Our People

Tell us what it’s like to work on your team. The Procurement team at IO is a supportive group. We all want to see each other succeed, and that collective mindset creates the right environment for that to happen. When someone is struggling, others are quick to jump in and lend a hand. That support goes beyond work and is even reflected in how colleagues share how global events have an impact on them and the cultures and countries they’re connected to. Our team is great at creating space for individuals to share those moments with each other.

Can you share your biggest accomplishment at IO? A major milestone in my time at IO has been the eRequisition project. Working to bring this tool to life has allowed me to introduce a more efficient way to align with the purchasing controls outlined in the Procurement Policy. It also gave me the opportunity to collaborate closely with a number of talent individuals across IO, making the experience even more meaningful.

What’s the most unique part of working at IO? Before coming to IO, I associated procurement with sourcing everyday business needs such as laptops, furniture, and software. Here at IO, procurement is much bigger than purchasing. We procure the expertise and services that enable the development of infrastructure and facilities that directly benefit the communities we serve. It’s procurement that creates visible, tangible, and lasting impact.

What’s one thing IO does to make you feel empowered/supported? The trust of my SVP. I can’t perform at my best when being micromanaged, and I appreciate that my leader recognizes my knowledge and experience by giving me the space to make decisions. It seems like a strange thing to say at this level, but not all leaders are built the same. I appreciate mine.

What does your role entail? I provide strategic real estate advice to internal and external stakeholders and Ministry clients to ensure Ministry programmatic needs are met, while ensuring that provincial lands and buildings are optimally utilized. I deliver clear, Ministry program and provincial policy driven financial recommendations in the form of real estate options analysis (REOA)/ business cases, that guide strategic decisions. My work documents cost optimization and prioritizing the modernization of existing GREP assets where possible before proposing new space solutions in IO’s recommendation.

What is your career background? My background is in asset management, commercial and residential real estate sales and mortgage financing. At my core, I am a people person and enjoy face to face interactions.

Tell us what it’s like to work on your team? My team is very knowledgeable with decades of experience. They are vibrant, supportive and keep us uplifted. Our accomplishments are consistently recognized, along with monthly acknowledgements and seasonal celebrations. Strategy and Feasibility Team is awesome!

How has your career grown since joining IO? I have spent the past three years supporting the Ministry of the Solicitor General portfolio, an experience that deepened my appreciation for the importance of corrections, community and public safety across a complex provincial program. The insight I gained—through visits to the St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Center, Ontario Police College, OPP Headquarters, In Service Training Centers, various Probation and Parole Offices and Correctional Center facilities—has been invaluable.

As of June 1, I’ve transitioned to the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, where I will use my experience with Solicitor General to move these Ministry Real Estate portfolios forward. A recent highlight was touring a Central Ambulance Communications Centre (9 1 1) and learning firsthand about emergency health services.

The work we do at IO is truly remarkable, and I’m grateful to contribute to portfolios with such meaningful impact.

Is there someone at IO who inspires you, motivates you, or mentors you? One of my colleagues continues to inspire me. When I joined IO, he trained me on the Ministry of the Solicitor General and OPP portfolio and has consistently demonstrated leadership through his attention to detail and solution-oriented approach. A strong mentor brings patience, offers new perspectives, and ensures you have the tools and clarity needed to move forward with confidence.

Thank you, Sahil Khandelwal, for embodying all of these qualities.

What does your role entail? I work across multi-disciplinary teams within IO’s Development and Asset Management division, following projects as they move through the project lifecycle. I lead the end-to-end client strategy and provide strategic advice in support of many priority development projects for the Government of Ontario.

What is your career background? Prior to joining IO, I spent three years at Toronto City Hall where I was involved in the development and execution of the City’s Housing Action Plan. My work focused on the legalization of missing middle housing forms and breaking ground on affordable housing projects on city-owned lands.

I have a Master of Public Policy from the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, where my involvement with the Urban Policy Lab sparked my passion for city-building.

What drew you to join IO? I came to IO for the opportunity to work on the province’s Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) Program, recognizing the historic opportunity to integrate new development with subway, GO and LRT stations. The TOC Program is delivering hundreds of thousands of homes exactly where we need them most.

What’s the most unique part of working at IO? The people. I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many incredible city builders during my time at IO with diverse experiences in Canada and abroad delivering all manner of housing and infrastructure projects.

