UDI Fall Conference 2025

November 19, 2025
Nova Centre

'Navigating Uncertainties……Positioning for Tomorrow'

Conference Title Sponsor

Sponsors Page

Steven Haylestrom

Steven Haylestrom is the Founder of The Canadian Offsite Alliance (COA) and lead consultant at The Modular Solution, where he helps developers, governments, and manufacturers deliver housing faster and more predictably. With more than 6 million square feet and 5,000 living units of modular and offsite projects completed, Steven is recognized for turning complex ideas into coordinated, buildable systems. His work focuses on closing the gaps between planning, design, financing, and construction through industrialized methods that cut timelines by up to 80 percent. At UDINS, he shares how system-level coordination—across planners, designers, builders, and regulators—is essential to building and completing housing faster and working towards solving Canada’s housing crisis.

Mayor Any Fillmore

Andy Fillmore was the Member of Parliament for Halifax, from 2015 to 2024 and the first city planner elected to Canada’s House of Commons. He was elected Mayor of Halifax on October 19, 2024.

In his nine years as MP Andy has been a champion for issues around infrastructure and housing, science and research, national defence and shipbuilding, and the environment.

Before politics, Andy spent twenty years as a city planner and community builder in the private, public, and academic sectors, including as Halifax's first Manager of Urban Design where he lead the development of the city’s award-winning downtown plan.He received a National Urban Leadership Award from the Canadian Urban Institute for this work.

He attended Acadia University and holds graduate degrees from Dalhousie University and Harvard University.

Fall Conference 2025

November 19, 2025
at the
Nova Centre
More information to follow

UDI is thrilled that The Honourable Scott Brison has agreed to address our audience as our Keynote Speaker. His experience in both politics and in corporate and investment banking will prove invaluable, as he offers insights into the issues which are of interest to our members.

Innovation in Building Panel

Jacob Ritchie, Moderator, is an accomplished planner and executive leader with over two decades of experience across public, private, and academic sectors. As former President of United Gulf Developments Ltd., Jacob led strategic planning and real estate initiatives with a focus on resilient, impactful urban development in Nova Scotia. His career spans significant leadership roles, including Director of Campus Planning at NSCC and Director of Operations Services for the Halifax Regional Centre for Education, where he oversaw transformative initiatives in transportation and capital planning. Jacob managed urban design and policy for Halifax Regional Municipality through a series of landmark projects such as the Centre Plan and streetscape revitalizations. A licensed professional planner and active member of numerous boards and professional associations, Jacob is also an educator, shaping future planners as a sessional lecturer at Dalhousie University. His work is widely recognized through national awards and speaking engagements on housing, equity, and sustainable urbanism. With a background in both engineering and urban planning, Jacob combines analytical rigour with creative vision to shape thriving communities.

Michael Lesanko is an accomplished executive technical engineering professional with over 30 years of experience in product development, research, intellectual property (IP) development, commercialization, and product management. His expertise extends to marketing and technical academic training, with a strong focus on the energy sector.
Michael holds 3 patents and specializes in alternative and renewable energy power solutions, Michael has played a pivotal role in adapting and implementing sustainable power generation technologies. His work includes the development of waste energy recovery systems designed to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability.
Throughout his career, Michael has demonstrated exceptional leadership in pre- and post-product application training, as well as in the creation and delivery of technical training materials. He has successfully managed product lines, staff, clients, research and market strategies, ensuring the seamless integration of innovative energy power solutions.

Cassie Kent - Since 1996, Cassie has been working in the design of educational, institutional, mixed use residential and commercial projects, focussing on sustainable design. A Certified Passive House Designer, her current projects are targeting CAGBC’s Zero Carbon Building Design Standard, Net Zero Energy and mass timber tall building design.

Cassie is also on the Project Management Team for the Halifax Water Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) for the Burnside Operations Centre- the first IPD project in Atlantic Canada.

Mike Myatt,, Eng.L., is the Managing Director of BPA’s Halifax and Sydney offices in Nova Scotia, bringing more than 25 years of experience in the assessment, design and management of projects across a wide range of sectors. His work spans both new construction and renovation projects, where he is recognized for his leadership, collaborative approach and strong emphasis on communication and responsiveness.

Mike joined BPA in 2023 through the acquisition of M&R Engineering Ltd., where he had built a reputation for delivering practical, client-focused solutions. In his current role, he leads with a commitment to growth, innovation and mentorship. He is deeply invested in advancing sustainable engineering practices, supporting the development of his team and strengthening long-term client relationships.

With a focus on fostering a positive workplace culture, Mike encourages collaboration and creativity while building trusted partnerships that contribute to the continued success and reputation of BPA in the region.

Robert Kavcic

Robert has been with the Bank of Montreal since 2006. He plays a key role in analyzing economic, fiscal and real estate trends in Canada. Robert regularly contributes to various department publications and is the main author of the Provincial Monitor and the sought-after Global Equity Weekly. He is a frequent commentator on economic and financial trends in the media, and a regular advisor on economic issues to Canadian policymakers.

