Meet
Our Team

Novy joins UCPG with a long history of real estate development activities in Alberta and the Prairies where he was responsible for sourcing, structuring, financing, and developing projects across various asset classes.

Novy started his career in real estate in 2008, where he practiced commercial real estate law before expanding his role as in-house counsel for a Calgary-based developer. He quickly moved into a leadership role, responsible for leading the development team for a national vertically integrated development and construction company. During this time, Novy played an integral role in the successful acquisition, financing and disposition of projects valued more than $1.5 billion, including high-rise office, high and mid-rise residential, mixed-use buildings, and industrial warehouses. Intrigued by the opportunity to lead the development of University Innovation Quarter – a destination for startups and a hub for job creation in innovation and technology – and by the opportunity to lead the urban development of University District as a beacon for a sustainable and innovative community, Novy is well-positioned to lead the organization into the future.

Novy earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a Major in Finance from the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Alberta. Outside of work, Novy is active in the community, volunteering his time at various charities, coaching both hockey and basketball along with spending time outdoors with his wife and two boys.

Amanda Wright is an established financial executive with a wealth of experience and driven passion for community, collaboration, and shaping futures. She holds a designation as a Chartered Professional Accountant, preceded by the legacy of Chartered Accountant with over 10 years of experience within the Calgary marketplace for both public and private clients. Her proven track record and ability to navigate financial landscapes has made a pivotal contribution to UCPG’s success in both University District and University Innovation Quarter.   

Prior to joining UCPG, Amanda held various roles in the industry including Senior Manager with Deloitte’s Private, Audit and Assurance team for 13 years where she focused on private equity, construction, and real estate companies. She also held an Accounting Manager position with Brookfield Residential. Within UCPG, Amanda initially joined as the Director of Finance advancing to Vice President of Finance and Administration and currently serves as Chief Financial Officer.   

With a relentless focus on the growth and success of University of Calgary Properties Group, its employees and trusts, Amanda has dedicated her time in fostering a culture of innovation and excellence within the team overseeing HR and administration, IT, safety, auditing, accounting, and general office operations.   

Amanda is a proud University of Calgary alumni with a Bachelor of Commerce from the Haskayne School of Business. Outside of work, Amanda is committed to giving back to her community with her financial expertise as an avid volunteer on various boards. Her greatest pride and joy are her loving husband and three children.   

Jeff Harris joins UCPG with extensive experience in real estate, project management, Six Sigma, business analysis, stakeholder management, strategic planning, facility design, and construction.

Prior to joining UCPG, Jeff worked at WestJet for nearly 14 years. During that time he spearheaded the Real Estate and Airport Affairs team where he developed and executed a global real estate strategy while managing a portfolio of nearly 3 million sq. ft. spanning over 100 cities. Jeff also chaired airport consultative committee meetings and worked with stakeholders to develop strategic road maps outlining key capital investments and operational performance metrics. He played a pivotal role in the design and construction of many WestJet facilities and projects.

Jeff holds an MBA from Royal Roads University and a Project Management PMP® certification. His previous experience also includes roles in project management and business analysis at TELUS, Bell Canada, and Canadian Pacific Rail.  Jeff exudes a strong leadership style that is cross-divisional and collaborative. He is a champion for teamwork and understands the importance of investing time to develop strong internal and external relationships. His comprehensive portfolio and unwavering drive for results will advance the growth and development of UCPG projects.

Jeff is active in the community, dedicating his time to various boards and advisory committees. He also enjoys spending time travelling with family, staying active, and exploring the outdoors.

Josh is an experienced land development professional who has encompassed diverse roles within the development industry in Alberta, with exposure to greenfield and brownfield developments. Josh has previously worked for land developers and consultants, with responsibilities including development project management, financing, planning, engineering and landscape design, and contract management. Prior to UCPG, he was the Development Manager for a Calgary-based land developer with developments located in Calgary, Edmonton and Leduc, Alberta. He completed end-to-end project management of the entire real estate development portfolio, including planning & development approvals, construction management and managing of project proformas and budgets. In addition, he also completed financial and feasibility reviews of land acquisition opportunities for the company, resulting in the successful acquisition of over 640 acres of greenfield land in under 2 years.  

