Virtual Spring Conference Agenda

presented by

Thursday, April 22

9:00 - 10:00 AM 10:15 - 11:15 AM 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

9:00 - 10:00 AM

BILD Alberta Update
Hear from BILD Alberta Executive Director, Scott Fash, about what’s in sight for members as the association prepares for its fifth year in operation. Learn about industry challenges and outcomes from a provincial perspective as BILD Alberta provides an update on how it's serving members.

The conversation continues with BILD Alberta Chair, Paul Boskovich, discussing the future of the association and the industry.

Speakers:
Paul Boskovich, BILD Alberta Chair
Scott Fash, BILD Alberta Executive Director

Fraser de Walle, BILD Alberta Vice Chair - Moderator

Sponsored by:

10:15 - 11:15 AM

Consumer Trends for New Homes and Communities
Understanding the wants and needs of today's homebuyers is essential to developing and building successful new communities. The CHBA Homebuyer Preference Study powered by Avid Ratings is the largest research project of its kind in Canada. In addition, Avid's customer experience database is the largest of its kind in the country. In this session, Avid Ratings will present findings from these sources, highlighting emerging homebuyer trends, shifting wants and needs, community and amenity preferences, and customer experience opportunities in the industry.

Speaker:
Tim Bailey, AVID Ratings Canada

Scott Fash, BILD Alberta Executive Director - Moderator

Sponsored by:

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Friday, April 23

9:00 - 10:00 AM 10:15 - 11:15 AM 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

9:00 - 10:00 AM

Forging the Future During Transformative Times
This fireside chat with Industry Leaders will discuss how they rapidly adapted their businesses during the past year. Touching on how they experimented with innovative ways of working; embraced opportunities of transformation; and in times of discomfort and disorientation how they forged ahead while envisioning the future of our industry.

Speakers:
Guy Pelletier, Melcor
Shane Wenzel, Shane Homes
Sandra Young, Pacesetter Homes

Patrick Shaver, BILD Alberta Past Chair - Moderator

Sponsored by:

10:15 - 11:15 AM

Cultural Competency and Cultural Adaptability
The Centre for Newcomers, Anila Lee Yuen and Ayotunde Kayode, will provide a high-level overview of cultural competency and cultural adaptability to enhance our professional and personal interactions. Using the backdrop of newcomer population in Alberta and discussing current issues that influence perspectives on diversity and inclusion, participants will examine their own cultural values, beliefs, and attitudes, and how this shapes their view of the world. They will explore models of communication and interpersonal understanding to frame cultural interactions, developmental model of intercultural sensitivity and implications in the workplace and beyond.

Join them as they explore what diversity means in terms of differences among people, how to value diversity, understand prejudices and stereotypes, adapt to diverse cultures and more. Learn best practices as service providers to immigrants, refugees and ethnocultural minorities and where to find additional resources.

Speakers:
Anila Lee Yuen, Centre for Newcomers
Ayotunde Kayode, Centre for Newcomers

Paul Boskovich, BILD Alberta Chair - Moderator

Sponsored by:

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Sustainable Communities
In this session, speakers will share their thoughts on the role that communities and their energy systems, play in achieving the long-term goal of net-zero emissions. Speakers will highlight what needs to be taken into account and where strong opportunities exist for the built environment. Specific focus will be given to affordability, resiliency, technology flexibility, and consumer choice.

Speakers:
Greg Caldwell, ATCO
Tonja Leach, Quest

Scott Fash, BILD Alberta Executive Director - Moderator

Sponsored by:

Speakers & Moderators

Tim Bailey

Tim Bailey has spent most of his career in the construction industry, starting at 16 years old by working summers as a site labourer. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario and has worked as a carpenter, project manager, new home salesperson, and vice president for an Ontario-based home builder. As Chief Strategy Officer of Avid Ratings, Tim helps companies in the building industry leverage research, data and analytics to create customer experience excellence.

Chief Strategy Officer
Avid Ratings Canada

Paul Boskovich

Chair
BILD Alberta

Greg Caldwell

Gregory Caldwell is a registered professional engineer, educated at the University of Alberta, specializing in Petroleum Engineering. He also holds a CPA designation.

Mr. Caldwell’s professional experience consists of engineering, business strategy, finance, and regulatory policy in the Energy Industry. His most recent experience has been focused in the areas of Business Strategy, Utility Regulation, Energy Policy, and applied Innovation delivering low carbon energy solutions.