What is your career background? I studied Civil Engineering at Ryerson University (now known as TMU, indicating how old I am) and worked a 16-month co-op in between my 3rd and 4th year at Dufferin Construction. This was my first time working on site, and it really opened my eyes to how construction in the field actually gets done, compared to what I learned in the classroom!

Post graduation, I joined Turner Construction and spent a couple of years renovating Chem/Bio labs at Ryerson. I then moved over to the owner side at West Park Healthcare Centre (WPCH), which was an IO P3 project. After four years, I made the jump to IO as a Project Coordinator in Project Delivery for Healthcare, eventually moving up to Senior Project Coordinator and then Project Manager, working on various hospital projects along the way (South Niagara Hospital, Sick Kids, Quinte Health, Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare).

What drew you to join IO? While working at WPHC and with my time coming to an end as the project was nearing completion, I looked to either joining another hospital redevelopment team or joining IO. IO seemed like the natural next step in my career development as I had already worked for both general contractors and owners. I figured IO would show me a new lens to construction projects working directly with ministries and governmental partners, showing me the intensive planning involved in getting these major infrastructure projects off the ground.

Of course, I also had great experiences with the IO team at WPHC, which made my decision even easier.

Tell us what it’s like to work on your team. Working on our team in Capital Delivery on Healthcare projects is both exciting and rewarding. Every day is a new challenge, whether it’s supporting hospitals through Pre-Transaction or Transaction stages, working with ministries to move RFQs and RFPs forward, or monitoring the actual construction of new builds and seeing drawings come to life.

We work with various internal and external stakeholders on a regular basis to manage all aspects of a project (budget, schedule, risk, quality, scope, etc.) ensuring the highest value for the province. Being on the delivery team means we’re the primary IO representatives on large complex projects, directly involved in high-level decisions while also being involved in the finest scope details.

We also have the pleasure of working with a range of teams across IO, expanding our own knowledge base every day.

What would your advice be to a new employee? Don’t be afraid to ask questions! IO has a wealth of talented and intelligent people in every department to reach out to and learn from. There are not many establishments that perform similar work to IO, so there is definitely a learning curve, but your project team will support and guide you through the process.

Be patient and work towards taking on responsibilities and completing tasks on your own, allowing you to gain the confidence of your higher ups. Building trust with your team and leaders goes a long way in your own career development.

And of course, attend all the socials to meet new people in a light-hearted setting, allowing you to connect with others and build your network.

Is there someone at IO who Inspires you, motivates you, or mentors you? This person for me was my first PM at IO, Valeria Blyth-Collins. Valeria and I worked together on the SNH project where she helped me learn, grow, and develop my skills as a PC.

Valeria encouraged me to take on tasks and responsibilities independently while still meeting her high expectations. She included me in all project activities and encouraged me to run meetings with internal and external stakeholders early on, which made me feel included and truly valued on the team. She also encouraged me to volunteer for other opportunities like being evaluators for other projects to continuously expand my knowledge base.

Valeria was a great mentor and helped me advance to the next stages of my career at IO.

What does your role entail? As the Advisory Services Coordinator at IO, I am responsible for supporting the Corporate Realty team in delivering strategic advisory services across a diverse project portfolio. My role entails managing project setup and documentation, supporting governance and reporting requirements, and ensuring clear communication across clients, stakeholders, and internal teams. I also help maintain operational accuracy through billing coordination and data consolidation, while preparing materials that support leadership and decision making. Overall, my work ensures our advisors have the structure, insight, and support they need to drive successful outcomes across our portfolio.

What drew you to join IO? I was drawn to IO because I wanted to contribute to meaningful, public impact work. IO plays a unique role in strengthening communities across the province, and I was excited to join an organization with a collaborative culture and people who are passionate about making a difference. I joined early in my career and saw IO as an ideal opportunity to grow in public service, gain exposure to impactful projects, and build a strong foundation for my professional development.

Tell us what it’s like to work on your team. Working on my team is a truly joyful experience. We are a small team of four, but we are always there to support one another. Everyone is collaborative, knowledgeable, and willing to step in whenever help is needed. We work hard, solve problems together, and consistently find ways to make the work enjoyable. It is a team where everyone feels valued and encouraged to grow. They have also been part of many important moments in my life, including getting engaged, getting married, and adopting my cat Lola. The genuine care and connection within the group make it a team I am grateful to be part of every day.

