The Future of Hamilton

Jason Thorne joined the City of Hamilton as General Manager of Planning and Economic Development in May 2014. Born and raised in Hamilton, Jason has been working in planning and community development his entire career. As a Manager with the Ontario Growth Secretariat, Jason was one of the key architects of the Places to Grow initiative and the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. As Director of Policy and Planning for Metrolinx, Jason was one of the lead authors of the Big Move, the regional transportation plan for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. For the past five years, Jason has worked as a planning consultant for communities across Canada and in Africa and Latin America as a Principal with the Toronto-based planning, architecture and design firm planningAlliance. Jason has also worked for a wide range of non-governmental organizations including the Bay Area Restoration Council, Bruce Trail Association and Coalition on the Niagara Escarpment. Jason is a passionate advocate of community-based planning, sustainable and inclusive development, and the creation of complete, vibrant cities. Most importantly, he is a proud Hamiltonian who is excited to be working in his hometown.

Steve Kulakowsky is a partner at Core Urban Inc and a lifelong Hamiltonian. His passion for creating architecturally relevant spaces for people to live, work and play, has led he and his partners to develop a number commercial and residential buildings in Hamilton. Some of Core Urban's notable developments include, the Herkimer at Bay Condominiums, Witton Lofts, Empire Times, Textile Building and Templar Flats. Their current development in the downtown core, is currently underway and expected to take occupancy this Summer. Steve resides in Hamilton with his wife, and daughter.

Pamela Green is a partner in Gowling WLG’s Hamilton office. With more than 25 years’ experience in real estate law, her practice encompasses a comprehensive range of commercial real estate matters, including land development and planning; real estate acquisition, disposition and financing; mortgage remedies; real estate disputes; and general corporate commercial matters. A LEED Accredited Professional, Pamela frequently writes and speaks on the topic of green building. Over the course of her career, she has moderated and spoken at several annual Green Real Estate Conferences, conducted seminars on the unique risk and allocation of liability involved in contaminated land transactions and Brownfield developments, conducted seminars on solar rooftop panel leasing, and provided insight on environmental legislation and corporate responsibility to media. She has also participated in workshops to develop Mississauga’s Living Green Master Plan and currently sits on the Environment, Sustainability & Infrastructure Committee of the city’s board of trade. Outside of her legal practice, Pamela is Director and Secretary of Mississauga’s Legends Row (Walk of Fame) and serves as the honourary chair of the West-End Women’s Network.

Judy Lam is the Manager of Urban Renewal Section within Economic Development at the City of Hamilton. Judy joined the City in 2012 where she leads her team focussed on the revitalization and development of properties within Hamilton’s six downtowns, commercial corridors, and 13 Business Improvement Areas. Through innovative programs that include financial incentives and marketing programs, downtown Hamilton is seeing tremendous growth in multi-residential construction projects as well as the expansion of many new businesses in downtown Hamilton. Judy also oversees the Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council which promotes the successful settlement and integration of all newcomers to Hamilton. Judy has over 25 years of diverse experience that span both the public (provincial and municipal) and private sectors that includes small and medium-sized business lending, leasing, commercial banking and infrastructure financing. Just prior to joining the City, Judy came from Infrastructure Ontario where she provided billions of dollars in financing for various infrastructure projects. Judy holds a Masters of Business Administration and Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degrees from Dalhousie University in Halifax, N.S. and is also a Certified Public Accountant.

A proud Hamiltonian and passionate family man, PJ serves as CEO of Carmen’s Group and is the driving force in revolutionizing the business his fearless uncles and father started as a bakery in 1978. Under PJ’s leadership Carmen’s Group has grown from a single event venue into one of Southern Ontario’s most dynamic and admired hospitality and entertainment companies with interests in boutique event venues, hotels, restaurants, convention facilities and celebrity event productions. The company’s impressive portfolio includes the operation of Carmen’s Banquet Centre, Best Western Premier C Hotel, Baci Ristorante, The Lakeview, Hamilton Convention Centre, and Dundas Valley Golf & Curling Club, as well as its new corporate headquarters on James Street in Downtown Hamilton. His unrelenting focus in positioning Carmen’s Group as a culture-focused, performance-driven enterprise committed to delivering extraordinary experiences has enabled these venues to earn numerous local and national industry awards and allows them to consistently rank amongst Hamilton’s favourite hospitality destinations. Early in his career PJ achieved success as an associate producer for “The Season: Notre Dame Football”, an ESPN show produced by Intersport Productions in Chicago. Upon returning home in late 2003, he quickly immersed himself in community activities and served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Hamilton Community Foundation and the United Way. During this time he founded Hamilton’s first young professional organization, GenNext United Way, and also served on numerous event committees supporting City Kidz, Good Shepherd, Canadian Diabetes Association, Joy and Hope of Haiti and Theatre Aquarius, among others. He is currently the Vice-Chair of the Hamilton Tourism Development Investment Group, serves on the Board of Director’s for the Charity of Hope and Industry Education Council, is a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats TigerTown Council and co-chairs the annual Charity of Hope Gala as well as the annual Amici Cup golf tournament in support of the CYO, Food4Kids and Cystic Fibrosis. PJ served as the co-chair and lead fundraiser for the Hamilton Sign initiative at City Hall, and spearheaded Carmen’s Group’s efforts to save the Hamilton Cardinals Baseball Club. National media outlets Maclean’s, Hello Canada Magazine, Toronto Star, ET Canada and CBC National have profiled charitable events PJ has produced with prolific entertainers and personalities such as Al Pacino, Sylvester Stallone, Michael Douglas, Chicago the Band, Sarah Palin, Olivia Newton-John, Tony Bennett, Jann Arden and Wayne Gretzky. These various events have collectively raised over $2.5 million for local children’s charities, community organizations and regional health care initiatives. A cum laude graduate from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Finance and Business Economics, PJ was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 45 Entrepreneurs by The Globe and Mail in 2016 and as one of the 30 Most Influential People in Hamilton by Urbanicity Magazine in 2015. He has written many published articles and short stories, is a keynote speaker for LeaderImpact Group and is an award-winning filmmaker. His critically acclaimed short documentary “Harley: Welcome to America” premiered at numerous film festivals around the world and in 2017 won the Best Documentary Award at the Plymouth Film Festival in London, England. He enjoys classic movies, oldies music, Route 66, all things Walt Disney and running full and half marathons. In his spare time he cheers for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and New England Patriots but only if his favourite local sports teams are not playing: The Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Hamilton Bulldogs and Hamilton Cardinals. He lives in Hamilton with his lovely wife Diana, energetic son Matthew and beautiful daughter Gloria, and is often seen walking throughout the city with his three loves.