Currently participating on national and international committees with the Canadian Gas Association and in partnership with multiple levels of government, Mr. Caldwell is focused on the funding and testing of emerging technologies aimed at combating climate change, promoting energy security, and developing alternative pathways for Canadians to provide for their energy needs. In addition, Mr. Caldwell serves as the Canadian Chair of the International Gas Union’s (IGU) Research and Development Committee, as well as on the Energy Transition Advisory Committee, which advises the City of Edmonton on methods to implement their community energy strategy. Greg’s current focus is leading ATCOs development of a Hydrogen strategy which encompasses the technical, policy, regulatory and economic aspects of the initiative. Greg is married with two children and enjoys playing ice hockey, scuba diving, adventure travel, and continually learning about new technologies and strategies to solve the challenges currently facing industry and society.

Director Utility Hydrogen Strategy Natural Gas
ATCO

Fraser de Walle

Vice Chair
BILD Alberta

Scott Fash

Scott Fash became BILD Alberta’s Executive Director in January 2020 however, he has more than a decade of combined experience with the association and in his previous roles within the industry. Over the past year Scott has played a pivotal role in advocating for industry and maintaining its ability to remain open during a pandemic.

He joined CHBA - Alberta in 2015 as Director of Planning & Development and continued on with expanded roles following the association’s amalgamation with UDI Alberta to become BILD Alberta. During his time with the association, Scott has developed a strong understanding of BILD Alberta’s operations, overseeing research and policy along with government relations. Prior to his work with the BILD Alberta, Scott spent 10 years as a planning consultant working on private and public sector projects across Canada.

Executive Director
BILD Alberta

Ayotunde Kayode

Ayotunde Kayode is the Director, Community Relations & Mentorship at the Centre for Newcomers Society of Calgary. An experienced community development and microfinance specialist with exceptional relationship-building skills. He has demonstrated history of several years of work experience in the non-profit and human services industry. Strong project management skills for non-profits with a M.Sc. degree in Agricultural Economics.

Ayotunde supports the Centre through collaboration, partnership, liaison, research and policy support services. Ayotunde continues to influence the social and economic integration of newcomers mostly Internationally trained professionals through the peer mentorship program. Ayotunde facilitates diversity and inclusion trainings.

Ayotunde has a history of volunteering with Calgary Local Immigration Partnership (CLIP), Immigrant Advisory Table (IAT) & Agricultural Ambassadors of the Calgary Stampede. In 2018 he received the Dave Kelly Live award in recognition of his commitment to promoting settlement and integration services within the Calgary community. In all, Ayotunde enjoys meeting people and helping to create conditions of success for them.

Director, Community Relations & Mentorship
Centre for Newcomers

Tonja Leach

Tonja Leach became Executive Director of QUEST in October of 2018. Working with all three levels of government, utilities & energy providers, the development community, and solution providers to help Canada become a nation of Smart Energy Communities. Prior to her role as Executive Director, Tonja held a number of roles at QUEST, including as the founding Coordinator of the organization starting in 2007.

Through collaboration, Tonja supports and advises Canada’s energy sector, governments and community builders in the transition to a sustainable energy future. Tonja is currently an active advisor on a number of committees including the Energy Futures Lab Partners Council and Steering Committee, National Coherence Working Group, Clean Resource Innovation Network Steering Committee, Positive Energy Advisory Council, and the Low Carbon Community Energy System project steering committee.

Executive Director
QUEST

Anila Lee Yuen

Anila is the President & Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Newcomers. She has 25+ years of experience in the settlement sector. Since joining CFN in 2016, with the support of a staff team 160 strong, Anila has grown the agency by $5M, adding nationally recognized programming such as LGBTQ+ refugee supports and indigenous education for newcomers. Anila continues to strongly advocate for vulnerable persons; especially woman and children.

Amongst many volunteer positions, Anila is the Vice Chair Ag Media at the Calgary Stampede, President at the Rotary Club Millennium in Calgary and on the University of Calgary Alumni Board. She is also a proud member of the International Women’s Forum, the Calgary Hippie Gardening Group, and enjoys training in martial arts.

Anila is a recipient of the Governor General's Award in Commemoration of the Person’s Case in 2001 for her work advocating for the rights of immigrant and minority women and children in Canada. Other accolades include University of Calgary Alumni Award, Top 40 Under 40 designation, Women of Inspiration and Top 25 Women of Influence in Canada.

