Oxford Properties Group announced the appointments of two senior leaders into newly created roles based in New York.

Longtime Oxford executive Dean Shapiro has been promoted to global head of development, while Diana Shieh has joined Oxford as head of U.S. asset management.

Shapiro will manage Oxford’s development platform activity globally, which comprises 70 active projects across several commercial real estate sectors from Canada to Australia. 

His tenure at Oxford spans over 12 years in increasingly senior roles, including head of U.S. development and head of strategic partnerships. Shapiro led Oxford’s delivery and ongoing operations of St. John’s Terminal, the vanguard Manhattan office development sold to Google for US$2.1 billion in 2022.

Shieh, as head of U.S. asset management, will provide oversight to portfolio-wide strategies, further develop the long-term vision and drive asset-level value for Oxford’s U.S. portfolio. 

Prior to joining Oxford, Shieh was global co-head of portfolio and asset management at Madison International Realty, with responsibility for Madison’s $8.5 billion domestic and international investment portfolio.

Shapiro and Shieh boast over 30 years, and 20 years respectively of real estate experience. 

Shapiro previously served as COO and partner at Building & Land Technology and was an executive managing director of CBRE in New York. 

Shieh’s career includes time at Rockwood Capital and Shorenstein Properties, where she managed the group’s seven million square foot commercial real estate portfolio.

Freedman replaces Frank on AHIP board

Amy Freedman has joined American Hotel Income Properties REIT LP (HOT.UN-T) as an independent director following the resignation of Richard Frank from the board.

Freedman was also appointed chair of the compensation committee and a member of the audit committee and investment committee.

She is a partner and head of engagement fund investment at Ewing Morris & Co. Investment Partners Ltd. She previously served as chief executive officer of Kingsdale Advisors, and spent over 15 years in capital markets as an investment banker with global firms including Stifel and Morgan Stanley in both Toronto and New York. 

She holds an MBA and JD from the University of Toronto.

Freedman also serves as a director of Canaccord Genuity Corp. and Mandalay Resources Corp.

Frank resigned as a director to focus on other opportunities and to allow AHIP to progress its board gender diversity goals by adding an additional female member.

Taneja becomes CFO at TAS

TAS has named Priyanka Taneja, CPA, as its new chief financial officer. With a career spanning more than 15 years in the real estate sector, Taneja brings extensive expertise and leadership to TAS.

"We are thrilled to welcome Priyanka as our new CFO and partner. Her deep financial experience, focus on business transformation for sustainable growth, and extensive track record in engaging with diverse stakeholders will continue to strengthen our team,” Mazyar Mortazavi, president and CEO of TAS, said in the announcement.

Taneja joins TAS after a tenure as the CFO of Irish Residential Properties REIT Plc, and senior vice-president of finance at CAPREIT. 

In her previous roles, Taneja led finance strategy and public-market reporting to shareholders. Additionally, she managed significant real estate transactions and debt portfolios. 

Cooper elevated to partner at Alate

Real estate technology venture capital firm Alate Partners promoted Courtney Cooper to partner. 

Alate was initially launched as a partnership between Relay Ventures and Dream in 2018. Cooper joined the firm soon after as the director of corporate development and quickly climbed the ranks to principal before being named partner. 

She was recently honoured by The Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association with its Rising Woman Star Award. She was also named to the Top-10 Real Estate Reformers as part of Maclean’s Magazine's Power List, which ranks the 100 Canadians shaping the country in 2023. 

As co-founder of Proptech Collective, the largest community in Canada that promotes collaboration between real estate professionals, entrepreneurs, and key stakeholders in the proptech ecosystem, Cooper is fostering leadership, connection and innovation in the proptech industry across the country.

Clark moves to Colliers as EVP

Colliers has announced Gregory Clark has become executive vice-president, sales representative in Toronto. He will focus on industrial sales in the suburban Greater Toronto Area.

Clark is an industry veteran with over 25 years of experience in commercial real estate.

Prior to joining Colliers, Clark was the executive vice-president, managing director at CBRE’s West Toronto Office.

Ramanathan becomes SVP at CFO Capital

Chander Ramanathan, CPA, CMA has been named senior vice-president, business development at CFO Capital. 

Ramanathan brings over 22 years of commercial banking experience working with Meridian Credit Union as director, commercial services, where he managed a diverse portfolio of hospitality, retail, industrial, construction and retirement home businesses.  

Prior to Meridian, Ramanathan worked with CIBC in commercial banking in a broad range of industries and sectors.

He holds the CPA, CMA designations and also holds master of business administration (MBA) degree.

JLL expands capital markets platform

JLL has expanded its national capital markets platform with two new Montreal-based members: Jacob Hayon, executive vice-president, and Bruno Brami, senior vice-president.

Both Hayon and Brami have extensive knowledge in all commercial assets including industrial, office, multi-residential, retail and land.