Geranium’s dedicated and passionate team members all contribute to the company’s 40-plus years of success. Every day they apply their skills, talents, creativity and professionalism working together to plan and build exceptional communities that families are proud to call home.
Moshin Sheri
Manager of Planning and Financial Analysis
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Moshin Sheri
Manager of Planning and Financial Analysis
Moshin joined Geranium in May 2016 as Manager of Planning and Financial Analysis. His role is heavily involved in three core areas of Geranium: accounting, finance and investor relations. Prior to Geranium, Moshin held similar advanced positions in finance and accounting.
Moshin enjoys working closely with the company’s investors and partners, as he able to learn from them, drawing on their wide-ranging expertise and insight. No two days are the same for Moshin, with various requests and changing task priorities. With the growth and progress of the company, Moshin has grown the finance department and his team, which provides more support to other departments.
Moshin was raised in South Africa, later moving to Hamilton, Ontario, and now resides in the eastern part of the GTA with his family.
Moshin and his wife have two young children – a boy and a girl – and leisure time revolves around the home and various children’s activities such as swimming and soccer, as well as simply kicking a ball around outside.
Moshin is a volunteer mentor with the Chartered Professional Accountants Association where he assists those in achieving their practical experience and helps them focus in their discipline, mentoring them towards final education completion.
Curious by nature, Moshin owns a motorcycle which he has taken apart the engine and rebuilt. He also has an interest in cars and enjoys working on them.
Fun Facts about Moshin:
Moshin’s two words to describe Geranium: Rewarding and Energetic
Favourite Movie: Gone in 60 Seconds
If Moshin could meet a historical figure it would be: Nelson Mandela
If Moshin could have a superpower, it would be: Flying
Shopping Preference, online or in store: online – not keen on malls.
Raymond Lau
Corporate Accountant
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Raymond Lau
Corporate Accountant
In October 2017, Raymond joined the Geranium team as Corporate Accountant, a position he enjoys in all its many facets. His days vary and often include completing the numerous tasks that arise in the monthly accounting cycle. Raymond finds it greatly satisfying to balance numbers, and if there is a variance, he doesn’t rest until he figures out why. His accounting background and penchant for organization are his career tools for success.
After receiving his undergrad at the University of Toronto, Raymond gained experience as an accountant working in land development, with an emphasis on condominiums. He is currently working to further his education under the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) professional designation program. Along the way, the best piece of advice he has received involves being ready with answers to questions you may be asked.
If Raymond could travel anywhere in the world, he would go with his wife to Japan, as they have been there before and fell in love with the culture and country. In 2016, Raymond traveled to China, 15 years since his last visit; a journey he considers a personal highlight. He visited Shenzhen and Shanghai, and was amazed at how quickly and extensively these cities had grown in a decade and a half.
Raymond likes to unwind and play with Potato, his white cat. He also finds reading to be a relaxing pastime. If he could have one super power, it would be the ability to fly, for the feeling of freedom and the ability to rise over traffic!
Raymond’s words to describe Geranium: Team-Oriented
Favourite Book: The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Favourite Movie: “Gladiator” or “The Prestige”
Shopping preference: In-store to view items; online to buy
Greatest inventions by mankind: The printing press and the toilet
Christina Lim
Accounts Payable Co-ordinator
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Christina Lim
Accounts Payable Co-ordinator
In May 2018, Christina joined the Geranium team as Accounts Payable Coordinator. Christina is responsible for processing payments to Geranium’s valued trades and suppliers. Christina’s position allows her the opportunity to interact with all Geranium teams and involves interpersonal communication with staff, trades, and consultants. Christina’s position also involves coordinating with the finance department. For Christina, being organized is critical, as her portfolio includes working and staying up-to-date on many active projects at a given time. Christina thrives when a new challenge presents itself, as it gives her the opportunity to expand her knowledge base. Prior to joining to Geranium, Christina worked as a project accountant at a construction firm.
Originally from Indonesia, Christina moved to Canada for a period of time before returning to her home country. While there, Christina decided to return to Canada with a new hunger and excitement for the opportunities this next chapter would bring. She models her approach to life on a story heard from a university lecturer who enforced the point of always working hard at all aspects in your life to be the best that you can be.
Christina supports many charities including Samaritan’s Purse Canada. To relax, Christina enjoys walking, doing yoga, and karaoke! She hopes to travel to Korea and Paris someday with her three sisters. Christina admires Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, noting their remarkable contributions to their countries. If she could have one super power, it would be stretch-ability like Elastigirl in “The Incredibles” or teleportation.
Fun Facts about Christina:
Christina’s two words to describe Geranium: Helpful and Collaborative
Favourite Book: The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan, Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt
Favourite Movie: Anything by Pixar
Favourite Music: Top 40 Pop Music
Shopping Preference, online or in store: In store
Cheryl Shindruk
Executive Vice President, Land Development
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Cheryl Shindruk
Executive Vice President, Land Development
Communication and collaboration figure prominently in Cheryl Shindruk’s vocabulary when describing what she most enjoys and considers vital to her role as Executive Vice President, Land Development. Cheryl believes it’s the energy of everyone working together and applying their individual expertise that contributes to quality of life for the future families who will live in a Geranium community.