Anila lives in Calgary with her husband Stefan and their puppy named Sith. They are the proud godparents to triplet boys and a baby girl.

President & CEO
Centre for Newcomers

Guy Pelletier

Guy has been with Melcor Developments as the Vice President of the Red Deer Region since 1997. Over the course of his career he has been instrumental in the development of many of the residential communities in south and east Red Deer. A commitment to relationship building and community leadership has helped Melcor consistently achieve a market share in Red Deer in the 50% range.

Since 1997 Guy has played a major role in the acquisition, planning, and development of over 2000 acres of land in central Alberta. He is proud to have helped to provide homes for over 6,000 families in three communities.
As an active community volunteer Guy has served as the local Chair of both the Homebuilders Association and the Urban Development Institute. In addition to supporting the real estate industry, Guy has worked with many different organizations in Red Deer. He is currently the Chair of the Board of Governors at Red Deer College and was previously involved with the Boards of; The 2019 Canada Winter Games, Red Deer Catholic School Division (Chair), Westerner Park, and the Youth & Volunteer Center.

Vice President
Melcor Developments

Patrick Shaver

Patrick Shaver is President of Avillia Developments, in Edmonton. He has more than 25 years of industry related experience and education. He has his passion for the industry, and talents in community building and land development around the globe. Patrick previously served as Chair of UDI Edmonton, Chair of UDI Alberta, and has been on the BILD Alberta Board since the amalgamation in 2017 including sitting as BILD Chair in 2019.

President
Avillia Developments

Shane Wenzel

Shane joined Shane Homes at a young age and learned the new home building industry from the ground up, first working in the field on job sites, then joining the Sales and Marketing department. While in the role of Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Shane was instrumental in leading innovation in Marketing and Design. Now, Shane leads the Group of Companies as President.

Shane enjoys the home building/ development industry and how it evolved over the years. His goal is for all customers to have an engaging, positive experience that they’ll want to talk about and brings them back to purchase again.

Shane still likes to dabble in Sales, Marketing and Design but guiding the Group of Companies through this ever-changing world is his role and one he knows he does well.

He excels at the visioning process; he enjoys change management and public speaking. And Sales and Marketing gives him a chance to problem-solve. Social Media is his outlet for creativity, and mentoring is a great way to share his experiences.

Shane is also a part of the board of directors for BILD Calgary and the Alberta Enterprise Group. And contributes a column monthly to Business in Calgary.

President
Shane Homes Group of Companies

Craig Wright

As chief economist, Craig leads a team of economists providing economic, fixed income and foreign exchange research to RBC clients. Craig is a regular contributor to a number of RBC publications and is a key player in delivering economic analysis to clients and the media through the Economics Department’s regular economic briefings.

A graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Toronto, Craig was appointed Chief Economist in 2001 having joined RBC 1994 after working at another financial institution for seven years. Craig is a participant in a number of the key RBC internal committees and is a member of the CD Howe Monetary Policy Council, Lazaridis School of Business Economics, Wilfrid Laurier University Dean’s Advisory Council and the British Columbia Economic Forecast Council.

Craig and his wife Susan live in Toronto with their three children Emily, Bradley and Jacob.

Senior VP & Chief Economist
RBC Economics Research | Royal Bank of Canada

Sandra Young

Sandra Young born in Edmonton Alberta and has remained in Edmonton ever since. Graduating from Grant MacEwan College majoring in Accounting, Sandra entered into the Certified Management Accountant professional program where she achieved her CMA professional designation in 2002. During this time Sandra advanced her career in accounting and finance by working in a variety of industries such as IT, oil field fabrication and industrial construction. In 2003 Sandra moved into residential construction with Homes by Avi and quickly entered into operational management.

In 2013 Sandra took the opportunity to move to Qualico, one of Western Canada's largest integrated real estate company, where she has had several roles in the groups residential construction brands, and currently is the Vice President of Pacesetter Homes in Edmonton.

As a widely respected business person in the homebuilding industry, Sandra has continuously employed her exceptional leadership skills and experience in driving the homebuilding industry forward and bringing new insight to residential construction business practices. Sandra was named one of Alberta’s Most influential people in 2012 by Alberta Venture Magazine.

Sandra also lends her time to volunteering for organizations such as the Canadian Home Builders’ Association, and other community groups. In her spare time Sandra also is a facilitator for the Professional Homebuilders Institute teaching accounting and finance.

Vice President
Pacesetter Homes