Josh holds a Diploma in Civil Engineering Technology from SAIT as well as a Bachelor of Management Degree with a Major in Finance from the University of Lethbridge. Josh is a dedicated member of the BILD Calgary Region and serves on a number of industry committees including the Technical Developer and Urban Redevelopment Committees. 

Outside of work, Josh spends his time golfing, practicing photography, and exploring new destinations through travel. As an active member in the community, Josh has volunteered with Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Calgary and served on the Board of Directors for the Bridgeland/Riverside Community Association. 

Travis has more than 10 years of experience in the development industry. His most recent was as Development Manager with Qualico Communities since 2007, and Project Manager with Stantec Consulting from 2001. In his role at Qualico, Travis was responsible for managing five prominent Calgary communities — both residential and commercial — with a total construction value of $132M.

Travis’ educational background in real estate development and geomatics complement his proven experience in all aspects of land development, with specific expertise in planning, project management, public consultation, and sustainability.

As a member of the Urban Development Institute — Calgary, Travis chairs the Environmental Committee and has consulted on the Calgary Municipal Development Plan (MDP), receiving commendation for exceptional service from within the industry and municipal partners. Travis is passionate about innovative problem solving, excellence in community planning, and sustainability.

Lorna Prediger is an experienced leader of people, projects and initiatives within complex multi-level organizations.  As a senior leader in diverse industries including higher education, real estate development, financial services and hospitality, she has helped organizations achieve their goals by leading highly productive and engaged teams. Lorna is currently the Director of Marketing for University of Calgary Properties Group, which oversees the developments of University District and University Innovation Quarter.

Lorna has over 30 years of experience in developing and implementing strategic marketing and communications plans and award-winning campaigns. She enjoys being a corporate trainer and instructor for University of Calgary Continuing Education and being involved in developing innovative workplace learning programs. She is a Lumina Learning Spark and Emotion Practitioner who can help individuals and teams gain an understanding of psychometrics and the impact of personality traits and emotional intelligence in the workplace. She is a strategic thinker who is passionate about collaboration, communication, and engagement with audiences. Lorna enjoys volunteering, most recently for the YMCA Calgary.  Spending time outdoors, playing golf and other sports brings her joy. Most of all, Lorna loves spending time with her husband, grown sons and her extended family.

Shona Waddell brings over 25 years of progressive property management experience to the UCPG team. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, NS. Before joining UCPG, Shona worked at TrizecHahn Corp and then transitioned to Brookfield Properties, where she spent 21 years managing over 3 million sq. ft. of commercial properties in downtown Calgary.

As the Director of Property Management and Leasing in University District and the University Innovation Quarter, Shona oversees all aspects of the real estate and property management team’s daily operations. Her responsibilities include managing leasing activities, such as marketing available spaces and overseeing the negotiation of lease agreements. She works closely with prospective tenants to understand their needs and provide suitable solutions while maintaining strong relationships with current tenants to ensure their satisfaction and retention. This also involves ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards, managing budgets and financial performance, and liaising with various stakeholders, including tenants, contractors, and regulatory bodies, to ensure seamless operations and high service standards.

Shona’s role requires her to stay informed about market trends and emerging opportunities, enabling her to make strategic decisions that enhance property value and tenant experience. Her leadership and proactive approach ensure that both leasing and property management functions operate efficiently and effectively, contributing to the overall success of the organization. Shona is dedicated to empowering her team members and supporting their professional growth. She believes this approach has enabled her to successfully lead a diverse team through major events, such as the 2013 Calgary floods and the recent impacts of the pandemic. Shona fosters a culture of innovation and continually seeks opportunities for improvement. She obtained her Real Estate License in 2007 and continues to expand her knowledge through ongoing education.

Shona is a mother of two young adult sons and cherishes the time she spends with her family. She values family gatherings and enjoys organizing activities that bring everyone together. Traveling is another passion of hers; she loves exploring new destinations, immersing herself in different cultures, and experiencing the unique flavors and traditions each place has to offer. Shona finds joy and inspiration in her travels. These experiences not only enrich her personal life but also provide her with fresh perspectives and ideas that she brings back to her professional role.

David is an experienced and dedicated building operator who brings over 25 years of property management, building operations and maintenance experience in both residential and commercial operations to UCPG. Responsible for the supervision and coordination of activities related to operations of all aspects of retail and office properties David upholds the quality standards for management of UCPG properties.