What would your advice be to a new employee? My advice to a new employee would be to get involved in as many non work related activities at IO as possible. Join an Employee Resource Group, participate in IO Gives Back events, or volunteer to help with team activities. These opportunities give you a meaningful break from day to day work, and they also help you meet people from across the organization. Getting involved is a great way to build connections, learn about different parts of IO, and feel more integrated into the community.

What does your role entail? As Director of Portfolio Planning in the company’s Development and Asset Management division, I oversee a team that develops feasibility strategies to optimize and right-size the province’s wide range of real estate assets. Our work can vary from core government properties (e.g. a provincial office campus) that may have untapped opportunities for expansion or new development, to many outdated and surplus properties (e.g. unused vacant land) that may have potential for reinvestment or disposition.

The portfolio is enormous and each property is different with a unique set of challenges and opportunities. As a result, the role is very multi-disciplinary, combining a broad mix of critical analytical and cross-functional engagement skills.

What is your career background? I have a master’s degree in urban planning from University of Toronto and have over 25 years of public and private sector experience in city planning, consulting, and real estate development.

What drew you to join IO? I joined Ontario Realty Corp. in 2008 (which merged with IO in 2011) when the market experienced a mini recession. I came from a mid-tier development company that was facing tough economic times. A former colleague of mine was working at ORC and encouraged me to join knowing my relevant skill sets and figured I’d probably be drawn to the company, its values, and its very large and unique real estate portfolio.

What’s the most unique part of working at IO? For me there are two things that make it unique. The first is being part of a crown corporation that offers an incredibly wide range of real estate and infrastructure projects and services on behalf of the province.

The second is working for an organization that operates with a private-sector mindset but for public sector benefit. And it is because of this unique nature of the organization that I get to collaborate with a very talented group of professionals from an incredibly diverse set of backgrounds and skills.

What is the most interesting project you’ve worked on for IO? What did you do on that project? Earlier on in my career at IO I got the chance to work on developing adaptive re-use concepts for a large, historically significant surplus provincial jail property in Guelph, combined with an ambitious mixed-use masterplan for vacant lands within the city’s urban boundary.

That Guelph project required a lot of analysis and stakeholder engagement, and it allowed me to draw from many of my skills in planning and development, collaborate extensively with City staff and their active local community groups, and learn from our amazing in-house technical team and consultants on numerous issues that impacted the opportunities and outcome of the property.

What does your role? As the newly appointed Director of Leasing, I’ve been entrusted with leading a team of talented real estate professionals. Our focus is primarily on securing optimal leased spaces to meet the program requirements of our client ministries. Additionally, we ensure the efficient use of the GREP portfolio by leasing out owned spaces not currently in program use but not yet slated for disposition.

Over your 12 years at IO, how would you describe the evolution of your role(s)? In the words of a past CEO, Ehren Cory, I’d describe my evolution at IO as ‘Growing my Impact’ through multiple roles that increasingly focus on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the GREP portfolio.

I started as a Client Solution Manager where I developed realty-focused business plans to help ministries modernize and right-size their programs’ office and special-purpose spaces. After a few years, I transitioned to a Leasing Services Manager position where I was responsible for oversight of all ‘M’ lease transactions (i.e. GREP properties leased to private sector and other levels of government), completing roughly 200 agreements per year and generating significant revenue to reduce the financial burden of the portfolio.

Most recently, I worked as a Portfolio Planning Manager providing strategic oversight of the GREP portfolio to identify and value-enhance properties for disposition, providing even greater potential impact through both revenue generation and operational cost avoidance.

What is your career background? Since completing my MBA at The Schulich School of Business, most of my career has been in leasing, including working for a major retail developer and a large telecommunications provider before joining IO in early 2014.

Looking back, can you share your biggest accomplishment at IO? There’s been several noteworthy accomplishments over the years related to my core work functions that I am proud of, but undoubtedly the most important to me was volunteering as a co-lead of IO’s Anti-Racism Working Group from 2020 to 2022.

It was a tremendous learning experience, an opportunity to create positive and lasting change for our organization, a chance to offer allyship to those who may face prejudice and discrimination, and a unique way to connect with many amazing people throughout IO whom I otherwise may never have met (especially given the backdrop of the pandemic). The positive effects of that initiative are still felt today in the form of our EDI team and Employ Resource Groups.

