Speakers

David is the President of Renfroe Land Management, which specializes in land development, strategic planning, value engineering and financial cost management.  David has 26 years of land development and construction experience between Europe, the United States of America and Canada, calling Ottawa home since 2005.  David sits on the Ontario Home Builders’ Association Board of Directors and is the Chair of the Builder Developer Council.  David holds a Bachelor of Science Degree, majoring in Architecture and a Master of Business Administration, graduating both with Honors.

The founder and principal of a nationally recognized, multidisciplinary, and award-winning design/build firm, Ramsin Khachi is a renowned industry expert and television personality known for his vivacious personality and distinctive style.

Celebrating over 30 years of success, the charismatic leader of Khachi Design + Build is defined by his passion for innovative design and precision building. Known for creating timeless, elegant, and uniquely customized design experiences, Khachi ensures that inventiveness, sensibility, and sophistication are the foundation of his design philosophy.

Averse to following design trends, Ramsin instead draws on his inspiration from interactions abroad, traditional artistry, and high-quality craftsmanship. His international travels, inquisitive nature, and steadfast interest in identifying the perfect design solutions and building techniques have propelled Khachi Design + Build to become an industry leader. Ramsin has an unparalleled integrity for quality and knowledge of building science that has made him an asset to the design and building communities.

He frequently lectures at public forums and to professional organizations such as the Ontario and Canadian Home Builders Associations, Design Colleges, and AEC Industry events to share his insight on enhancing design and construction practices.

One of the regular Design Experts on CTV’s popular daytime talk show The Marilyn Denis Show – Ramsin shares his tips on Construction, Interior Design and Décor with viewers nationwide. Other accolades include a ten-year stretch on Toronto’s City Line, appearances on CTV Morning Live across Canada, and guest appearances in the United States. He is featured in and writes for various media publications throughout North America.

Anthony Passarelli is a Senior Specialist – Market Analysis and spokesperson for Ontario’s Greater Golden Horseshoe housing markets. Anthony’s been with CMHC since 2008, having covered regions such as Hamilton, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph and Windsor. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto, with a major in both Commerce and Political Science.

Johanna Chevalier is a dedicated community leader with decades of experience managing high-profile initiatives in both the public and private sector. A former two-term Councillor for the Town of Caledon and Region of Peel, Johanna has worked closely with residents, government representatives, non-profits, and a wide range of stakeholders to support the highest growth municipality in Ontario.

In addition to representing the interests of the over 20,000 diverse residents of Caledon’s Ward 2, Johanna drove advocacy positions on high-profile issues such as human trafficking, intimate partner/family violence, anti-Black racism, and illegal land use. Johanna was also the Chair of the Region of Peel’s DEAR (Diversity, Equity and Anti Racism) Committee, which brought the Anti-Black Racism Crisis to the forefront in the Region and is considered a model for other Ontario municipalities. Johanna has sat on numerous additional committees and boards, including chairing the Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance, serving as Vice Chair of the Credit Valley Conservation Authority, and sitting on committees addressing wide-ranging issues, from government relations, to health system integration, to police internet safety.

At the provincial level, Johanna applied her substantial communications and strategic skills to leading a successful campaign for Deputy Premier Sylvia Jones in the 2022 election. Johanna brings her experience, dedication, and integrity to solving problems and providing strategic advice to clients in Ontario and beyond.

Michael Ras joined Counsel Public Affairs in January 2022 as Senior Vice President, Government Relations, and now leads the Ontario practice. He brings his considerable experience managing advocacy campaigns to the table for Counsel’s clients across Canada who are requiring lobbying services.

Before joining Counsel Public Affairs, Michael led government relations efforts for Meridian Credit Union, one of Canada’s leading cooperative financial institutions and a leading provider of financing for residential housing development. He lobbied for new legislation to modernize the regulation of Ontario’s credit unions. His efforts led to a new regulatory regime that allows credit unions to expand into entirely new lines of business growth in the hyper-competitive financial services sector. He was involved in many of Meridian’s efforts to promote attainable housing and represented Meridian on a number of consultations regarding the housing sector.

