The Way Forward Webcasts with Leon Goren

The unexpected emergence of the COVID-19 crisis has taken everyone by surprise – affecting every country, every industry, every market. So with all the recent developments of the COVID-19 crisis and the measures governments are taking to mitigate loss of life, where does that leave the residential real estate market?

Hunter Milbourne, nationally recognized authority in residential real estate discusses the following:

• What does the residential real estate market in Toronto look like 6 – 9 months from now?
• If you were thinking of selling this spring, should you be reconsidering?
• If you’re a buyer and/or investor in Toronto when do you jump in?
• What does the rental market look like in the next year?
• Where will we be 3 to 5 years from now in terms of pricing?

Hunter Milborne: President & CEO, Milborne Group

Hunter Milborne is nationally recognized as the “Dean of Condos” by Canadian Business Magazine. Through his firm, Milborne Real Estate Inc., Mr. Milborne has been personally responsible for the marketing and sales of over $25 billion in properties, having sold over 100,000 units. With over 38 years of experience, Mr. Milborne is well known for his entrepreneurial style, creative problem solving and innovative market penetration strategies.

Milborne Real Estate has served hundreds of clients on a range of projects, from vacation homes to high-density multi-use developments in locations around the world. Selling more than 700 developments since its inception, Milborne Real Estate continues to hold a 12-15% market share in Toronto in an industry with over 1000 competing companies.

The high measure of his success is evident in the large volume of repeat business secured, due to Mr. Milborne’s expert guidance. He has firmly established Milborne Real Estate as the most dominant force in Canadian condominium marketing.

Given the unusual circumstances with markets at the moment and the volatility across all sectors, we’ve asked Greg Thompson and John Kustec from Focus Asset Management to provide some insights and understanding of what may be in store.

Greg and John discuss:

• Historical events affecting the markets
• How current events are affecting the markets

Greg Thomson, Chairman, Focus Asset Management

Greg Thompson has been Chairman of Focus Asset Management since 2017. Greg is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee and is also dedicated to various aspects of the business, including client development and strategic direction of the firm. Prior to joining Focus, Greg spent over 20 years in capital markets where he was a ranked research analyst, founded a boutique investment bank and most recently, led the investment banking operations of a Canadian bank–owned investment dealer. Greg holds an MBA from Concordia University and an undergraduate degree from Bishop’s University. As well as sitting on the Investment Committee of the Sunnybrook Hospital Foundation, Greg is the founder of “Making a Difference” projects in needs-based schools within the Toronto District School Board.

John Kustec, Portfolio Manager, Focus Asset Management

John Kustec joined Focus Asset Management as a Portfolio Manager in 2012. John is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee and an integral part of Focus’ client service team. Prior to joining Focus, John spent eight years as a Portfolio Manager at a bank-owned investment counselling firm and was previously a Partner and Portfolio Manager in the private client group at an independently owned investment counselling firm. John has a bachelor of arts in math and economics from Queen’s University and is a CFA charter holder. John served on the Investment Committee and the Board of Directors of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation. John also chaired Bloorview’s Investment Committee and served on its Board of Trustees.

With the onset of lock down measures and the negative effects on the economy and our basic way of life, the COVID-19 crisis is having a significant impact on mental health. In this session, Amy Deacon will cover personal mental health and dealing with the anxiety and depression of isolation and uncertainty. What can we all do to deal with this transition in a healthy way? Discussion of tools, activities and tips to help you, your family and organization.

Amy speaks to us on the following topics:

• Personal mental health
• The risks of burnout
• Tips and tools on maintaining good mental health through the pandemic

Amy Deacon, Registered Social Worker, Cleveland Clinic Canada

Amy Deacon is a Registered Social Worker at Cleveland Clinic Canada. Ms. Deacon has a decade of experience providing individual and group counseling as it relates to trauma and mental health. Ms. Deacon describes her counselling practice as one rooted in empowerment, as she works closely with individuals to build a life they find rewarding and meaningful. She is an advocate of “making purpose out of pain,” as it strengthens both resilience as well as compassion.