What does your role entail? As a manger in the Commercial Management team, my focus is on providing comprehensive financial and commercial analysis and advice for both the P3 (project finance) and non-P3 infrastructure projects across the IO portfolio. This includes financial modelling, transaction structuring, delivery model assessments, contract and financial provision analysis, and evaluation of major market trends. I also engage with service providers, capital markets and rating agencies to increase market visibility of projects, assess financial risk exposure across our portfolio, and support negotiations with the private sector. Ultimately, our objective is to help structure infrastructure transactions that maximize value for the Province.

What is your career background? I hold a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Toronto and began my career in the Caribbean working in construction, energy and infrastructure in a small developing market. During this period, I witnessed the transformative effect of large-scale infrastructure on the daily lives of people (particularly rural communities), which inspired me to pursue a career in the commercial and financial side of the sector, particularly in project finance. I completed an MBA at the Schulich School of Business after which I joined the global infrastructure advisory desk at one of Canada’s Big Four consulting firms. I’m truly grateful and humbled to have experienced both developing-market infrastructure challenges in the Caribbean and, now at IO, the opportunity to contribute to some of the largest and most transformative infrastructure and project finance transactions in Canada.

What drew you to join IO? While working in consulting, I was lucky to work alongside and across a diverse section of Federal and Provincial infrastructure, but IO consistently stood out as a world class agency delivering some of Canada’s largest and most significant infrastructure projects across social infrastructure, highways, and transit. IO’s transactions are widely regarded as the “gold standard” in P3 delivery, and the opportunity to deepen my experience in P3s and mega-projects was incredibly compelling. A colleague from my MBA program who currently works at IO also spoke highly of the organization and its culture. When the opportunity arose to join IO in a financial and commercial role, it was an easy decision.

What’s the most unique part of working at IO? It’s getting to be part of history – to work on a daily basis on some of the largest, most important and transformative projects in the history of the Province, and Canada. Every day, I collaborate with a highly talented and experienced professionals from legal, financial, technical, and procurement backgrounds who share a commitment to improving life for the people of Ontario. Just as important, IO fosters a culture that truly values the unique personal and professional experience that everyone brings to the table – at IO I truly feel comfortable to be able to be my authentic self.

Is there someone at IO who inspires you, motivates you, or mentors you? It’s difficult to single out just one person at IO and within my team given the amount of support and encouragement I receive from each of my teammates. That said, I’d like to mention Chris Killer, Vice President in the Commercial Management Team. Early in my journey navigating the Canadian infrastructure space, while I was still completing my MBA, Chris took the time to speak with me and offered invaluable guidance on building an impactful career in infrastructure, well beyond traditional project finance. He continues to inspire me through his commitment to bold and innovative approaches that maximize value for money. I also enjoy our many conversations about camping and attending RV expos.

I also would like to recognize John Traianopoulos and Zaeem Ahmed for their ongoing strong support and professional guidance throughout my time at IO.

What does your role entail? As a Senior Project Manager, I serve as a central point for all project-related activities, while mentoring and supporting my team in reaching their career goals. From day-to-day inquiries to complex troubleshooting, I draw on my diverse project background to collaborate effectively with both our in-house experts and external partners. Currently, I’m leading our team through a critical P3 contract re-negotiation, ensuring we continue to deliver on scope, schedule, and budget.

Tell us what it’s like to work on your team. This is genuinely the best team I’ve worked with in my career. They are not only exceptional professionals but truly good people with a positive, solution-driven mindset. The collaboration is seamless—often, by the time I hit “send” in our team chat, all four of my colleagues have already jumped in with answers or support. Everyone is willing to help, whether it’s for the success of the project, the team, or one another.

How has your career grown since joining IO? My career has grown exponentially since joining IO. One example is the Macdonald Block Reconstruction Project (MBRP), a multi-billion-dollar P3 initiative that spans sustainability, heritage, lifecycle management, accessibility, and more. Work on projects of this scale has given me the privilege of working with some of IO’s brightest talent across all departments—including executive leadership—on industry-leading decisions that advance our mandate to serve the Crown and the taxpayer.

What would your advice be to a new employee? Dive in. You’re here because someone already believes in your potential—make sure you believe in it too. Ask questions, challenge outcomes, and offer solutions. IO is full of some of the smartest and most talented professionals in the industry. We’re an organization committed to results, and it shows in our everyday interactions. Don’t hesitate to seek support; people here genuinely want to help.