Michael has also taken a stab at electoral politics and was unsuccessful – but close! – Conservative party candidate in the 2021 federal election in Mississauga-Lakeshore. Taking a turn on the other side of the table, as a politician, has given him a deeper appreciation of the complex pressures facing decision-makers, the challenge of building a winning electoral coalition and the inner working of Canada’s party system.

In his community, Michael serves on the Board of Radius Child & Youth Services, a children’s mental health agency, and for Career Edge, a social enterprise that provides recent graduates and new Canadians with employment opportunities through internship work placements.

Peter Balasubramanian joined Tarion in January 2004 as Corporate Counsel, after practising for several years at Torys LLP. In 2009, he took on the role of Vice President, Claims, and in 2014, Vice President, Licensing & Underwriting.  Peter became Senior Vice President, Strategy in 2018 and Chief Operating Officer in 2019.  On January 1, 2020, Peter became President & Chief Executive Officer.

Wendy Moir joined the Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) as CEO & Registrar in April 2021. Prior to joining the HCRA, Wendy served as the Vice-President and Registrar, Licensing and Consumer Services at BC Housing. Wendy has over 20 years of experience in the licensing and regulation of professionals, legislative and policy development, construction, housing, and consumer protection. She has led important initiatives to increase the quality of residential construction and strengthen consumer protection. Wendy has degrees in both law and political science from the University of Calgary.

Meet Darrell Paul, a highly experienced building envelope consultant based in Alberta with over 45 years of construction industry expertise. Starting as a framing carpenter, he progressed to site supervisor, construction manager, and marketing manager, earning the PHBI Master Home Builder and PHBI Master Home Renovator certifications in 1997. Darrell’s practical building science knowledge is showcased in “Building Envelope Tie-in Details,” published in 2022.

As an adjunct instructor for training organizations such as CIET, PHBI, and SAIT, Darrell shares his passion for building science and performance-based construction methods with students. He founded Qualistat Building Performance Consultants in 1986, providing design and testing services to Alberta’s builders and warranty providers. His ongoing desire for learning is evident through certifications like HRAI’s Certified Residential Air System Design Technician, ASNT Level 2 Thermographer, and Certified Energy Advisor. Darrell actively shares his knowledge regularly, presenting multiple seminars each year and is also involved in committees like CSA A440.4 window installation standards and Codes Canada, Joint Task Group on Potential Consequences of High Performing Homes, including work with PHBI on the development of a window installation course for fenestration Canada.

Born and raised in Edmonton, Jessica has over 10 years of experience under her belt in new home sales. She has sold over 500 homes and holds a 100% rating in her client real satisfied reviews. In her career, she specialized as an on-site Area Manager, drawing plans and managing the custom- building process from start to finish.

Most recently, she has become a Residential Realtor and has started her own Real Estate team, Rise Real Estate Group, with VIMA REAL Broker. This
community of women hosts mindset mentorship events, speaks at women’s empowerment events and refers all preferred services and gifts to other women in business. She has also spent extensive time building her social media platform, where she not only sells Real Estate but also greatly advocates for women’s rights.

Over the years, she has trained many colleagues to become top performers and now thoroughly enjoys getting to educate and inspire through PHBI.

She is very active on social media. Feel free to connect with her on Instagram @JESSICAXMCNABB or through LinkedIn as well.

Victoria Coffin is the executive director of Buildings Ontario Transformation Hub (“BOTH”) and a member of the Board of Directors with Sustainable Buildings Canada.

Victoria Coffin has more than 25 years of experience in private industry, government and not-for-profit as well as running her own business.  As a lawyer, Victoria worked closely with clients who were subcontractors on large construction projects, new home builders, home contractors and trades, industrial and commercial developers.  Before becoming a lawyer, she was a diplomat with the Canadian foreign service, working as part of Canada’s trade negotiations team.  Beyond her skills as a business lawyer and diplomat, Victoria has experience as an executive in a high-performance home building in South America and in biomass generation in Alberta.

BOTH was established as a not-for-profit to facilitate the Ontario Stakeholder Council (the “Council”) activities and initiatives.  The Council is a broad group of stakeholders who collaborate on the issues that affect the implementation of building standards for new and existing buildings.  The Council brings together a diverse group of municipalities, Federal and provincial government entities, manufacturers, industry associations, industry professionals, non-profit organizations, training and educational institutions, renovators and custom home builders, and builders and developers.

