RealServus has appointed Bronwyn Smith as CEO, succeeding outgoing president John Lusink, who will continue at the company as vice chair.

Smith joined RealServus in 2024 to build and lead myAbode, RealServus' prop-tech company. myAbode's core technology powers operations across RealServus' brokerages and is now being adopted by other brokerages across Canada. 

Smith brings extensive experience in technology and operations from senior roles at tech companies including Shopify, Ada and Influitive. She began her career as a strategy consultant at Bain & Company, advising global clients on business transformation.

"I'm honored to lead RealServus at a pivotal time for real estate," Smith said in the announcement. "Our industry is changing rapidly, and the brokerages of the future will depend on real technology to thrive. Technology only matters if it helps people succeed, and for us, that means putting agents first."

Reflecting on the transition, Lusink commented, "I have had the pleasure of working closely with Bronwyn over the last several months. I'm incredibly excited about the future of RealServus under her leadership and will continue to support the business and our commitment to drive growth in my new role as vice chair."

RealServus is a tech-enabled real estate company operating under the Right at Home Realty, StreetCity, myAbode and Property.ca brands.

New management committee members at Desjardins

Desjardins Group has revamped its management team as Denis Dubois, the new president and CEO, prepares to take office. Three new members will join the organization's management committee.

• Chantal Gagné will become executive vice-president, life and health insurance. Currently vice-president, life and health insurance and independent distribution, she has been at Desjardins for 18 years. She began her career in the P&C insurance sector, where she worked in actuarial services, underwriting and claims. Over the last five years, she has helped lead the transformation of Desjardins's life and health insurance sector. 
• Daniel Grossi will be named executive vice-president, information technology. He is currently chief technology, operations and enterprise architecture officer. Grossi has nearly 25 years of experience in management, including the last nine at Desjardins.
• Sébastien Vallée will become executive vice-president, wealth management. He has been with Desjardins since 2000, and has 15 years of experience in management and senior management positions in the wealth management sector, including his current role as vice-president, investment solutions.

These changes in senior management also include the departure of two members of the management committee: Réal Bellemare, senior executive vice-president and chief operating officer, and Isabelle Garon, executive vice-president, marketing, communications, cooperation and president's office.

Slate appoints Kaufman as CAO

Slate Asset Management has appointed Neil Kaufman as chief administrative officer, based in the firm’s New York office.

Kaufman will report directly to co-founding partners Blair Welch and Brady Welch, with responsibility for overseeing Slate’s global human resources function, organizational development and operational and administrative systems and procedures. 

Prior to joining Slate, Kaufman served as global director of human resources and assistant general counsel at Soros Fund Management, where he led the firm’s human resources function and managed a diversified slate of employment-related legal matters. Previously, Kaufman spent nearly 15 years at Goldman Sachs, most recently as the head of the legal and regulatory and human capital management practice areas within the prime services hedge fund consulting team.

Kaufman started his career as a litigation associate at Kaye Scholer LLP.

Kaufman received his bachelor of arts in political science from Indiana University and his Juris Doctor with high honors from George Washington University School of Law. He is a licensed attorney in New York and has previously served both the U.S. federal and state court systems.

Wojtecki to lead new Starlight venture

Starlight Investments has announced the launch of Starlight Infrastructure Solutions, focused on acquiring and managing essential-use assets that support vital services across public, social and economic systems, and appointed Kristopher Wojtecki as its president. 

Wojtecki brings extensive expertise in building and scaling real estate investment platforms across North America, with a focus on projects that create lasting impact.

Most recently he served as chief operating officer at Great Gulf Group. He also previously served as a senior member of PSP Investments' real estate team, where he played a pivotal role in transformative developments such as Downsview in Toronto, The Wharf in Washington, D.C., and the Seaport in Boston.

Teixiera new COO at Dominion Lending Centres

Dominion Lending Centres Inc. (DLCG-T) has promoted Dave Teixeira to chief operating officer of DLC Group.

"Dave joined DLC Group in 2015 and most recently served as executive vice-president, operations," said Gary Mauris, chairman and CEO of DLC Group, in the announcement. "Over his 11 years with the organization, Dave has been instrumental in streamlining operational processes across our brands, integrating our teams and driving efficiencies. He has become an invaluable resource for our owners, agents, lenders and staff. 

“In his new role as chief operating officer, Dave will continue to champion operational excellence and ensure DLC Group remains positioned for growth and success in the years to come.”

Brooker takes V-P construction job at Northcrest

Northcrest Developments has hired Beau Brooker as its vice-president, construction to lead the redevelopment of the massive YZD project at the former Downsview airport in Toronto.

He joins Northcrest Developments with more than 30 years of senior operational and project management expertise, having worked in multiple industry sectors including highrise, commercial, industrial and power generation. 

He previously led the construction of the $2.5B Edmonton Ice District project – a master-planned community that transformed the city’s downtown. The project included Rogers Place – home of the Edmonton Oilers NHL team – a luxury hotel, retail podiums, residential and commercial office towers, all surrounding an interactive entertainment plaza.

Brooker has an engineering diploma along with certifications in Six Sigma, LEED, and health and safety.

Dolan, Taylor get new roles at Colliers

Colliers Canada (CIGI-T) appointed Tyler Dolan as head of valuations and advisory services.

He brings over two decades of experience in commercial finance and real estate, most recently serving as Colliers' senior managing director for Vancouver Island and the Okanagan, and as national debt advisory lead for Canada. 

Dolan is a recipient of the 2023 Spirit of Colliers Leadership Award and has served on the boards of several organizations, including the Downtown Victoria Business Association and the Victoria Brain Injury Society. 

Colliers has also welcomed Norm Taylor back to its Vancouver brokerage team. 

Taylor will leverage his experience and relationships for business development focused primarily on tenant representation in the office division. 

He brings over three decades of commercial real estate experience and a wealth of leadership, advisory experience and expertise back to Colliers. From 2000 to 2010, Taylor worked at Colliers in sales and leasing before moving on to hold senior executive leadership roles at JLL, CBRE, CMLS Financial and, most recently, as president and country head for Canada at Newmark. 

Teskey named director at P3 Investments

P3 Investments has announced the addition of John Teskey as director, private capital.

In this role, he will support the firm’s national capital-raising initiatives, with a focus on distribution and investor relations in eastern Canada, while contributing to P3’s strategic approach to capital formation.

Prior to joining P3 Investments, Teskey was senior vice-president, national accounts at Forstrong Global Asset Management. He has also held senior roles with IA Clarington Investments and Franklin Templeton Investments.

Teskey will be based in the firm’s Toronto office.

Cruickshank takes board chair at Frontenac MIC

Frontenac Mortgage Investment Corp. named Kevin Cruickshank as chair of its board of directors, succeeding Meghan Davis who resigned in July. 

Cruickshank has served on the board since January and brings over 20 years of management and leadership experience. He has served a variety of senior management roles within the firm since 2005. Cruickshank holds CPA and CA accreditations from CPA Ontario.