Prior to joining the organization, he held positions at Oxford Properties and Westcorp Properties where he was responsible for base building operations, capital projects, contractor supervision and training staff.  A fairly recent transplant to Calgary, David made the change to be closer to family, taking advantage of the ability to spend more quality time with his granddaughters.

After retiring from a 30-year career in print media, Milton transitioned into home sales, which has led him to the Discovery Centre as a Customer Experience Ambassador. He’s passionate about meeting new people and sharing the rich history and promising future of University District, which he considers one of the city’s finest developments.   

In his younger days, he enjoyed running, hiking, camping and spending time outdoors. Now, he passes on his love for the outdoors to his grandchildren, teaching them how to ski and ride their bikes. In his free time, Milton enjoys puttering in the garden with good food and the company of his friends and family.   

Charan brings over two decades of expertise in both residential and commercial construction, as well as facility and asset management. His project management experience is extensive, reflecting a career that spans across various sectors. 

Charan began his professional journey in sales, leasing, and construction within the residential and commercial domains of a real estate brokerage and new home builder. He later transitioned into commercial tenant construction with a general contractor. Subsequently, he ventured into construction and development with ATCO Sustainable Communities, contributing to the construction of homes, a community centre, and a multi-purpose sports facility.  

Prior to joining UCPG, Charan held the position of Manager of Facility Management, Capital Assets & Development at the Calgary Police Service. In this role, he oversaw the design, construction, and operational facets of twenty-nine buildings spanning 1.5 million square feet. 

He has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Calgary, a Master of Science from the London School of Economics in the United Kingdom, and a Master of Construction Project Management from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. 

David has a strong background in building exceptional teams with his rooted background in human resources and international management. He began his career in the tourism and hospitality industry with various roles including a training manager focused on employee development, food and beverage manager, and brand ambassador. His expertise has taken him across the world including working with renowned establishments such as Chateau Lake Louise, the Fairmont in Bermuda, Savoy Hotel in London, England, and Starwood Hotels and Resorts in Calgary.

After completing the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) Red Seal Electrician Program, David made a career shift and spent over a decade as a service electrician specializing in high rise construction and maintaining electrical systems in various buildings including the Saddledome and organizations with the Alberta Health Services and University of Calgary. To deepen his expertise, David is currently pursuing a Fourth Class Power Engineering Ticket from SAIT.

His diverse background uniquely equips him to provide exceptional customer service skills as the Building Operator for University of Calgary Properties Group. David appreciates people, places, and processes and is thrilled to be a part of UCPG’s legacy in the making. He is a life-long learner who enjoys mountain biking, camping, and spending time with his family.

Prior to arriving in Calgary in spring 2018, Matthew held multiple positions in sports broadcasting in Toronto, focusing primarily on professional hockey and university athletics. Matthew then joined Global News Calgary, where he first worked as a morning show anchor, and later, dayside reporter covering breaking news, municipal and provincial politics and human-interest stories. He departed broadcast journalism in 2022 to transition into corporate communications and public relations and is thrilled to bring his passion for storytelling to the UCPG team.

Outside of work, Matthew enjoys spending time with his family and touring around Calgary’s many pet-friendly craft breweries with his two dogs, Alfie and Daphne. He is an avid skier, sometimes hiker and lover of men’s fashion.

Chandra Fundak is the Administrative Services Manager at UCPG. Joining the team in August 2020, Chandra brings with her 15+ years of C-Suite administrative support and management.  In this position, Chandra works closely with the UCPG team providing organizational and technical support.

Chandra prides herself on being a direct extension of the UCPG team and as such relies on an intuitive approach to anticipate needs and resolve matters before they arise. Committed to meeting the diverse objectives of UCPG in a timely, efficient and effective manner.

Throughout her career, Chandra has worked within many different sectors between both the corporate and non-profit worlds but her true passion lies in being a builder of communities and fundamental institutions that make Calgary one of the top five livable cities in the world.

Mike brings over 10 years of operations experience to the UCPG team with a background in commercial high rise, office and industrial management. Building strong team values and fostering meaningful tenant and contractor relationships is at the core of Mike’s approach to building management. Pulling from an extensive background in construction, maintenance and power engineering, Mike applies these skills to larger projects, team collaboration and future planning.

In Mike’s spare time, he enjoys traveling to new countries with his wife to explore and try new foods. Currently, he has two Boston Terriers and has opened his home to many foster dogs over the years needing a place to get a fresh start. Mike also enjoys playing the drums, cooking and photography.