With over 30 years of experience serving as an internationally recognized green leader, Principal, Andrew Pride, consults with national and international brands as a facilitator and strategic advisor. Andrew’s career spans the private and public sector, where he focused on applying transformative skills to influence positive change in energy efficiency, green building design, and sustainable growth.​ In an effort to share his “purpose driven progress” ethos, Andrew founded Andrew Pride Consulting in 2015 to unify organizations in Canada and the US to connect, collaborate, and contribute to making the world a better place.

In addition to Andrew’s consulting business, he is the Chair of the Standing Committee on Energy Efficiency– the group responsible for all national energy codes in Canada – the National Energy Code for Buildings, and the energy section (9.36.) of the National Building Code. Andrew will help foster a Net-Zero-Energy-Ready building code. Previously, he was the Vice President of Conservation for the Ontario Power Authority, creating the award-winning Save on Energy brand and overseeing a $3 billion energy efficiency budget. Andrew is also known for his innovation and drive to transform a large privately held real estate company, the Minto Group, into an internationally recognized green leader.

Chris Magwood is obsessed with helping reverse climate change by making carbon-storing buildings that are also healthy, beautiful, efficient and inspiring and assisting others to do the same.

In 2022, Chris joined the Rocky Mountain Institute’s Embodied Carbon initiative within RMI’s Carbon-Free Buildings team. In 2019, he helped to establish Builders for Climate Action, and has been leading development of the BEAM carbon estimator tool for low- rise construction. He is working closely with many levels of government to develop embodied carbon benchmarks and regulatory programs, and helping developers and builders figure out how to reverse climate change with their buildings. From 2011-2022, Chris was a director and teacher at The Endeavour Centre, a not-for-profit sustainable building school. Prior to that, he ran a design/build firm specializing in healthy, energy efficiency new homes.

Chris has authored seven books on sustainable building. His new book, Building Beyond Zero: New Ideas for Carbon-Smart Architecture, is co- authored with Bruce King and published by Island Press.
Chris is an active speaker and workshop instructor in Canada and internationally.

Phil Santana is the Director of Sustainability at Mattamy Homes Canada with over a decade of consulting and development experience. He is tasked with understanding the known and discovering the unknown systems within the homebuilding industry to enact Mattamy’s Sustainability efforts to decarbonize and provide positive impacts to their communities. He has led roles on both the land development and home building sides of the business including whole building lifecycle assessments, strategy, project and financial management, negotiations, contracts, and coaching and mentoring.

Roya Khaleeli is a sustainability leader with over 16 years of experience guiding and delivering progressive outcomes in the real estate sector. She is deeply passionate about finding ways to add value to real estate development through sustainability and sharing lessons learned with the wider industry. With a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering she began her career in the automotive industry and went on to gain a master’s degree in sustainability in Sweden.

Roya worked as a consultant in London (UK) for over four years providing guidance to architects, developers and local planning authorities on how to integrate better design for the environment and people into their projects and practices. During her 10 years with Minto Communities she worked on over 25 residential projects across the GTHA, provided input on the evolution of the Toronto Green Standard and ENERGY STAR for Multi-Family High Rise programs and was recognized as the EnerQuality Leader of the Year 2018. Roya also helped to develop the environmental, social and governance strategies for both Minto Group and Mattamy Asset Management. Roya has served on the NRCan ENERGY STAR

Ryan Zizzo is Founder & CEO at Mantle Developments, a climate change consultancy focused on climate-smart infrastructure and buildings, based in Toronto. Mantle Developments helps projects go beyond energy efficiency, incorporating resilience and life cycle approaches to make projects future-proof and net-zero carbon-ready.

Ryan is a recognized leader in helping large organizations and governments transition to a low-carbon future. He has led several major projects on embodied carbon and life cycle assessment including with the Government of Canada, the City of Toronto, and several provincial Ministries working to reduce their carbon impacts. Ryan has also worked with leading organizations like the YMCA of Greater Toronto to help quantify and minimize the carbon impacts associated with major construction projects.