In order to design and deliver future communities, Cheryl guides a team tasked with gaining municipal and sometimes provincial approvals, by collaborating with consultants, communities and government officials.
Cheryl is a graduate of University of Manitoba where she received her Bachelor of Human Ecology and her Masters of City Planning. During her early career she was involved in research in housing policy and was also a lecturer at her alma mater. A move to Ontario in 1994, led to a short period of time with the Development Services Department at the Town of Georgina. Prior to joining Geranium in 2003, as Vice President Land Development, Cheryl held roles with consulting firms, working in planning-related research and development approvals.
The best form of reward for Cheryl is achieving a goal; an excellent example of this is obtaining the approvals for the Friday Harbour Resort development in Innisfil. This aspect of the Friday Harbour project led to an invitation to speak at the 20th International River Symposium and Environmental Flows Conference in Brisbane, Australia, where Cheryl and her colleague Shauna Dudding jointly presented with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority about their uniquely successful collaboration.
Cheryl unwinds by going for a long run. She also enjoys scuba diving, skeet shooting, fly fishing and ballroom dancing. Closer to home, she and her husband enjoy cooking together and entertaining family and friends.
She attributes her strong work ethic to her parents; growing up Cheryl and her siblings learned the value of hard work and collaboration in the family business, while always remembering to have fun. She admires this quality in others and encourages younger co-workers to embrace this philosophy.
Cheryl’s two words to describe Geranium: Supportive, Appreciative
Fun Facts about Cheryl
Favourite Movie: My Cousin Vinny
Recent Travels: An incredible African Safari
If Cheryl had a super power: She would like one that could help eradicate disease and suffering.
Shauna Dudding
Senior Vice President, Land Development
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Shauna Dudding
Senior Vice President, Land Development
Shauna joined Geranium in fall 2007 as Senior Project Manager and grew into her role as Senior Vice President. Shauna brought significant experience to the Land Development division, including her prior role of leading the environmental remediation for a 200-acre residential development located in the GTA and leading Walmart’s development program across Canada. This entailed managing a team of 25 engineers, planners and other professionals. A graduate of University of Toronto’s intensive Civil Engineering program, with a focus on construction management, Shauna was excited by the opportunity to work on the significant and complex, development and execution of Friday Harbour, the four seasons resort community in Innisfil, as well as, other Geranium projects.
At Geranium, Shauna enjoys the variety each work day brings. She believes her strongest skills are the ability to multi-task and prioritize, working creatively through a problem to find efficient and environmentally-friendly solutions to engineer the lands the company develops. She describes every day as different with changing priorities and projects.
Shauna and her husband love to unwind by taking long walks with their dog. She enjoys the physical labour associated with a country property; cutting wood, gardening or mowing the lawn. A retired volunteer board member of the Greater Innisfil Chamber of Commerce, and Habitat for Humanity GTA, today Shauna supports the Humane Society.
Shauna describes a career highlight as taking her first boat ride at Friday Harbour’s marina, and sharing with family, friends, colleagues and partners, the tremendous environmental success that the resort community is to the industry. A personal goal is to drive from Alaska down the coast to South America.
Given the opportunity to meet a historical figure, Shauna would choose Cleopatra, a strong woman in a predominantly male-dominated world! If she could have one superpower, it would be teleportation. The best advice Shauna has received in her life is that by example, you should learn how to lead and also how not to lead.
Fun Facts about Shauna:
Shauna’s two words to describe Geranium: Determined and Supportive
Favourite Book: Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
Favourite Movie: “Pulp Fiction” or “Forrest Gump”
Vimal Patel
Senior Project Manager, Land Development
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Vimal Patel
Senior Project Manager, Land Development
Vimal is a very enthusiastic employee and describes each day at work as new and exciting! He finds job satisfaction in seeing his work come to fruition; from concept plan to people living and enjoying life in their home and community. His major focus, since joining the company in 2009, has been on the massive year-round Friday Harbour Resort on Lake Simcoe in Innisfil. He spends a lot of time at Friday Harbour and gets a thrill from the new energy at this resort now that people are living there, after so many years of planning and construction.
Vimal is a graduate of the University of Waterloo’s unique co-op engineering program. His first full-time position was with a consulting firm as a land development project manager. In 2009, Vimal joined Geranium as a Project Manager, and was later promoted to the position of Director of Land Development at Friday Harbour and Senior Project Manager with Geranium. He heads a team of co-workers and consultants on large-scale land development projects where he believes his engineering background is key.