Ariba Khan joined UCPG in August 2022 and brings a high level of competency with over five years of financial reporting experience working with private clients within the Calgary marketplace. Prior to joining UCPG, she was an Assistant Manager with Deloitte’s Private, Audit and Assurance team, focusing on construction, real estate, and oil and gas clients. She holds a Chartered Professional Accountant Designation and is a proud graduate of the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in accounting.

Ariba is a passionate teacher and life-long learner, lending her skills and expertise to advance students and professionals in the same industry. During her time at the University of Calgary, she was a Teaching Assistant with the Business Technology Management department. Her dedication has also led her to teach accounting courses for an online college in recent years. With a desire to continuously learn new concepts and ideas, her professional skills are incessantly growing and adapting.

In her spare time, Ariba enjoys baking with her daughter, and taking day trips to the mountains with her family. Ariba is excited to be a part of the growing and diverse UCPG team.

Joining UCPG in August 2020 Julie is a dedicated and passionate accountant. Julie brings four years of financial reporting experience working in private industry within the Calgary marketplace. She graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Management, major in accounting, and holds her Chartered Professional Accountant designation. Committed to ensuring that financial information provides accurate and valuable insight to the organization.

Prior to joining UCPG, Julie was the Financial Accountant at Mancal Corporation where she gained experience working with various industries including commercial real estate. A local Calgarian she enjoys spending her free time in the outdoors and with family.

Ashley is passionate about process improvement and automation, and brings experience from public accounting in audit, as well as industry experience in tech and fintech for financial reporting and tax.

She holds a Chartered Professional Accountant designation and is a Haskayne School of Business alumni, majoring in accounting. While at the University of Calgary, Ashley volunteered at tax clinics, went on an exchange to Kawasaki, Japan, and became a teaching assistant for Japanese courses.

When she is not buried in Excel spreadsheets, you can find her curling or doing agility exercises and tricks with her two dogs. Ashley played badminton competitively and continues to play recreationally.

Truc brings over 20 years of commercial real estate experience to UCPG, working as a commercial real estate paralegal for over 15 years prior to transitioning to the leasing industry in 2020.

She has experience in the private and public sectors representing both the landlords and tenants in commercial transactions.  Her leasing experience includes managing over 1.8 million square feet of office leases across Canada for a national public accounting firm and most recently managing a diversified real estate portfolio for the City of Calgary, including the Calgary Fire Department and Calgary Police Service. She also has experience with non-profit organizations in complex situations and uses her creative out-of-the-box thinking to find successful solutions.

She has a paralegal diploma along with a Bachelor of Management degree from the University of Lethbridge.

Truc enjoys spending time with her family, friends and her dog. She is passionate about the outdoors and can often be found on the banks of the Bow River fly fishing.

Kayley is an enthusiastic and organized team player who brings a unique and diverse skill set to the team in her role as Project Accountant. Having recently completed her Business Administration Diploma from Bow Valley College and with experience in office administration and the retail industry, a collaborative style has become an important component of her approach to work. Kayley is excited to offer diverse project support to the accounting team at UCPG.

With a background as a competitive dancer, artistry and fitness have always been a passion of Kayley’s. She has enjoyed teaching and choreographing for competitive dance programs in Calgary for 10 years. Recently starting to pursue an avenue that combines both dance and fitness with barre classes. She is excited to be part of the team at UCPG.

Austin Nagy is a recent graduate from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. He has gained valuable insights through his educational pursuits and looks forward to applying his knowledge hands-on. Austin is exceptionally proud to start his professional career as a Junior Accountant with University of Calgary Properties Group.

In his spare time, Austin enjoys experimenting with cuisine and exploring Calgary’s café and restaurant scene by adventuring into unexpected dishes.

Kalkidan has been a dedicated professional in the commercial real estate industry since 2013, specializing in Class-A mixed-use office properties.  She supported legal administration within a corporate in-house legal department and managed special projects involving leasing and accounting departments. Prior to this role, she gained valuable experience in banking, both in a customer-facing role and back-office compliance.

In her current role at UCPG, Kalkidan serves as a Paralegal, collaborating closely with the Executive Leadership Team to prepare legal documents and related materials. She also supports the UCPG Board of Directors in her capacity as Corporate Secretary. Kalkidan holds a Business Administration Diploma with a major in Accounting from St. Mary’s College and a Legal Assistant Certificate from SAIT.

