Meet
Our Team

James Robertson is the President and CEO of University of Calgary Properties Group, formerly West Campus Development Trust. In joining UCPG in February of 2012, James brings with him diverse work experience in the real estate and development industry. James has a comprehensive understanding of real estate development, working in the private sector, government and non-profit industries, and has a history of building strong and effective relationships with stakeholders and colleagues.

Upon graduating with a Master of City Planning from the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, James started working as a consultant on economic development, housing strategies and property appraisal. In 1997, he moved to Calgary where he joined IBI Group as an associate. His work with IBI included market analysis, feasibility analysis, development planning and approval, which eventually took him to Ottawa for two years to lead IBI’s planning practice.

After returning to Calgary, James joined the City of Calgary, eventually becoming Director of the Office of Land Servicing and Housing and President of Calgary Housing Company. In his role he was responsible for a large and complex series of real estate initiatives ranging from the dramatic expansion of the affordable housing portfolio to enhancing the City’s already significant industrial program, while moving forward with the development of business parks and transit-oriented development sites.

Gregg Callander brings over 35 years of solid financial and leadership experience to the organization. A University of Calgary graduate, his educational background includes a Bachelor of Commerce with a Major in Accounting from the University of Calgary and his designation as a Chartered Professional Accountant (C.P.A).

As a natural problem-solver with a knack for numbers and details, Gregg built the strategic financial growth plan for University of Calgary Properties Group. He has worked for both public and private companies in a wide range of industries including commercial, residential, land development, real estate, manufacturing, leisure, and construction.

Before joining UCPG, Gregg was the Executive Vice President of a privately owned real estate company with $500 million in assets. Here, he oversaw the strategic plan, finances, human resources, and operations of the company’s four business units including the Canadian and US-affiliated companies.

Gregg was appointed as the Treasurer for the Calgary Winter Club and ARBI (Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured) where he volunteered for both organizations for six years.

A graduate from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree, Leo Scarello has over 30 years of retail leasing and development experience in Western Canada. Leo’s expertise in formulating and implementing leasing strategies and solid reputation with national, regional, and local retailers and tenant representatives is valuable to the organization’s retail leasing strategy.

Prior to his role at University of Calgary Properties Group, Leo started Nilexx Real Estate Services Inc., providing site planning and leasing services to a variety of shopping centre owners across Western Canada, including Deerfoot Meadows and Aspen Landing retail projects in Calgary.

His experience also includes working in both Edmonton and Calgary with Pioneer Property Group, which later became Bentall Retail Services Inc. Leo was the Senior Vice President, Operations and Leasing for Western Canada where he assembled and managed a leasing team to service regional malls, power centres, and specialty retail.

Maureen Henderson’s two decades of marketing and communications leadership are rooted in advocacy and practical, frontline real estate and development experience. Her position with University of Calgary Properties Group is the natural result of a career that has ranged across residential, construction, development, tourism, hospitality, and the not-for-profit industries.

Prior to joining UCPG, Maureen held an executive leadership role with TELUS Spark to build Canada’s first new science centre in more than 25 years and led the brand identity development for Brookfield Residential’s emerging new communities throughout the Calgary region.Throughout her career, her work has been defined by performance-driven strategy, big picture thinking, and meaningful storytelling.

The essence of Maureen’s communications philosophy is all about engagement. It’s always possible to write, implement and deliver a message, but true communication is about impactful storytelling. From owning her own event planning business to working for Sheraton Hotels, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and Calgary Flames, Maureen has worked in and around industries that align to make this civic community a true home. Her leadership ability paired with experience in collaborating with multidisciplinary teams positions her to advance UCPG by supporting, developing and influencing integrated marketing strategies and tactics as well as managing public engagement. A proud University of Calgary Alumni Maureen is passionate about the future of this transformative development.

Amanda Wright brings 10 years of financial experience working within the Calgary marketplace for both public and private clients as a Chartered Accountant with her designation as a Chartered Professional Accountant.

Prior to bringing her expertise to UCPG, she was a Senior Manager with Deloitte’s Private, Audit and Assurance team for 13 years where she focused on private equity, construction and real estate companies. Most recently Amanda held an Accounting Manager position with Brookfield Residential for almost a year.

Amanda is a University of Calgary graduate (Bachelor Commerce) and a busy mother of three active children. In her free time, she gives back to her community by sitting on boards affiliated with her children’s activities as the Finance Director and Treasurer.

Donna is the Director of Construction at University of Calgary Properties Group. With more than 25 years of experience in land development, her leadership skills and expertise supports The Trust’s vision of creating people-first and mindfully-made communities.

Growing up on a farm in rural Saskatchewan provided Donna with the logic, creativity, mathematical and mechanical skills to steer her towards a career in engineering. She graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, and over the years has regularly furthered her education with additional certificates and training from University College of the Cariboo, Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia. She is a currently a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA).

She started her professional career by excelling in a variety of roles in waterworks, roads, land development and infrastructure projects, eventually joining the City of Calgary and serving as the Acting Manager of the Development Division in Urban Development. Over the past decade, Donna has supported a variety of home, land development and construction companies throughout Western Canada as a consultant before joining UCPG.

Her passion is drawn from visualizing the opportunities that can be created to build strong and sustainable communities, piecing together the moving parts and developing a sound plan to make it all happen. Her greatest joy is seeing residents and tenants becoming part of the community and being able to proudly call it home.