Ryan holds a master’s degree in applied science in Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering from the University of Toronto, a Bachelor in Science and Engineering in Civil, structural, from Queen’s University, is a licensed engineer in the province of Ontario, and holds a LEED Accredited Professional designation in Neighbourhood Development.

Jeff is a senior consultant in the BDO Advisory & Tax Services Practice. With 20+ years of facilitation and coaching experience, Jeff helps family enterprises, private companies, and not-for-profits effectively deal with the transition from one stage of their lifecycle to the next. The fourth generation to spend several years working in his family’s firm, Jeff thoroughly understands the challenges facing privately-owned businesses, their key stakeholders and the high net-worth families they support.

For over two decades, Jeff has continued to grow and apply his knowledge and experience to help private company owners and their families adapt a truly holistic approach to planning for the future. He is renowned for expertise in strategic wealth preservation, stewardship & growth, family enterprise risk management, succession & family wealth continuity planning, wealth transition and family governance. In 2003, he earned the Certified Management Consultant designation, globally recognized as the highest standard of consulting and adherence to a code of professional conduct. More recently, Jeff earned the designation of FAMILY ENTERPRISE ADVISORTM, representing the pinnacle of professional expertise in the field of family enterprise advising.

Robert Molinaro is a native of Winona, Ontario, born to immigrant parents originally from Calabria, Italy.  He and his wife Andrea are proud parents to three amazing children: Cristiano Domenic, Evianna Virginia, and Raffaella Josephine. The whole family pursues a multitude of activities, chief among which are skiing and world travel.

Robert himself is an avid tennis player, skier, and muscle car enthusiast, who loves to cook and spend quality time with friends and family in the great outdoors.

Robert’s interest in the homebuilding industry was instilled from an early age when he and his brother Vince would work on Molinaro construction sites, developed by their father Domenic. Working as a labourer, in carpentry and framing, layout person and even as a site foreman, Robert’s passion for building has been a key motivator throughout his life.

A member of West End HBA for over 20 years, Robert has served on numerous committees and has been a strong supporter of the Association’s advocacy for the home-building industry. Robert Is currently on the Canadian Home Builder Association board of directors for a two-year term.

He is honoured to be a past president of the West End Home Builder Association and to continue the work of his predecessors, whose tireless efforts have made the Association a positive force in the community.

As an owner of the Molinaro Group, with his brothers Vince Molinaro, Sam DiSanto and father, founder/chairman Domenic Molinaro, Robert has been instrumental in the growth of the Group as it continues to redefine quality condominium living in the Burlington area.

In addition to the Group’s stellar development achievements, Robert and his family have been consistent and generous contributors to a multitude of charities in Burlington, Hamilton and beyond.

20+ years designing and building additions, renovation and custom homes for the discerning homeowner. A grizzled industry veteran, who along with his business partner Jim Cunningham, recognized the continuing demise of the housing situation in the GTA and started investing in creating low rise multi-unit housing as a means to create a longer term residual income stream. Now uses about half the time helping to create additional housing as both an investment vehicle, but also as a solution for residents of the City seeking to intensify their own properties.

Director of Operations at Wastell Homes, Julian oversees the company’s mid-rise division, bringing a wealth of knowledge in master-planned communities. An engineer by trade, Julian examines the intricacies of construction with precision and innovation. In addition to his role at Wastell Homes, Julian is set to assume the Presidency at the London Home Builders’ Association – a testament to his commitment to advancing the industry.

Naama Blonder has a bold vision: to change what good housing can and should look like in a growing city like Toronto; with that in mind, she co-founded Smart Density.

Her professional practice combines the disciplines of architecture, urban planning, and urban design to bring a deeper, more realistic understanding of how cities can address housing affordability and champion inclusive neighbourhoods with more equitable access to housing. Her work has received numerous awards including the prestigious Ontario Association of Architects’ Best Emerging Practice Award for 2022. To fight stigma around housing, Blonder’s work seeks to inform both residents and industry colleagues about the mutually beneficial outcomes of reimagining what our big cities can look like: greater access to established public transport, shortened commutes, improved housing costs and vacancy rates, greater diversity in housing, and strengthened local economies and communities.

