On December 10th, 2024, the Crystal Ball Room at the Omni King Edward Hotel in Toronto set the stage for one of the most anticipated nights in commercial real estate—the 2024 SIOR Canada Central Broker of the Year Awards & President’s Dinner, presented by the Mantella Corporation.With over 250 guests from 50+ brokerages and firms across Southern Ontario, the event brought together the biggest talents in the industry to celebrate achievements, foster connections, and look to the future of commercial real estate.
A Night to Remember
The evening kicked off with opening remarks by Luis Almeida, SIOR, the newly appointed SIOR Canada Central Chapter President. Luis highlighted the chapter’s significant achievements over the past year and outlined plans for an exciting future. The energy and professionalism of returning hosts Christina Karam and Jesse Fragale added charm and cohesion to the night’s proceedings.
Distinguished guests included Saadia Sheikh, Vice-President of SIOR Global, and representatives from the event’s presenting sponsor, Mantella, including John Ebach, Craig Hippern, Conrad Mantella, and Gavin Gong. Their presence underscored the importance of collaboration and partnership in fostering a thriving commercial real estate sector.
Celebrating the Best in the Industry
The highlight of the evening was the recognition of outstanding professionals who exemplify excellence in commercial real estate:
Industrial Broker of the Year: Samantha Sukumar, CBRE
Office Broker of the Year: Katya Shabanova, Cushman & Wakefield
Young Professional of the Year: V. Bill Pavlopoulos, Colliers
Board Recognition for Industry Leadership and Impact Award: Gord Cook, Colliers
Congratulations to all our winners who have set new benchmarks for success and innovation in the industry.
Additionally, we thank this year's awards finalists for achievements this year:
Industrial Broker of the Year Finalists: Gord Cook (Colliers) and Kathy Kolodziej (JLL Canada)
Office Broker of the Year Finalists: Scott Conly (Colliers) and Connor Macaulay (CBRE)
Young Professional of the Year Finalists: Karlyn Knafo (CBRE) and Rodrigo Silva (JLL Canada)
Honouring the Future: SIOR Scholarship Winners
The event also celebrated the future of the industry by recognizing the 2024 SIOR Scholarship recipients. In attendance were Arzaan Gilani (Schulich School of Business), Anand Singh Kukreja (Ivey Business School), and Oleksandr Panchoshnyy (Queen's University). Their achievements and aspirations embody the bright future of commercial real estate.
This year’s scholarships were awarded to:
Darren Adamah – Schulich School of Business
Gaurav Dhaliwal – Schulich School of Business
Ryan Formoso – Western University / Ivey Business School
Arzaan Gilani – Schulich School of Business
Anand Singh Kukreja – Western University / Ivey Business School
Benjamin Mitchell – University of Guelph
Oleksandr Panchoshnyy – Queen's University
Bradley Poole – University of Guelph
Ciara Redmond – Western University / Ivey Business School
Congratulations to all scholarship recipients for their dedication and hard work as they pursue excellence in the industry.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
This event would not have been possible without the generous contributions of our sponsors. Their support reinforces the spirit of community and collaboration that drives SIOR Canada forward:
Event Presenting Sponsor: The Mantella Corporation
Award Presenting Sponsor: Borden Ladner Gervais (BLG), represented by Adam Perzow
Young Professional Table Sponsor: BGO
Opening Reception Sponsor: Fengate
Gala Sponsor: Rochon Building Corporation
Gala Wine Sponsor: Leeswood Construction
Dessert Sponsor: Colliers
After-Party Sponsor: Niagara Economic Development
Welcome Sponsor: Spear Realty, offering complimentary headshots for all guests
Thank You Guests & Attendees
We thank all our guests for joining us and making this celebration so memorable.
We look forward to seeing you at next year’s event, where we will once again honour the best in the industry and celebrate our shared successes.
The 2024 SIOR Canada Central Broker of the Year Awards & President’s Dinner is a testament to the strength, resilience, and innovation of the commercial real estate community. As we look to the future, SIOR Canada remains committed to fostering excellence, supporting industry professionals, and celebrating the achievements that shape the landscape of commercial real estate in Southern Ontario and beyond.
Here’s to another year of growth, collaboration, and success!