Benjamin Tal is one of Canada’s most influential voices on the real estate market and the broader economy. He will provide an exclusive macroeconomic outlook tailored specifically for the apartment development industry.

Dr. Mike Moffatt is the founding Director of the University of Ottawa’s Missing Middle Initiative and one of Canada’s foremost experts on housing policy. He will provide valuable insights into the economic and policy trends shaping Canada’s housing market and apartment development industry.

Shawn Ewasiuk is an Assistant Deputy Minister with Alberta Municipal Affairs, bringing more than 20 years of experience in government, housing policy, planning and program delivery. He has held senior leadership roles focused on affordable housing, policy development and community support, with an MBA and undergraduate degree from the University of Alberta.

Mathieu Laberge leads CMHC’s housing economics and insights team, informing Canada’s approach to housing affordability. He previously advised federal, provincial, and municipal governments as a senior consultant, and served in a Canadian cabinet minister’s office on housing and social policy. He holds a Master of Science in Econometrics from the University of Nottingham and an MBA from Cornell/Queen’s. 

Wendy Waters is one of Canada’s leading experts in real estate research, rental housing strategy, and long‑term market trends. For nearly two decades, she led GWL Realty Advisors’ Research Services & Strategy team, delivering proprietary insights that shaped investment decisions across office, multi‑residential, industrial, and retail portfolios. She is a frequent keynote speaker and panelist known for her deep understanding of housing attainability, urban development, climate resilience, and the forces reshaping Canada’s rental market.

Rohit Gupta is CEO of Rohit Group, a diversified real estate development and investment company. Since joining the family business in 2002, Rohit has helped expand the company across residential, rental, commercial and land development. He brings a private-sector perspective to housing policy, development and the challenges of increasing rental housing supply.

Mary W. Rowe is President and CEO of the Canadian Urban Institute, working at the intersection of urban policy, housing, infrastructure and community development. A leading urban advocate and civic entrepreneur, Mary works with governments, businesses and communities across Canada to advance practical solutions to the challenges facing cities.

Laura Way-Olenek is President of The RMS Group of Companies, a Western Canadian real estate development, construction and property management company. With more than 20 years of industry experience, Laura represents the next generation of leadership at RMS, bringing a fresh perspective to development, housing and long-term investment.

 William Lépine is a Manager with Lépine Apartments, a family-owned company focused on purpose-built rental housing in Ottawa. As part of the next generation of the Lépine family, William brings experience in land acquisition and development and a fresh perspective on delivering rental housing in today’s challenging market.

Curtis Way is Founder and CEO of The RMS Group, a fully integrated real estate development, construction and property management company. With more than four decades of experience, Curtis brings deep expertise in development, risk and capital markets. He also chairs NAC’s Capital Markets & Finance Committee.

Jeffrey Soliman is President of VA Capital and Soliman Corp, with more than 20 years of experience in commercial real estate investment, development and financing. He has acquired, financed and developed more than $5 billion in real estate across North America, providing a unique perspective on capital and financing challenges.

Senator Toni Varone is a community leader and advocate for safe, affordable housing, with a long history of public service and civic engagement. He has been involved in initiatives supporting affordable housing and has served on numerous boards and committees, including Villa Charities Foundation and Canada Lands Company. He is also a strong advocate for Toronto’s Italian-Canadian community and its cultural heritage.

Matt de Vlieger is the Assistant Deputy Minister of Strategic Policy and Integration at Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada. In this role, Matt leads policy integration and development regarding both housing and infrastructure areas, focusing on policy frameworks (National Housing Strategy, Build Communities Strong Fund) and emerging priorities and cross-cutting issues such as climate, resilience, and domestic procurement and supply chains.