MEET THE BOARD + STAFF

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

president

Jason Cunha, Stantec

Jason is an experienced Project Manager with a solid track record of successfully executing large capital projects in the utilities and pipelines industries, specializing in infrastructure renewal and replacement projects.

His strong interpersonal, communication and relationship building skills support the ability to create and develop effective project teams that execute projects and programs with multiple stakeholders, complex technical requirements and demanding timelines.

He is committed to and driven by a desire for continual improvement and empowering coworkers and team members to develop and grow their performance.

Vice president

Simran Malhi, Building Supply Depot

Simran is a trailblazer in the field of building supplies and construction, bringing a fresh and dynamic perspective to an industry traditionally dominated by men. Her journey as an immigrant who hustled her way to success showcases her resilience and entrepreneurial spirit. Simran embodies leadership and advocacy, inspiring others to challenge the status quo and drive positive change in the building supplies and construction industry.

Her journey with IDEA began when she ventured into infill projects and experienced firsthand the challenges faced by builders. This led her to eagerly join IDEA’s pilot program, where she discovered the association’s invaluable solutions and the power of collective action. Recognizing the need to attract and empower young individuals in these industries, Simran is deeply committed to fostering growth and driving positive change in Edmonton.

As the co-founder and CEO of Building Supply Depot (BSD), she has created the ultimate one-stop shop for all exterior supplies. BSD offers exceptional value, providing everything from excavation materials to lumber, roofing, siding, and stone supplies. By supporting the city’s building projects, BSD actively contributes to the transformation of Edmonton’s architecture Simran’s passion for giving back to society has led her to establish non-profit endeavors that unite people in sponsoring underprivileged children and providing them with quality education.

Through her platform, she creates meaningful opportunities for a brighter future.

past president

Chelsey Jersak, Situate

Chelsey Jersak is the founder and principal of Situate, an urban planning consulting firm in Edmonton offering rezoning, permitting, subdivision and strategic advisory services for infill projects across the city.

Chelsey became familiar with IDEA soon after the organization formed, back when she was a city planner with the City of Edmonton. After moving to the private sector and starting Situate, Chelsey enthusiastically joined the IDEA board and has since filled many roles, including chairing the community relations and policy subcommittees, and serving as vice president, president and now past president. 

Chelsey’s area of focus on the board is strategy; she supports the organization in scaling up its oomph and impact through regular strategic planning sessions and tangible objectives and key results. She’s also passionate about connecting the dots between urban redevelopment, climate action, and social wellbeing.

Chelsey holds a Bachelor’s degree in Regional and Urban Development and a Master’s degree in Human Geography. She is a Registered Professional Planner and a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners. Her hobbies include downhill skiing and partner dancing, particularly an obscure Brazilian dance called Zouk. She also has an insatiable love for dill pickles. 

secretary

Sarmad Syyed, Swainson Miki Peskett LLP

Sarmad Syyed joined the IDEA board in 2024, drawn by his experiences in Edmonton, Toronto, and Lahore, Pakistan, which fueled his interest in land recycling and infill housing as sustainable solutions to the housing crisis in growing cities like Edmonton. Sarmad's academic background includes a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta and a Juris Doctor from the University of Saskatchewan. Professionally, he serves as a lawyer specializing in corporate commercial law, particularly in real estate, at Swainson Miki Peskett LLP in Edmonton, where he's been since 2022.

Sarmad's engagement with IDEA stems from his belief in the organization's values and mission, which he sees as essential for all Canadian cities to embrace for sustainable urban development. As a new board member, he is eager to contribute to enhancing the organization's impact.

Outside of his professional life, Sarmad is a sports enthusiast, particularly of the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Raptors, and enjoys reading autobiographies and memoirs. His multicultural upbringing and professional experiences in law and real estate equip him with a unique perspective on urban development and sustainability, which he is excited to bring to the IDEA board.

TReasurer

Bindu Bonneau, Métis Urban Housing Corporation & Métis Capital Housing Corporation

Bindu is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with 15+ years of experience in accounting, finance, administration, and strategic operations. She is an accomplished finance executive, leader, and strategist with robust experience acquired in delivering optimal results and business value in high-growth environments.

She is a detail-oriented professional adept at developing and implementing effective strategies, cost control measures, and process enhancements to uphold an organization’s financial integrity.