Outside of work, Vimal loves spending time with his family – wife and two young daughters – playing, swimming, reading stories and unwinding. Vimal feels fortunate to live near family; both sets of grandparents play a huge role in his family’s life. On occasion, Vimal will find time to hit the gym and, in the future, he’d love to visit Thailand with his family.
Fun Facts about Vimal:
Vimal’s two words to describe Geranium: Powerhouse and Family
Favourite Book: The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton (which he reads every night to his daughters)
Dream: He would love to have met Benjamin Graham
Shopping Preference, online or in store: “in store – look before I buy”
John Truong, P.Eng.
Senior Project Manager, Land Development
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John Truong, P.Eng.
Senior Project Manager, Land Development
In September 2017, John joined the Geranium team as Senior Project Manager, Land Development. A Ryerson University graduate with a degree in Engineering, John is responsible for multiple projects with his days spent organizing timelines to ensure that tasks are accomplished on-time and budgets are met. From the approval of planning applications, meetings with Geranium executives, and connecting with consultants, no two days are the same. A large aspect of John’s role, and something he greatly enjoys, is the interaction with Geranium’s internal and external teams, as everyone is working towards a common goal, the completion of master-planned communities. John relishes the feeling that the beginning of a new project brings and finds gratification in seeing the project through to fruition.
A father of three, a highlight of John’s life is watching his kids grow and experiencing all of their “firsts:” from their first steps and words, to attending school. For relaxation, he turns to golf and fishing, with deep-sea fishing high on his bucket list. Someday, John would like to take his family to Vietnam, the country of his birth. John loves to watch basketball, with the infamous and now retired, Michael Jordan as his favourite athlete. For John, mankind’s greatest invention is the Internet, which he believes is helping to make the world a better place.
John and his family actively support the Princess Margaret Foundation and hold their work very close to their hearts. If John could have one super power, it would be to heal all sickness in the world. John feels an immense amount of pride when representing Geranium at an event, knowing that giving back to the community is one of the company’s top priorities. John makes an effort to never stop learning, and was recently given advice that has resonated with him, “you have to be respected by your peers in order for large tasks, with many moving parts, to be accomplished.”
Fun Facts about John:
John’s two words to describe Geranium: Family oriented and Enjoyable
Favourite Reading Materials: Leadership books; highly recommends “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” by Patrick Lencioni
Favourite Movie: “The Killing Fields” with a strong interest in historical films and documentaries
Favourite Music: Loves music in all genres
Shopping Preference, online or in store: Loves the convenience of online shopping
Diana Sousa
Senior Project Manager
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Diana Sousa
Senior Project Manager
At 17, Diana Sousa signed on as an Army Reservist, completing ‘boot camp’ training side-by-side with few other women and young men twice her size. It was the first year women could join the artillery and she was a gunner. Today, she describes the experience as life changing although not necessarily a prerequisite for the role she has at Geranium; but it didn’t hurt!
She is a graduate of Ryerson University in Urban and Regional Planning and boasts a resume of work experience in construction, accounting as well as sales and marketing. With 3 years experience as a project coordinator and an additional 5 years as a contracts manager for a low-rise residential builder, Diana brought that experience to Geranium as Contracts Manager in early 2011.
It’s the variety of the work that keeps her interested as well as the unexpected days where priorities change. At any time, she could be working on tenders for a new neighbourhood, reviewing quotes, awarding contracts, communicating with trades and suppliers, and liaising with colleagues in estimating, customer care and site staff. Diana’s accounting skills come in handy with budgeting. She also oversees the preparation of pricing for the Décor Centre and learns about new products in the market. In 2014 her scope expanded to include Project Manager responsibilities.
When not at work, Diana likes to relax with her husband and two daughters at home. She also likes to cook, read, listen to music of many different genres and see foreign films. Vacation time is spent on country drives, camping and exploring Canadian destinations.
Testing her mettle and wanting to keep fit, Diana was a member of a roller derby league a few years ago. She had to learn to skate, found it exhilarating to compete and truly enjoyed the team aspect of the sport.
Fun Facts about Diana:
Diana’s two words to describe Geranium: Supportive and Driven to succeed
Favourite Book: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Dream: If she could have one super power it would be a Photographic Memory.
Shopping Preference, online or in store: dislikes shopping but would defer to online
Rachel Girard
Client Care Manager
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Rachel Girard
Client Care Manager
Rachel Girard has been working at Geranium since 2014, putting her organizational and problem-solving skills to good use first as a construction Site Administrator in Port Hope and, more recently, at Head Office in Markham. No two days are the same for Rachel whose regular tasks may involve dealing with building permits, following-up with consultants and trades to obtain working drawings, reviewing paperwork generated during the purchase of a home for clarity and pricing. Rachel is also responsible for client care, where she needs to be familiar with Tarion Warranty performance guidelines. She finds satisfaction in prompt communication with home buyers, trouble shooting and being able to resolve issues in a timely fashion.