Deb Seabrook has over 30 years of diverse accounting experience across retail, manufacturing, insurance and service industries. Over the course of her career, she has gained a wealth of knowledge working with small businesses in consulting, general accounting and payroll in addition to personal tax preparation.
Prior to joining UCPG full-time, Deb worked closely with the team on a consulting basis for six years, in addition to providing bookkeeping services to a number of privately owned businesses.

Deb is a proud graduate of the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and went on to attain her Certified General Accountant designation. She has a reputation for providing quality service and dedication to her work. A proud mother of two, she enjoys baking, spending time in her garden, or working on puzzles in her spare time.

Elizabeth brings with her many years of experience at the University of Calgary, where prior to her retirement, was a program director and instructor of leadership, management and coaching programs. Elizabeth is a proud University of Calgary alumna with an undergraduate degree in Anthropology and a graduate degree in Workplace Learning. She is an executive coach and has experience as a career transition consultant. She is currently an independent Cabi clothing consultant.

Elizabeth’s experience in delivering excellent customer service combined with her understanding of the home buying process including owning a property on leasehold land and leading a condo board will help her promote University District to future residents.

Joining University of Calgary Properties Group in May 2021, Ben brings 3 years of project planning and execution experience to the team. Grounded in a Civil Engineering Degree from the University of Saskatchewan Ben looks forward to bringing his knowledge to the construction team.

Prior to UCPG, Ben was a Project Coordinator with the Calgary Airport Authority working on several initiatives, with his main focus on the Domestic Terminal Baggage Replacement project. Before the Authority, Ben worked with Pembina Pipelines, a midstream oil and gas company in Calgary, on several projects in their Heavy Oil Business Unit.

Ben is registered as a member-in-training with the Association of Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta as he continues to build engineering and project experience toward his professional status. Born and raised in Calgary, Ben enjoys outdoor sporting activities including snowboarding, fishing, hiking and golf with family and friends.

Adam seamlessly applies digital platform knowledge, event management expertise and strategic communications planning to support the internal and external marketing activities of UCPG. 

Prior to joining UCPG in 2018, Adam built his experience through progressively strategic marketing roles in the technology, post-secondary and consumer goods industries with organizations such as Safeway Canada, SMART Technologies, Mount Royal University and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. Career highlights have included managing conferences for hundreds of delegates across North America, supporting organizational re-brands and leveraging the latest digital platforms to help drive unprecedented marketing success and awards achievements. He holds a Bachelor of Management from the University of Lethbridge. 

Adam is committed to bringing UCPG’s vision to life through effective marketing initiatives and meaningful stakeholder engagement across UCPG’s projects. 

Jacqueline is a marketing and communications professional with over six years of combined experience in the industry. Prior to joining UCPG in 2022, she worked at TELUS Spark Science Centre leading the marketing and communications team through strategic planning, award-winning campaigns, travelling exhibitions, public relations, and event planning. She was also the former host of a weekly science communications segment on Global News Calgary that aimed to boost curiosity in STEAM learning through live experiments. Jacqueline holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Calgary and is currently pursuing a digital marketing certificate. As an alumni, she prides herself in supporting UCPG’s vision and its UCalgary connection.

As an active member of the Canadian Armed Forces with the Royal Canadian Air Force she has learned no challenge is too gargantuan to conquer if disciplined. She dedicates her services to empowering Canadian youth to engage in survival skills, aviation, drill, dress and deportment, leadership, and citizenship. When she’s not in uniform you can find her on the volleyball court or lost within the pages of a philosophy and neuroscience book.

Rhonda joined UCPG in 2017 as Customer Experience Ambassador for the launch of University District, and the grand opening of the Discovery Centre. A graduate of Mount Royal University, Rhonda has a diploma in Interior Design and brings 30 years of experience in commercial, retail, and industrial tenant improvement design & construction. She also has a diploma from the Canadian Institute of Financial Planning, and a completion certificate in Floral Design. 

Born and raised in rural Saskatchewan, community is intrinsic. She is a former vice president & planning committee member of the Montgomery Community Association, a former member of the South Shaganappi Area Strategic Planning Group (SSASPG) and participated in the University of Calgary long range development plan. 

In her spare time Rhonda is an avid gardener, and puzzler of all types.