Among other initiatives, Bindu leads the planning of new construction projects at Métis Housing, which led her to connect with IDEA. She found the Infill Certification Program to be the foundation for creating knowledge about the technicalities involved in the construction world. She believes the only way to create stronger communities is by working together, acknowledging everyone’s perspectives, and ensuring those prospects are considered when developing new policies and revamping the existing ones.

Bindu is inspired by her best friend and husband to embark on new challenges continually. She loves volunteering in children’s activities and is a proud mother of two beautiful humans and a caique.

Board: Members at Large

Katie Warwa, Urbis Infill Homes

Meet Katie Warwa, board member and powerhouse chair of the IDEA communications committee. Katie has a Masters of Architecture from the University of British Columbia, and is the Lead of Design at Urbis Infill Homes.  Katie is a swiss army knife of talent in her field—she touches everything from marketing, to client relationships, to exterior and interior design of homes, to overseeing construction.

Katie not only assists clients in designing their homes, but more importantly, she focuses on the client experience during the process. For Katie, it’s about ensuring that her clients will love their dream home for years to come thanks to timeless and thoughtful design, as well as a focus on providing a positive and supportive design and build experience. 

As a company, Urbis has been an IDEA member for many years, which has allowed Katie to become familiar with the organization’s purpose and mission. Katie has had an interest in becoming a board member for many years and finally took the plunge in 2020 after she  witnessed great strides in the evolution of the organization and some impressive advocacy wins on behalf of community members and the infill industry. 

While on the board, Katie looks forward to building relationships with our newly elected municipal government. She is also interested in seeing what synergies might come from expanding discussions and networking with similar organizations in other jurisdictions.

Dave Onishenko, Clarity Development Advisory

Owner and Principal of Clarity Development Advisory, Dave is a professional urban planner and development manager with over a decade of experience in the Edmonton region and throughout Western Canada. Dave has built a career of overseeing the planning and development of hundreds of projects in residential, commercial and industrial sectors. Passionate about development, Dave’s skill set lies in connecting people and ideas, finding solutions where barriers form.

Dave holds a Master’s degree in Planning from the University of Waterloo. He is a registered member of the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Alberta Professional Planners Institute. Dave is actively involved in various committees and organizations related to planning and real estate development in Edmonton and throughout Canada.

Mauricio Ochoa, FCX Developments

Mauricio Ochoa is honored to serve as a board member, bringing his vision, passion, and commitment to creating vibrant and accessible communities. Mauricio is the founder and president of FCX Developments. He firmly believes that connection and community are the foundation of a fulfilling life.

Mauricio’s vision is centered around improving urban life and fostering connections among people everywhere. He is dedicated to creating diverse and accessible communities by providing more housing within established neighborhoods. Mauricio envisions a world where individuals can experience the simple pleasure of living in walkable neighborhoods, surrounded by vibrant local businesses and existing infrastructure. He is committed to making this vision a reality.

As the President of FCX Developments, his passion and ideas are deeply rooted in his work. His role allows him to engage directly with the community and stay connected with their evolving needs and aspirations. FCX Developments is actively building affordable missing middle housing in mature neighborhoods of Edmonton, Alberta. Mauricio firmly believes that addressing the housing needs of diverse individuals and families is crucial for creating inclusive and vibrant communities. By focusing on affordable missing middle housing, he ensures that individuals from various income levels have access to quality homes within established neighborhoods.

As a board member, Mauricio brings his passion, expertise, and commitment to the IDEA organization. He tirelessly advocates for strategies that create diverse and accessible communities, working collaboratively with fellow board members to make a lasting impact.

Manny Fuller, Real Broker

Manny, a local Edmontonian, brings a wealth of customer service and guest relations experience to his role in the real estate industry. He has honed his skills through extensive time spent at The Keg, as well as multiple golf courses in Edmonton and Kelowna.

Manny has developed a genuine appreciation for the process of buying and selling real estate. He finds fulfillment in helping clients navigate the complex waters of the real estate market while building strong relationships with them. He understands that a positive customer experience is not only about the final sale but also about the hard work and dedication he puts into every step of the process.

With a degree from the University of British Columbia, Manny demonstrates his commitment to personal growth and academic achievement. He combines his educational background with his practical experience to provide exceptional service to his clients.