As a single mother to twin daughters, Donna enjoys the constant juggle of work-life balance and spending quality family time with her girls.

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.

Deanna brings her over 10 years of wide-ranging experience in the land development industry to UCPG, joining the team in 2014. Experience in both the private and public sectors working previously for Walton Development and Management and The City of Calgary’s Office of Land Servicing and Housing on transit-oriented development and industrial projects positions her to advance the vision UCPG.

Deanna is responsible for the execution of the real estate program including residential, office and special project leasing. This includes identification of parcels for lease, partner procurement, and finalizing the real estate transactions. She also works closely with the VP Retail Development on retail merchandising and leasing.

Deanna has also been responsible for a number of key projects within UCPG’s corporate and sustainability portfolios, including securing LEED®-ND Platinum for University District, the first community in Alberta and the largest in Canadian history to date to earn this ranking.

A proud University of Calgary alumni with a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies she has also completed the Real Estate Development Certificate Program. Deanna has her LEED®-ND designation and is an active member and volunteer with Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Calgary, serving as Events Co-Chair in 2016 and 2017.

Adam could be easily described as a “modern triple threat” in the marketing world. He seamlessly applies digital platform knowledge, event management expertise and strategic communications planning to support the internal and external marketing activities of UCPG.

He embodies the talent of understanding the artistic importance of good design, combined with the technical knowledge of working across a variety of digital platforms in local and virtual environments. This is proven through his strong eye for photography and his acquired Photoshop certifications, as well as his confidence working across a number of content management, communications and marketing platforms.

Prior to joining UCPG in 2018, Adam built his experience through progressively strategic communications 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 (SAIT). 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.

For Adam, being open to possibilities and listening carefully to understand opportunities is a key to his success: “Sometimes the smallest comments or observations can yield the biggest insights.” Never satisfied with “good enough,” Adam is committed to bringing UCPG’s vision to life through effective marketing activities and meaningful stakeholder engagement.

Mary Jo is a driven, results-oriented professional with an impressive breadth of experience in real estate and property management. As Senior Property Manager, she oversees a variety of operational, transactional and strategic activities for properties of University of Calgary Properties Group. 

A lifelong learner, Mary Jo is a graduate of the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and throughout her career she has completed a variety of continuing education courses at Mount Royal University and the University of Calgary in the areas of Real Estate Development and Finance, Management, Leadership and Land Administration. 

She first launched her professional career as a Paralegal and Lease and Real Estate Administrator, before joining a development company in Calgary. There, she gained additional experience, eventually serving as Vice-President and General Manager for fifteen years. 

In her current role, Mary Jo supports the efforts of UCPG to ensure the seamless management of properties in a variety of ways. This includes the preparation of tenant leases, preparing annual budgets, reviewing contracts, creating policies, ensuring positive relationships between retail and residential partners, parking management and overseeing the neighbourhood association. 

A natural multi-tasker, Mary Jo brings extensive knowledge in the areas of real estate management, budgeting, operations, negotiations, tenant management and legal processes. She believes in building meaningful and positive relationships for mutual success. 

Mary Jo’s community and volunteer involvement includes work with organizations such as the Calgary Interfaith Food Bank, Inn from the Cold, Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids and others.

Marco is a highly proficient project coordinator who brings seven years of architectural design experience ranging in commercial, residential, healthcare and light industrial to UCPG. He studied architectural technologies at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and construction project management at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.

Before joining UCPG in 2020, Marco coordinated construction projects in a healthcare environment for Alberta Health Services. Prior to this he was a Project Manager and Estimator at Reggin Industries where he specialized in high-end custom metal fabrications and commercial finishes.

Marco is currently working towards obtaining his Project Management Professional certificate and Bachelor of Science Degree in architecture from Athabasca University.

Joining UCPG in 2014 with more than 15 years of experience in Office Administration and Management, Lisa has dedicated her career to keeping executives and business owners organized, prioritized and less stressed. She practices a streamlined and intuitive approach to assistance which rests on empathy, efficiency, and astute problem solving. Lisa has a proven track record of senior-level support and she has a strong ability to streamline processes, maximize efficiency, and foster professional relationships within organizations.

Throughout her career, Lisa has been tasked with sales and marketing efforts, helping at least one of her employers earn recognition as one of Alberta’s Fastest Growing Companies and become one of the Business Leaders of Tomorrow in Calgary.

In addition to her administrative duties, Lisa directly assists UCPG’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), leads our Health & Safety Program and in 2017 she became our office IT guru.

It’s clear, Administration is her passion!

Arshpreet is a passionate real estate enthusiast who leads research in special projects related to residential, office and retail markets for University of Calgary Properties Group. A recent graduate of the University of Calgary, she obtained her Bachelor of Commerce, Finance Degree from the Haskayne School of Business in 2019. She is licensed in residential real estate with the Real Estate Council of Alberta.

Prior to joining UCPG, she worked as a Program Advisor at the Westman Centre for Real Estate Studies, which launched the province’s first real estate specialization for undergraduate and graduate business students.

During her time at the University of Calgary, she was the President of the Real Estate Student Association, a student club dedicated to promoting careers in real estate and land development. Arshpreet is an active committee member of the Urban Land Institute of Alberta’s Young Leaders Group.