and drive operational excellence in his new role as Maintenance Supervisor.
Raj Singh – Property Manager – Devon Properties
Raj Singh brings a strong operational background to property management, shaped by more than a decade in hospitality where he rose to Assistant General Manager and earned his Red Seal Chef certification. Since transitioning into real estate, he has taken on increasing responsibility across both non-profit and private sector portfolios, managing residential communities, leading teams, and implementing operational improvements.
Raj joins Devon Properties at an exciting time as the company continues to expand its third-party management platform across Metro Vancouver. With a growing portfolio of apartment buildings, Devon is building scale in a dynamic operating environment. Raj’s experience navigating complex portfolios and supporting on-site teams positions him well to contribute to this next phase of growth.
Jacob Woeller – Development Manager – Burnaby Housing Authority
Jacob Woeller brings experience delivering purpose-built rental and mixed-use projects across British Columbia. With strengths in consultant management, municipal coordination, and navigating complex development processes — supported by a background in urban planning — Jacob brings a thoughtful and practical approach to city-building.
Jacob has joined the Burnaby Housing Authority at an exciting time, with two projects already underway and an ambitious pipeline ahead. Working as part of the small and mighty team led by John Brendan McEown, he is stepping into a hands-on role supporting active developments while helping advance future opportunities. With a growing mandate to deliver new housing, Jacob will play an important role as BHA continues to scale its efforts and deliver much-needed homes in Burnaby.
Candice Leslie – Senior Property Manager – Warrington Residential
Candice Leslie has built a strong reputation in the Vancouver market, bringing a well-rounded background across leasing, marketing, and multi-site residential operations. Known for her operational instincts and ability to navigate complex tenant matters, she combines hands-on execution with a focus on maintaining high-performing, well-run communities.
Candice has joined Warrington Residential as a Senior Property Manager, taking on a key role within a growing platform. She is overseeing a diverse portfolio that includes PCI’s assets and an expanding third-party management business, highlighted by The Stories community at Broadway and Granville. With a mix of newer, high-profile developments and evolving assets, the portfolio offers both scale and complexity — positioning Candice at the centre of Warrington’s continued growth in Metro Vancouver.
Nicholas Dhaliwal – Director, Development – Morguard
Nicholas Dhaliwal brings over a decade of experience delivering large-scale residential and mixed-use projects across Metro Vancouver, with particular strength in master-planned communities, rezonings, and navigating complex, multi-stakeholder developments.
Nick has joined Morguard as Director, Development – Western Canada, stepping into a key role supporting the firm’s growth across the region. With a portfolio rooted in long-term ownership, Morguard is focused on unlocking value through intensification and redevelopment, and Nick will play an important role in advancing this next phase of activity.
Elizabeth Thai – General Manager – Warrington PCI Management
Elizabeth Thai brings over 15 years of commercial property management experience across Metro Vancouver, with a strong focus on multi-tenant retail centres. Known for her hands-on approach, she has managed complex portfolios, built strong tenant relationships, and supported team development and operational performance.
Elizabeth has joined Warrington PCI Management as General Manager for King George Hub, stepping into a high-profile role within one of Surrey City Centre’s most prominent mixed-use communities. With a dynamic mix of office, retail, residential, and transit-oriented uses — including the Coast Capital Savings headquarters — she will focus on driving operations, tenant engagement, and community-building within this flagship asset while supporting a growing platform.
This move positions Elizabeth at the centre of a landmark development as both the asset and Surrey’s downtown core continue to evolve.
Reach out to our team to discuss how we can help connect you to people who perform in Canadian real estate.
Co-founder of HighView Partners, Nicola brings over twenty years of experience in real estate recruitment across Canada. Nicola has worked with over 100 real estate employers and has successfully executed over 1000 searches throughout her career. Her focus on the real estate industry means she has built relationships with current and future real estate leaders. Her passion for connecting people who perform has created exceptional results and trusted relationships.
Nicola holds a degree in Psychology and a diploma in Life Coaching, and is a member of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC). Her professional opinion has been featured in Canadian Property Management Magazine, and she has worked closely with BOMA. Nicola has also been a guest speaker at various industry events where she shares her expertise in attraction, retention and recruitment. Affiliated with Toronto CREW, Nicola is an advocate for women in real estate and supports various committees.
Outside of work, Nicola volunteers in her local community and supports several local charities. She enjoys travelling, reading, cooking (with a glass of red wine), and spending time with her family and friends.
Based in Vancouver, Richard leads HighView’s recruitment and talent search practice on the West Coast. Richard has been connecting people who perform in Canadian real estate since 2010. The industry regards him as one of its most diligent and professional recruiters. Originally from the UK and now a proud Canadian citizen, Richard has a far-reaching professional network, having also spent time in Sydney, Australia. Richard embodies HighView’s values and is resolute in his commitment to do the right thing by his clients and candidates.
Richard holds a BA in Criminology and International Politics. Over the past decade, Richard is proud to have helped hundreds of real estate professionals move forward in their careers. He is dedicated to staying on top of market news and industry trends, and is a familiar face at real estate associations, including NAIOP, BOMA, UDI, ICSC, and ULI.
Outside of work, Richard lives a healthy and active lifestyle. He thrives on setting new challenges and personal goals. From competitive road cycling, running and cross-country skiing, he can’t say no to a little friendly competition