When not working, Rachel likes to relax at home where she’s often changing up accessories and moving furniture around. She also enjoys campfire nights, making crafts and activities with her children and playing with the new puppy that recently joined the family.
Fun Facts about Rachel:
Rachel’s two words to describe Geranium: Team and Family
Favourite Book: Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
Dream Destination: Hawaii
Shopping Preference, online or in store: “In store, I like to touch everything.
Amanda Cui
Project Estimator
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Amanda Cui
Project Estimator
The days pass quickly for Amanda who has been a part of the construction team since joining in early 2016 as a Project Estimator. Her time is spent working closely with the Contracts Manager requiring her to do ‘take-offs’ – calculations required by different trades to provide costs for materials; verify pricing received from those trades; or provide custom price quotations. Her role also requires her to manage invoicing and various accounting procedures, leaving no day the same.
Prior to joining Geranium, Amanda worked for construction companies that worked on projects, such as airports and hospitals. The change to residential construction was an exciting opportunity for Amanda to expand her knowledge scope. Amanda is a professional Quantity Surveyor and was educated overseas as a Structural Engineer, prior to moving to Canada. Her construction experience, ability to comprehend architectural drawings, excellent mathematical skills and familiarity with software help her considerably in her role. Her son appears to have inherited Amanda’s aptitude for numbers as he is now studying computer science and finance management in University.
Amanda has purchased her first home in Canada, which is in the process of being built. She’s looking forward to having her appointment to choose her interior finishes and to watching construction proceed.
Daily yoga practice provides Amanda with an excellent way to remain healthy and relaxed. She also likes to read and learn, topics of interest are cooking healthy food, diets that help prevent illness and ancient Chinese medicines. A dream trip of Amanda’s would be to visit India to study yoga.
Amanda likes to volunteer at her church, donating her free time to drive those without a car or provide cooking assistance.
Fun Facts about Amanda:
Amanda’s two words to describe Geranium: Professional and Friendly
Favourite Movie: No favourite, but enjoys movies about History
If Amanda could meet a famous person it would be: Li Shizhen proclaimed founder and author of traditional Chinese medicine.
Shopping Preference, online or in store: food shopping in store, everything else online.
Ashraf Ahmed
Senior Accountant
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Ashraf Ahmed
Senior Accountant
Seeking a position that offered variety and ongoing learning, Ashraf joined the Geranium team in February 2017. Ashraf greatly enjoys that his position as Senior Accountant has him interacting with nearly all Geranium departments, including Sales & Marketing, Construction, Legal and IT. Ashraf appreciates the refreshing nature of the position, having each day focus on a different set of priorities. Ashraf’s main tasks focus on Geranium’s accounting, including banking, arranging loans and providing financial reporting (monthly and quarterly).
With past experience in the new home industry, as well as in the computer industry, Ashraf is well qualified for his role with Geranium. Achieving his CPA designation from the United States, this talented professional says the best advice he ever received was to always keep learning. He has worked hard to put this into practice, by always working to learn something new from different people throughout his life, as well as from his Geranium team.
For relaxation, Ashraf enjoys spending time with his wife, high school-age daughter and younger son and watching the World Cup soccer when it is on. Ashraf is an avid walker and was once a very good cricket player in his youth. He and his family support Toronto SickKids Hospital, and it was very important to him to work for a company that gives back to the community. He greatly respects Geranium for giving back so generously to the greater community – something that helps neighbourhoods thrive. If he could take a trip to anywhere in the world, he would visit Italy with his family. Ashraf feels that the greatest invention of mankind involves advances in medical science and research to improve people’s lives.
Fun Facts about Ashraf:
Ashraf’s words to describe Geranium: Family, Hardworking and Respectful
Favourite Reading Material: Business journals, blogs
Favourite Television: Talk shows and Documentaries
Shopping Preference, online or in store: In store
Stephanie Lane
Director, Sales & Marketing
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Stephanie Lane
Director, Sales & Marketing
In early 2015, Stephanie joined Geranium as Manager, Sales & Marketing, with a promotion in 2018 to Director, Sales & Marketing. With 10 years prior experience in new home sales and marketing, Stephanie was ready for an exciting new challenge eager to bring her organizational skills, insight and creative flair to Geranium’s many active projects. Stephanie’s key responsibilities include sales and market analysis and reporting, developing and implementing marketing strategies, budgeting, as well as providing direction to internal sales and marketing team members and consultants, which include advertising and public relations specialists, interior designers, and an assortment of suppliers. As well as being a licenced realtor, her prior training and experience in the hospitality industry has provided extensive customer service knowledge, a discipline she relies on daily when facilitating Geranium’s consumer relationship programs.
A career highlight for Stephanie was leading Geranium’s rebranding, launched in 2017 in conjunction with the company’s 40-year anniversary. A highly detailed process involving all departments, the new brand effectively captures the forward-thinking goals of the team. The tagline, ‘From the Ground Up’, appropriately describes one of the things Stephanie most enjoys about her job, seeing the communities Geranium designs and builds come to life with families when they move in.