Chris Phillips is the Senior Advisor to the General Manager of Planning and Economic Development, and is responsible for the City’s West Harbour Waterfront Re-Development project. During his 8 years at the City of Hamilton, Chris has played a major role in shaping the future of the City through his involvement in high-profile “City Building” projects (e.g. new Pan-Am Stadium, GO Transit service expansion, “West Harbour” Waterfront Re-Development Plan). Prior to this, Chris served as Senior Advisor to former federal cabinet minister the Hon. Tony Valeri, where he was responsible for managing sensitive files such as the relocation of the Canmet national laboratory. Chris was the Executive Officer of the Hamilton-Halton Home Builders’ Association from 1999-2004 and also owned and operated a specialized consultancy practice. Chris possesses an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Brock University, where he serves as President of the Alumni Association. He is also an Ex-Officio member of the university’s Board of Trustees.

Brandon Graham Donnelly is a city builder and blogger based in Toronto. He is VP of Development at Slate Asset Management and founder of the Globizen Group. Prior to this he held development positions at CAPREIT, TAS, and Morguard, where he managed urban-focused residential (condo & rental), office and retail projects. In 2013, he also cofounded the condo review site Dirt / thedirt.co (acquired in 2018). Brandon studied architecture and fine art history at the University of Toronto. He also has a master’s in architecture and real estate development from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA from the Rotman School. Brandon advises The Laneway Project and NXT City. In his spare time he loves the gym; snowboarding at a new mountain every year; photography (Instagram, VSCO); and local Ontario wines.

Judy Marsales is the proud Mom of two married daughters and an even prouder Grandma of three grandchildren. Judy has enjoyed 38 years of active real estate involvement and this January celebrated 30 years as Broker/Owner of Judy Marsales Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage. Judy has been a strong advocate for a vibrant vision for Hamilton through a number of community organizations. Judy was the first female President of the Hamilton-Burlington & District Real Estate Board, past President of the Hamilton & District Chamber of Commerce, Past President of the Business Executives Organization, as well as Past Director of the Hamilton Club, The Bach-Elgar Choir, Governor’s and Trustee of Hillfield-Strathallen College, and a Governor of the YMCA. Judy was also appointed as a Director for the first Hamilton Port Authority Board of Directors in 2001. In 2003 Judy was elected as the Member of Provincial Parliament for the Riding of Hamilton West. Judy served four years in various roles including Parliamentary Whip, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Economic Development and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Judy is a Board Member of the Brott Music Festival and an Advisory Board Member of the Hamilton Music Collective which supports “An Instrument for Every Child”. In 2014 Judy became involved with the first ever LIVELAB at McMaster University. In 2015, Judy joined the Board of Directors for the Hamilton All Star Jazz Band and is also active on the Locke Street Festival Committee. More recently, Judy is a proud Director of the Hamilton Music Strategy Team (2018), Mohawk College’s Present’s Campaign Advisory Council (2017), and Carmen’s Group Advisory Board (2016). She is also a member of the CEO’s of Hamilton for the Hamilton & District Chamber of Commerce and is also a Member of the Former Parliamentarians of Ontario and Chair of Membership. Judy enjoys a passion for music and has sung in the Bach-Elgar Choir, The St. Joseph’s Choir, Hamilton Theatre and a few years ago participated in fundraisers for Theatre Aquarius’s presentation “Discovering Elvis”. She also participates in the Bob Kemp Hospice “Paint the Town Red” event. Once a week, Judy and her band “The Noteworthies” run an interactive music night on Wednesday at the Coach and Lantern Pub and monthly at King’s Landing. Judy also has a monthly radio show on CHML called “Sold on Hamilton” which highlights some of Hamilton’s community supporters, musicians, and innovative ideas. Judy has been the recipient of many awards such as the 2011 Inductee into the Hamilton Gallery of Distinction, Honourary Life Members of the Realtors Association in 2003, Athena Award Winner in 2001, Female Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 1995, Award of Merit from the Realtors Association in 1987, and proudly received a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.