The Speakers Society

Season 2: Igor Dragovic - Senior Development Manager @ Concert Properties

🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Igor, a real estate developer and leader on the Development Team at Concert Properties, for a conversation about city-building, resilient communities, and what it really takes to create places that stand the test of time. What stood out most in our conversation is Igor’s genuine passion for community-focused development. His career has uniquely bridged both the public and private sides of real estate — from working with the City of Toronto’s Planning & Development Division, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, and urbanMetrics, to now helping lead development in Ontario with Concert Properties, one of Canada’s most respected long-term builders. That breadth of experience gives him a rare perspective on how policy, planning, economics, and development all intersect. Igor also shared his own career journey — from studying Geography and Planning at Toronto Metropolitan University to becoming a Registered Professional Planner, Land Economist, Licensed Realtor, and educator, while continuing to teach and mentor the next generation. His message throughout the conversation was clear: great development is about much more than buildings — it’s about creating resilient, thriving communities that work for people over the long term. In this episode, we dive into: (1) Igor’s journey through planning, public policy, and private development (2) How cities and developers can work together more effectively (3) What resilient, community-driven development really looks like (4) Why young professionals should embrace curiosity, learning, and long-term thinking Igor’s perspective is thoughtful, intelligent, and deeply grounded in purpose - a conversation that reminds us that real estate, at its best, is about shaping communities and improving how people live. 🟢 Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.

Season 2: Erin Elliott - CFO @ Conwest Developments

🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Erin Elliott, Chief Financial Officer at Conwest Developments, for a conversation that goes far beyond finance — and into career growth, self-belief, and the mindset it takes to succeed. Erin shared a perspective that really stuck with me: be organized, trust yourself, and don’t get in your own way. In an industry that can feel overwhelming and high-pressure, her advice was refreshingly simple — do the work, stay disciplined, and don’t hesitate when opportunities come your way, especially if it’s something you genuinely enjoy. What made this conversation special was hearing Erin’s journey — how she grew into leadership, the lessons she learned along the way, and how she developed the confidence to trust her instincts in a demanding business. Her story is a reminder that success isn’t always about having the perfect plan — it’s often about showing up prepared, staying curious, and having the courage to move forward. In this episode, we dive into: (1) Erin’s career journey and the lessons that shaped her leadership (2) Why organization and preparation create confidence (3) The importance of not overthinking or standing in your own way (4) How to build a career doing work that genuinely excites you Erin’s perspective is thoughtful, practical, and incredibly grounding — a conversation that feels just as relevant for someone starting out as it does for experienced leaders navigating growth and change. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who needs a reminder that sometimes the best thing you can do is get organized, trust yourself, and take the leap. 🟢 Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.

Season 2: Dalia Kalgreen - Vice President of Business Development @ Unified Residential Management

🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Dalia Kalgreen, Vice President of Business Relations at Unified Residential, for a conversation about disciplined leadership, people-first operations, and what true professionalism looks like in multifamily. Dalia brings a steady, thoughtful presence to an industry that often operates under pressure. At Unified Residential, she focuses on operational discipline, transparent partnerships, and long-term risk management, ensuring that performance and accountability go hand in hand. What stood out most in our conversation is her ability to balance human empathy with clear standards — a rare and powerful combination. Beyond her executive role, Dalia is deeply engaged in the broader industry. She serves as a Region 3 Delegate for the National Apartment Association and sits on the Board of Trustees for the Columbus Apartment Association, where she also acts as Vice President of Education. As a frequent speaker at Blueprint and other national conferences, she is recognized for her practical, experience-driven insights on culture, consistency, and leadership. In this episode, we dive into: (1) Why operational discipline is the foundation of strong portfolios (2) How transparency builds lasting partnerships (3) The psychology behind leadership and risk management (4) What the industry needs to strengthen professionalism and consistency With a background in Psychology and decades of real-world experience, Dalia approaches leadership with both structure and empathy — a combination that drives performance while elevating people. This episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about raising standards in multifamily operations and building businesses rooted in accountability and trust. 🟢 Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.

Season 2: Will Adams - Director of Business Development @ Rangewater

🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Will Adams, Director of Business Development at RangeWater Real Estate, for a conversation centred on growth, relationships, and what it really takes to expand a management platform in today’s multifamily environment. Based in Tampa and bringing over 20 years of experience in the multifamily industry, Will is a forward-thinking leader focused on driving continuous improvement and revenue growth. At RangeWater, he oversees the strategic expansion of the firm’s third-party management portfolio across Florida, helping connect owners and developers with operational solutions that create long-term value. What stood out most in our conversation is Will’s balance of ambition and humility. He understands that business development isn’t just about signing deals — it’s about building trust, aligning expectations, and delivering consistent performance. With both CAM and CAPS certifications, he brings deep operational knowledge to his growth role, ensuring that conversations about expansion are grounded in real execution. In this episode, we dive into: (1) What it takes to grow a third-party management platform in Florida (2) How business development and operations must stay aligned (3) Lessons from 20+ years in multifamily (4) Why relationships and reputation drive long-term success Will’s perspective is practical, energetic, and relationship-driven — a great listen for anyone focused on scaling portfolios, building partnerships, or understanding how growth really happens in this industry. 🟢 Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.

Season 2: Christopher Peter - Managing Director @ Greystar

🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Christopher Peter, Managing Director at Greystar, where he leads real estate operations across Northern California and Hawaii - overseeing a portfolio of more than 42,000 multifamily units. Chris is more than an operator at scale — he’s a leader who genuinely inspires people to reach for the stars and think outside the box. Throughout our conversation, what stood out most was his ability to balance operational excellence with bold, creative thinking. He encourages teams to challenge assumptions, push boundaries, and look beyond traditional playbooks in an industry that often rewards repetition. At Greystar, Chris oversees property operations, construction services, and marketing in one of the country's most competitive regions. His leadership is rooted in alignment — ensuring that performance, culture, and long-term value creation move in the same direction. Before joining Greystar in 2017, Chris held senior roles at The Laramar Group and Equity Residential, and served as a Senior Asset Manager at Prana Investments. That combination of institutional asset management and operational leadership gives him a unique lens on how to build resilient, high-performing portfolios. In this episode, we dive into: (1) What leadership looks like when overseeing 40,000+ units (2) How to inspire teams to innovate in a highly structured industry (3) The importance of thinking beyond conventional solutions (4) What it takes to scale operations without losing culture Chris also shares insights from his industry involvement with the California Apartment Association and the Housing Industry Foundation — reinforcing his commitment not just to performance, but to impact. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in multifamily leadership at scale — and for anyone who believes that great leaders don’t just manage portfolios, they inspire people to think bigger. 🟢 Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.