Stephanie also oversees many of Geranium’s charitable initiatives and respects the company’s willingness to give back, especially to the communities in which Geranium builds. Personally, Stephanie is a long time volunteer with Hats On for Awareness, a charity that raises funds to further the reach of mental health programs.
Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her partner, friends and family including two young (and active) nephews. Currently, travel is high on Stephanie’s agenda; whether to a remote fishing camp in Northern Ontario or cruising to warmer destinations, the experience gives her an appreciation for the beauty of our world. On her travel wish list is a return trip to Japan and scuba-diving in Bora Bora.
A former ballet dancer of 16 years, given the opportunity to meet a historical figure, Stephanie would choose Dame Margot Fonteyn. If she could have one superpower, she would choose omnilingualism (the ability to speak any language) or mimicry (the ability to absorb another’s powers or skills).
The best professional advice Stephanie has received is to know who your audience is and to tailor your message accordingly. Something that marketers must always keep in mind!
Fun Facts about Stephanie:
Stephanie’s two words to describe Geranium: Experienced and Supportive
Favourite Book: The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
Favourite Movie: “The Hunt for Red October” and “The Shawshank Redemption”
Shopping Preference, online or in store: In-store – likes to touch fabrics and try things on
Chloe Li
Sales Coordinator
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Chloe Li
Sales Coordinator
Chloe joined Geranium in March 2018 as Sales Coordinator at Head Office. After a sale becomes firm, all paperwork is sent to Chloe, who ensures accuracy going over each contract with great detail. As Geranium produces complex master-planned projects, Chloe often refers to her tasks as puzzle-solving, ensuring all pieces are put together with an agreement and providing support to multiple departments relaying information pertaining to the agreement. Chloe is known to spend her lunch furthering her knowledge and enjoys staying up-to-date with new Microsoft Office features, by using online resources.
Upon finishing her graduate degree in Ottawa, Chloe began her career overseas at an international consumer electronics company working as an executive assistant and later in the media relations department. Upon moving back to Canada, and prior to joining Geranium, Chloe worked as a Sales & Closing Coordinator, Décor Administrator and Project Coordinator, while simultaneously dabbling in entrepreneurship. A driven perfectionist, Chloe says the best advice she ever received was to slow down, enjoy life more and avoid being too hard on oneself. Geranium’s generosity to the wider community aligns with her strong feeling that communities work better when people help each other. Chloe actively supports Toronto’s Sick Kids Hospital and the Stratford Music Festival.
Chloe enjoys playing Sudoku, and clears her mind with kick-boxing and weight training. She loves to cook food from all ethnicities, with her favourites including, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Chinese foods. Chloe has a natural born talent for singing. Chloe’s dream trip would be to one day take her parents to Taiwan. A very kind and genuine soul, Chloe knows if she had one super power, it would be to achieve world peace by bringing out the good in people.
Fun Facts about Chloe:
Chloe’s two words to describe Geranium: Kind and Welcoming
Favourite Movie: Vertigo by Alfred Hitchcock
Greatest Invention by Mankind: Mobile phone – emergency, convenience, efficiency, caters to life and work
Favourite Music: November Rain by Guns N’ Roses
Jennifer Dudding
Administrative Assistant
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Jennifer Dudding
Administrative Assistant
Jennifer has been a valued member of the Geranium team since 2012. Beginning in the Sales & Marketing department, Jennifer was excited the opportunity of a new role when she transitioned to the Accounting department at the end of 2013. Currently, she provides assistance to the Accounting and Finance departments, and fills in on reception, when needed. Jennifer earned a business diploma and a paralegal diploma from Sir Sandford Fleming College. Prior to joining Geranium, Jennifer worked in a variety of jobs that aided in her gaining communication skills suited for her current role. The best advice Jennifer received in her life, and something she lives by daily is to remind herself to have a positive attitude, work hard, and avoid letting her stubborn Taurus streak get ahead of her.
Jennifer is proud to be co-chair of Geranium’s Health & Safety Committee. A highlight for Jennifer has been walking the “Edgewalk” around the top of the CN Tower. Outside of work, she loves to spend time with her family, plays piano, sings, and loves to spend time experiencing the arts.
Kind and giving, Jennifer volunteers with the Alzheimer’s Society to honour her late grandmother’s memory.
Jennifer appreciates the opportunities she has received through Geranium, one she often fondly reflects upon was when Geranium volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. She is proud to work for a family-oriented company that cares.
Given the opportunity, Jennifer would love to travel to western Canada and to Greece, and would take her nieces with her. If she had the chance to meet any historical figure, she would choose Albert Einstein, with a list of questions in tow about his thought processes. She would also like to understand his daily routines. A technology enthusiast, she feels the greatest invention by mankind is computers and the advancement of technology.