Ms. Deacon obtained a certificate in Life Coaching from Seneca College before going on to complete her Bachelor of Arts from York University, and finally her Masters in Social Work from the University of Toronto. She has since gone on to complete training in a wide variety of areas, including cognitive behavioural therapy, clinical traumatology, suicide intervention, harm reduction and life skills. In her treatments she incorporates motivational interviewing, mindfulness, and brief solution-focused therapy.

A big believer in giving back to her community, Ms. Deacon has been involved with numerous charities. She acted as a volunteer for Pathways to Education: Lawrence Heights, where she provided academic and personal support to youth in the Lawrence Heights community. She has also volunteered with All Saints Church, COSTI Immigrant Services and 40 Oaks drop-in centre for individuals living in poverty.

When she’s not seeing patients, Ms. Deacon loves to spend time with her husband and two young daughters. She also enjoys running, hiking and being outdoors.

What are organizations doing to manage COVID-19 from an employee health and safety, business continuity and organizational risk perspective? What can leaders do to manage through this extraordinary time? Discussion of general trends, approaches and criteria for success.
Dr. Varley speaks on the following topics:

• What can leaders do to protect their staff from an employee health and safety, business continuity and organizational risk perspective
• Proper workplace etiquette during COVID-19 crisis
• Proper public place (ie grocery store) etiquette during COVID-19 crisis
• COVID-19 as it is understood today

Talia Varley, MD, Physician Lead of Advisory Services, Cleveland Clinic Canada:

Dr. Varley is the physician lead of Advisory Services and Cleveland Clinic Canada. She drives the Medical Director program to provide non-healthcare organizations with a Chief Medical Director (CMD), backed by our global enterprise. She complements her management role with ongoing medical practice in the growing fields of addictions medicine and chronic pain

Dr. Varley previously worked in management consulting at McKinsey & Company across a broad spectrum of corporate mandates, from due diligence and cost reduction initiatives to employee experience design and digital lab strategy & launch. Recent work included building a digital talent engine and launching an enterprise agility transformation.

Talia holds an MPH from Harvard University, MD & CCFP from McMaster University, and BSc from Western University. She previously worked at Harvard Business School, University of Toronto, McMaster University and SickKids Hospital.

Given the unusual circumstances with markets at the moment and the volatility across all sectors, we’ve asked Greg Thompson and John Kustec from Focus Asset Management to provide some insights and understanding of what may be in store.

For a recording of this session, please visit our COVID-19 Resource Centre by clicking here.

Greg and John discuss:

• Historical events affecting the markets
• How current events are affecting the markets

Greg Thompson & John Kustec

Chairman & Portfolio Manager

Focus Asset Management

Greg Thomson, Chairman, Focus Asset Management

Greg Thompson has been Chairman of Focus Asset Management since 2017. Greg is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee and is also dedicated to various aspects of the business, including client development and strategic direction of the firm. Prior to joining Focus, Greg spent over 20 years in capital markets where he was a ranked research analyst, founded a boutique investment bank and most recently, led the investment banking operations of a Canadian bank–owned investment dealer. Greg holds an MBA from Concordia University and an undergraduate degree from Bishop’s University. As well as sitting on the Investment Committee of the Sunnybrook Hospital Foundation, Greg is the founder of “Making a Difference” projects in needs-based schools within the Toronto District School Board.

John Kustec, Portfolio Manager, Focus Asset Management

John Kustec joined Focus Asset Management as a Portfolio Manager in 2012. John is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee and an integral part of Focus’ client service team. Prior to joining Focus, John spent eight years as a Portfolio Manager at a bank-owned investment counselling firm and was previously a Partner and Portfolio Manager in the private client group at an independently owned investment counselling firm. John has a bachelor of arts in math and economics from Queen’s University and is a CFA charter holder. John served on the Investment Committee and the Board of Directors of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation. John also chaired Bloorview’s Investment Committee and served on its Board of Trustees.