She practices what she preaches, living with her husband and two children in a multi-family building in a transit-accessible area of Toronto, where the park is their backyard.

Between 2000 to 2015, Michael was an Adjunct Professor in the graduate program at the Daniels Faculty of Architecture at the University of Toronto, St. George. Prior to that, he taught on sustainable housing among other courses in the architectural science program at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). Michael is a member of Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO). He earned his Bachelor of Applied Science (1982) and Master of Engineering (1986) degrees, both from the University of Toronto. He also received his Institute for Corporate Directors Designation in 2009 from the University of Toronto.

Since 1984, Michael has represented consumers on boards, council, and committees including as a government appointee (see listing below). Since 1986 he has represented consumers on the Ontario Ministry of Housing’s Ontario Building Code Amendment Advisory Committee, acting as Chair in 2005. In 2000, Michael was asked to become a member of the Building Regulatory Reform Advisory Group (BRRAG) to provide advice to the Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and was a member of the Minister Building Advisory Committee from 2008 to 2015.

Michael has a deep, thorough understanding of government and government relations. He has worked with various federal departments, provincial government ministries, and local governments across Canada over his almost 40-year career.

Dwayne is the President, and co-owner of Master Edge Homes, located in Markham, ON. Master Edge Homes was founded with his wife Anne in 2005 to change how the public perceives the residential construction industry.

Dwayne has spent the last 38 years working and studying residential construction. From graduating in 1990 from Fanshawe College with a Construction Engineering Technician Supervisors Diploma, and a Red Seal Carpenter Diploma in 1992, building houses, barns, cottages, and site supervisory roles all over southern Ontario.  Master Edge Homes has been a member of BILD and RenoMark since 2009.  Dwayne currently sits on BILD’s Board of Directors, is a member of the RenoMark Executive Committee, and is the Chair of the RenoMark Education Committee.

Dwayne and Anne have two daughters, 21 & 17. He enjoys mountain biking, skiing, camping, traveling, and fishing, and he enjoys spending time cooking with one of his many barbeques.

Klayton Gonçalves is Senior Economist and Head of Business Intelligence with BuildForce Canada. He is at the forefront of producing BuildForce Canada’s annual labour market forecasts, producing insightful reports and delivering engaging presentations.

Ian is the Chief Executive Officer at Skills Ontario and an action-oriented leader and decision maker with a focus on customer needs and service. He is passionate about inspiring youth to pursue careers in the skilled trades and technologies. A former board member of Skills Ontario, Ian brings a strong background and interest in advocacy, government relations, public policy, legal/ regulatory issues, administrative law, and human resources to the role of CEO following 30 years at Canadian Manufacturers and Exports. As the CEO of Skills Ontario, Ian is skilled at consensus building from groups with varied interests and can build consensus to maximize and leverage strengths of team members to the overall benefit of the organization. Ian remains active in various professional organizations and affiliations, such as the CISWP Stakeholder Advisory Committee.

“I am proud to lead a team dedicated to helping young people pursue rewarding career opportunities within the skilled trades and technologies. This is a critical time for the skilled trades industry in Ontario and attracting youth to these careers is more important than ever. Collaborating with other organizations and utilizing their strengths to reach these future workers will help the province achieve success and prosperity.”

Shauna is the Manager, Economic and Workforce Development Strategies at The Career Foundation, she possesses over 20 years of experience in the staffing and recruitment industry. She is an effective networker who brings people and organizations together to accomplish common goals. She describes herself as a “big-picture” thinker with creative, unique perspectives–able to find and create opportunities that are not always obvious. Over the past 10 years, Shauna grew to love the skilled trades sector due to the strength of employer relationships that she developed and her fascination with the numerous careers available in the trades. She possesses a diploma in accounting and is currently working towards her CHRP designation, with expected completion in Fall 2022.

According to Shauna: “There is a tremendous focus on trades right now and it’s very exciting to be involved with the transformation in my own small way. I am looking forward to building stronger and impactful relationships with employers, trades associations, unions, job seekers, trade schools, community partners, students, and parents to do my part in promoting and advocating for all things trades. My aim is to identify a need, collaborate on the best solution, and continue to support continuous improvement.”