Fun Facts about Jennifer:
Jennifer’s two words to describe Geranium: Family and Enjoyable place to work
Favourite Book: The Shining by Stephen King
Favourite Movie: “The Wizard of Oz”
Favourite Sports Teams: All of the Toronto teams: Maple Leafs, Jays, Raptors, Argos, and FC.
Shopping Preference, online or in store: In Store
Kathryn Hill
Executive Assistant, Land Development
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Kathryn Hill
Executive Assistant, Land Development
Kathryn joined Geranium in 2012 and quickly discovered that Geranium felt like home. Kathryn is an integral part of the team as the Executive Assistant to Geranium executives, as well as having a role in assisting colleagues in whichever way she can. Kathryn appreciates that the role has a myriad of different responsibilities and provides variety and the opportunity to learn and grow.
Every day is different for Kathryn, which is something she greatly enjoys. Her monthly calendar is known to include representing Geranium at community events, processing payments and sponsorships, liaising with company associates, partners, and municipal officials. Coordinating development tours, and aiding in team celebrations is also a large part of Kathryn’s role at Geranium. A career highlight for Kathryn was the planning and successful execution of a few thousand person event at Friday Harbour.
It is incredibly important that Geranium understands the existing values in the community of a future development. Kathryn takes pride in being a liaison, connecting Geranium with the existing community.
Kathryn finds it rewarding to see the evolution of a new community from land acquisition to the building of new homes, knowing that she had a role to play in the process. She has had a long-time interest in the industry, beginning with her first job at an architecture firm, and prior to joining Geranium, her EA position with another land developer.
As a recent first-time home buyer, Kathryn understands the excitement and nervousness that comes with making the leap to home ownership, and appreciated the guidance of her team when making her purchase. Kathryn shares her new condo with her 4-year old female cat that she rescued and loves to spend time with, as well as, reading and being with family. Kathryn plans to do some more travelling and has her sights set on Africa, with a desire to include a volunteer stay at The Kevin Richardson Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa.
Fun Facts about Kathryn:
Kathryn’s two words to describe Geranium: Family and Dedicated
Favourite Book: The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon
Passion: horse riding and spends 6 days a week at the barn.
If Kathryn could have a superpower, it would be: pick winning lottery numbers and use the funds to establish animal refuges.
Shopping Preference, online or in store: in store so she can try things on and touch before she buys.
Lillian Ko
Accounts Payable Co-ordinator
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Lillian Ko
Accounts Payable Co-ordinator
Lillian joined Geranium in 2010 as Accounts Payable Co-ordinator, where she was able to ‘hit the ground running’ applying experience gained with positions she held at other new home building companies. Lillian is a graduate of Seneca College with a Diploma in Accounting. A self-described problem solver, she enjoys the orderly nature of her monthly deadlines generated by the accounts payable cycle.
It’s not all computer work however, Lillian also has responsibility for handling contracts and liaising both internally and externally.
Lillian’s idea of the perfect way to relax is to treat herself to a spa day. She also enjoys swimming and yoga. Her cat, which she received as a gift from her son, provides good company now that she’s beyond the kitten stage.
Described by colleagues as a team player, Lillian has been known to wield an axe with dexterity at a previous company party and to willingly join a tug of war at the annual picnic.
As a young adult, Lillian had a talent for singing Chinese Opera. Today, she enjoys ballroom dancing and is considering lessons. A future ambition is to travel through Eastern Europe with her husband.
Fun Facts about Lillian:
Lillian’s two words to describe Geranium: Growing and Good management
Favourite Book: Chicken Soup for the Soul by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen & Amy Newmark
Favourite Movie: The Sound of Music
Shopping Preference, online or in store: In store, likes to see, touch and try on what she buys
Luke Giampietri
Business Systems and Process Lead
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Luke Giampietri
Business Systems and Process Lead
Luke has been a part of the Geranium team since 2008. For his first 7 years with Geranium, Luke worked on the construction team, starting as a labourer for the Uptownes community in Stouffville, during his summers, while he attended Queen’s University. Luke later began working full-time as an Administrator and Service Manager at Forest Trail Estates, Copperstone, and Bloomington Woods in Stouffville. With his role changing through the years, Luke later worked as Service Manager and Assistant Site Superintendent before being promoted in 2017 to his current role, as Business Systems and Process Lead at head office.
Luke, later earned his diploma in Business Systems Administration and, while working construction at one of Geranium’s executive home communities, was chosen to lead the implementation of a new business system. This provided him with an ideal opportunity to contribute to the company’s future organization processes. Now heavily involved in evolving processes and staying up-to-date with technological advances, he’s helping to create more efficiencies company-wide. Luke enjoys the interaction with all departments and personnel and thrives on the fast pace of each day. He is a big fan of using technology in ways that enhance systems for his coworkers.
