In this episode, host Richard Costello welcomes John Brendan McEown, Chief Executive Officer of the Burnaby Housing Authority.

John Brendan (JB) has been a leader in affordable housing for over a decade. As Associate Vice President of Development Strategies at BC Housing, he guided a team of professionals delivering thousands of homes across the province. With a Master of Urban Studies from Simon Fraser University and a track record of shaping housing policy and delivery, JB now steps into the inaugural CEO role at the Burnaby Housing Authority at a pivotal moment for housing in the region.

Key topics include:

• Career influences and lessons – What inspired JB to pursue housing and how his time at BC Housing shaped his approach.
• The Burnaby Housing Authority’s vision – Why it was created, what makes it unique, and its goals for the next decade.
• Balancing perspectives – How JB’s public-sector background informs his leadership and the advantages it brings to a development-focused organization.
• Innovations in housing delivery – The potential role of modular construction, robotics, and new technologies in solving supply challenges.
• Leadership at a young age – Insights on stepping into executive leadership, building culture, and lessons learned so far.
• Looking ahead – What gives JB optimism in a time of cost pressures, permitting delays, and market uncertainty.

Tune in to hear JB’s perspective on launching a new housing authority, the challenges and opportunities ahead, and what it takes to build sustainable, affordable communities in a rapidly evolving housing landscape

Todd Spencer joins Nicola Denning-Millar to share his journey from television to the world of residential property management.

With extensive international experience in Europe and Asia, Todd has a unique perspective on the rental housing market in Canada. His career spans several years in property management, and his insights have shaped his approach to improving the industry, from tenant satisfaction to operational efficiency.

Key topics in this episode include:

• Career transition – Todd's move from television to property management and what drives his passion today.
• Global perspective – How international experiences shaped Todd’s view of Canadian rental housing.
• Industry challenges – The impact of inflation, interest rates, and economic uncertainty on rent affordability and tenant turnover.
• Regulatory pressures – How rent control, eviction moratoriums, and zoning restrictions affect owners and property managers.
• Building rental supply – The difficulties developers face and the changes Todd wants to see from governments.
• Opportunities for transformation – Promising improvements for residents and property owners in the rental experience.
• PropTech – How technology can enhance the resident and employee experience.
• Workforce development – Changing perceptions of the residential property management sector and investing in long-term careers.

Tune in to hear Todd’s insights on the future of rental housing and the role of property management in Canada.

Richard Costello welcomes Edward Chang, VP Investments and Real Estate at Silverbirch Hotels.

Edward’s career spans over a decade of hotel investment, underwriting, and asset management across North America and Europe, with experience at firms like Goldman Sachs, SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts, Sonder, and American Hotel Income Properties REIT. He has played a key role in high-profile transactions, including a $1.2 billion portfolio sale, and brings a global perspective to hospitality strategy.

Outside of work, Edward is also a classical musician with over 8 million Spotify streams.

Key topics in this episode include:

• Hotels as an asset class – Why investors are drawn to the complexity and opportunity of hospitality real estate.
• Global insights – How Edward’s experience across North America and Europe shapes his approach.
• Investment and asset management – Lessons from high-stakes deals and large portfolios.
• Operational dynamics – How pricing, branding, and management models impact returns.
• Music and real estate – Parallels between curating guest experiences and composing music.
• Navigating market shifts – Where the hospitality sector is headed. 

Tune in to hear Edward’s unique insights and advice.

In this episode, host Richard Costello welcomes Barrett Sprowson, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Peterson, to discuss how sales leaders can navigate challenging market cycles with data-driven strategies and leadership experience.

Barrett has been at the forefront of real estate sales and marketing in Vancouver, with a track record of $2 billion in revenue and 3,500+ units sold. With experience spanning resort, luxury, and high-density urban developments, he brings a unique perspective on how market cycles shape sales strategies, pricing, and product development.

Key topics include:

• Data-driven sales strategies – How analytics inform pricing, floor plans, and marketing.
• Adapting to challenging markets – Lessons learned from market downturns and recoveries.
• The power of pre-sales – Why they matter and how to succeed when sales slow.
• Leadership through uncertainty – Building and maintaining high-performing sales teams.
• Real estate market trends – What today’s shifts mean for buyers, developers, and sales teams.
• Experience across market cycles – How past challenges shape today’s best strategies.

Tune in to hear Barrett’s expert insights on leading sales and marketing through market cycles with data and experience.

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 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