Did you miss the last free online event? View it here.
Join NAIOP Edmonton for our (hopefully) last online event. Hear from our expert panel about what a return to the office means for employers, employees, and Edmonton’s downtown as a whole. You will get boots on the ground insights from some of Edmonton’s top employers on their experience both here and internationally. Find out about the legal issues being navigated in this new vaccine landscape, and much more.
About the Panelists
Tara Hamelin, Barrister & Solicitor, Bishop & McKenzie LLP
A lawyer’s job isn’t just solving legal problems—it also about preventing them before they start. As partner at Bishop & McKenzie, Tara proactively advises businesses in employment matters, including the development of personnel policies and employment contracts, wrongful dismissal litigation, internal investigations, provincial and federal human rights complaints and hearings, privacy complaint hearings, sale-of-business issues, dismissal planning, and compliance audits for provincial and federal legislation. With a straightforward, honest approach, Tara assists clients in secured and unsecured creditor and debtor matters including the recovery of personal property and the enforcement of money judgments. Her practice also includes litigation involving claims arising from wills and estates, and dependents’ relief issues. Through it all, whether delivering hard truths or great news, she exudes professionalism and performs with skill.
Tara has appeared before all levels of court in Alberta, the Federal Court and various administrative tribunals. In the community, she presents seminars to professional, business and community groups on topics such as employment law, the liability of directors and officers of non-profit corporations, and privacy law. She has fundraised for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and is the Past President of the Uncles and Aunts at Large Society.
Born in Montreal, but raised in Sherwood Park, prior to becoming a lawyer, Tara spent eight years in the Canadian Armed Forces. She is a licensed pilot and avid Formula I racing fan. She is enthusiastic about travelling, hiking and reading. For the foreseeable future, her spare time is under the direction of her two children. Once they’re in bed, however, a good Netflix binge isn’t out of order.
Simon O'Byrne, Senior Vice President, Business Leader of Community Development, Stantec
Simon is an award-winning urban designer and planner and vice president of Community Development in Canada. With his planning expertise, he’s frequently quoted in North American media, and he’s a regularly sought-after public speaker.
His experience ranges from intensive urban revitalization redevelopments to the creation of many master-planned communities, brownfield, and transit-oriented developments. Simon has led multi-disciplinary design teams in the planning and successful delivery of large, complex, and politically charged projects.
Simon was the 2015 Allard Chair in Business for MacEwan University, and he’s been named as one of Edmonton’s Power 30 by the Edmonton Journal. Alberta Venture magazine named Simon as one of the 50 Most Influential People in Alberta for 2012, and in 2009, Avenue magazine named Simon as one of the Top 40 Under 40. As a community leader, Simon volunteers and leads many different civic, economic, social justice, charity, and professional boards and committees.
Puneeta McBryan, Executive Director, Downtown Business Association of Edmonton
Puneeta McBryan is the Executive Director of the Downtown Business Association of Edmonton, with a background as a marketing & business strategist with ZGM Modern Marketing Partners & Incite Strategy prior to that. She is working hard to secure the ongoing and renewed vibrancy of Downtown Edmonton, taking on her current role in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic as downtowns across North America grappled with the new realities and challenges ahead. A transformational leader and a connector by nature, Puneeta is working to support our city’s economic recovery through innovative new initiatives & community collaborations with downtown stakeholders, the business community, and all three levels of government.
Cory Wosnack, Principal and Managing Director, Avison Young
With over 25 years of commercial real estate experience, Cory Wosnack is a Principal and Managing Director at Avison Young. As one of the province's most active real estate advisors, Cory has consistently completed many of the industry’s most influential transactions. Cory has been a member of Avison Young’s Circle of Excellence ten times, a distinction awarded to the firm’s top performers worldwide.
As a member of Avison Young’s Global Executive Committee, Cory has been honoured to help in the implementation of the firm’s strategic plan during its most transformative years, becoming the world’s fastest growing real estate services company. Cory has a never-ending passion to be involved in community and not-for-profit organizations. Recent board appointments include the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Mental Health Foundation, NorQuest College and YPO.
Christie Pelletier, Director, Vibrant and Safe City, City of Edmonton
Christie has a Master of Science in Kinesiology with a research focus in leadership, communication and workplace culture. She has more than 10 years of experience in safety practice and leadership with the City of Edmonton. In her current role as the Director of Vibrant and Safe City she provides leadership and coordination in the delivery of activities that contribute to a safe and vibrant city, particularly downtown.