Is there someone at IO who inspires, motivates, or mentors you? I would like to recognize Ilke Ayan. We met about eight years ago while working at the Federal Government, where he took me under his wing. He has mentored me ever since and has been instrumental in my growth, opening doors to new opportunities and challenges. He is a true people leader, and I’m grateful for his guidance.

What is the most interesting project you’ve worked on for IO? What did you do on that project? Since joining IO in 2024, I’ve been working on the MBRP as the Senior Project Manager. This historical reconstruction of the government’s central administrative hub has faced unprecedented challenges. It is truly a once-in-a-career opportunity, giving me deep exposure to complex contracting, dispute resolution, and high-stake decision-making.

Over your 20+ years at IO, how would you describe the evolution of your role(s)? My career has shifted quite a bit. I began as an Operations Manager for a district school board, then joined the ORC in 2004 as an Area Manager delivering Real Estate Services for the government portfolio. Today, as Portfolio Real Estate Manager (PREM) with IO, I provide higher-level oversight and strategic advice role to government. 

Tell us what it’s like to work on your team? We’re a very cohesive, and although we’re regionally dispersed across the province, we are closely connected. We meet often, draw on each other’s experiences, and provide advice and support. IO is a great place to be on a team.

Looking back, can you share your biggest accomplishment at IO? Working on P3 Projects is always a highlight, especially looking back at the first IO P3 that I was involved in – the Thunder Bay Courthouse. At the time, I was with ORC, but we collaborated with IO who was delivering this project.

It was rewarding to see aging facilities replaced with a new courthouse that consolidated two sites. It brought investment to community and delivered real value for Ontarians.

Just as today, we worked as one team, collaborating across government to provide high-quality real estate services that make a difference for citizens.

What makes IO a truly unique place to work, even after two decades? IO is constantly evolving. From self-performed services to outsourcing, the changes keep work fresh and challenging. No two days are alike, and every project ties back to government priorities, making the work meaningful.

What is your career background? I studied urban planning at Queen’s University, specializing in land use planning and real estate. Over the past 15 years, I’ve worked at both federal and provincial levels, based in Ottawa and now Toronto, on projects that span the entire province.

My work has focused on guiding government realty, such as former campuses, through master planning, transactions, and achieving targeted outcomes. These efforts have supported the creation of transit-oriented communities, long-term care facilities, community infrastructure, and a range of housing types, including market, affordable, and supportive housing.   

Outcomes are secured through various transaction mechanisms including purchase and sale agreements, easements, land use entitlements, long-term development agreements deals and so on.

Looking back, can you share your biggest accomplishment at IO? [or milestone, etc.]  I led the open market sale of 328-acres of provincial lands in the Guelph Innovation District. This transaction successfully advanced multiple provincial objectives and marked a transformative city-building opportunity I was proud to be part of. Through this, IO implemented a secondary plan that re-designated the site for mixed-use residential and employment, significantly increasing its value.

The project exemplified the interdisciplinary and complex nature of our work at IO. I vividly recall reviewing a planning submission, negotiating a legal agreement, and running a financial proforma—all in the same day!

Its success was rooted in strong collaboration across IO’s technical teams, including experts in archaeology, heritage, land surveying, appraisal, legal services, environmental management, planning, and asset management.  We also maintained resilient and constructive relationships with external stakeholders throughout.

What makes IO a truly unique place to work, even after two decades? The work we do is impactful and delivers meaningful benefits to Ontarians. 

One of the most rewarding aspects is seeing tangible outcomes of past projects, such as the transformation of underutilized government campus sites into new communities, providing benefits such as housing and essential infrastructure.

I am also supported by leadership that encourages new and creative approaches, which ultimately adds value for government.  

Altogether, the work provides a strong sense of purpose and fulfillment.   

Looking back on your career, who has inspired you professionally? (either within IO or outside IO) Professor David Gordon, Professor at the Queen’s University School of Urban and Regional Planning. I landed a summer job with Dr. Gordon after second year of undergrad and seemingly caught the planning ‘bug’. 

I was drawn to the discipline’s commitment to serving the public interest and its focus on improving the communities we live in. I also appreciate its multidisciplinary nature – and admittedly, its semblance to my favourite computer game of all-time, SimCity 2000.