Leadership

Co-Chair

Dina Sarhane
Founder & Lead Architect at DS Studio

Architect, owner of DS Studio and the Co-Chair of ULI Ottawa alongside Evan Garfinkel. Through her work at DS Studio and her involvement with ULI Ottawa, Dina is dedicated to fostering community development, promoting sustainable practices, and advancing the field of urban planning and design. Her contributions help to advance ULI’s mission of fostering sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant urban communities.

Co-Chair

Ross Farris
Senior Development Manager at Windmill Development Group

As Senior Development Manager at Windmill Development Group, a position he has held since 2019, he is responsible for overseeing the development processes with a focus on sustainability and innovation. Ross has a rich background in the real estate and environmental sectors, previously serving as a Senior Consultant at Urban Equation and a Mechanical Engineer at Frank M. Booth, Inc. He also worked as an Energy Analyst at Glumac. His work emphasizes creating environmentally sustainable and community-focused urban development projects. Ross is also active in ULI Ottawa, contributing to the organization’s mission of responsible land use and creating sustainable communities​

Vice-Chair

Benjamin Gianni
Associate Professor and Coordinator, Urbanism Program at Carleton University, Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism

Serving as Vice-Chair of ULI Ottawa, he is an Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Urbanism Program at the Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism, Carleton University. His research focuses on the redevelopment of public housing complexes, particularly government-sponsored high-rises built after WWII. He has a robust academic and professional presence in urban planning and architecture, contributing significantly to ULI Ottawa’s mission of promoting sustainable urban development practices.

Treasurer

Jamison Young
Partner at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG)

As a prominent figure in Ottawa’s real estate and development sector, he is a partner at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, has previously served as Chair and currently serves as Treasurer for ULI Ottawa. He has played a significant role in several major public and private-sector projects, including the development of stadiums, hospitals, transit systems, office complexes, retail spaces, and residential developments. Young’s expertise and influence in the field have also earned him recognition as one of Ottawa’s top young entrepreneurs and business executives, notably being honoured in the Ottawa Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 list.

Membership Chair

Christie Wilson
Senior Legal Counsel, North America at IWG plc

As Senior Legal Counsel – North America for IWG plc, the world’s largest workspace network, Christie advises on a wide variety of real estate, contractual, regulatory and litigation issues. She has over a decade of experience serving as a commercial real estate and leasing lawyer and has represented some of Canada’s largest retailers, banks, and EV charging networks. She has been actively involved with ULI Ottawa since 2019 and currently serves as Membership Chair. Christie regularly publishes and presents on commercial real estate and leasing topics and is an active player in the commercial real estate sector in Ottawa.

Association Manager

Lindsay Germano
ULI Ottawa

As Association Manager for ULI Ottawa, Lindsay leads day-to-day operations, manages member communications, coordinates events, and oversees sponsorship and marketing initiatives. With a background in strategic communications, event planning, and digital content creation, she supports ULI Ottawa’s mission to advance thoughtful, sustainable urban development through collaboration and community engagement.

Programming Co-Chair

Ross Farris
Senior Development Manager at Windmill Development Group

As Senior Development Manager at Windmill Development Group, a position he has held since 2019, he is responsible for overseeing the development processes with a focus on sustainability and innovation. Ross has a rich background in the real estate and environmental sectors, previously serving as a Senior Consultant at Urban Equation and a Mechanical Engineer at Frank M. Booth, Inc. He also worked as an Energy Analyst at Glumac. His work emphasizes creating environmentally sustainable and community-focused urban development projects. Ross is also active in ULI Ottawa, contributing to the organization’s mission of responsible land use and creating sustainable communities​

Programming Co-Chair

Dan Dixon
Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs at The Minto Group

As Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at the Minto Group, he brings over 29 years of extensive operating and management experience in the real estate industry. He oversees government relations, corporate branding, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues for Minto’s business activities across Canada and the United States. Beyond his role at Minto, Dan is Co-Chair of the Apartment Owner Committee of REALPAC, a member of the Investment Committee at the Ottawa Community Foundation and serves on the Executive Committee for ULI Ottawa. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Queen’s University and a Master of Business Administration from York University.

Programming Co-Chair

Bonnie Martell 
Senior Manager, Development at Colonnade BridgePort

As a distinguished professional in Ottawa’s real estate and urban planning sectors, she is the Senior Manager of Development at Colonnade BridgePort, where she has been an integral team member since 2015, focusing on strategic project positioning and the delivery of various asset types from acquisition to completion. Bonnie has played a pivotal role in executing Colonnade BridgePort’s first three mixed-use multi-family developments. She holds a degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Ryerson University and is a Registered Professional Planner and a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners. In addition to her professional role, Bonnie is actively involved in community service, serving on the Executive Committee of ULI Ottawa and as a board member and chair of the Land Committee for Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa. She is also a career mentor with the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO)​.

Programming Co-Chair

Brandon Lind
Urban and Architectural Design Manager at Brigil

As the Urban and Architectural Design Manager at Brigil, he has extensive experience in concept design, master planning, and sustainable urban development. His notable projects include the Dream LeBreton, a zero-carbon project in Ottawa with over 600 residential units, and a master-planned community in the Greater Toronto Area for over 10,000 residents. Before joining Brigil, he was an Intern Architect at Perkins&Will. He also worked as an urban designer and marketing coordinator at Fotenn Planning + Design and as a junior intern architect at Kearns Mancini Architects and John Donkin Architect. Brandon holds a Master of Architecture from Carleton University and is committed to city building, often engaging with local advocacy groups and writing op-eds on urban development issues​.