RealStories combines the power of inspiration with action to improve inclusion and diversity in the Commercial Real Estate and Development (CRED) industry.

Stories and storytelling have the power to allow for authentic and impactful human connection and learning opportunities. The RealStories Speaker Series, launched in 2021, features the untold stories of the CRED industry’s leaders to empower and educate our industry’s professionals. Our focus will be on profiling diverse professionals, including those who are typically underrepresented in the spotlight at CRED industry events.

RealStoriesTM Speaker Series was created to foster inspiration and awareness to the diverse experiences of leaders in our Commercial Real Estate and Development (CRED) industry and to spearhead change toward greater inclusion. The goal is to educate, impact and influence people to instigate the evolution of our industry. This is urgently needed to better serve the diverse population of the communities we are building.

OUR INSPIRATION

OUR ACTION

In tandem, the RealStoriesTM Impact Scholarship Fund is being developed to address the lack of diverse talent in our industry. The aim is to provide opportunity to individuals from diverse and underrepresented groups access to real estate education, employment opportunities, mentorship and networking to finally broaden the talent pipeline. 
We aim to utilize this platform to promote the CRED industry to young professionals, to raise awareness of real estate as a career, and demonstrate that success in the industry is possible for all regardless of background.

Meet the committee

  • Ryan Ram

    PRINCIPAL, STRATEGY & ENGAGMENT AT MATRIX360

  • Jacob Iftah

    MANAGING PARTNER AT KIN CAPITAL

  • CHRISTIAN PETERSEN

    DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT AT PODIUM DEVELOPMENT

  • MADELEINE HICKS

    MANAGER, DEVELOPMENT AT OXFORD PROPERTIES

  • TUSHAR GAMBHIR

    DIRECTOR, ASSET MANAGEMENT AT MANULIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, REAL ESTATE

  • TAYLOR DAYAL-ESCUTIN

    ASSISTANT PROJECT MANAGER, DEVELOPMENT CONSTRUCTION AT RIOCAN

  • NANDI ZHANG

    DIRECTOR, REAL ESTATE MARKETS AT RBC