With an extensive background as a builder for 25+ years, Andrew brings a real-life practicality to building science principles and their in-field applications. An engaging speaker and industry-recognized leader, Andrew and the BKC team works with over 350+ builder clients across N. America. As a recognized building science trainer by the government of Canada-Office of Energy Efficiency, Building Science Specialist (University of Toronto), and HVAC designer(HRAI), is working closely with the development of the new National Building Code of Canada: 2020 Proposed tiered code -Standing Committee on Energy Efficiency in Housing and Building, the re-development of ASHRAE 90.2 SSPC Energy efficiency standard for low-rise residential buildings. 90.2 and many advanced building programs. Andrew is well known for his work with Net Zero Housing, Chairing the CHBA Net Zero Council and Management Committee at its inception from 2014-2016. As one of Canada’s first qualified NZ Qualified Energy Advisor and Trainer, Andrew and the BKC team have over 1000+ NZ Home projects and communities completed as of Aug 2023, working with some of N. America’s finest builders and community developers.

Frank became a certified journeyman carpenter and cabinetmaker in 1989 in Germany. After his graduation as a building science engineer in 1996 in Germany, he immigrated to Canada and worked for 23 years at the National Research Council Canada—first on window and wall research and then on the development of the national construction codes. Since 2020, Frank has been the Director, Building Science at CHBA’s National office where he makes sure builders’ and renovators’ interests are represented on codes and standards committees. Frank complements the CHBA’s Tech Team by working on the Canadian Electrical Code and many climate change-related files. He also advises CHBA’s Modular Construction Council.

Mike Memme is the Operations Manager at Mountainview Building Group in the Niagara Region. They have been building low rise homes in the Niagara Region since 1979 and over the last five years have branched into the midrise market as well. Mike has a Civil Engineering degree from the University of Waterloo, has been president of the Niagara Home Builders’ Association, and is currently acting as 2nd Vice President of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association. Mike was previously Chair of the Tarion Liaison committee and has contributed to the development of the Tarion Construction Performance Guidelines.

Pat Daniels, General Manager of Construction Operations at Glenview Homes, has been in the residential construction industry for close to 30 years. Pat is deeply involved in the association network. At the local level, Pat is the current President and former Chair of the GOHBA Builder Trade Council. At the provincial level, Pat sits on the OHBA Board of Directors and Builder Developer Council building code subcommittee, and nationally, he serves on the CHBA Board of Directors. Pat has also participated in task groups including but not limited to Tarion’s CPG Guidelines, the amalgamation of Building Code, and the High-Performance Guideline task group.

Sonny is the National Sales Manager for Panasonic’s HVAC/IAQ solutions business. He has over 15 years of HVAC industry experience and has experience as a Contractor, Distributor and now a Manufacturer. Sonny has a passion and drive to help his team inform, offer and educate Builders, Developers, Designers and contractors on better building practices and methods to improve IAQ and Energy efficiency in new and existing homes.

Marg Van Herk-Paradis, in her capacity as Co-Founder and President of Credence & Co., specializes in organizational health by partnering with organizations to effectively manage conflicts, assist with cultural transformation, and strategically plan and articulate a clear organizational mission and vision. She achieves these objectives through the adept use of innovative tools and methodologies.

With an extensive professional background spanning North America, Marg specializes in facilitating, coaching, and mediating for both groups and individuals. Her diverse clientele includes businesses, universities, school boards, government-funded agencies, social service organizations, non-profits, and various faith-based institutions.

Marg has over twenty-five years of invaluable experience in not-for-profit entities, of which she served as a senior leader for seventeen years. Her educational credentials encompass a BA in Applied Social Science from Concordia University in Montreal and a Master of Theological Studies from Conrad Grebel University College, affiliated with the University of Waterloo.

Marg is an Adjunct professor and workshop facilitator at the University of Waterloo, Conrad Grebel University College and at Laurier in the Faculty of Social Work in Continuing Education. Her qualifications extend to her status as a Qualified Mediator accredited by the ADR Institute of Canada, in addition to her membership in the ADR Institute of Ontario. Furthermore, she is a certified trainer in the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).