MEET THE BOARD + STAFF
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Board president
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.
vice president
James Edgar, Witten LLP
James Edgar joined the IDEA board in 2024 and shortly after took on the role as treasurer. James is a lawyer with Witten LLP, has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Saskatchewan. Through working in the real estate industry and through his clients, he found out about IDEA and its mission. He was immediately drawn to the organization as he wanted to find new ways to support his clients, the development community generally, and the vision of Edmonton shared by many of those people. IDEA was a perfect fit.
James legal practice combines practical real estate development advice with financing and transactional experience. He also has significant experience working with land developers on the establishment and development of condominiums and strata space subdivision projects, which are becoming more common place as more mixed-use projects are being built. He wants to see infill projects become easier for developers and homebuilders to improve and invigorate mature neighbourhoods in Edmonton.
A committed member to his community, James is also a member of the Human Resources and Governance Committee for Junior Achievement Northern Alberta and a current member and previously Chair of the Canadian Bar Association Business Law Section – Alberta North.
Outside the office, James is busy chasing after his little one, playing volleyball, or avidly watching the Oilers – always hoping to see a win.
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
Stephanie LaRone, HomeEd
Members at Large
Katie Warwa, Urbis Infill Homes
Meet Katie Warwa, board member and active contributor to the IDEA advocacy committee and events team. Katie has a Masters of Architecture from the University of British Columbia and is a partner and Lead of Design & Operations at Urbis Infill Homes.
As a company, Urbis has been an IDEA member since the organization's infancy. Katie had long been interested in joining the board and finally took the plunge in 2020 after witnessing great strides in the evolution of the organization and some impressive advocacy wins on behalf of community members and the infill industry.
Katie is passionate about advocating for the protection of the zoning bylaw renewal and any changes that result from the most recent amendments to play an active role in the city's engagement. She is also eager to explore potential collaborations and networking opportunities through her active roll in events planning including the key annual event being the IDEA symposium.
Ranon Soans, Clarity Development Advisory
Ranon Soans is an Edmonton-based urban planner and consultant with nearly a decade of experience delivering development projects across Alberta. He works with nonprofits, small businesses, infill builders, community organizations, and landowners on rezoning, adaptive reuse, feasibility studies, and site development planning. Passionate about city and community building, Ranon is particularly interested in projects that revitalize underused spaces and contribute to community renewal as neighbourhoods evolve, including brownfield redevelopment and the renewal of aging or overlooked sites.
He serves on the IDEA board and is an active member of the Advocacy Committee, supporting initiatives to improve policies and processes for infill development in Edmonton. He previously served as Chair of IDEA’s Commercial Committee, where he led efforts to integrate commercial opportunities into mature neighbourhoods and support more complete communities.
Lisa Kellerman, Rootstock Architecture
With a career spanning over 20 years, Lisa has had the privilege of working with architectural practices across Africa, Asia, and North America. Her experience includes large-scale projects, such as the design and master planning of a theme park, a 1 million square foot shopping district, amphitheaters, sculptural obelisks, officer towers, and residential high-rises.
In North America, Lisa's portfolio reflects a diverse range of projects, from mid-sized to large multi-family developments, high-rise towers, and private residences, to historic preservation efforts, churches, and various commercial undertakings. Throughout her journey, Lisa has honed her skills in communication, problem-solving, public relations, and leadership, attributes that have played a pivotal role in her capacity to foster collaborative teams and craft innovative design solutions.
Manny Fuller, Real Estate Broker
Manny Fuller is a dedicated real estate professional based in Edmonton, specializing in investment properties, renovation projects, and strategic resale opportunities. With a strong foundation in customer service, Manny brings a client-focused approach to every transaction, shaped by years of experience in hospitality at The Keg and several golf clubs in Edmonton and Kelowna.
Manny has developed a deep appreciation for the complexities of real estate, particularly the value-add opportunities found in renovation and infill development. He excels at helping clients identify potential, assess risk, and execute successful investment strategies—whether it’s a first-time flip or a long-term rental portfolio.
A graduate of the University of British Columbia, Manny combines academic rigor with practical market knowledge to deliver thoughtful, data-driven advice. His commitment to transparency, diligence, and long-term client success sets him apart in a competitive market.
Outside of work, Manny is an avid athlete and explorer. He spends his time skiing, golfing, playing hockey, and running through Edmonton’s scenic river valley. He also has a passion for travel and draws inspiration from architecture and communities around the world.
Manny’s work ethic, investment insight, and ability to build lasting relationships make him a trusted partner in Edmonton’s real estate market.
Jeff Booth, Situate
Jeff is an experienced urban planner specializing in transformative projects that expand infill housing opportunities in Edmonton. He played a key role in rewriting the city’s zoning bylaw to support missing middle housing, garden suites, and semi-detached homes.
He currently works for Situate, where he has led numerous successful projects, frequently representing clients before City Council and the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board. Jeff is also the Chair of IDEA’s Advocacy Committee.
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.
Leah Kinsella, Beljan Developments
Leah began her career in real estate development as an architectural technologist, and has developed a strong understanding of both the design and construction processes. Her energy and enthusiasm for the industry are reflected in the work that she does and in the relationships she has formed with industry partners and stakeholders.
Leanne Cunningham, Liv Real Estate
Meet Leanne Cunningham, REALTOR® at Liv Real Estate. Born and raised in Edmonton, Leanne has watched our “little big city” evolve from grain elevators to high‑rises. After launching a successful design and manufacturing business with her husband, she returned to real estate with renewed passion—driven by a mission to keep people local and help build stronger neighbourhoods in a city that’s home to her through and through. With her signature mix of energy, empathy, and Edmonton pride, Leanne is here to make real estate feel like community—one home at a time.
Megan Tam, City of Edmonton
Megan is a born and raised Edmontonian, who is passionate about contributing to a more vibrant, walkable, and equitable city. She graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Commerce and a minor in Sociology. Her minor led her to develop a keen interest in how people interact with their built environment. Megan spent the first few years of her career working in the development industry — even spending some time as a contract employee at IDEA.
Currently, Megan works for the City as an External Relations Advisor, and Chairs IDEA’s Communications Committee.
Colton Miller, Moskowitz Capital
staff Members
executive director
Sean Sedgwick, IDEA
Sean Sedgwick is the Executive Director of the Infill Development in Edmonton Association. Growing up in small towns throughout Alberta with tight financial resources, Sean first found autonomy on his feet, not with a car. While difficult, this led him to a way of seeing the built form of our cities through a finer-grained lens. Learning from the challenges he encountered, he developed an intense fascination with urban infrastructure and development. After completing an undergraduate degree in psychology, Sean realized an opportunity to transform this passion for urbanism from a hobby to a career with the Masters in Urban and Regional Planning program at the University of Alberta.
Sean's experience includes a number of years spent working in technology service and support helping to educate and mentor clients and coworkers. He also has a diverse academic background bridging the studies of space and human behaviour, and a personal passion for music and graphic design. He is thrilled to bring these passions to IDEA and put them to use in service of building a better Edmonton.