Luke admires his parents as great role models and their emphasis on volunteering and charitable support continues to resonate in his own life. He has donated over 300 hours of volunteer time at Villa Columbo and Villa Charities. Luke and his wife are also annual supporters of CAMH and SickKids.
A new father, Luke’s favourite way to relax is spending time at home with his wife and son. He emphasizes the importance of them in his life and, should he have the opportunity to travel, his wish would be to visit Japan, Italy and Israel – the three countries that connect the heritage of his young son.
Fun Facts about Luke:
Luke’s two words to describe Geranium: Growing and Energetic
Favourite Sports Team: The Toronto Maple Leafs
Greatest Invention by Mankind: Medicine
Maggie Leung
Project Coordinator, Commercial and Mid-Rise Construction
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Maggie Leung
Project Coordinator, Commercial and Mid-Rise Construction
Maggie joined Geranium in February 2017 as a Project Coordinator in construction, focusing on commercial /mid-rise buildings. Maggie’s prior experience includes roles in the technology industry and condominium development. Maggie was excited at the opportunity to join the Geranium team and apply her diverse experience to this role. A large part of Maggie’s role, and something she greatly enjoys, is the coordination between trades and all of the Geranium teams to ensure projects continue to run efficiently. Working closely with the Project Manager, Maggie also coordinates building permits, meetings with consultants, and facilitates the communication between site and head office.
Maggie looks at Geranium as much more than a company, she looks at it as a family. She believes that because Geranium is like a family, the goal is to not only build a house, but to build a home, leaving a caring footprint in every master-planned community. Outside of work, Maggie is an active volunteer at her church, leading congregational worship. Maggie likes to relax by listening to music, singing and playing piano, and has been singing in choirs since she was 8 years old. Given the opportunity to meet a historical figure, Maggie would choose Beethoven. Maggie also enjoys travelling and hiking with her husband and son.
The best advice Maggie has received in her life is “to think and analyze before acting on a decision”; an attitude she applies toward all aspects of her life.
A milestone moment for Maggie in the past few years has been joining Geranium, which was an exciting fresh start, and the success in meeting a weight loss goal. Her dream trip would be to visit Iceland to see the Northern Lights with her family.
Maggie is constantly fascinated by binary code and the impact she believes it has had on the world. Binary code is used by all technology, which is why she considers it mankind’s greatest invention.
Fun Facts about Maggie:
Maggie’s two words to describe Geranium: Family and Supportive
Favourite Book: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Favourite Movie: “Fly Away Home”
Marji Wynne
Receptionist
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Marji Wynne
Receptionist
Marji’s start date at Geranium in 1996 places her among the company’s veteran employees. Often the first to arrive in the morning, Marji likes to get organized for the day ahead. She is well-suited for her role as the professional voice on the telephone, greeter to those arriving and deftly handles many tasks.
Marji loves her job and enjoys working with knowledgeable colleagues and meeting lots of interesting people. Prior to joining Geranium, she held clerical positions at a non-profit organization which she also very much enjoyed.
She joined Geranium as a file clerk and was later promoted to receptionist. When asked why she believes Geranium maintains the receptionist position rather than switching to automated answering like so many companies, she explains that having a person to provide a human connection is very like the caring culture of the company.
Marji is a voracious reader, which is how she likes to relax. She also enjoys writing poetry and short stories for adults and children.
Marji has a keen sense of humour and enjoys a good laugh; a trait she’s passed on to her adult daughter. When Elizabeth was married recently, the theme of the wedding was Super Heroes!
Fun Facts about Marji:
Marji’s two words to describe Geranium: Family-oriented and Caring
Favourite Book: Harry Potter (all of them)
If Marji could meet a famous person it would be: Nellie McClung
Shopping Preference, online or in store: In store, small stores preferably
Michael Harte
Project Manager, Land Development
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Michael Harte
Project Manager, Land Development
Michael joined Geranium in June 2016 as a Project Co-ordinator within Geranium’s Land Development department and was promoted to the position as a Project Manager in January 2018. Michael is a graduate from Ryerson University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning.
Since joining Geranium, Michael has excelled in his positions and has gained hands-on experience, learning from his seasoned colleagues and professional consultants from a variety of fields. He appreciates the variety of every day as it gives him exposure to multiple disciplines involved with land development. Michael’s day to day responsibilities require him to effectively manage various projects through the multiple phases of the land development process to ensure they are implemented on time and within budget.
In his spare time, Michael likes to participate in different team sports – baseball, volleyball and hockey to name a few, and he also has a self-described talent for karaoke. A month-long backpacking trip to Bali and Thailand, inspired in him a desire to travel more extensively in the future.
