Design and engineering firm Stantec has appointed Arliss Szysky as executive vice-president of its infrastructure business in North America, the firm’s largest and one of its fastest-growing operating units.

Most recently, she served as operations leader for Stantec’s North American buildings business, where she played a key role in the acquisition and integration of Page, a 1,400‑person architecture and engineering firm.

Infrastructure accounted for 26 per cent of Stantec’s North American revenue in 2025 and employs nearly 4,800 staff.

Szysky joined Stantec in 2004 as a transportation engineer, contributing to public and private sector projects across Western Canada. She went on to lead the Alberta South region for six years, guiding a diverse, multidisciplinary team and driving its performance. 

She also spent time serving as executive sponsor for the BMO Convention Centre expansion in Calgary.

Szysky succeeds Susan Walter, who led the infrastructure business through six years of sustained growth and two corporate strategic plans. Under Walter’s leadership, the business integrated Morrison Hershfield and delivered projects including the Long Island Rail Road Expansion and the East Midtown Greenway.

Walter will transition into a role leading major projects, growing key client relationships and mentoring upcoming executives.

Barrafato to join Allied board, CFO leaving company

The board of Allied Properties REIT (AP-UN-T) has nominated Mario Barrafato to become a trustee and announced the pending departure of CFO Nanthini Mahalingam. 

Barrafato is a strategic finance leader with 25 years of experience in the Canadian REIT sector. He most recently served as chief financial officer of Choice Properties REIT until March 2025 and, prior to that, held senior finance leadership roles with DREAM Office REIT, DREAM Industrial REIT and DREAM Unlimited.

He is being appointed to replace Antonia Rossi, who is not standing for re-election.

“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Toni for her dedicated service and contributions to Allied,” said Jennifer Tory, the REIT’s lead trustee, in the announcement. “We are pleased to nominate Mario Barrafato for election to the board. His deep experience as a public company executive in real estate, coupled with his financial background will be a valuable addition to the board.”

Executive chair Michael Emory is also leaving the company and the board, a move which was previously announced. As a result, the board’s size will be reduced to eight members, seven of whom are independent. Tory will assume the role of board chair.

Mahalingam is to remain in her role until Oct. 30 to facilitate a transition to a new CFO. Allied has retained Egon Zehnder in connection with the CFO search. 

“I have worked with Nanthini for over nine years at Allied and I want to personally thank her for her contributions, dedication and commitment to a successful transition,” said Allied president and CEO, Cecilia Williams, in the announcement. “On behalf of the board and management, we wish her success in her future endeavours.”

New leadership roles at Manulife

Manulife Wealth & Asset Management has announced leadership appointments in its Canadian wealth and retirement businesses.

Brett Marchand has been selected to assume the position of president and CEO of Manulife Wealth, subject to regulatory approval. Marchand has over 30 years of experience working with advisors and regulators, leading large, sophisticated platform businesses through transformation and growth.

Erica Hall, head of client relations of Canada retirement, will lead that business on an interim basis as the firm conducts a search to fill Marchand's role. With more than 25 years of retirement experience at Manulife, her longstanding partnership with Marchand and service on the Canada Retirement Leadership Team will help ensure continuity and strong client support during the transition.

Both will report to Aimee DeCamillo, Manulife WAM's global head of retirement and wealth.

Marchand succeeds Richard McIntyre, who is leaving to pursue another professional opportunity.

Nexus names Shethwala its new CFO

Ahmed Shethwala has taken over the role of chief financial officer at Nexus Industrial REIT (NXR-UN-T), succeeding Glenn Holmes.

Holmes had served as CFO since 2018 and will be retiring from the position. Holmes has been with the company since inception and will continue to serve as corporate secretary to support the leadership transition.

Shethwala joined Nexus in 2022 and has served as vice-president, finance since 2024. He holds a CPA, CA designation and brings significant experience in capital markets and financial reporting, including prior roles in equity research at National Bank Financial and as a senior manager in the assurance practice at KPMG LLP.

Brown adds managing director title at BGO Properties

Michelle Brown has been promoted to managing partner to accompany her role as head of properties at BGO Properties, where she has held increasingly senior roles during a 26-year career with the firm.

Brown has been with BGO since 2000, when she was hired as a general manager. That led to a series of more senior roles within the property management division. She was then promoted to head of properties in 2024.

She is a graduate of the University of Toronto, where she earned an honours bachelor of arts with distinction in industrial relations. In the early days of her career, she had stints at both Nexacor and TrizecHahn.

In the community, Brown has been a volunteer executive management committee member with Partners in Project Green in Toronto.

Koerich director of finance at Jennings RE

Gabriel Koerich has stepped up to become director of finance at Ottawa-based Jennings Real Estate Corporation, a company he had joined about three years ago as corporate controller.

Previously, Koerich has been controller at Wired Synergy for about two years after stints at EDMS Dentallytics, consultancy firm FOKABS and HSBC Brasil S.A. He holds an executive MBA in business administration and management from the University of Ottawa Telfer School of Management and is a CPA.