Before joining BMO, Robert worked in the Research department at the Bank of Canada. Robert holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Western Ontario, and a Master’s degree in Economics from Carleton University

Danny Chedrawe

Danny Chedrawe is a real estate developer living in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he is the President of Westwood Developments and Anchor Group Atlantic. His companies have been operating for over 25 years constructing and managing multi-residential buildings, condominiums, and commercial properties with community at heart. Through his experiences working in a city he loves, Danny saw a real potential for a space where people could retire in an active, caring community immersed in the beauty of nature. And so, Anchor Living came to be.

Danny is an active community business leader and has served as former Chair of the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia as well as being a member of the board of directors for Symphony Nova Scotia. Danny has also supported many local charities, including The QEII Health Sciences Foundation.

Jaydan Tait

Jaydan Tait is President & CEO of Attainable Homes Calgary. AHC’s mandate is to create affordable housing on development ready land for Calgary and its citizens. He has been with the company since late 2018 and is driven to provide more housing opportunities for all Calgarians. Jaydan is a registered professional urban planner and has worked in the building and development industry since 2003, working on multi-family and mixed-use projects that aim to increases the variety of housing in Calgary so all people can share in the social life of the city. Jaydan currently sits on the Urban Land Institute Terwilliger Centre for Housing Awards Committee and is an instructor at the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary. He lives in Calgary with his 2 sons and is building a missing middle 5 plex in Bridgeland.

Minister John MacDonald. Minister of Municipal Affairs

John A. MacDonald was first elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly as MLA for Hants East in 2021 and was re-elected in 2024.

In 1999 John opened a small business; his company supports Transportation companies in North America working with international companies regarding automating the movement of freight.

John has served on various boards and still an active volunteer in the community. Served municipal councillor for 9 years in East Hants, chaired Planning Advisory Committee and was Deputy Warden twice.

John lives in Lantz with his wife Chantelle, his daughter Teresa.

Minister John White. Minister Of Housing

John White was first elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly as MLA for Glace Bay-Dominion in 2021 and was re-elected in 2024.

John has been involved in his community for decades beginning with the New Aberdeen Police Boys Club. After serving 20 plus years he moved on to serving the community as a volunteer firefighter with Glace Bay Volunteer Fire Dept. where he serves to this day. As a community activist John recognized the extreme stress placed on families during the Christmas season. In 2001 a family tradition of his to deliver a grocery order to underserved families was registered as the Christmas crew Society and today they deliver more than 300 grocery orders each Christmas season. John is also the founder of Future Ready Youth Society, a registered youth mentorship program that empowers youth to identify community concerns and then John guides them through developing appropriate interventions. In addition to these community groups, John is a current member of the Glace Bay Food bank board of directors and he also serves as a mental health professional with the Nova Scotia Critical Incident Stress Management team where he is past chair.

He is Vice Chair of the Assembly Matters Committee, and Vice Chair of the Private and Local Bills Committee. He is a member of the Natural Resources and Economic Development Committee.

Conference Speakers (Bios on Home Page)

Keynote Speaker - Scott Brison

Mayor Andy Fillmore (HRM)

Steven Haylestrom (Modular Housing)

Jaydan Tait

Robert Kavcic

Danny Chedrawe

Minister John MacDonald

Minister John White

Innovation in Building Panel Members

Jacob Ritchie
Panel Moderator

Jacob Ritchie is an accomplished planner and executive leader with over two decades of experience across public, private, and academic sectors. As former President of United Gulf Developments Ltd., Jacob led strategic planning and real estate initiatives with a focus on resilient, impactful urban development in Nova Scotia. His career spans significant leadership roles, including Director of Campus Planning at NSCC and Director of Operations Services for the Halifax Regional Centre for Education, where he oversaw transformative initiatives in transportation and capital planning. Jacob managed urban design and policy for Halifax Regional Municipality through a series of landmark projects such as the Centre Plan and streetscape revitalizations. A licensed professional planner and active member of numerous boards and professional associations, Jacob is also an educator, shaping future planners as a sessional lecturer at Dalhousie University. His work is widely recognized through national awards and speaking engagements on housing, equity, and sustainable urbanism. With a background in both engineering and urban planning, Jacob combines analytical rigour with creative vision to shape thriving communities.

Michael Lesanko

Michael Lesanko is an accomplished executive technical engineering professional with over 30 years of experience in product development, research, intellectual property (IP) development, commercialization, and product management. His expertise extends to marketing and technical academic training, with a strong focus on the energy sector.

Cassie Kent

Since 1996, Cassie has been working in the design of educational, institutional, mixed use residential and commercial projects, focussing on sustainable design. A Certified Passive House Designer, her current projects are targeting CAGBC’s Zero Carbon Building Design Standard, Net Zero Energy and mass timber tall building design.

Cassie is also on the Project Management Team for the Halifax Water Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) for the Burnside Operations Centre- the first IPD project in Atlantic Canada.