Fun Facts about Michael:
Michael’s two words to describe Geranium: Growing and Family-oriented
Favourite TV Show: Entourage
If Michael could meet a famous person it would be: John F. Kennedy
Vernon Szeto, CPA, CA
Senior Financial Analyst
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Vernon Szeto, CPA, CA
Senior Financial Analyst
Compiling data and financial reports are the primary responsibilities in a typical workday for Vernon, who joined the Geranium team in September 2017. He enjoys his vantage point behind the scenes, seeing how the creation of homes and communities happens from acquiring the land to having homeowners move in. Vernon interacts with most Geranium departments, and he believes it is a joy to work with so many smart individuals.
Before joining Geranium, Vernon worked at one of Canada’s largest audit firms and earned his accounting designation in 2016, which was a highlight of his professional life. His degree at Wilfrid Laurier University entailed co-op semesters at several large companies, which he felt prepared him immensely for his role. He is proud to now have a position with a company that gives back generously to the greater community.
In his leisure time, Vernon likes to listen to Top 40 songs on the radio, go out with friends and sit outdoors soaking up the sun. High on Vernon’s bucket list, is a trip to Maldives with his girlfriend. If he could choose a super power, it would be teleportation, and the first thing he’d do is transport to Maldives!
When he was younger, Vernon played competitive ice hockey. Nowadays, he’s into watching basketball, especially the Toronto Raptors. He believes mankind’s greatest invention is electricity, as without it most things we consider necessities wouldn’t work.
Fun Facts about Vernon:
Vernon’s two words to describe Geranium: Community Oriented
Favourite Book: “Harry Potter” series by J.K. Rowling
Favourite Movie: Crazy Rich Asians
Shopping Preference, online or in store: In-store for items to try on; online for electronics
Viren Shukla
Accounts Payable Coordinator
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Viren Shukla
Accounts Payable Coordinator
Viren joined Geranium in 2000 as Accounts Payable Coordinator. Prior to joining Geranium, Viren’s experience included working in payroll and accounting roles at different companies. His position brings him into contact with all of his co-workers, an aspect of the job he thoroughly enjoys. Viren likes the variety each day brings, and even after 18 years finds that there are still many learning opportunities at Geranium, which he greatly values.
A former competitive Badminton player, he now plays regularly for fun and exercise. Viren finds relaxation at home listening to music or watching movies. He and his wife are avid travellers and have visited parts of Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Alaska, with future trips to Norway, Sweden, and Japan on the horizon.
Viren is a dedicated volunteer at Sanatan Mandir Cultural Centre, which provides programs and services to seniors. He has been honored for his 15-year commitment with a Volunteer Service Award from the province of Ontario. Through this non-profit, he was also chosen as their representative to meet former prime minister Stephen Harper in 2013 and former premier of Ontario, Kathleen Wynne in 2016, moments of pride for Viren.
Fun Facts about Viren:
Viren’s two words to describe Geranium: Second Family and Encouraging
Favourite Movie: James Bond 007 Film Series
If Viren could meet a famous person it would be: Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi
If Viren could have a superpower, it would be: Ability to help all people
Shopping Preference, online or in store: in store
Christine Flynn
Business Systems & Process Coordinator
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Christine Flynn
Business Systems & Process Coordinator
Christine has had a very exciting few years. She had a son, got married, and joined the Geranium team in January 2018 as Business Systems & Process Coordinator. Her role consists of interacting with all departments, something she greatly enjoys. Working as an administrator of the system, Christine is responsible for setting up and maintaining new projects and users in Geranium’s computer database, as well as testing, training, and implementing new aspects of the system. Another important part of Christine’s role is the creation of different system reporting tools. She will create new reports and enhance existing ones to be utilized by different departments and users, with the goal of helping to guide decision-making processes through simplified and streamlined reporting.
Christine describes her responsibilities as task-oriented. System maintenance, user access and securities, and helping to keep all computer systems up-to-date with the newest technology, are all tasks Christine may come across in her day-to-day. Further, Christine works on IT-related tasks, such as setting up new computer equipment, providing an orientation to new users, and maintaining a computer inventory database. Christine is very interested in computer coding and always works to further her knowledge base, currently learning about programming and gaining system experience.
Before joining Geranium, Christine worked in retail as an Operations Coordinator, working with systems and store communications, as well as investigation work and bank reconciliation.
Christine enjoys spending her relaxation time reading and loves to unwind at Scandinave Spa in Blue Mountain. Her favourite music group is Dave Matthews Band, whom she has seen live multiple times. She is an active participant in CIBC’s Run for the Cure, a charity very close to her heart. Christine admires Geranium for supporting community initiatives, as it makes going to work every day feel extra special knowing that she works in an environment full of caring individuals. In her spare time, Christine enjoys exercising her creative side by designing wedding and event stationery for family and friends. If she could travel to anywhere in the world, she would go to Banff and Lake Louise, as she and her husband love exploring scenic destinations.
Fun Facts about Christine:
Christine’s two words to describe Geranium: Personal and Engaging
Favourite Book: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Favourite Movie: The Shawshank Redemption
Favourite Sports Team: Montreal Canadiens
Greatest invention by mankind: Penicillin
