What led you to choose a career in the real estate industry? Did you have a specific career plan?

I discovered my passion for real estate at a young age. I come from a family of contractors, and I more or less grew up on construction sites. Real estate planning and management is second nature to me, it's part of my DNA. I was immersed in that world. I was always fascinated by everything involving building design: blueprints, architecture, mechanical systems, etc. And I was also interested in all sorts of buildings: commercial, institutional, industrial. That's what motivated me to pursue a career in that field.

What was your first job in the industry?

I was responsible for designing and implementing preventive maintenance programs for the Jacob chain of women's wear boutiques across Canada. My mandate was extensive: from lease monitoring to managing operations. It was a unique opportunity that also came with interesting challenges. The founder of the chain, Joey Basmaji, took me under his wing. He was an extraordinary mentor for me. He taught me a lot, and I am very grateful to him. 

I then worked for the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), followed by the University of Montreal, before moving on to the public sector with the Société de transport de Laval (STL), then the Société immobilière du Québec (SIQ), and now the City of Montreal.

What position do you hold now?

Since 2015 I have been the head of the Real Estate Planning and Management Service (SGPI) for the City of Montreal. I direct five departments involved in real estate management, and thus more than 700 employees with a wide range of expertise.

Our Service is responsible of more than 2 000 buildings and real estate holdings belonging to the City of Montreal. Many of these facilities provide Montrealers with many different leisure, sports and cultural activities, while others provide protection, security and clean drinking water, or are home to municipal administration offices.

Therefore, we act as the landlord's proxy. Our Service is responsible for managing municipal real estate assets (buildings and property) and for conducting all real estate transactions such as sales, purchases, easements and other property rights. We monitor the performance of various projects and programs. We organize property maintenance programs and activities required by law, provide expert resources for buildings that cover more than 30 technical maintenance specialities, and offer a corrective maintenance service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our Service manages building security systems, and also provides security consulting expertise and energy management services.

What do you like the most about your work?

When I was asked to work for the City of Montreal, I realized that it was an incredible opportunity to make a difference in my city. It's my way of contributing, of doing something useful, of having an impact. I feel that I contribute to enriching the way of life of my fellow citizens.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

For me what's most important is to be there for others. The greatest resource an organization has is its employees, and I want to build a bond of trust with them. Even though I am head of the Service, I feel that I am at their service, not the other way around. As a facilitator I anticipate obstacles and come up with solutions so that they can carry out their mission. I try to arrange things so that teams work in close collaboration, and thus acquired expertise can be shared. Yes, I want us to reach our objectives, but not to the detriment of human relations. 

What is your vision of the future of real estate management?

Nowadays our models and references are no longer local, they're international. As regards building management, we must constantly stay on our toes to stay up to date on the latest best practices and technologies. The challenge is to remain competitive by offering buildings with great flexibility in terms of use, in order to respond to the needs of the building occupants. Restrictive use is no longer an option. I think that building flexibility is one of the big issues of the future.

What recommendations would you make to someone who is thinking about or is just starting a career in real estate management?

The real estate sector is booming. My recommendation to anyone thinking of a career in the industry is to complete his or her training by obtaining a maximum of complementary skills and expertise. You must be versatile and have in-depth knowledge of all the component elements of a building. Ask questions and learn from experienced colleagues. Get involved in the industry network and keep abreast of new developments, procedures, emerging techniques and technological innovations.