In his spare time, Manny enjoys staying active and pursuing his hobbies. He is an avid hockey player, skier, and golfer. Additionally, he has a passion for traveling and exploring new places. In Edmonton, he takes advantage of the beautiful river valley by cycling and discovering its hidden gems.

Manny's dedication, hard work, and passion for customer service make him an asset to the real estate industry. His ability to build relationships, coupled with his knowledge of the market, allows him to assist clients effectively throughout their real estate journey.

Julie Hussein, Investor/Entrepreneur

Julie Hussein is an accomplished entrepreneur who has established and managed nine businesses across three diverse industries in five separate countries, such art gallery, restaurants, events planning, eco housing development in Canada, South of France, England, Italy and UAE.

Her professional career of 15-years was focused on humanitarian assistance within the Canadian Federal Government. Throughout her tenure, Julie held influential positions in governance, risk and results-based management, while making significant contributions to the field. Her expertise and insights were further exemplified by her liaison officer role for the G20 Summit. She played a pivotal role in facilitating communication and collaboration among many global leaders.

Beyond her business endeavors, Julie's commitment to philanthropy and community development remains unwavering. She actively engages in organizational initiatives that promote equity, empowers underprivileged communities, and sustainable urban development. While leveraging her business acumen and expertise, Julie continues to contributions towards building a more inclusive and environmentally conscious society.

Moe Yassine, MaxWell Challenge Realty

Moe Yassine Chairs the Alberta LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce Board, and chairs the Community Investment Committee as Governor of the Board for the REALTORS® Community Foundation®.

Moe prides himself on being an engaged industry member of IDEA, and advocates for inclusive communities through his board involvements, real estate practice, and advisory firm that are dedicated to serving Albertans. Moe has spent the last 15 years of his career in Northern Alberta and Edmonton, where he currently lives.

Throughout his career, Jonathan has been actively involved in industry associations, such as the Urban Development Institute and the Canadian Home Builders Association, participating on committees such as Government Relations, Member Relations, Planning and Transportation and the St. Albert regional committee. Jonathan has also served as a Director for the Alberta Chapter of the Canada Green Building Council. Jonathan is excited to bring his experience in development to IDEA and support the organization with initiatives such as affordable housing, green infrastructure, etc.

Joshua Schmaltz, Eigenspace

Joshua Schmaltz is a Professional Civil Engineer with over 11 years of municipal engineering and project management experience. For Eigenspace, he is the Engineering Program Manager of Eigenspace. Joshua has experience in public engagement, financial management, detailed design, and project delivery.

His past projects have covered a wide range of municipal and community development projects, including greenfield land development, neighbourhood rehabilitation, arterial roadways, and buildings. Joshua actively focuses on delivering sustainable project outcomes that satisfy scope, budget, schedule, and quality control requirements.

staff Members

executive director

Nicholas Rheubottom, IDEA

With six years of industry experience, Nicholas understands the vital role of infill in addressing the economic and environmental challenges being faced by cities today. He values his advocacy work with IDEA and the contributions he's made to educational programming for IDEA's membership and the wider infill community.

Nicholas possesses a unique educational background, holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Regina, a Master of Arts from the University of Alberta, and having pursued doctoral studies at King’s College London during a two-and-a-half-year stint in the UK. Despite his distinct path in the industry, he views his lived experience as an asset to his current work.

Before becoming Executive Director, Nicholas served as Co-Chair of IDEA’s Policy committee, actively engaging in projects such as the Zoning Bylaw Renewal and District Planning initiatives. Additionally, he advocates for Alberta's queer business community as Vice Chair of the Alberta LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce.

Administrative assistant

Alexander Da Costa, IDEA

With 4 years of experience in administrative work, Alexander has honed his skills in providing meticulous support within fast-paced environments. His proficiency extends to managing complex tasks, stakeholder interactions, and efficient email management. Alexander is particularly skilled in utilizing CRMs to optimize workflows, ensuring exceptional performance despite tight deadlines.

In addition to his professional expertise, Alexander holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from NAIT, highlighting his dedication to academic excellence and his strong foundation in business principles.

Before his work with IDEA, Alexander was working within a mortgage team, handling client and stakeholder needs regarding resendital financing.

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